Hilton harnesses Google Maps to improve room selections

Guests staying at Hilton hotels now have the ability to choose their exact room, and what views they can expect, following the integration of Google Maps into the online booking process.

Members of the Hilton HHonors loyalty programme using the HHonors app will now be offered more details about the hotel’s surroundings and their room’s potential view, before making a room selection.

“With the updated room selection feature, you can now be your family’s hero by choosing the room at the Hilton St Louis at the Ballpark Downtown that faces Busch Stadium, or by picking a room at Hampton Inn Marquette Waterfront that looks out at Lake Superior,” the company stated.

The updated digital floor plans include detailed geographical information about the hotel’s surroundings, so guests can get a better idea of where available hotel rooms are located in relation to city streets, public transport, parks and other attractions. They can also see if there is a major road outside their window or if their room faces east toward the sunrise.

“We are the only global hotel company offering this game-changing technology and it is one of the most popular features on the Hilton HHonors app. Our guests love having the ability to choose their own rooms, but they have asked us to provide more detail about the hotel’s surroundings, and we have delivered,” said Geraldine Calpin, Hilton Worldwide’s chief marketing officer. “By working with Google, we’re making our guests’ feedback reality by providing an exciting, in-app experience that lets our Hilton HHonors members pick their perfect room.”

Google Maps’ product manager, Megan Boundey, added; “Google Maps want to make it as easy as possible for people to get the information they need in a simple and intuitive way. With Hilton’s spirit of constant innovation, combined with the Google Maps API technology, together we were able to enhance the guest experience by changing the way travellers plan and prepare for their hotel stay.”

The map feature is now available on the Hilton HHonors iOS and Android apps and will be rolled out to Hilton’s websites this summer.

Members can select their room from 6am on the day of arrival. They will be shown a digital floor plan of the hotel with a green circle denoting available rooms. Along with the maps, guests can view photos and details of their hotel room.

And some hotels also allow guests to check-in automatically, using their smartphone as their room key.