No more free wireless at hotels?

[GravityHater]

Hyatt, downtown ATL
10$ per night access, please enter your CC number.

Has this been going on for a while?

 

[Wankel7]

Maybe you are getting another wireless signal?

Wankel

 

[English]

No, that's typical unless you stay at a Hilton Garden Inn or one of the other few places that offer free wireless.

10 dollars - it's either expensable or deductible.

 

[semperfido]

LAX-- Rennasance airport...request poolside room--you can piggy-back off the 4 points sheraton wireless next door--and still get your marriott points

ps; room 425 has great reception

 

[GravityHater]

Wow, something else to ask about when choosing accomodations.

'do you offer Japanese massages?'
'complimentary butt-wiping service?'

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Hampton Inn has free wireless. Holiday Inn (express) too...

Hyatts are business hotels. They nickel and dime for every extra....

 

[User546]

I've noticed that trend picking up as well. There for awhile almost all hotels offered free internet access, but lately it's been getting harder and harder to find ones that do.

We stay at Hilton Garden Inn frequently which still offers it, and Fairfield Inn's here and there do as well.

Everytime we check in at a hotel, the only thing I'm interested in is whether or not they're going to have free internet or not. I know I can charge it to the room and have the company pick it up (which I have), but it's all about principle with me. Don't give me something free, then take it away from me once you realize how much money you can make off it!

 

[HMR]

When we stay at the Four Seasons I make sure my room includes wireless internet and a secretary. I pace back and forth in my silk jammies and dictate FlightInfo posts to her. Less spelling errors that way.

 

[CA1900]

When we stay at the Four Seasons I make sure my room includes wireless internet and a secretary. I pace back and forth in my silk jammies and dictate FlightInfo posts to her. Less spelling errors that way.

She missed a comma.

 

[HMR]

She missed a comma.

.....

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

10 dollars - it's either expensable or deductible.

Big difference, and you better recheck the deductable thing. That's a gray area.

 

[English]

In my particular circumstance, it is deductible.

 

[Wang Chung]

Too bad about the Hilton and the Hyatt. You could always stay at the Days Inn or the Comfort Inn...lots of those have free 'net. Your company bean-counters wouldn't mind, I'm sure.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

In my particular circumstance, it is deductible.

Even better if it's expensable!

 

[2000flyer]

I have yet to figure out how/why budget hotels (Hampton, Hilton Garden etc) give free inroom internet. Go to a higher priced property (Hilton, Hyatt etc) they charge through the nose. And...it's $10 per 24 hours starting at check-in time (3PM). So, you have a three day stay, check in at 8PM, your clock starts over in 19 hours, not 24. Now, I usually get on for maybe 30-60 minutes, depending email load and flightinfo responses , so I'm paying $5-10 an an hour??? Now, look at it from the hotel's view. 400 rooms, half buy the internet...$2000! Even if only 10% buy it over a year, thats still $146,000. I have no idea what they pay per month to provide access but even at a ridiculous number, say $1000 a month, their profit is still $134,000 given the above example. Pure ripoff!

Now, about the 12oz bottled water for $5!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I have yet to figure out how/why budget hotels (Hampton, Hilton Garden etc) give free inroom internet. Go to a higher priced property (Hilton, Hyatt etc) they charge through the nose. And...it's $10 per 24 hours starting at check-in time (3PM). So, you have a three day stay, check in at 8PM, your clock starts over in 19 hours, not 24. Now, I usually get on for maybe 30-60 minutes, depending email load and flightinfo responses , so I'm paying $5-10 an an hour??? Now, look at it from the hotel's view. 400 rooms, half buy the internet...$2000! Even if only 10% buy it over a year, thats still $146,000. I have no idea what they pay per month to provide access but even at a ridiculous number, say $1000 a month, their profit is still $134,000 given the above example. Pure ripoff!

Now, about the 12oz bottled water for $5!

because budget hotels are usually occupied by bargain shoppers / lower level business travellers / regional airline pilots who cant expense the 10-20$ for the internet charge. Hence they wont BUY it. But if one gives it for free they will all flock there...

