Starwood Hotels Dole Out Free Internet To Their Best Customers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Feb 26th 2010 at 5:01AM

Paying for the internet, especially at luxury hotels is one of our biggest pet peeves. One major hotel chain is making it easier for guests to get free in-room internet access. There's just one major hook, you have to be a loyal customer. Starting on March 1, Starwood will give platinum-level members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program free internet at any of Starwood's 940 hotels including Westin, Sheraton, W and St. Regis). To get the free internet you also can't book using Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz or other, similar sites.

USA Today's Hotel Check-In reports that when you get to your room and log in you may have to click yes and accept the charge but that it will be removed as long as you're a platinum-level member. Hilton already offers its gold and diamond members free, in-room Internet access as one of their hotel perks.Hyatt also offers free Internet to its diamond- and platinum-level members. It's a great step but we're still dreaming of the day when free luxury hotel internet is available without restrictions.

Tags: hotel wifi, hotel wireless, HotelWifi, HotelWireless, starwood hotels, StarwoodHotels, wireless

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

rwayne52 Feb 26th 2010 8:19AM

Budget level motels around the country give you free internet. Krispy Kreme donuts, many burger joints and food courts offer genuine free internet.

Then you check into a luxury hotel and are charged daily for internet or are charged daily a resort fee to receive "free internet" and free admission to a spa that charges for every service. Then a desk manager or concierge, with a wink and a nod, whispers "we will give you the free internet without charge". It makes the hotel look cheap and low class.