13 years
I notice it's not available to look up hotels outside the USA. I wonder if this will ever come, or will it be like google voice - seemingly forever USA only?
Google Hotel Finder and Hostels
Hostel Trends and News
Google has just launched something called Hotel Finder:
http://www.google.com/hotelfinder/
Users type in a city and it shows a map and list of hotels:
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When you type in the city, Google lets you search by dragging boundaries on a map, highlighting the popular areas of the :
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An interesting feature is that it defaults to only show properties that show prices. That means the hotel has to feed their prices into a booking engine to show up:
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Google shows hotel reviews, just like a regular booking engine:
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Clicking on the "Book" button gives options to book through hotel booking engines, as well as visit the hotel's own website:
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I didn't see any hostels listed, but it may only be a matter of time.
Here is Google's announcement:
http://insidesearch.blogspot.com/2011/07/find-perfect-hotel-with-hotel-finder.html
Google downplays "Hotel Finder" by calling it just an "experiment", but it has the potential to shake things up, especially if they integrate hostels into it. I think hostels should be paying close attention.
- Comments
13 years
If it survives, I'm sure it will become international. They are getting data from international sites like Booking.com, so Google have an opportunity to make money off hotels worldwide...
11 years
Google Hotel Finder?
IHG has given Google Hotel Finder a huge vote of confidence by connecting all of their properties directly to Hotel Finder to save on OTA commissions.
4 Billion searches a year on Google are for hotels, and 32% of all Hostel/Hotel bookings began with a search on Google. Can you afford not to connect your hotels on an Increasingly Dominant Distribution Channel?
OTA's are currently getting about 18% to 30% commissions for each booking they process. Bypassing the OTA's would save most of that commission for your Hostel/Hotel.
Why drive users to book direct on your site using Google Hotel Finder?
Example: a two night stay (including taxes) at $100.00 per night.
Fees to distribution channel for booking the 2 nights.
Google Hotel Finder @ 3% = $6.00
GDS and/or CRS Channel @ 12% = $24.00
OTA's @ 25% = $50.00
All Hostels/Hotels that have been indexed by Google will be listed for free on Google Hotel Finder. However you can only include pricing and direct booking if you have a direct connection to Google Hotel Finder, Google is very strict about who they work with, on your own you will not be able to list your price directly. If you would like to get some help with connecting your property to the New Google Hotel Finder and start saving on OTA commission. Contact us today: [email protected]
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