The higher brands charge simply because the business traveller needs the internet and can expense it. so he/she uses it. Business travellers dont make thier hotel choice by free internet....Its always free to them (expensed)

I think it should all be free too, but thats not likely!...

 

[Diesel]

Here's another question.

Hilton, Marriott or Renaissance- The higher price the less TV channels.

Holiday inn, motel 8- 10,000 channels.

Some weird sort of inverse relationship.

 

[HMR]

While we're on the topic. The worst thing I've done in the past 12 months was get wireless internet. As usual, I'm sitting out in my front yard wearing surftrunks and sunscreen. I remember when I wore this outfit for surfing waves. Now I just surf the net. Pathetic.

I think I actually have a tanline on my leg from where my laptop sits.

 

[habubuaza]

I have yet to figure out how/why budget hotels (Hampton, Hilton Garden etc) give free inroom internet. Go to a higher priced property (Hilton, Hyatt etc) they charge through the nose. And...it's $10 per 24 hours starting at check-in time (3PM). So, you have a three day stay, check in at 8PM, your clock starts over in 19 hours, not 24. Now, I usually get on for maybe 30-60 minutes, depending email load and flightinfo responses , so I'm paying $5-10 an an hour??? Now, look at it from the hotel's view. 400 rooms, half buy the internet...$2000! Even if only 10% buy it over a year, thats still $146,000. I have no idea what they pay per month to provide access but even at a ridiculous number, say $1000 a month, their profit is still $134,000 given the above example. Pure ripoff!

Now, about the 12oz bottled water for $5!

Well in my vast travels I've discovered rather quickly that Full Service Hotels simply mean you PAY FOR EVERYTHING! When I was flying VIP 727's the bossman always felt the crews needed to stay at 5 star hotels. We BEGGED to stay at budget hotels especially when we had a 4 or 5 day layover.. Free breakfast, great excercise rooms, 100's of channels, free wireless internet, free local phone calls, a room with a fridge all of which you would most likely never find in a full service hotel.
Go to a full service hotel..... Breakfast?....F- you pay me! Wireless Internet?....F-you pay me! Local phone calls?.....F-you pay me!
You guys can keep full service hotels.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Well in my vast travels I've discovered rather quickly that Full Service Hotels simply mean you PAY FOR EVERYTHING! When I was flying VIP 727's the bossman always felt the crews needed to stay at 5 star hotels. We BEGGED to stay at budget hotels especially when we had a 4 or 5 day layover.. Free breakfast, great excercise rooms, 100's of channels, free wireless internet, free local phone calls, a room with a fridge all of which you would most likely never find in a full service hotel.
Go to a full service hotel..... Breakfast?....F- you pay me! Wireless Internet?....F-you pay me! Local phone calls?.....F-you pay me!
You guys can keep full service hotels.

I agree...for the most part...

sometimes full service hotels are a pain in the a$$...but many times they are the best choice - foreign countries - thats a given...they are the ONLY choice. 3am arrival after a 13 hr flight?...24hr decent room service is nice. Full mini bar, butler service, etc....sounds a bit crazy but its nice (and needed) SOMETIMES. Also....Sorry, but Im not getting in late at the La Quinta and the only place to eat is a 24hr Taco Bell in the parking lot....

I got over the cost of things pretty quick - I will live like I live at home - that means decent food, quiet clean rooms, internet - whatever..I also dont want WalMart Mom and Dad and their 6 kids who are in town for the next cheerleading contest running up and down the halls all night....and they dont at the better, full service hotels...especially watch weekends - never stay at an Embassy Suites or the likes - its like a farkin playground!!!! set the rats loose while mom and dad fiill up on the free bud light and nachos in the lobby....nice...my rule, never stay anywhere where people check in with coolers.

All in all, I simply find out where the BEST place to stay is considering location, ammenties, security, cost etc...- and mix it up a bit - nothing worse than a point whore will be drive you past 13 great hotels to stay at some dump a$$ Marriott etc.. just to get a few points...loser...

back to the wireless...last time I was in London one hotel wanted 25pounds/day for internet access!! now thats just downright CRIMINAL!
(and this was not a 5 star hotel..)

.

