HOTELS

Adam, I am flattered that you think the observation I made yesterday brilliant, but if you have been in the industry for as many decades as I have, you would know that issues like these are cyclical in nature and there will be new technology or services, that the first implementers will use as revenue generating, either as extra charge or rate drivers. As the hotel guests evolve and experience these new "things", soon they will become the expected norm and will not likely support additional charges. It would be interesting to know how many of the commenters on these last three postings of yours provide flat screen t.v.'s (for free) and still charge for wireless?

I agree completely with this article, as it relates to a 'nominal' charge for a limited bandwidth. What upsets me is a property charging anywhere from $12.00 - $20.00 per 24 hour period. As a guest may stay with a property for 3-5 days, this results in the guest potentially spending more than they would for high speed internet for the month in their home. A recent property I stayed in charged me $19.00/24 hour period. Two properties down, it's free. Guess where I'll be staying on my next trip? And JoostCnd makes a wonderful observation, flat screen TV in each room, and no charge? Someone do the math and explain that one!

No question...nowadays it's part of almost every travelers' gadget and needs to be freely available. It would be ridiculous to charge a minimal fee, as he just may go to the nearest shopping mall and have free WIFI access or may sit in a hotel lobby of a competitor and has free access...and may just check in there the next time around...

In response to: Free Wi-Fi Is A Pandora's Box Already Open JoostCnd commented: This year we have installed Samsung Flatscreens in Josef, Prague. Internet connection is free of charge. As well as the use of our gym.

In the 19th century there was no gas, and then came "Gas on each floor", I cannot imagine in a couple of years an hotel without free Wi-Fi, it will be stone age like an hotel without shower in the room.

No one brings up a reality that is keeping a charge for internet usage. The pioneers that added the amenity to their hotels most likely did so as part of a contract with a supplier. The internet provider most likely does not want to lose all it's revenues, so is holding fast to the contact initially signed. Once these run their course, properties will most likely look for an option that is more agreeable to everyone, hotel and guests alike.

I am still defending my point of charging for internet, depending on the market. It seems that US life has free internet access for everyone, but in a market where this is not the case, it is still a source of revenue to be considered. I will concede that a 24 hour charge of 15 Euro/Dollar is steep, but he hotel will keep charging as long as the internet revenue is triple the cost of supplying it. And browser embedded advertisement? I don't believe that the supplier would let me choose the contents of those ads. It's all about your market and their expectations/wishes. We should be talking to them, not amoung ourselves.

You may also like to consider Hotels which operate in markets/countries where the telecoms operator is a monopoly and where the cost of bandwidth is nowhere close to the UK or USA. There are developed markets and there are developing markets.

I think this is unbelievable. Ever heard of supply and demand. If someone does not like to pay the Internet charge at that hotel, don't stay there. Duh And if you are indeed a true business traveler that knows how to stay connected, you have a cellular card in your laptop by now so you never have to pay for that service. And for the remote areas that do not get cell coverage, the only hotels will be small anyway and have free wifi. I am sick of people blaming companies like Marriott and Hilton and other high-end hotels for charging for Internet access. I am a platinum member and never complaign. I don't stay there because of the Internet. I like the service that the "brand" provides and I am willing to pay for better service. As for you Adam, before you make "recommendations" to someone's business, you should try running and operating one for at least 5 years first. Things are never as easy as you would think. Get out there and play first and then tell us what you think.

As a seasoned business traveler I must agree that there is a bit of reverse logic here when we see lower cost properties providing more "free" services such as free internet and we may as well also include more TV channels as well. It is the reverse of what some of the more successful low cost air carriers in Europe have done...charge a lower point of entry cost but then charge for additional services...and customers pay since their initial cost was low. Just a thought....

Charging for Wifi is like charging for air-con, or charging for a lift ride.