Comments on: Is it time for a “Free The Wi-Fi” campaign for hotels? http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/ The travel troubleshooter. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:45:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: hotel comparison http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27362 hotel comparison Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:55:18 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27362 Finding a good hotel can be difficult, especially at short notice. While each hotel offers a unique experience for travellers, the best hotels share certain characteristics that enhance the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. Whether planning a long-awaited holiday or seeking a last minute accommodation for business needs, certain elements must be present in order to enjoy the best hotel stay possible. Finding a good hotel can be difficult, especially at short notice. While each hotel offers a unique experience for travellers, the best hotels share certain characteristics that enhance the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. Whether planning a long-awaited holiday or seeking a last minute accommodation for business needs, certain elements must be present in order to enjoy the best hotel stay possible.

]]> By: kg2v http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27315 kg2v Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:36:08 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27315 It's amazing that the "Business" hotels can get away with this, but I have paid it I'm no longer a serious business traveler, that said, last summer, I took fairly long trip with my family. With the exception of ONE place, all had WiFi (the place that didn't have it was SO far in the boonies that wasn't even cell phone available, so) The interesting factoid? The "Higher end" business type hotels charged for WiFi/wired internet, the Mid of the line were 50-50, and the couple of small little "tourist" hotels? Free wifi! (and at one,the diner next door used the same access point) - Yep, the little tourist hotels with 9-10 total rooms had free wifi, every one of them. No, you didn't get a conference room. Heck, you didn't get room service, but the rooms were nice, clean, and the help (usually one of the owners most of the time) were more than helpful It’s amazing that the “Business” hotels can get away with this, but I have paid it

I’m no longer a serious business traveler, that said, last summer, I took fairly long trip with my family. With the exception of ONE place, all had WiFi (the place that didn’t have it was SO far in the boonies that wasn’t even cell phone available, so)

The interesting factoid? The “Higher end” business type hotels charged for WiFi/wired internet, the Mid of the line were 50-50, and the couple of small little “tourist” hotels? Free wifi! (and at one,the diner next door used the same access point) – Yep, the little tourist hotels with 9-10 total rooms had free wifi, every one of them. No, you didn’t get a conference room. Heck, you didn’t get room service, but the rooms were nice, clean, and the help (usually one of the owners most of the time) were more than helpful

]]> By: Sharon http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27310 Sharon Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:35:15 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27310 I, too, choose my hotels with the availability of Wi-Fi, being a major factor in my decision. However, what irritates me more than having to pay for internet service, is trying to connect to some of the hotel WiFi sites. So many times, the passcodes don't work, the connections won't connect, or are poor, or I end up calling a "tech service" number that seems to connect in India, or somewhere else where English is a third or fourth language, and get little or no help. If hotels, (and airports) are going to provide WiFi, they need to insure that the service is actually available, and secure. I, too, choose my hotels with the availability of Wi-Fi, being a major factor in my decision. However, what irritates me more than having to pay for internet service, is trying to connect to some of the hotel WiFi sites. So many times, the passcodes don’t work, the connections won’t connect, or are poor, or I end up calling a “tech service” number that seems to connect in India, or somewhere else where English is a third or fourth language, and get little or no help. If hotels, (and airports) are going to provide WiFi, they need to insure that the service is actually available, and secure.

]]> By: NJ Traveler http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27273 NJ Traveler Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:41:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27273 I hate having to explain why my expense account has all of a sudden gone up in the last year ($10 here and $10 there adds up quickly when you have multiple stops or hotels in a trip). I have a laptop that I travel with now and find that it is really annoying when I have to sign in at an airport or hotel for wifi. I don't consider it a right but I am now choosing my hotels based on whether wifi is included or not. It seems to be the deciding factor between locations now. Hotel management need to smarten up in this economy or will find themselves with many empty rooms. Airports are another story as there is usually little choice in the matter. I hate having to explain why my expense account has all of a sudden gone up in the last year ($10 here and $10 there adds up quickly when you have multiple stops or hotels in a trip). I have a laptop that I travel with now and find that it is really annoying when I have to sign in at an airport or hotel for wifi. I don’t consider it a right but I am now choosing my hotels based on whether wifi is included or not. It seems to be the deciding factor between locations now. Hotel management need to smarten up in this economy or will find themselves with many empty rooms. Airports are another story as there is usually little choice in the matter.

]]> By: Free Hotel WiFi – it is becoming the norm « SF WiFi Latest News http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27200 Free Hotel WiFi – it is becoming the norm « SF WiFi Latest News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:14:48 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27200 [...] http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/ Share and Enjoy: [...] [...] http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/ Share and Enjoy: [...]

]]> By: Rajul http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27189 Rajul Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:18:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27189 As author of the blog post Christopher refers to, I believe free WiFi hotels are just smartly accepting the reality of two trends they cannot control: 1. Usage of web-enabled devices continues to grow explosively. 2. An increasing number of guests see WiFi as necessity not luxury. As some have stated in the comments, competitive pressures will likely make free WiFi happen anyway. So why resist and let it damage your brand? See for example how the Lanesborough (London) is revitalising its image by reinforcing free WiFi with free Sony Vaios in rooms, tech butlers, etc. This in my view just makes competitors at similar room rates look out-of-synch. It would be great to crunch some numbers on the reputational and competitive damage of charging for WiFi vs. ancillary revenues generated. Anecdotally, I don't think hotels that have moved to free WiFi have any regrets. I've had emails too from a few that haven't to say they're rethinking. I'm optimistic the dominoes will eventually fall. As author of the blog post Christopher refers to, I believe free WiFi hotels are just smartly accepting the reality of two trends they cannot control:

1. Usage of web-enabled devices continues to grow explosively.
2. An increasing number of guests see WiFi as necessity not luxury.

