Expedia claims it’s selling rooms at “unpublished rates”, but what does this actually mean and how can travelers take advantage of it?

“Unpublished rates” are the minimum prices that hotels will sell a room at if they haven’t been able to sell it at the standard rate.

The travel giant announced October 25 that it would dramatically expand its unpublished rate inventory to include 25,000 hotels around the world, claiming that travelers could book hotels at up to 50 percent off the standard online price.

Barack Obama and his travelling delegation have book at least 800 rooms for the president’s trip to Mumbai including the entire Taj Mahal hotel.

Barack Obama will make the hotel his home for two days—most likely November 5 and 6—during his brief visit to Mumbai.

At least 150 administration staff will accompany the President, the official said adding that they were also going to be accompanied by a special chef.

Hyatt is to offer guests hypoallergenic rooms in all of its North American properties, it confirmed October 12.

The group, which operates Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Andaz properties, is to roll out approximately 2,000 hypoallergenic rooms in its hotels across the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Branded Respire by Hyatt, the rooms use a system designed to eliminate more than 98% of airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as pollen and other irritants.

InterContinental is to become the first chain in the industry to pilot technology that allows guests to open their guestroom with a smartphone.

The group will roll out the technology, designed by OpenWays, to two US Holiday Inn properties, gathering feedback from the first guests to use the system.

Travelers staying at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago O’Hare Rosemont and the Holiday Inn Express Houston Downtown will have the option to enroll in the program prior to their check-in date.

Barcelona company Dream and Fly have designed a series of miniature hotel rooms for busy places like airports and train stations.

Called Bubbles, the modules will come in different sizes and be rented by the hour so travellers can work rest or shower.