This morning,
Orbitz launched new mapping functionality which leverages the highly acclaimed Google "Street View" product to give consumers a peek at the hotel before they buy. This is a great way for consumers to take a look (from an
un-biased source like Google) at what the hotel actually looks like - curb appeal anyone? Finally, you'll be able to tell if a Starbucks really is "next door" or down the street a bit.
This is an interesting application of the Street View and much more interesting than the typical, basic mash-up of Google maps that several supplier.com sites (Hyatt and
Starwood, for example - although
Starwood has since removed it) have added lately.
Take a look at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square:
Google
isnt perfect, however - witness the view for the Waldorf=Astoria:
Talk about
portecochere! We may have just picked a bad example - many others worked just fine.
You'll have to look hard to find Street View - it is hidden in tiny letters on the upper right of the "map" tab. Once you find it, it is pretty cool.
These insights are excerpted with permission from Tom Botts' Hudson Crossing blog.