Money Matters, Simplified.
Google launches Hotel Finder search tool
by NeelamGoswami - July 30, 2011 - comments
Not only this, Hotel Finder also shows information, customer reviews and star ratings from Google Places, along with the option to keep a “shortlist” for ones that the traveler likes.
Google Inc. launched Thursday a new addition to its search engine, a tool for searching hotels. Hotel Finder, which as its name suggest, would assist users to search hotels in various cities, save those that interest them and book reservations.
By introducing the new experimental hotel search tool, Google has joined sites like Kayak, Expedia and Hotels.com, the leading hotel search portals which enable travelers choose hotels from the widest selections of hotel accommodation on the web, including independent and major chain hotels.
Now search your dream hotel with Hotel Finder
TheNextWeb.com and other tech publications report that the new Google search tool, Hotel Finder (not to be confused with HotelFinder.com), is “designed to help users find the perfect hotel.”
Google’s Hotel Finder helps a person find the ideal accommodation based on a few different priorities, such as location and budget.
At this point, Hotel Finder is only available for finding hotels in the United States, but Google hopes to expand it if the tool proves popular.
An innovative way to search hotels online
For example, when searching for where to stay, the travelers can draw shapes around the part of the town, using a mouse, rather than searching by individual addresses.
One more feature that makes Google's Hotel Finder superior to its rival hotel search portals is the way it displays the hotel rates.
Google's Hotel Finder discloses the full rate, rather than showing only the base rate without taxes and fees.
Will show rate comparison
Clicking on a hotel will not only display the average price of a room per night but also compare the current price to previous prices.
Not only this, Hotel Finder also shows information, customer reviews and star ratings from Google Places, along with the option to keep a “shortlist” for ones that the traveler likes.
In addition, it will pop up a collage of images, thanks to a hotel marketing firm called VFM Leonardo.
Linked to other hotel search sites
Hotel Finder links to other online hotel search portals, like Expedia and Hotels.com, for booking reservations if they are Google advertisers.
Clicking on a booking option pulls up a particular site in a separate tab, providing Google with price and availability information. Google Hotel Finder is also linked to the hotel’s own website.
At this point, Hotel Finder is only available for finding hotels in the United States, but Google hopes to expand it if the tool proves popular.