26 June 2008

Staying at a luxury hotel? DonÃ¢â¬â¢t expect free Wi-Fi

The more you pay for your room, the less likely you are to get free Wi-Fi.

That was the surprising finding from a recent survey of 10,000 hotels conducted by Smith Travel Research for the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Those are some of the findings from a recent survey of 10,000 hotels conducted by Smith Travel Research for the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

At the same time, wireless Internet access is becoming common. It is offered by 91% of hotels, up 35% from four years ago, according to the survey.

Only 15% of hotels charge for Internet access, down from 18% in 2006. But charges for Internet access were most common at more expensive properties, with three-fourths of luxury hotels and 91% of "upper upscale" hotels charging guests to access the Internet from their rooms.

Other findings:

o Fewer hotels are offering free breakfasts.

o More hotels are charging for late cancellations.

o Nearly three-fourths of the hotels in the survey offer a computer in the lobby for guest usage, though economy hotels are least likely to offer this service.

o Forty-seven percent have indoor swimming pools, and 58% have outdoor swimming pools.

o Forty-three percent said they have flat-screen TVs in guest rooms, and 57% said they upgraded bedding packages in the past year. Eighty-two percent offer a refrigerator in rooms, up from 68%in 2006.

o The number of hotels offering vegetarian menus is also on the upswing.

o More hotels are offering allergy-free rooms.

o Nearly a fourth of hotels participating in the survey said they offer "allergy-free rooms," and about two-thirds said they use energy-efficient lighting. Nearly 40% said all of their rooms are nonsmoking.

o Free newspaper delivery to guest rooms dropped to 70% from 83% in 2006.

Report by David Wilkening

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Your Comments (2)

Yet luxe consumers expect free wi-fi

In a recent survey of our luxury travelers, 96% of whom vacation abroad every year, 60% consider internet access "very important" when traveling for leisure. Our research -- and the contemporary research we've seen from other companies who also market to luxury travelers 'âœ establishes value for money as a consistent and pronounced market driver among affluent travelers. Yet charges for wi-fi access fall into the 'nickel and dime' category that runs counter to the value-for-money ethic of this audience. Do hotels misjudge the affluent audience and inadvertently encourage them to seek (abundantly available) alternatives? The wealthy have money but they also have emotional drivers, such as reacting negatively when feeling over-charged, inconvenienced, or disappointed. In the long-run, failure to provide free wi-fi access could be an expensive decision for high-end hotels. Peg Prideaux Vice President Marketing and Sales www.PassportNewsletter.com

By Peg Prideaux, Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Summary Common With Indochina

In recent hotel surveys my employer has conducted in several Indochina countries reflect many of the findings of the Smith report. With rapidly rising food prices complimentary food of any type is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Rooms formerly priced in US dollars are now often quoted in local currencies. WiFi is frequently subject to substantial - USD$20 - daily charges in 4 and 5-star properties whereas local restaurants offer free access. The Park Hyatt in SaiGon is typical of this phoenomena with room prices starting at USD$250 (rack). Any smart guest in a room overlooking the front of the Hyatt building can access at least 5 free WiFi access points including one at an international fried chicken outlet. Many of the Standard through 3-star properties offer free WiFi or cable access.

By Jon Hewson, Tuesday, July 1, 2008