Hotel Wi-Fi: Information Wants to be Free (of Charge)

Expensive internet alert! Hotel Chatter unveiled their annual Wi-Fi report this week. As we’ve discussed before, fancy hotels continue to charge ridiculous rates for the service, but what’s interesting is how some small brands within the bigger chains are breaking away from that trend, and starting to catch on. Both aloft and Hotel Indigo (aka aloft, Holiday Inn edition) dole out the sweet, sweet Internet juice for free.

Meanwhile, notes the Practical Traveler at the New York Times, some hotels are starting to charge for wireless that used to be free, like food on airlines. Thompson Hotels charges $10 a day for access—because not all guests use it, to paraphrase their rep. Booo! Booo, I say. Who doesn’t use Internet at a hotel? Especially at a chain like Thompson that’s chockablock with tastemakers and creative types. Is the idea that they are too busy sewing something for the upcoming season of “Project Runway” to check email on their laptop?

Free internet at aloft and Indigo represents a generational divide, too. These are the inexpensive, “youthful” brands, and, as we all know, young people tend to hop online more often. The hotels are using the free Internet as a lure, but also, if you will, as a way to “connect” with their guests. Yes, groan, marketingspeak, but it does send a signal (double groan!) that they understand what’s important to their customers.

I’m thrilled to see that no-fee hotel internet is spreading—and once Wi-Fi is free, I’ll start on my next mission: ensuring that all hotels add Pop Tarts to their continental breakfast spreads.

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