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Finding Free WiFi Just Got a Hell of a Lot Easier in France, Australia and Asia

April 29, 2011 at 8:47 AM | by | Comments (3)

Seen at the Novotel Gare du Lyon in Paris

UPDATE: We goofed. Accor Hotels has been providing free WiFi in all their hotels in France since July 1, 2010.

We'd like to think that this latest bit of news from Accor Hotels in France and Marriott Hotels in Australia and Asia had something to do with our Hotel WiFi Report which we released on Tuesday, but never matter, we're just happy that finding free WiFi at these hotels just got a hell of a lot easier.

First up, Accor Hotels has told HotelChatter that starting since July 1 of 2010, all their hotels (about 1,400 total) in France will offer free WiFi. This includes the brands Hotel F1, Ibis, All Seasons, Mercure Hotels, Novotel Hotels, Pullman Hotels and Sofitel Hotels. They also have plans to roll out free WiFi progressively at their hotels in Europe. Sadly, in America, you will still have to pay at Sofitel hotels.

Down under in Australia, Marriot Hotels is now offering free WiFi for its Marriott Rewards members of any level--not just Gold and Platinum. The same thing goes for Marriott Hotels in Asia. Simon F. Cooper, Marriott's regional executive (and who used to run The Ritz-Carlton brand) told Australian Business Traveler:

"You can’t put a price on staying connected, so we don’t."

Well put. We just hope Marriott in the U.S. makes the same move as well.

Want to know who charges for WiFi and who doesn't? Read about it on our 2011 Hotel WiFi Report

Comments (3)

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Return to » Finding Free WiFi Just Got a Hell of a Lot Easier in France, Australia and Asia


Is it just me or...

...does it seem that the issue of US hotels - especially the nicer ones - not providing fee wi-fi is a perfect indicator of how anti-consumer and greedy American companies have become?  If they want us to pay for it, just build it into the damned bill already and call it free.  Just the act of actually charging for it is so damned loathsome and frankly hostile to clients.
hartss on April 29, 2011 at 12:14 PM #Permalink

it is hostile

and such an obvious money grab. especially when a hotel company like marriott has so many budget brands that offer it for free but start charging at the mid-range properties.
juliana on April 29, 2011 at 12:41 PM #Permalink

Why not Sofitels in the US?

How can Accor justify the continuing fleecing of guests in Sofitels in the US? As a regular guest at Sofitel hotels across the world I would expect them to have a uniformed approach to wifi.
starflyergold on April 30, 2011 at 5:24 AM #Permalink

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