Others have capitulated to demand. Nearly a year ago, on Valentine’s Day, Hyatt Hotels made Wi-Fi free in rooms and public spaces at its more than 500 properties worldwide. (Meeting rooms are not covered by the policy.) “Wi-Fi had quickly become a basic expectation for travelers, as essential as a comfortable bed or clean room,” Hyatt Hotels spokeswoman Stephanie Sheppard said via e-mail.
Such hotel operators as Hilton Worldwide Holdings offer free basic Internet access but levy fees for greater bandwidth use, including video streaming. This trend partly reflects the growing inventory of Wi-Fi gadgets travelers now pack: typically, a laptop, tablet, and smartphone per person, Harteveldt said. Lodge a couple with two teens in a hotel, and bandwidth needs multiply rapidly.
Still, the apparent gap between room prices and free Wi-Fi is not lost on many travelers. It also helps explain why so many trendy hotel lobbies are clogged with guests pecking at phones and laptops.
“It’s just a jarring inconsistency and a black mark on what is otherwise a wonderful guest experience,” Harteveldt said.
After free Wi-Fi, privacy was the second-most requested hotel amenity for affluent travelers, according to the report. Tennis was the least attractive hotel option, just below kids' programs.