why do hotels still charge a lot for net access?

dada44

why do hotels still charge for internet access? Places like the Sheraton by Heathrow charge £15 for 24hrs worth of access! This is true of most of the upscale hotels, where you pay so much for the room anyway.

Surely by now, this is a complete rip off...? When I went to switzerland, most hotels offered it for free.

CharlesCooper222

They charge a Kings ransom for the same reason they charge a fortune to take drinks from the in-room refrigerators I suppose!

dada44

but that's food! that needs refilling and maintenance in each room.

surely internet access should be free by now! Just like they don't charge for television!

Buzzy_Bee_2

Because they make a lot of money from it I expect. Agreed the prices as ridiculous considering you can get free Wi-Fi in McDonalds these days.

kwikbreaks

The straight answer to your question is "because they can get away with it".

If it is important to you and you control the booking (ie not your employer) then ask if they provide free internet access before making the booking and if they don't tell them you'll be looking elsewhere for that reason.

Have you considered using a 3G mobile dongle (PAYG or contract) - at £15 a night hotel charge it could work out cheaper and probably more secure too.

nomoneytoday

Because people still pay it...

mtc95

Hotels that cater for mostly business travellers can probably get away with it as their guests will mainly put the bill on expenses and so they don't worry too much about it. I suspect it would require a few large corporations to change this by putting pressure on the hotels or telling employees that they will not re-imburse internet fees that are too high.

JasX

mtc95 wrote: »

Hotels that cater for mostly business travellers can probably get away with it as their guests will mainly put the bill on expenses and so they don't worry too much about it. I suspect it would require a few large corporations to change this by putting pressure on the hotels or telling employees that they will not re-imburse internet fees that are too high.

I think its mainly the less savvy business traveller that keeps the charges up, personally i'll always book a hotel with free wifi where possibe and if I get stuck fire up my 3G dongle and pop that on expenses for the month

...overseas hotels can leave you fewer options but really no excuse in the UK

dada44

was recently in germany where i stayed in a few hotels - all to receive complementary internet access, of speeds of about 30-40mbps. that's compared to the average 4mpbs that we get on broadband here through bt

shandoli

good read

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Popcorn-Costs-Much-Movies/dp/0387769994

OneWickedSon

dada44 wrote: »

but that's food! that needs refilling and maintenance in each room.

surely internet access should be free by now! Just like they don't charge for television!

And it's exactly the same reason for WiFi internet. WiFi networks cost more to maintain than TV signals.

Suitable broadband products for hotels cost money to install, cost money to maintain and cost money to upkeep in rentals. You are paying for a benefit that costs the hotel money; the hotel is offering you a choice.

I've been involved in a few hotel wifi installations and the equipment you require is expensive and requires occasional attention; which we do not offer for free. The most expensive hotel we deal with does not charge it's guests, but does require they "request" access.

I'd also be wary of cheap hotels offering "free" wifi. I stayed in a small hotel in Oban in March who advertised free wifi. No "client separation"; and their hotel admin computers shared the same network....:eek: