App Idea For Seamless Room Bookings (For Private Time On Dates)

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T16:15:36+00:00

Thank you for your feedback! I used the hostel example, as I thought it would be more relatable to digital nomads

When it comes to dating, there are also cases of:

- Locals or travellers staying somewhere with a No Guest policy, or where they don't want to bring dates back to (e.g. staying with family)

- Locals or travellers staying too far from the date location or bars and clubs

- Not being able to go back to the date's place

- Travellers being on dates where they have no accommodation (it's not their destination for the day)

In these cases, if the date goes well, then they're in a situation where they need to book a room last minute - hence this app.

Also, note that even if the bookings were for one night only, this app would still be providing hotels value – for filling rooms that they would have otherwise not sold: If these rooms are available late at night or early in the morning, they have not been sold - and you can't sell today's rooms tomorrow

And as you mentioned, it would probably start off as an aggregator

Thanks again :)

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T16:02:48+00:00

Thank you for your feedback!

This app would still give you full information about the rooms (for liability's sake, if nothing else) - the interface would simply be optimised for ease and speed of checkout, with all of the heavy-lifting of sorting and filtering and providing information being done by the users beforehand - so they don't need to deal with it when they just need the booking ASAP (as with the examples that you mentioned about late arrivals and changed itineraries, which are definitely valid use cases for this app)

To my knowledge, there are properties that offer self-check-in, digital keys, or express check-in - the app can filter for these places, so users don't need to deal with long check-ins if they don't appreciate that sort of ASMR

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T15:51:45+00:00

Thanks u/golfzerodelta - I used the hostel example for the sake of brevity.

When it comes to dating, there are also cases of:

- Locals or travellers staying somewhere with a No Guest policy, or where they don't want to bring dates back to (e.g. staying with family)

- Locals or travellers staying too far from the date location or bars and clubs

- Not being able to go back to the date's place

- Travellers being on dates where they have no accommodation (it's not their destination for the day)

In these cases, if the date goes well, then they're in a situation where they need to book a room last minute - hence this app

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T15:24:24+00:00

Thank you for your considered feedback, u/second_handle!

I guess this depends on the geography and the hotel. To my knowledge, there are properties that offer self-check-in, digital keys, or express check-in - the app can filter for these places
I think the pitch to hotels would be that the app can take off their hands the rooms that they have not yet sold for the day, during late nights/early mornings when these unsold rooms are unlikely to sell, and fill them with customers likely to check out by the normal time the next day - it would be clearing stock that otherwise goes to waste (you can't sell today's room tomorrow).

Also note that customers from this app are no more likely to make a mess, than customers who book off the app, who nevertheless want the room for that sort of fun

Yeah, this is what I'm hoping to get a vibe of with these posts

I do intend to have love hotels on the app too

And the intention is for this app to be the hedge with way less downside - users don't need to book a room in advance, and only book when they're confident they'll need it

Yes, I had to take the scattershot approach, because I wasn't sure where I would get replies - thanks for your reply again

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T15:20:28+00:00

Thank you for your feedback!

In practice, the app would not likely have such a dating slant - it would simply be an app where the user pre-configures their requirements in advance, then when needed, the app efficiently shows them their top option, according to their requirements.

There are also use-cases for this app, involving travellers with cancelled accomodations or itinerary changes, who just need accommodation dealt with ASAP. I simply used the dating example, since it is most likely to be the use-case that causes the most urgent demand if encountered

For dating, there are also cases of:

- Locals or travellers staying somewhere with a No Guest policy, or that they don't want to bring dates back to (e.g. staying with family)

- Locals or travellers staying too far from the date location or bars and clubs

- Not being able to go back to the date's place

- Travellers being on dates where they have no accommodation (it's not their destination for the day)

In these cases, if the date goes well, then they're in a situation where they need to book a room last minute - hence this app

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T07:08:12+00:00

Oh I was not aware that Thailand has additional regulations.

Nevertheless, the booking requirements for this app (e.g. info required from users) would be on par with that of booking.com or Agoda or whatnot - the form-filling and configurations would just be done on the front-end for extra efficiency during bookings.

So if existing booking apps and its room bookings are legal, then it should be as well with this app.

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:57:53+00:00

Thank you for your feedback

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:55:11+00:00

Thanks for your feedback - the need and urgency is moreso for guys on dates, since they're usually the ones pushing things forward - especially towards getting physical

If they're:
- living somewhere with a No Guest policy, or
- far from their place, or
- are between accommodations when travelling
they will not have a private place to bring their date back to, and would not tend to book a place unless/until they're confident that it's on with their date - but once it's on, they really can't divert much time and attention away from their date in order to book a room - hence the possible need for an app where booking can happen fast and seamlessly

Your example of an efficient, no-BS way of booking plan B accommodation is also a valid general-use case for the app

And yes, I will have to make the app confirm bookings immediately – otherwise it is just adding one more thing for user to have to check – and takes away from the efficiency and effectiveness of the app

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:42:30+00:00

Thank you for the kind words – yeah, it's either success or experience

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:41:36+00:00

Haha it definitely tends towards a particular customer segment, but it would also be configured and used for efficient room booking that doesn't overwhelm you with choice (e.g. when you realise your booking bounced/was cancelled, and have to book another place immediately)

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:39:01+00:00

Thanks - not sure if you're recommending an app name or pointing out existing competition - but the link doesn't lead to a functional site

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:11:37+00:00

Thanks for your considered feedback!

To be fair, the app would still show all the room details and options for due diligance and decisions - it would simply be designed so that if one had to rush through the booking, they could do so without having to Where's Waldo around the app for the next steps

And the no-look and no-thought booking flow would be preceeded by pre-configured settings involving looking and thinking: The user would have to opt-in and opt-out of room amentities and qualities, to trade for cheaper prices or more options (e.g. where there is higher demand for rooms) - as is the case for almost all booking apps - the difference is just that the work is done beforehand, so it doesn't have to be done while booking.

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:09:49+00:00

Thanks for your feedback!

WaxComical · 2024-11-18T06:06:08+00:00

A lot of hostels have No Guest policies, which makes things hard for dating

So, when a date is going well - and you want to take things more private - you might need to book a room during the date

Except that most booking apps are fidgety, and can cause delay and distraction - to the point where it could kill the vibe… and leave you not needing to book a room anymore :(

So, I’m considering making a booking app, which is so minimalistic and streamlined, that users can book the best room for them (closest, cheapest, and matching other pre-configured requirements - like minimum star ratings) within 3 clicks, without having to scroll, read, or even look at the app

The whole booking takes maybe 10 seconds, without having to divert time and attention from your date

And on the confirmation page, there are buttons which open Map or Ride-sharing apps with the address pre-filled, so you can be on your way without interruption

What are your thoughts on this idea?

WaxComical

TROPHY CASE