Exciting update for families: Hilton will now guarantee adjoining rooms through ‘Confirmed Connecting Rooms’

Many parents at TPG have found it frustrating to secure a connecting room while traveling with their families.

They report spending significantly more money (or points) on suites, or relying on the hope of a connected room being available at check-in, which is not guaranteed.

Now, Hilton becomes the first major hotel chain to not only facilitate the booking of adjoining or connecting rooms but to actually ensure their availability. This is monumental news.

"Once your family exceeds the limits of a standard hotel room -- or if you’re embarking on an extended family vacation with more relatives than usual -- finding a hotel stay can be challenging," explained TPG's director of travel content, Summer Hull, who recently faced similar challenges during multiple extended family trips but struggled to secure a connecting room.

"Connecting rooms are often the ideal choice for hotel stays when traveling with a larger group, but historically, securing them has been more of a 'hope for the best' scenario," said Hull, who frequently travels with her two children.

Many travelers dislike adjoining rooms because it could mean sharing a door with strangers and potential noise issues. However, families, particularly those with kids, often prefer adjoining rooms with a connecting door for added privacy and peace of mind while traveling.

On June 16, Hilton Honors announced guests would now have the option to book at least two connecting rooms when making a reservation. Called "Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton," this feature allows travelers to book connecting rooms via Hilton's website or the Hilton Honors app, and it will be launched globally.

"Research indicates that nearly half of travelers booking trips together find connecting rooms crucial. As families and friends start to reunite and travel again, we expect this demand to strengthen," stated Chris Silcock, Hilton's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "Hilton's guarantee of connecting rooms is a bold, guest-focused initiative and is greatly appreciated," added TPG credit cards editor, Juan Ruiz, a frequent traveler and father of twins. "Especially in areas like Europe and Asia, where hotel occupancy rates typically accommodate just two people per room, the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms is a significant advantage for traveling groups and families."

"Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton offers an innovative solution to a long-standing issue and instills renewed confidence in the booking process at a time when more people are planning their travels than ever," the Hilton statement continued.

In its announcement, Hilton acknowledges that booking connecting rooms hasn’t always been straightforward. Previously, guests needed to contact their hotel in advance to request a connecting room. While hotels seldom guarantee these requests, many do try to accommodate them when possible, but you wouldn’t know for sure until you arrive. Other chains, such as Marriott and Hyatt, offer connecting rooms too, but they are not guaranteed and may come at an extra cost.

According to Hilton, travelers can reserve their connecting rooms by following these three steps:

• Go to Hilton.com/ConnectingRooms
• Choose the number of rooms you want, along with your destination and dates, and select your hotel
• When picking a room, check the box to show your interest in connecting rooms
• Select each connecting room at the rates provided

Hilton states that guests can book their stay with "instant confirmation," a concept that originated from Motto by Hilton, a micro-hotel brand in their portfolio. Guests at a Motto, which offers a hostel-like experience, can book up to nine connecting rooms. It seems Hilton is focusing on group travelers, allowing guests to arrange the rooms with "flexible furniture," according to the hotel.

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