Choice, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott and Wyndham teamed to launch a new online hotel search engine called Room Key.

The site will provide consumers "the simplicity, transparency and breadth of choice consumers expect from a search engine," and facilitate direct bookings with hotels, according to the companies. The online resource will "evolve" to include "independent reviews and the ability to compare, plan and share with friends and family." The site initially will launch in the United States, with expansion plans for "English-speaking regions outside the United States." Former Pegasus Solutions chief executive John Davis III serves as Room Key CEO. The company noted that it acquired its technology platform last year from hotel search firm Hotelicopter.