DISQUS

Bob Caswell: Why Do Hotels Still Charge for Internet?

  • Marc · 2 years ago
    Another funny thing is... the more expensive the hotel, the more likely they are to charge for internet, etc.

    The Ritz Carlton and the J. Willard Marriott both charge but Marriott's Fairfield Inn and Courtyard typically don't.
  • J · 2 years ago
    We just got back from a trip to Rome where we paid a *fortune* for a fancy hotel that we expected to be full-service and which clearly stated that it had wi-fi throughout the hotel which we foolishly assumed was free. Aside from asking for $60 for a breakfast of toast, coffee and juice (!!!) internet access cost a $12/hr!!! Here's a tip for everyone out there: Holiday Inn Express. I have stayed in a few and they are invariably clean, with new furniture, comfy beds and bedding and ALWAYS include free wi-fi and breakfast buffet.
  • Darcy · 2 years ago
    Hysterical. It's outrageous that a hotel doesn't have the basic sense to include these small convenience features and has to cheap out. For *ucks sake, it costs $50/month for cable internet, and $50 for a router. These shits charge people > $80/night, and they can't make basic wireless internet access available.

    It's like being charged for the use of headphones for an in flight movie. Leaves you with a really bad taste in your mouth.
  • edward · 2 years ago
    Here in the UK, I've stayed at 4* hotels that charged £20 a day ($40) for internet...and that's not even in room. I've also stayed at magnificent hotels that offer free in-room internet, with free wi-fi in the lobby. (Malmaison, I'm looking gratefully at you!).
  • PENIX · 2 years ago
    Why? Because they can get away with it.
  • homes · 2 years ago
    You are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.
    You want everything for free.
    Your saving already with Priceline
    how much more do you have to save?
    Because of people like you business cant
    make a buck.
  • Bob Caswell · 2 years ago
    @homes: I'm proud to be the reason "business can't make a buck." Sadly, though, my thoughts and actions won't amount to much in the multi-billion dollar hotel industry.

    To everyone else, thanks for the great comments!
  • The Cool Sister · 2 years ago
    I love the extremely-jaded-but-still-struggling small business owner's comment. There's a reason you feel that way and I'll give you a hint. Consumers are like fans. Even the bimbos in Hollywood manage to figure out they are supposed to thank them. Think about it.
  • reflections · 2 years ago
    Even Backpacker hostels do better than that, tho Oz does have a big Backpacker scene. Free breakfast and CHEAP internet. $1 AUD per hour.

    Fuck Rome and the snob cities of the world. Even if I was wealthy I would never throw money away as ridiculously as $60 for a piece of toast. My toast is free and so is my bacon biatch, taste even sweeter now.