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HotelChatter's 2011 Hotel WiFi Report
**A HotelChatter Exclusive**
Chances are, you are probably reading our seventh annual WiFi Report right now on your iPad. Or your iPhone. Or your Blackberry, Droid, Kindle or Galaxy Tablet, if anyone actually uses those.
Much like cellphones have practically put land lines out of business, mobile devices are fast changing the way we sign onto the web when we’re on the go. And that includes when we're staying in hotels.
While the hardware we carry into hotel rooms is changing seemingly from one month to the next, our demands free and reliable WiFi have not wavered a bit. And as more and more of us start to travel with cellphones, laptops and tablets, the call for free WiFi is more urgent than ever.
Yet hotels around the world, especially those luxury ones, are still charging daily rates of $10 or more for WiFi. Worse, some are even double-dinging us for our mobile devices.
This leaves guests the choice of navigating the always, ever-changing WiFi fees at mid and high-end hotels, or spending the night at budget places just for the internet.
So you better know the lay of the free hotel WiFi land before you book your room. After all, the one thing we can do as loyal, frequent hotel guests is vote "free WiFi" with our credit cards.
Once again, we’ve broken down the Hotel WiFi landscape into Best Hotels, Worst Hotels and the best and worst from the International Hotel Scene. We’ve also added a couple of new sections; picking out the Best and Worst cities for free hotel WiFi, tips on getting secondary devices on for free when the hotel wants you to pay per device, and where to stay in stylin' and free WiFin', to name a few.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Cambodia Hotels / → All Tags
Places To Get Your Glamp On: Four Rivers Floating Lodge, Cambodia
All this week, we’ll be trekking across the globe with HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen as he tells us about the most exciting new glamping experiences out there. From the savannahs of Africa to the shores of Western Australia to the peaks of Patagonia, this is a full-fledged, five-star adventure to the most thrilling and luxurious camping resorts in the world.
So far this week, we’ve been to the savannahs of Africa, the Western Australia beach, the mountains of Patagonia and the Dubai desert. For the final installment of this edition of our Glamping Series we travel to the jungly hinterlands of the Cambodia-Thailand border…and the watery wonder that is the Four Rivers Floating Lodge.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Dubai Hotels / Desert Retreats / Desert Hotels / Desert Resorts / → All Tags
Places to Get your Glamp On: The Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
All this week, we’ll be trekking across the globe with HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen as he tells us about the most exciting new glamping experiences out there. From the savannahs of Africa to the shores of Western Australia to the peaks of Patagonia, this is a full-fledged, five-star adventure to the most thrilling and luxurious camping resorts in the world.
Today we’re upping the “glam” in glamping, and taking you to a tented desert resort in broad and barren sands of Dubai that has us dreaming of camel caravans and verdant oases. It’s called the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, and word has it that it’s one of LA-based fashion designer Catherine Malandrino’s favorite places on earth. That’s good enough for us.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Chile Hotels / Patagonia Hotels / → All Tags
Places To Get Your Glamp On: Patagonia Camp, Chile
All this week, we’ll be trekking across the globe with HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen as he tells us about the most exciting new glamping experiences out there. From the savannahs of Africa to the shores of Western Australia to the peaks of Patagonia, this is a full-fledged, five-star adventure to the most thrilling and luxurious camping resorts in the world.
Patagonia. That mysterious and exotic land at the end of the earth. Even the name conjures up the sense of adventure. Few places on earth boast natural settings that are more pristine and awe-inspiring. So naturally, this is one of the natural habitats for glamping.
Today, we’re going to take you to the shores of Lake Toro, near the famous gnarled spires of the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia to visit a luxury experience like no other: Patagonia Camp.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Australia Hotels / Outback Hotels / → All Tags
Places to Get Your Glamp On: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Australia
All this week, we’ll be trekking across the globe with HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen as he tells us about the most exciting new glamping experiences out there. From the savannahs of Africa to the shores of Western Australia to the peaks of Patagonia, this is a full-fledged, five-star adventure to the most thrilling and luxurious camping resorts in the world.
With some of the most pristine, unspoiled wilderness in the world, not to mention the legacies of Steve Irwin and, um, Crocodile Dundee, is it any surprise that Australia is home to some of the most exciting, exclusive glamping experiences in the world? Today's is about as far from civilization as you can get, and comes with whale sharks. It's called Sal Salis, and it's located in a remote corner of Western Australia that is unlike any other place on earth.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Africa Hotels / Safari Hotels / → All Tags
Places to Get Your Glamp On: Sanctuary Zebra Plains Walking Safari Camp, Zambia
Where: South Luangwa, Zambia
Last year, we told you about the hottest (and hautest) new trend in travel: glamping. That’s right, glamorous camping- that most ridiculous, and ridiculously awesome, of adventures that let travelers experience the glories of nature in five-star luxury settings (and sometimes with Campfire Butlers).
This week, we’re going to give you a little glamping update, as HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen tells us about some of the most exciting new experiences out there. So pack your limited edition hiking boots and your diamond-infused sunscreen, because we’re going glamping!
Let's start our global perambulation in the birthplace of both mankind and the luxury camping trend itself - Africa - and the newest adventure from one of our favorite safari outfitters, Sanctuary Retreats. On June 1, they're opening Sanctuary Zebra Plains Walking Safari Camp, a first-of-its-kind walking safari in the pristine wilderness of South Luangwa, Zambia. Guests will spend their days doing things like wandering along riverbanks, observing elephants at their toilette, and then canoeing over to an island where they’ll get to spy on game such as buffalo, zebras and hippos, before returning for sunset cocktails, canapés and then dinner on the Luangwa River. It's designed to be part of a larger safari experience, with a recommended three day stay. Here's the lowdown.
