Travel Glossary · Hotels
Run of House (ROH)
Definition
Run of House (ROH): Run of house is a hotel booking where the property assigns any available standard room at check-in, rather than guaranteeing a specific room type, view, or bed configuration.
A run-of-house rate trades certainty for price. You are guaranteed a room, but the hotel decides which one, usually from its entry-level categories, based on what is free when you arrive. You might get a king or two queens, a city view or an inner courtyard, a renovated floor or an older wing.
ROH rates appear most often in group room blocks, conferences, and tour packages, where a hotel commits rooms without promising specific categories. They can work well for a short business stay where you mostly sleep, but are a poor fit when bed type matters, such as two colleagues sharing or a family. Travelers who need an accessible room should always book that room type specifically.
If you do book ROH, note your preferences and arrive early, since requests are honored only when available. For a special trip, booking a named category is usually worth it. Our guide to choosing the right hotel room explains what to look for.
Go deeper
- Travel GuidesChoosing the Right Hotel Room: Views, Beds, Floors and Fine PrintHow to choose the right hotel room: what category names mean, ocean view vs oceanfront, floors, connecting rooms, club level, accessible rooms and hidden fees.
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- Travel GuidesHow to Get Hotel Upgrades: What Actually WorksHow to get hotel upgrades: elite status, Virtuoso amenities, booking channel, timing, special occasions and paid upgrade offers, and when to just book the room.
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