I might start this by saying; Dear General Managers of hotels worldwide,

Staying in a hotel on a business trip and need to get online? Yes, I am sure we are all doing that. But for what price and how fast you are online; that’s another question. And issue running me crazy sometimes. For few more and less fundamental reasons, you might say.

First of all, who has made the decisions inside 5 star hotels that guests need to pay anything between $15-25 for a 24 hours connection after they paid $300-400 (or more) per night for their accommodation? And jumping onto the other side of the coin, how it is possible that less expensive hotels can, and are willing to give that same internet connection for free? If the brilliant idea behind this business concept is that famous Guests-Don’t-Care –approach, I need to tell you guys that you are wrong! This is a topic I have shared with so many fellow travelers around the world, next to our gin&tonics at those lobby bars inside your hotels. Everybody cares and nobody gets it. And the level of your stupid charge is not the point; it’s the act you made. I am sure we can all live with that money but couldn’t that internet connection be seen as part of the service package and value proposition you deliver to us when we walk into your fancy lobby and decided to support your business again? I do think so. We are living year 2010 now, if you didn’t noticed yet.

World is full of internet connections nowadays so there is no per byte price anymore. And as hotel is wired anyway for your own transactions, operations and data management, the connection is there after all. Yes, yes, I know there are costs linked to infrastructure, the monthly service fees, your outsourced service providers costs and so on, but is there any difference to your laundry service or that free bottle of water you provide (which is pretty much last free thing existing)? And again, how hotel charging $100 per night is able to give that connection for free and you can’t? Give me a break; it’s only a question of interest and service. And those credit card/inroom charging systems you are using for that connection payment…would be another topic under a serie how to have bad start for your day. And c’mon; what’s the difference if guest is using the connection for an hour or for 24 hours?

Or could we just assume that free internet is always part of your loyal guest status? I think we could and we should. My valet is full of loyalty cards, more and less premium ones, and I wonder why e.g. Starwood is not giving the internet connection for free? I would appreciate that much, even that I sure can pay that $20 or something. SPG-guys, feel free to drop me an email and I can make you a list of things your most preferred guest would appreciate a lot! I am sure in this modern networked world we guests would be sharing that positive experience and make some free viral marketing for you, right?

And paying premium, paying more and still get so slow internet that even the analogue modem times were better; that’s another angle you might take a closer look and chat with your service provider. Just found this one on google. And simultaneously thinking about a global ranking list for every hotel in the world, wouldn’t that be valuable? So every time you need a real (i.e. what is classified as broadband) internet connection to download or upload some heavier stuff from your corporate server, you would know where to stay. Every time I have problems with connection I also check the speed with those free services you can find on wed. And so often the connection – yes, the one I just paid for $25 for – is so slow that I would personally cancel my contract with the service provider immediately! That just makes me wonder how the internet connection business is really handled inside hotels, or does the general manager or whatever his/her beautiful title is, has any idea of that side of their own daily business? I’d bet no. Or is this just one those marginals issues that hotel management don’t pay any attention and it’s the reception staff facing angry comments on slow internet and stupid charging systems from the guests?

My personal view is that internet connection is so commodity nowadays that it should be free for everyone and exist everywhere. As it does, without the price part, I guess. Or if you feel your guests – even your most loyal ones - should pay for it, you should order a real (!) internet connection from your service provider, at least!

Cheers for clever hotel managers who recognize their guests! Cheers for working and free online connections! Cheers for modern world!