Selecting A Hotel Property
The process for selecting a hotel property can involve several tasks, depending on the prior knowledge of the end user, or the specifications of the client application. Selection processes can also be based on how detailed the end user's requirements are for property locations, amenities, or other attributes.
Overview for that tasks that are typically associated with selecting a hotel property are:
Hotel Index Overview
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Description |
Returns a comprehensive list of properties for a specified city, reference point, or postal code, regardless of availability. |
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Request |
The default index search is made by city code; however, a number of modifiers can be added to the request, including: reference point search, postal code search, or a number of hotel search qualifiers, such as amenities, distance or direction from a specific location, rate categories, AAA rating, and property types. |
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Response |
The response includes the name, address, and distance from the search location for each hotel property. Properties are returned in a random sequence based on distance buckets. |
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Dependencies |
Stand-alone function; however, because availability is not provided for the properties listed in the index, an availability transaction must be used if availability is desired. |
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Recommended Use |
Most appropriate if the end user or client application does not have a preference for a specific hotel property or chain, if the properties in the requested location are unfamiliar to the end user, or if the end user has very specific requirements for property attributes. |
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Related Topics |
Requesting a Hotel Index, Searching with Reference Points, Hotel Search Qualifiers |
Hotel Description Overview
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Description |
Returns textual information for a hotel chain or specific hotel property, based on specified keywords. |
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Request |
Descriptions are requested using RoomMaster property number and keywords for general information, hotel chains, and hotel properties. |
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Response |
Includes check-in and check-out times; location information and directions to a hotel property; hotel amenities; room descriptions; and promotional information. |
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Dependencies |
Stand-alone function; however, descriptions are typically used in conjunction with other hotel search and availability processes. |
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Recommended Use |
Typically used after a hotel index or availability task to provide the end user with more detailed information about a hotel chain or property. |
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Related Topics |
Standard Hotel Availability Overview
Standard Hotel Availability provides both hotel property options and limited room rates. Therefore, this task can be part of both the property selection and room rate selection processes. See Requesting Availability and Pricing for a task overview.