Understanding the Run of House Room Concept: Exploring Benefits and Uses of Run of House Rooms in Hospitality

The “Run of House” (ROH) is a common term you’ll encounter when booking hotels or resorts, and it plays a unique role in guest accommodation across the hospitality sector. At its core, a Run of House room means that you are reserving a room type without selecting a specific category—essentially, you agree to accept whatever room is available upon your arrival. This approach is commonly used by hotels to efficiently manage their inventory, offering guests the possibility of upgrades or better views depending on current occupancy, but also creating a sense of surprise. It’s a popular option for budget-conscious travelers or last-minute bookings, as hotels often offer ROH rooms at a lower rate than rooms with guaranteed categories, such as suites or ocean views.

But as a designer, I interpret the Run of House concept not just as a booking strategy, but as an invitation for flexibility and resourceful use of space. Imagine you’re redesigning a residence or commercial space with multiple ambiguous rooms—rather than dedicating each area upfront, you can leverage multifunctional design and modular furniture to ensure rooms satisfy a range of potential functions, echoing the adaptability of ROH offerings in hospitality. If you need visualization tools to experiment with “Run of House” inspired layouts—where flexibility and creative use of floor plans matter—I recommend using a Home Designer platform to quickly reimagine room placements and functions, mirroring the hotel’s versatility in your own projects.

Tips 1:

When considering a Run of House room, always communicate any must-have requirements (like accessibility or bed type) with the property in advance, as this can influence your assigned room. And for design inspiration, experiment with open-plan layouts, movable dividers, or furnishings that can serve multiple purposes—strategies that align perfectly with the Run of House philosophy of adaptability.

FAQ

Q: What does "Run of House" mean at a hotel?

A: “Run of House” means your room is assigned by the hotel at check-in, with no guarantee of a specific view, floor, or type—just assurance of a room within the hotel.

Q: Are Run of House rooms cheaper?

A: Typically, yes. Hotels often sell ROH rooms at a discount, since the guest gives up the guarantee of a specific room type.

Q: Can you get upgraded with a Run of House booking?

A: It's possible. Since your room isn’t assigned until arrival, you might receive an upgrade if better rooms are available.

Q: Is Run of House a good choice for families?

A: It can be, but be sure to communicate occupancy and bed needs in advance to avoid surprises at check-in.

Q: How does the Run of House concept relate to interior design?

A: The principle of flexibility central to Run of House inspires adaptable, multipurpose spaces in interior design—using design strategies and visualization tools to keep spaces versatile.