 

[English]

While we're on the topic. The worst thing I've done in the past 12 months was get wireless internet. As usual, I'm sitting out in my front yard wearing surftrunks and sunscreen. I remember when I wore this outfit for surfing waves. Now I just surf the net. Pathetic.

I think I actually have a tanline on my leg from where my laptop sits.

I feel your pain! When I had my little studio in Hawaii, I had wireless that carried out to the beach. I had the exact same tanline on my legs, too!

The sand became an issue after a while, though. Turns out sand isn't so hot for electronic equipment

 

[2000flyer]

Many Hiltons that rape you for internet in your room, often have a business center where you can get it for free if you don't mind waiting in line. Next thing they'll figure out is they can do that with a bathroom too!

(I was getting my haircut and while waiting, thumbed through a copy of People magazine where I read the heiress Paris Hilton gets $50,000 a month "spending money!!!" No wonder it's $10 a day for internet!!)

I agree with Gulfstream 200 on avoiding "budget" hotels abroad. I tried London on the cheap one time. They made a Motel 6 luxurious. I'm not exaggerating when I say it was two steps from bed to door, one step bed to bathroom. And the bathroom...standing in the dead center I could not stretch my arms out horizontal without touching the walls. To sit on the john your knees were under the sink! I won't even go into the stench of the hotel staff. Never again!

Taco Bell in the La Quinta parking lot? I thought La Quinta translated meant "next to Denny's?"

2000Flyer

 

[GravityHater]

Now, look at it from the hotel's view. 400 rooms, half buy the internet...$2000! Even if only 10% buy it over a year, thats still $146,000. I have no idea what they pay per month to provide access but even at a ridiculous number, say $1000 a month, their profit is still $134,000 given the above example.

Exactly what I was thinking that the hotel beancounters were figuring on.
"what? we are Giving Away a service they will pay for?!?!"
"NO WAY."

 

[Raskal]

Hiltons, f'ing Hiltons...just got nabbed for $10 in FRG. Hiltons, some Embassy Suites. Those are the only ones I've gotten hit by. Since we almost always stay at either full Marriots or Courtyards it isn't normally an issue. It really irritates me that a $200 room doesn't come with internet access but a crappy two star like the Holiday Inn gives it free.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Hiltons, f'ing Hiltons...just got nabbed for $10 in FRG. Hiltons, some Embassy Suites. Those are the only ones I've gotten hit by. Since we almost always stay at either full Marriots or Courtyards it isn't normally an issue. It really irritates me that a $200 room doesn't come with internet access but a crappy two star like the Holiday Inn gives it free.

I haven't seen a full-service Marriott yet where internet is free (?)

 

[SabreFlyR]

I haven't seen a full-service Marriott yet where internet is free (?)

Full service Marriott here Guatemala City has free wireless. But this place is far from the crown jewel in the Marriott chain, rivals some of the older Holiday Inns in the US for the bottom.

 

[Raskal]

I haven't seen a full-service Marriott yet where internet is free (?)

Huh, so far I haven't hit one yet where it isn't.?? A couple of times I called the desk when I saw a price but both times they said it's only for non-rewards members and gave me a code.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Huh, so far I haven't hit one yet where it isn't.?? A couple of times I called the desk when I saw a price but both times they said it's only for non-rewards members and gave me a code.

hummm..have not stayed many Marriotts in a while...might have to try again.

free is good....or they should at least build it into the cost of the room so you dont feel like they are nickle and diming you at every turn!

Also, instead of just bitcin, we should all fill out hotel comment cards and surveys and insist we look for hotels with free wireless!

 

[Kream926]

why dont you just try to PING (or whatever its called) it to find available networks?

 

[JediNein]

One Courtyard in ICT charges a wireless fee. I did that once, complained, didn't make a difference, didn't stay there again. Gee, their $10 fee for internet and $20 for phone service cost them 2 weeks worth of nights so far, many more to come.

I have a national ISP that allows dial-up service and they usually have a local number. If high-speed is high-price, I use the low-speed and low-price ($0.25 per call), but stay on the phoneline for an hour or two. I suppose the next step is to use the 800 access number for the ISP, hunt down a modem for my cell phone, and make full use of unlimited nights and weekends.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein