Room Mapping

Room mapping ensures you're comparing like-for-like room types across your comp set. By correctly mapping your room categories to competitor room types, you get accurate, meaningful rate comparisons that inform better pricing decisions.

Understanding Room Mapping

Different hotels use different names for similar room types. Your "Superior King Room" might be comparable to a competitor's "Deluxe Double" or "Premium King." Room mapping allows you to group similar room types across properties so you can compare equivalent offerings.

Accessing Room Mapping

From the main Rate Radar dashboard, click the "Room mapping" tab in the sub-navigation menu, alongside Overview, Calendar, and Detail.

Room Categories

Rate Radar uses six standard room categories to organize and compare room types across properties. These categories come with default definitions, but you can customise them to better fit your market or property needs.

Single

Definition: One or two single beds with basic amenities (e.g., shower, kettle etc.)

Typical characteristics:

  • One or two single beds

  • Designed for solo travellers or two guests in separate beds

  • Basic amenities and standard size

Standard

Definition: One double bed with basic amenities (e.g., shower, kettle etc.)

Typical characteristics:

  • One double bed

  • Standard room size

  • Basic amenities included

  • Entry-level offering for most properties

Deluxe

Definition: One double bed with luxury amenities (e.g., views, balcony etc.)

Typical characteristics:

  • One double bed

  • Enhanced amenities compared to Standard

  • May include views, balcony, or upgraded features

  • Mid-tier offering

Family

Definition: One double + single bed, two double beds, or one double + bunk beds

Typical characteristics:

  • Multiple bed configurations

  • Larger room size

  • Designed for families or groups

  • May include interconnecting rooms

Suite

Definition: At least one double bed (or larger) plus living or dining space

Typical characteristics:

  • Separate living area

  • One or more bedrooms

  • Additional space and amenities

  • Higher-tier offering

Luxury suite

Definition: The most luxurious and spacious room type with luxury amenities

Typical characteristics:

  • Premium positioning

  • Largest room size

  • Highest level of amenities and services

  • Top-tier offering

The Room Mapping Interface

The Room mapping page is organised by property, showing your hotel first, followed by each competitor.

Mapping Your Property's Rooms

Your property appears at the top of the list. For each of your room types:

  1. Review the room name and its characteristics

  2. Select the most appropriate category from the dropdown

  3. Click "Apply" to save the mapping

Mapping Competitor Rooms

After mapping your own rooms, you'll see each competitor's room types listed below.

Why Competitor Mapping Matters

Accurate competitor mapping ensures:

  • You're comparing your Standard room to their Standard equivalent, not their Deluxe

  • Rate comparisons reflect true competitive positioning

  • You understand which of your room types compete with which competitor offerings

  • Your analysis isn't skewed by mismatched room categories

Editing Room Categories

Room category definitions can be customised to better fit your specific market, property type, or organisational preferences. Click the "Edit categories" button at the top right of the Room mapping page to modify the definitions.

Customising Descriptions

You can edit the description for any category by clicking in the description field and typing your changes. Use this to:

  • Add market-specific details

    If your market has unique characteristics, include them in the definitions. For example, if "Deluxe" in your city typically means harbour views, add that to the description.

  • Clarify category distinctions

    Make the differences between categories crystal clear for your team. If the line between "Suite" and "Luxury suite" is subtle in your market, spell out the exact differentiators.

Best Practices for Customisation

  • Keep definitions concise

    While you can add detail, avoid making descriptions so long they become difficult to scan quickly. Aim for clarity, not comprehensiveness.

  • Focus on distinguishing features

    Emphasise what makes each category different from the ones above and below it. What pushes a room from Standard to Deluxe? From Suite to Luxury suite?

  • Use a consistent structure

    If you add examples to one category, add them to all categories. If you mention bed configuration in one, mention it in all. Consistency makes the definitions easier to use.

  • Review periodically

    Set a reminder to review category definitions annually or when significant market changes occur. Definitions that worked well initially may need refinement over time.

Category Summary Badges

At the top of each property section, you'll see category summary badges showing the count of rooms in each category. These badges help you quickly understand:

  • Which categories each property offers

  • Whether any rooms remain unmapped

  • The breadth of each competitor's inventory

Best Practices for Room Mapping

  • Map Based on Features, Not Names

    Don't rely solely on room names. A "Superior Double" at one property might be equivalent to a "Standard King" at another. Consider:

    • Bed configuration

    • Room size

    • Amenities included

    • Views or special features

    • Price positioning

  • Be Consistent Across Competitors
    If you map your "Superior King" to Deluxe, map similar competitor rooms to Deluxe as well, even if they use different names.

  • Consider Your Pricing Strategy

    Think about which competitor rooms you actually compete with for bookings:

    • Which rooms are in similar price ranges?

    • Which rooms target the same guest segments?

    • Which rooms offer comparable value propositions?

  • Review Regularly
    Room mappings may need adjustment when:

    • Competitors renovate or reposition room types

    • New room types are added to any property

    • You adjust your own room positioning

  • Validate with Rate Comparisons

    After mapping, check the Overview or Detail view:

    • Do the rate comparisons make sense?

    • Are you comparing rooms at similar price points?

    • If mappings seem off, return to Room mapping to adjust

Common Mapping Challenges

  • Rooms That Fit Multiple Categories

    Some rooms have characteristics that span categories. For example, a "Deluxe Family Room" has both family configuration and deluxe amenities.


    Solution: Map based on the primary characteristic. If it's primarily about family accommodation, map to Family. If it's primarily about luxury, map to Deluxe or Suite.

  • Unique Room Types
    Properties sometimes have unique offerings like themed rooms, rooms with special views, or historical rooms that don't fit standard categories.

    Solution: Map based on price point and guest expectations. Where would guests comparison shop this room?

  • Different Market Positioning
    A property's "Standard" might be equivalent to another property's "Deluxe" if they're positioned at different quality tiers.

    Solution: Map based on relative positioning within that property's inventory and actual features, not just names.

Impact on Your Analysis

Proper room mapping directly affects what you see in other Rate Radar views:

  • Occupancy / Room Filter

    When you select "Deluxe" in the Occupancy / Room filter, you'll see only rooms mapped to the Deluxe category across all properties in your comp set.

  • Strategic Insights

    Accurate mapping ensures your insights are meaningful:

    • "We're 10% higher in Standard rooms" is actionable

    • "We're comparing mismatched room types" leads to poor decisions

Experiment and Adjust

Room mapping isn't permanent. Try a mapping, check the results in other views, and adjust if needed. Over time, you'll develop mappings that provide the most valuable insights for your property.

Getting Help

If you have questions about Rate Radar, email: [email protected]