In this article, you’ll learn how to enable the room selection feature on your Zenchef booking module, allowing your customers to choose where they’d like to sit (e.g.: indoor room, terrace).
Summary
- First step: Activate table stock
- Second step: Make your different rooms bookable
- Third step: Enable room selection on your online booking module
- Fourth step: Display the customer’s choice in your reservation list
- Common cases & FAQs
- Support & Related articles
What you need to know
Room selection lets:
-
Your customers:
- Select the room where they want to be seated.
- Avoid having to ask for a specific spot in the booking comment.
- See if there’s availability in their preferred area (like the terrace) and book a table there.
-
You:
- See in which room your customers wish to be seated.
- Save time by not having to organize seating manually.
- Stop managing availabilities manually.
In short, this feature will simplify your team’s daily work and improve your customers’ booking experience.
The room choice appears directly in your module or booking form. Rooms are linked to your table stock to reflect real-time availability. The customer’s chosen room will be mentioned in their notifications.
1. First step: Activate table stock
You must start by enabling the “Table stock” feature—see the detailed article for instructions.
Note: Room selection is not table selection!
This feature lets customers choose the room, and staff pick a room for phone bookings.
Check your floor plans and settings:
- Make sure the min and max covers for each table are accurate.
- Set up any table groups.
- Check assignment preferences.
- Assign rooms to services.
2. Second step: Make your different rooms bookable
3. Third step: Enable room selection on your online booking module
- Tick the “Enable room choice” box on this settings page.
- You can make the choice mandatory or leave the “no preference” option.
4. Fourth step: Display the customer’s choice in your reservation list
To show the room choice in the reservation list, customize your reservation list (see detailed article). When a booking is made with room selection, you’ll see the customer’s choice in two ways:
- The booking will be automatically placed at a table in the correct area.
- The choice will be shown on the reservation, as an icon or column, based on your settings.
Important info:
- If the customer chooses “No preference,” the table is assigned by the order of assignment.
- Google Reserve bookings can also access room choice.
- Creating a manual booking via the iOS app also allows room choice.
5. Common cases & FAQs
Common cases
- I want my customers to be required to choose a room. Once “Enable room choice” is checked, also tick “Make room choice mandatory” just below.
- I can’t see the “Enable room choice” field. This feature isn’t included in all subscription plans. Contact your account manager to subscribe.
FAQs
- Does the customer choose their exact table? No, only the room. The table is then assigned automatically by the software according to the number of guests and your assignment preferences.
- What if no table is available in the chosen room? The software will let your customer know there’s no availability in that area—they’ll have to pick another room to continue.
6. Support & Related articles
Contact our support team
For further assistance, feel free to contact Zenchef support via the chatbot in your client area or by visiting our help center.