Best WiFi hotels list for 2008
By: Drivers.com staff
Date: 2008-06-02
"Motel 6 deserves to be given an honorable mention," writes HotelChatter.com's Andrew Calvo in a preamble to the web site's 2008 review of the best WiFi hotels and motels. "I know, I know" he adds. "my coolness just went down a notch or two, but the MAXIMUM you will pay for 24 hours of unlimited WiFi at a Motel 6 is $2.99 a day! Not only that - but a lot of properties even have free WiFi in the rooms."
Calvo lauded the budget chain for its always reliable WiFi
San Francisco, says the review, is one of the best cities to get free WiFi. It mentions, in particular, Personality Hotels, a small local-area chain which has internet free for all room guests and in the lobby.
The review covers a selection of hotels ranging from major chains such as Mariott and Sheraton to smaller boutique hotels and local chains.
HotelChatter interviewed a number of hotel Chief Operating Officers on their reasons for going to free WiFi. Some of the bigger chains out there are operating from the 'old school' perspective on running hotels, offered one COO. By this he meant that they have a separate department for communications which is expected to make money.
Now that revenue from phone and fax charges is drying up, they are looking for new sources of revenue and hence the charge for WiFi.
Amazingly, says the review, some hotels charge for WiFi in their rooms but offer it for free in their lobby!
FOOTNOTE
Seattle Times - May 2008: "The battle between free and paid wireless Internet access for travelers is starting to look like a draw. Or more accurately, a third variation is winning a combination of the two.."
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