As some have stated in the comments, competitive pressures will likely make free WiFi happen anyway. So why resist and let it damage your brand?

See for example how the Lanesborough (London) is revitalising its image by reinforcing free WiFi with free Sony Vaios in rooms, tech butlers, etc. This in my view just makes competitors at similar room rates look out-of-synch.

It would be great to crunch some numbers on the reputational and competitive damage of charging for WiFi vs. ancillary revenues generated.

Anecdotally, I don’t think hotels that have moved to free WiFi have any regrets. I’ve had emails too from a few that haven’t to say they’re rethinking.

I’m optimistic the dominoes will eventually fall.

]]> By: Rae http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27188 Rae Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:11:32 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27188 Anyone besides me remember a 50¢ charge to activate the tv or telephone in a room? TVs are now considered a basic amenity everywhere. Perhaps WiFi will eventually be seen the same way. Anyone besides me remember a 50¢ charge to activate the tv or telephone in a room? TVs are now considered a basic amenity everywhere. Perhaps WiFi will eventually be seen the same way.

]]> By: Barry Graham http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27186 Barry Graham Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:56:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27186 It's ridiculous, nobody expects a hotel to offer free food or free phone calls. this is service that not everyone uses. If they give it for free then they will need to up another charge, or perhaps the service won't be as fast as it could be. It’s ridiculous, nobody expects a hotel to offer free food or free phone calls. this is service that not everyone uses. If they give it for free then they will need to up another charge, or perhaps the service won’t be as fast as it could be.

]]> By: David Z http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27171 David Z Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:31:38 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27171 <blockquote>It isn’t a matter of economics, it’s a matter of greed.</blockquote> Without intimately knowing various hotels' business models, is it arguably fair or subjectively reasonable to conclude it's just greed rather than economics or business sense? I recently discovered 2 hotels near my brother's place where A offers free Wi-Fi at a higher room rate, B charges Wi-Fi at a lower room rate, yet both are seemingly doing good. Or I guess some people don't really care other than their own interests, anyway?

It isn’t a matter of economics, it’s a matter of greed.

Without intimately knowing various hotels’ business models, is it arguably fair or subjectively reasonable to conclude it’s just greed rather than economics or business sense? I recently discovered 2 hotels near my brother’s place where A offers free Wi-Fi at a higher room rate, B charges Wi-Fi at a lower room rate, yet both are seemingly doing good.

Or I guess some people don’t really care other than their own interests, anyway?

]]> By: Shari http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotel-guests/comment-page-1/#comment-27152 Shari Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:54 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9422#comment-27152 It's long past time that hotels should be having free wi-fi. It isn't a matter of economics, it's a matter of greed. Most of the cheaper hotels and motels, like Motel 6, all offer complimentary wi-fi. So when a place that's charging $45 can do it, you know that a place that is charging $120 can. Same with amenities such as refrigerators. I've stayed at several hotels, Mariott and Doubletree, where they charge $10/day (!) for a mini-fridge, and over $10/day for wi-fi. That's with me already paying over $100/night. Ridiculous. Usually, I end up doing without the wi-fi and the mini-fridge. Quite often I head to the nearest coffee shop, get a cup of coffee, and use their free wi-fi instead. When I'm writing reviews of hotels, I do mention things such as those abusive charges. If I'm making reservations for a hotel in an area, I'll ask about charges for parking as well as wi-fi, and I usually ask if they have a mini-fridge in the room (which I do tend to use a lot.) I will look for the hotel with the best combination of price and value, and I often let hotels know when they're being greedy and losing my business. I don't think that it matters - there are too many travelers for them to care about one unhappy customer - but if nothing else, they've been forewarned that they're going to lose my business as well as everyone else that I talk to. It’s long past time that hotels should be having free wi-fi. It isn’t a matter of economics, it’s a matter of greed. Most of the cheaper hotels and motels, like Motel 6, all offer complimentary wi-fi. So when a place that’s charging $45 can do it, you know that a place that is charging $120 can. Same with amenities such as refrigerators. I’ve stayed at several hotels, Mariott and Doubletree, where they charge $10/day (!) for a mini-fridge, and over $10/day for wi-fi. That’s with me already paying over $100/night. Ridiculous.

Usually, I end up doing without the wi-fi and the mini-fridge. Quite often I head to the nearest coffee shop, get a cup of coffee, and use their free wi-fi instead.

When I’m writing reviews of hotels, I do mention things such as those abusive charges. If I’m making reservations for a hotel in an area, I’ll ask about charges for parking as well as wi-fi, and I usually ask if they have a mini-fridge in the room (which I do tend to use a lot.) I will look for the hotel with the best combination of price and value, and I often let hotels know when they’re being greedy and losing my business. I don’t think that it matters – there are too many travelers for them to care about one unhappy customer – but if nothing else, they’ve been forewarned that they’re going to lose my business as well as everyone else that I talk to.

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