Run of House (ROH) Rooms: What Agents Should Know
What a Run of House (ROH) room means, the pros and cons for travellers and agencies, when to sell it, and how to disclose it clearly before payment.
· 6 min read · Nodes Travels team
A Run of House rate, usually shortened to ROH, guarantees a room at the hotel but not a particular room type. The hotel assigns the room at check-in, from whatever it has available. Often that is the standard category, but it could be any room the hotel chooses to give.
ROH rates are common in group business, wholesale contracts, packages and some discounted channels. They can be a good deal, and they can also cause the classic complaint: we booked the same hotel as our friends and got a much worse room. This guide covers what ROH means, when it is worth selling and how to disclose it.
Why hotels offer ROH rates
For the hotel, ROH is a flexibility tool. Instead of committing a specific category to a rate, it keeps the freedom to place guests wherever rooms are free on the night. That helps it manage occupancy, especially when some categories are full and others are not. In return, it can offer the rate at a lower price or release it to wholesalers and tour operators who need guaranteed beds for groups.
For the seller, ROH is simple to price and package. A tour operator can promise a night in a named hotel without tying the package to one room category.
ROH vs a named room type
| Run of House | Named room type | |
|---|---|---|
| Room guaranteed | Yes, a room at the hotel | Yes, a specific category |
| Room type known in advance | No, assigned at check-in | Yes |
| Bed type, view, floor | Not guaranteed | Usually stated (subject to availability for extras) |
| Typical price | Often lower | Set by category |
| Upgrade possible | Sometimes, at the hotel's choice | Rarely, unless purchased |
| Best for | Flexible guests, groups, short stays | Guests with specific needs |
Pros and cons
For many guests ROH is a sensible trade: a lower price for accepting whatever standard room is free. The risk is that some guests do not realise they made that trade until they open the door.
- Pro: often cheaper than the cheapest named category
- Pro: easy for groups and packages where everyone needs a room
- Pro: occasionally assigned a better room when standard rooms are full
- Con: no guarantee of bed type, which matters for couples and friends sharing
- Con: no guarantee of view, floor, size or accessibility features
- Con: guests in a group may get very different rooms
When ROH is a good fit
- Short stays where the room is mostly for sleeping
- Price-sensitive travellers who are relaxed about room details
- Groups and conference stays where every guest just needs a bed
- Package tours where the hotel name matters more than the room type
- Transit nights before or after a flight
When to avoid it
Do not sell ROH to honeymooners, anniversary trips or anyone celebrating, unless they explicitly accept it. Avoid it for guests who need twin beds or a double bed, families who need a specific occupancy, and anyone who needs an accessible room, a ground floor or a quiet room for medical reasons. In those cases a named room type with the requirement noted is worth the extra cost.
Be careful with occupancy. An ROH rate is still sold for a stated number of guests. Make sure the rate covers the whole party, including children, so the family is not asked to pay for an extra bed at check-in.
How to disclose ROH to customers
- 1
Name it in plain words
Write Room type assigned by the hotel at check-in rather than only ROH. Most customers do not know the abbreviation.
- 2
Say what is not guaranteed
List bed type, view and floor as not guaranteed, next to the price, so the trade-off is visible when the customer chooses.
- 3
Repeat it before payment
Show the same wording on the review page. A customer should not meet the term for the first time on the voucher.
- 4
Put it on the confirmation
Include it in the confirmation email and voucher, so the guest can show it at the desk if there is a misunderstanding.
- 5
Pass on requests as requests
If the customer asks for a twin bed or high floor, send it to the hotel, and tell the customer it is a request, not a promise.
Frequently asked questions
What does ROH stand for?
Run of House. It means the hotel guarantees a room but chooses which room type at check-in.
Is an ROH room always the worst room?
No. It is usually a standard room, and sometimes a better one if standard rooms are full. It simply is not guaranteed either way.
Can a guest request a bed type on an ROH rate?
Yes, as a request. The hotel will try if it can, but it is not obliged to.
Should ROH be cheaper than a standard room?
Often it is, because the guest gives up choice. If the price is the same as a named room, the named room is usually the better buy.
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