HotelChatter's Annual Hotel Wi-Fi Report 2010

Ant writes with this excerpt from an annual review of wireless access for hotel guests: "This year marks HotelChatter's sixth annual hotel Wi-Fi report. Over the years we've documented the progression of hotel Wi-Fi, from blatant disregard, to price-gouging for Wi-Fi access, and reliable Wi-Fi for loyalty program members, through guests taking matters into their own hands with wireless laptop/notebook cards and 3G access. A year ago, we thought guest demand for free, reliable, hotel Wi-Fi might just go away, thanks to 3G, but today, a growing number of hotel guests not only demand the hotel they book have proper wireless access, but most will consider not staying at a hotel that can't meet their basic access needs. That's right, Wi-Fi is a make or break amenity for many hotel guests that can sway booking decisions — and that isn't going away."

Hilton sucks.

[PatHMV]

I stayed at a Hilton recently, and they wanted something like $16 PER DAY for WiFi access in the room. I could almost stay at Motel 6 for that, WITH free WiFi there. It's because they're aimed at business travelers, who don't care what the bill to their company is. I won't stay at a Hilton again, if I have a choice.

free internet connectivity is a hotel filter

[nblender]

I don't much care about wifi. I bring an airport express with me... But I refuse to pay for internet connectivity in any hotel. period. I once stayed at the BirgerJarl in Stockholm and was checking my IP address and lo-behold, I was handed an IPv6 address! Next time I went through the lobby, I mentioned how impressed I was to a lady at the counter and she replied that if I liked, she could give me an IPv4 address instead and to just let her know ...

Motel 6

[Itninja]

We did a West Coast road trip this year and stayed in hotels ranging from 5-star Best Westerns to 2-star Motel 6's (um, Motels 6?). Consistently the Motel 6's had much better Wifi (e.g. faster, more secure, and better signal). Where most of the higher end hotels must have had a single WAP for the entire building. Not to mention most of their WPA passcodes were , whereas the Motel 6's gave me a one-use card with a unique passcode on it.

Re:Expensive hotel := bad WIFI, cheap motel := goo

[Anonymous Coward]

The reason many of the big boys don't have free WiFi is that in the early 2000's they signed long term contracts with a provider usually the same one the provides the in-room movies.

I used to work for Hilton and that is what happened at our property when we signed a 10 year contract. The provider came in set-up the equipment and took care of the maintenance and the hotel is charged a fee plus a percentage of WiFi revenue. Even though for the cost of 1 months "service" we could have bought and installed the equipment ourselves

While the little guys just went out bought wireless access points, got a DSL or cable modem and just plugged them in.

Re:Expensive hotel := bad WIFI, cheap motel := goo

[XiaoMing]

What makes me wonder then is why such a disparity between hotels rooms and business/first class vs economy flights.

In hotels, it seems like the basic conveniences, as long as they charge you fractionally little enough for it, you won't mind paying in addition to whatever the room cost already was (~10% a day?). However on flights, the more you spend on your ticket, the more they will go out of their way to plant their lips on your butt as far as letting you board first, get cozy, have a free drink, check a bag for free, etc.

I guess the difference is that you're not getting two disparately priced rooms within one building in the case of hotels?
But it's still pretty damn ironic that those you pay more to, try to screw you over more in the hotel industry. Somewhere along the way apparently it seems image and prestige way overtook actual customer satisfaction and service.

Re:Hotels are For Suckers

[sirflyalot]

I am a business traveler that stays in hotels 315+ nights a year. No, I don't want to be some homeless person that sleeps on someones couch. I do try to stay in "Boutique" hotels or bed and breakfasts whenever I can, though. I am not reimbursed for wifi charges, so charging me for wifi is a total deal breaker and has been for many years.

try choice hotels/comfort inns

[n4djs]

I was staying at the Renaissance in Las Vegas, booked for a week for a HP training class. Checked out after the first night when I realized that Wi-fi was $10/night. Where did I go? The Choice Hotel 2 blocks down the street.. room was quite nice.
How much did that cost the Renaissance? about $500 for the week....
I haven't stayed at a Mariott in years for the same reason.
Wi-fi is a basic assumption in my hotel choices today. I won't even spend the company's money on this.