hotel

News Byte

Six Major Hotel Companies Launch a Hotel Search Engine Called Room Key

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 11 at 4:15 pm PT

Here’s something novel: A new hotel search engine founded by companies that own hotels. The joint venture, called Room Key, is an effort to gain independence from some of the large online aggregators, like Priceline and Expedia or even Google. Room Key was founded by Choice Hotels, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels, Marriott and Wyndham Hotel, and acquired its technology from hotelicopter in an asset deal last year.

Expedia Takes Stock as TripAdvisor Gets Ready to Fly the Coop

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on December 9, 2011 at 9:44 am PT

Now that Expedia’s spinoff of TripAdvisor is imminent, the hard work begins to give investors a reason to stick with the online travel agency once its high-flying media business is gone.

Hotel Booking for Procrastinators or the Picky

Katherine Boehret in The Digital Solution on November 29, 2011 at 3:39 pm PT

Katie tests two digital tools for booking hotels: HotelTonight, which aims to get people into rooms no matter how late they book, and Room 77, which wants to get people into the specific room they want.

Priceline’s Take on Google Entering the Friendly Skies

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on November 7, 2011 at 5:20 pm PT

Priceline says it’s up to them to make the most of Google’s entry into the travel market.

Exclusive: Kayak Puts IPO Plans on Hold

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on September 29, 2011 at 2:36 pm PT

Blame it on turbulent waters, but Kayak, the hotel and flight search provider, has put its IPO on hold as it seeks more favorable market conditions.

Why Travel-Related Mobile Ads Are Taking Off on the iPad

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on September 28, 2011 at 9:00 am PT

Frequent travelers are increasingly turning to their iPads to book flights, get directions, find the best local restaurants, reserve a hotel room or rent a car, according to a study being released today.

Move Over, Craigslist: Airbnb Launches Sublets for Longer-Term Rentals

Kara Swisher in Commerce on September 1, 2011 at 12:00 am PT

Airbnb, the fast-growing online accommodations service, is expanding an offering to allow users to more easily book longer rentals of a month or more.

Will the Next Groupon-Killer Be Your Bank or Even a Hotel?

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on August 3, 2011 at 4:31 am PT

Just about every company wants to get into the daily deals space. Soon you may start getting offers from your bank, hotel chains or airlines.

Expedia and Groupon Sell 15,000 Travel Deals in Three Days

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on July 28, 2011 at 1:37 pm PT

In case you were wondering why well-known brands Expedia and Groupon would team up to sell discounts on travel, it’s because of the massive scale the two can reach together.