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Room 77 assists travelers in choosing the best accommodations for their trip. Rather than focus on hotels specifically, the website takes it a step further by presenting actual room information. This gives the user more transparency when it comes to choosing a room, something which is often overlooked in hotel websites and other travel resources. Users can search for a specific hotel or click on a featured location from the homepage. The site includes a Google map of the actual hotel interior that shows room numbers and where each room is situated. The color key also indicates strong and weak matches as well as elevators and stair locations. The user can click on a specific room on the hotel map to view specific details about it, such as bed type, size, smoking preference, how far it is from the elevator, what floor it is on, if there is a connecting room and what the view is like.

Room 77 was created around the concept that a traveller’s stay begins and ends with their hotel room. The site strives to take the mystery out of choosing the best room. Room 77 was founded in February of 2009 by Brad Gerstner. The current team consists of around 20 individuals, including Chairman Gerstner, Vice President of Engineering Calvin Yang, General Manager and Vice President of Product Kevin Fliess, Advisor Sam Shank, Vice President of Content Jason Bushman, Investor Pejman Nozad, Vice President of Partner Relations Melissa Beauchamp and Technical Advisor Mark Johnson. Room 77 is currently in beta.

Most travel and hotel websites give an overview of the actual hotel rather than each individual room. While some may include a few photos and highlights about different types of rooms, almost none actually list every single room in detail. Room 77 strives to provide travellers with this vital information. The user is given specific details about the rooms they will be staying in so there are no surprises after they check in.

The Room 77 website has a professional, eye-catching design that features hints of deep blue against pale grey and white. The modern logo includes a door design in blue. The room search area is very well organized and presents a great deal of information. The user can click through a list of best matching rooms along the left hand side. To the right, a Google map presents the hotel layout with color coding. The user can click specific rooms to view further information.

Users are not required to register to search for rooms on Room 77. As soon as a visitor arrives, they can access the search tool, maps and other resources. Users can follow Room 77 on Twitter and Facebook or download it as a free iPhone application. The site is currently in beta so it is possible that a registration option could be added later on.

Room 77 is currently available to all users for free. There are no subscription fees or other charges for using the site. In fact users are not required to log in at all, so anyone can enjoy this service as soon as they arrive on the Room 77 homepage or download the iPhone app. The only expense associated with Room 77 is the cost of booking a hotel room the user finds through the website. This is not a requirement and is paid directly to the hotel and not Room 77.

Anyone who needs to book a hotel room can really appreciate Room 77. The application provides far more insight than most hotel or travel websites offer. Users can see very specific details to make the best room choice before spending money on the reservation.

• Browse for individual rooms that match your requirements
• Review detailed information about each room
• See a hotel overview map that includes elevators and stairs
• Tweet or “like” a room from the Room 77 website
• Make a reservation through the site

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