Friday 13 July 2012

Internet in Hotels - Hotels still don't get it


I just can't understand how hotels fail to understand customers... Here I am in São Paulo at the Golden Tulip Park Plaza hotel, a 3.5 star hotel in the Jardins district part of a hotel chain, paying £120 per night (not cheap). The hotel serves mainly business customers, who are likely to require being connected to the Internet on a regular basis (like me). The hotel offers free Internet, but it is way too slow (bordering on desperation!). Alternatively, you can pay for faster Internet - paying 18 pounds per day! Words fail me to comment on this price... It is cheaper to buy a pay-as-you-go dongle! A Hotel that still sees offering fast Internet as an 'extra' is living in the last century. Today, expectations about the quality of the Internet connection are like the expectations of a friendly service, a comfortable bed and a clean room. You want them to be of the highest standard possible and included in the price. Full stop. Would any hotel of this level charge customers extra for a more comfortable bed, a cleaner bedroom or a more friendly service?