According to the latest research from leading online accommodation booking service, Hotels.com revealed that free Wi-Fi is the number one factor in choosing a hotel even on leisure stays. On the other hand, hotels that continue to charge guests to access the internet have been criticised.
Free
Wi-Fi trumps both free parking and complimentary breakfast when it
comes to choosing a hotel for both leisure and business
travel, showing that access to the online world
is a necessity for modern-day travelers with over a third still
looking to stay connected while on
vacation. In fact, just 11 percent of global
travelers said they would be willing to pay for Wi-Fi when staying in
a hotel.
"With
an increase in airlines and airports offering free Wi-Fi, tech-savvy
travelers expect the experience to continue upon arrival at their
hotel," said Taylor L. Cole , APR, travel expert for Hotels.com.
"They are using their tablets, smart phones and laptops to plan
activities, stay connected to family and even order a delivery meal
straight to their hotel room, so it's no surprise they require free
and fast Wi-Fi."
On
the other hand, hotels that continue to charge guests to access the
internet have been criticised, with new research suggesting chain
hotels are more likely to impose the heftiest fees.
According
to another research that carried out by Gogobot, a travel review
website the Hilton chain imposes an average charge of £15 for a
single day’s wi-fi access, while Holiday Inn charges guests £13
per day and Crowne
Plazaimposes a £10 fee, on average, for 24
hour’s access at its properties.
“In
a time when internet access is as necessary to many hotel guests as
hot-running water, it’s surprising that high-end hotels are
treating it like an add-on,” said Kelly Lees, general manager in
Europe for Gogobot. “Our users have reviewed many of the hotels
listed in the survey and we see that wi-fi charges negatively impact
the ratings given.”