I don’t usually make investments a lot significance in travel-related surveys. However the findings of a current survey by Inns.com jumped out at me – and each hotelier ought to sit up and take discover too.
Interviewing greater than 8,600 folks throughout 28 international locations, it discovered that two-thirds picked free wi-fi as the ability they most wished to turn out to be normal in any respect inns. And simply 11 per cent have been keen to pay for wi-fi throughout their keep.
This present day, most of us regard with the ability to log on to verify our emails, the climate and the information as a basic important. This implies we would like and count on inns to present us free, limitless web entry as a no-ifs-and-buts service, in each public areas and bedrooms.
Logging on: Decide your lodge rigorously and you may get free wi-fi within the sunshine
Sure, there are prices for inns to arrange and keep wi-fi for company, however so what? The identical applies to laying on working water and toilet roll. The penny is regularly dropping, with an increasing number of inns realising they’ll’t cost for wi-fi any extra.
However there’s a protracted strategy to go, particularly with many lodge chains, which suppose they’ll get away with some halfway-house association. Travelodge, for instance, launched free wi-fi final summer time, however solely in its Bar Cafés, which can be found in fewer than a 3rd of the chain’s properties.
Equally, at Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton inns, wi-fi is free to all company solely in important public areas, and the identical is true in most UK Marriotts. One other ruse is to supply free wi-fi for a restricted time: with Premier Inn, there isn’t any cost for less than the primary half-hour.
Then there may be the annoying loyalty membership scheme tactic, employed by the likes of Hilton and Jurys Inn. Free wi-fi is yours – however provided that you’ve stayed sufficient nights or amassed sufficient factors.
Net whereabouts: Travellers count on connectibility wherever they go lately
The InterContinental Inns Group (manufacturers embody Crowne Plaza, Vacation Inn and Vacation Inn Specific) just lately introduced that its loyalty programme members will have the ability to get free wi-fi in all its 4,600 inns worldwide.
However solely members with Elite standing – that’s, those that have stayed for 15 nights in a calendar yr or earned 20,000 factors – might be entitled this yr (from July). Nonetheless, free wi-fi might be prolonged to all IHG loyalty members throughout subsequent yr, so even for rare travellers it could be value becoming a member of.
Perversely, it’s the upmarket lodge chains with costlier rooms which can be extra prone to levy an additional, hefty payment for wi-fi: with their better-heeled company, they suppose they’ll get away with it.
So whereas Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton inns cost for web entry in bedrooms (an eyewatering £14.99 for twenty-four hours at Hilton Manchester Deansgate, for instance), the cheaper, sister Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Backyard Inn chains supply free web entry all through their properties to all company.
So what are you able to do to attempt to keep away from being ripped off by inns’ wi-fi expenses? First, boycott inns that don’t supply free wi-fi to all company.
From my expertise, most first rate unbiased inns, and B&Bs, have seen the sunshine and now supply free wi-fi. Some interesting chains do too, akin to Resort du Vin (www.hotelduvin.com), Malmaison (www.malmaison.com) and Radisson Blu Edwardian (www.radissonblu-edwardian.com) within the UK, and Radisson Blu (www.radissonblu.co.uk) within the UK and abroad.
The Accor group (www.accor.com) is rolling out free wi-fi all through inns worldwide, throughout all manufacturers, which embody Ibis, Mercure, Novotel and Sofitel. However verify with particular person inns earlier than reserving.
If you happen to’re staying in a lodge the place you must pay for wi-fi, think about leaving the premises and discovering free wi-fi elsewhere – moaning to employees about having to take action. McDonald’s and Starbucks promise free wi-fi; discover different free wi-fi hotspots on v4.jiwire.com.
If introduced with a cost for wi-fi use, complain vociferously about having to pay. By including your criticism to what’s prone to be an already lengthy record, you’re offering a public service.