Caribbean Hotels / HotelChatter Guides / Family-Friendly Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Winter Getaway Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
HotelChatter's 2011 Caribbean Hotel Guide
The Caribbean islands are the go-to warm weather escape with a near year-round sunny scene. Folks from Denver to Duluth weep with happiness at this fact, especially when it’s time to escape the cold. But choosing one out of the region’s 7,000 countries is tough to narrow down. Luckily we’ve done some footwork for you.
Yes, we've updated our annual HotelChatter Caribbean Hotel Guide. All you have to do is pick your vacation personality below and chances are, one of these hotels is the right fit.
Honeymoon Hotels / Hotel Weddings / HotelChatter Guides / → All Tags
Hot Honeymoon Hotels: Steals and Splurges for Brides-to-Be
For brides and grooms-to-be, love in the time of recession often means sacrificing the dream wedding extras (i.e., a band AND a DJ, classic car to and from the church, maybe the chocolate fountain) but not necessarily sacrificing the dream wedding itself. After all, you only get married once. Hmmm...ok, maybe you only have the big wedding once. (If you aren't Donald Trump, that is.)
But love in the time of recession also means putting a cap on the honeymoon budget. While everyone fantasizes about seven days in an overwater bungalow in Tahiti, the reality is that not everyone has 15 grand to spend on the honeymoon. But with proper planning and a little compromise, smart couples can still have the honeymoon of their dreams.
Annual WiFi Report / Hotel WiFi / HotelChatter Guides / → All Tags
HotelChatter's Annual Hotel WiFi Report 2010
This year marks HotelChatter's sixth annual hotel wifi report. Over the years we've documented the progression of hotel WiFi, from blatant disregard, to price-gouging for WiFi access, and reliable WiFi for loyalty program members, through guests taking matters in to their own hands with wireless lap top cards and 3G access. A year ago, we thought guest demand for free, reliable, hotel WiFi might just go away, thanks to 3G.
Well guess what? The demand for hotel WiFi has not gone away, quite the opposite, a growing number of hotel guests not only demand the hotel they book have proper wireless access but most will consider *not* staying at a hotel that can't meet their basic access needs. That's right, WiFi is a make or break amenity for many hotel guests that can sway booking decisions -- and that isn't going away.
How did this happen? Wasn't the new decade supposed to be all about getting off the hotel's WiFi grid and relying on own wireless 3G cards? It was. But it seems that the cellular networks are woefully unprepared for all the Foursquaring, Twittering, Facebooking, Tumblring and old-school emailing that we need to do. And don't think this is just an early adopter phenomenon.
More and more business travelers need to access their documents in the cloud, family travelers need to stream children's movies for their kids on their devices and laptops, and we probably don't have to mention the fact that the iPad and other popular media consumption devices focus on WiFi connectivity and not 3G.
However, if hotel general managers are licking their chops thinking they can charge guests exorbitant amounts for providing free, fast, reliable WiFi, not so fast. Remember all those side of the road motels that trumpeted "Free HBO?" Well the majority of guests view WiFi the same way--as a must-have amenity, not something they should pay for. This is the conundrum for hoteliers today, how can all this demand for more access translate into a revenue source, without alienating guests?
Today, the hotel landscape is firmly divided into those who follow Best WiFi Practices and those who do not. And while old stalwarts will probably never change their policies (cough, Four Seasons, cough), many up and coming hotel brands realize free, reliable, basic WiFi is an easy way to earn guest happiness and loyalty.
As to how hotels will be able to please their guests, deliver stellar free wifi, and turn their services into a revenue stream, might we suggest hoteliers Google "Freemium".
HotelChatter's WiFi Report 2010
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BEST HOTEL WIFI |
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WORST HOTEL WIFI |
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INTERNATIONAL HOTEL WIFI |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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2010 WIFI CHART |
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Luxury Camping / → All Tags
More Places to Go Glamping: The Best of the Rest
Camping at White Desert in Antarctica
So far this week in our Glamping Series, we’ve jetsetted to Africa, Australia, and all through the Americas in our pursuit of the great outdoors…with luxury trappings. Now it’s time to talk about the best of the rest as we take you on a whirlwind tour of some amazing properties in Europe, Asia, and even Antarctica. So strap on your hiking boots, pull on your puffy jacket, saddle your camel, and get ready for some high-end adventure.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Luxury Camping / → All Tags
Keep on Glamping in the New World: The Americas
The canopy tree house at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
So far in our Glamping Series we’ve taken you to the birthplace of the trend (and of humanity itself), Africa, for some sumptuous safari, and bespoke Bedouin camping. Then it was off to the land down under for some Australian adventure on sheep stations and Indian Ocean beaches. Today, we’re all about the Americas, as we make a home on the range in Montana, enjoy an alfresco spa in the Pacific Northwest, scale the Sierra Nevada, and perch in a tree house in the Peruvian Amazon.
Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Australia Hotels / Luxury Camping / → All Tags
Glamping Australia: If Prince Harry Can Do It, So Can You
A villa at Eco Beach in Broome.
Yesterday we safari-ed the savannahs of Africa on our search for some of the most exotic glamping experiences around the world, and today we’re headed to Australia, where the flavor is decidedly more cowboy-ish.
Ever since Prince Harry spent a few months back in 2003 working as a “jackaroo,” or cattle rustler, at the vowel-rific Tooloombilla sheep station, the Ozzies have caught on to the whole trend, and they’ve taken it to new levels of luxury.
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