Room mapping: compare the room and the offer
A practical guide to hotel room attributes, equivalent categories, unknown values and the difference between room identity and rate plans.
Room mapping compares room categories within a verified property. The workflow needs to preserve meaningful differences in beds, occupancy, view and category, while meals, cancellation and payment conditions remain associated with the individual supplier offer.
Resolve the hotel first
Room labels such as Deluxe Double or Executive Suite are used by many hotels. Establish the property relationship before comparing room categories. Keep the original supplier room code and description so an operator can trace every normalized attribute back to the source.
Keep material attributes explicit
Separate the room category from bed configuration, occupancy, size, view and features such as accessibility or connecting-room guarantees. Unknown is a valid value. Do not turn a missing view into city view or assume that a double room guarantees a king bed.
Compare commercial conditions separately
The same room category may have breakfast, room-only, refundable and non-refundable offers. Those differences can materially change the customer's choice. Preserve the supplier offer identifier and its full conditions even when two offers are associated with the same normalized room category.
Review ambiguous descriptions
Descriptions such as standard, run of house, double or twin and room assigned on arrival need careful handling. Normalization should retain uncertainty. A reviewer can approve equivalence only when the source evidence supports the actual room attributes the customer will receive.
Related questions
Should sea-view and partial-sea-view rooms be merged?
Not automatically. Preserve the difference unless the property or another approved source explicitly confirms that the labels refer to the same category.
Does the same room name guarantee the same occupancy?
No. Supplier occupancy limits and child rules may differ or be incomplete. Compare the explicit conditions attached to the offer.
What is a safe response to a missing room attribute?
Keep it unknown and assess whether the missing detail prevents an equivalence decision. If it materially affects the customer's choice, require review or keep the offers separate.