Finding hotels with Internet access is much easier now than in previous years but be sure to read all the fine print before deciding which hotel to stay at. Free high-speed Internet access is always a bonus for mobile professionals and while many hotels offer free Internet access in public areas, guest room Internet access may be fee-based. When searching for the perfect hotel for your business trip be sure to include Internet access as one of the search criteria.
The Best Western Hotel chain provides free high-speed and wireless Internet access to their guests in common areas of the hotels and in guest rooms. Access may be a combination of wired high-speed and wireless Internet access or wireless Internet. Best Western has over 4,000 hotels worldwide and in Canada, the Caribbean and United States all chains provide Internet access to their customers.
With locations mainly in Canada, Mexico and the United States, Fairmont Hotels provides high-speed Internet access in guest rooms, public areas and lounges. Rates for Internet access will vary by location but any guests staying in Fairmont Gold rooms and those guests who are members of Fairmont's President's Club Gold and Platinum members have their Internet access fees waived. Conference and meeting rooms also have wireless Internet access.
The Hilton Hotel chain which includes Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton all have Internet access available to their guests. Wireless Internet access will be available in all public areas of these hotels. Fees vary at each location and in the Homewood Suites by Hilton the high-speed Internet access is free in all customer suites.
The Homestead Studio Suites provide business travelers with wireless high-speed Internet access in their rooms for a daily flat rate. If you do not have a wireless ready laptop, wireless adapters are available for a fee from the Front Desk.
The Hyatt Corporation has Internet access available in public areas on a fee-based system. Rates will vary by location. Internet access is a combination of wireless and wired Internet access. The Hyatt Corporation plans to have all hotel locations set with Internet access for customers.
The Intercontinental Hotels Group which includes the following: include InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, will have high-speed and wireless Internet access in all of their North American locations. Holiday Inns, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites provide complimentary Internet access to customers. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts offer fee-based Internet access.
Kimpton Hotels offer free Internet access in all lobbies, guest rooms, restaurants and meeting rooms. Kimpton Hotels have received complimentary reviews on their customer service regarding Internet access issues and the fact that the wireless Internet access is free.
The Marriott International offer high-speed wireless Internet access hotel lobbies, meeting rooms and public spaces in the majority of their hotels. Their locations include include Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Towne Place Suites, Fairfield Inn and Spring Hill Suites hotels. It is recommended that business travelers who prefer the Marriott brand join the "Wired for Business" plan as without the rates are per-online-minute.
Microtel Inns and Suites provide their guests with free wireless high speed Internet service. The Internet access will be available in public spaces and guest rooms. Microtel won the 2005 Extra Mile Award from Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine based on their free Internet access and phone service offered to guests.
Omni Hotels, a luxury chain offers free wireless Internet access to their guests. The Wireless Internet access is available in guest rooms, conference centers and lobbies.
