UK-based HostelBookers.com has partnered with Google Maps to launch what it calls a pioneering tool allowing visitors to locate hostels and budget hotels with maps, photos, and a sophisticated hybrid of the two.

Published: 04 Feb 2007

UK-based HostelBookers.com has partnered with Google Maps to launch what it calls a pioneering tool allowing visitors to locate hostels and budget hotels with maps, photos, and a sophisticated hybrid of the two.

The hybrid service works by laying key map components on to a local satellite image. Site visitors can then see a realistic view of each property’s location and surrounding area with roads and amenities clearly illustrated and named.

By hovering over hostels shown on the map, visitors can instantly see prices and pictures, as well as ratings from others who have stayed at that hostel previously. Further, if a desired hostel is already booked for the dates required, visitors can now scroll across surrounding image-maps to find other hostels in the vicinity. As with Google maps, HostelBookers.com users can also zoom in and drag the maps around.

HostelBookers.com presently include the service for 100 of the world’s most visited cities, and are rolling out to others as soon as the required information is available.

HostelBookers.com general manager David Smith, said: “It’s an ongoing process. Google are mapping the world in multiple formats as quickly as they can and when the information’s there we’re merging it with GPS data for all the properties we represent.”

HostelBookers.com, launched in March 2004, is owned and operated by MBI MBO Ltd. It offers a range of hostels and budget accommodation including hotels, B&Bs and apartments in over 2,000 destinations worldwide.