Has Free Internet become a normal service....?

With the new check-in perks recently announced, and one of them being free Internet access, I was under the impresion that most (or all) Starwood hotels were about to begin charging for Internet Access... however, Ive stayed at 5 different SPG hotels in the Great State of Texas these past few days and had complimentary Internet at all properties..... is this a new trend or is it just a Texas thing...?

Neither. it is a recognition of the exalted state of Gaucho, who has no status below the Supreme Master of all things Winey!!!

It is a brand standard at Four Points. Also, some include it if you are on a club floor.

As mentioned, free internet is a four points brand standard and found at some other properties. It's nowhere near universal across starwood, and the free internet ammenity can be a major savings.

I just booked the Westin DFW and it says on their website it says they charge for in room internet. I could have stayed at another SPG property but they had the best parking deal this time round.

I HATE hotels who charge their guests for internet service. Period!

I guess that makes you a hater of a lot of hotels

Four Points, Aloft, and (I think) Element always include free internet.

Sheraton has free internet in the lobby, including use of the computers and printers in their new lobby business centers.

Increasingly Westin business centers have free access to airline websites, including the printing of boarding passes. Some have the boarding pass kiosks in the lobby too.

I think W may give free internet in their lobby areas, including living rooms.

Yes the ( two) Elements I have stayed at has free internet.

Also that it is also correct for the Ws in the Lobby/Living Room.

That's because most hotels in Asia offer free internet..

Its not a brand standard at 4 points BKK. I had to choose it as my gold amenity.

I despise parking charges even more.

Another point for Asian hotels.. Most are free..

The brand standard applies to North America only.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com

Of my last few hotel stays in Asia (Four Points Bangkok, Fairmont Singapore, Millennium Hilton Seoul) I got free Internet, but only from elite benefits. Internet was not included for regular guests.

Most hotels I visited have it, but then again those are individual hotels mostly..

That is the great irony, independent and cheap(er) hotels tend to include it for no charge, but luxury (expensive) hotels charge (a lot) extra unless you have status (or a special corporate contract).

Ah...... that I had missed. Thanks !!

Good to know... thanks William.

All my Texas hotels offered free parking..... I think this is pretty much a Texas thing.... folks take their cars to the bathroom if you know what I mean...

Gee... thanks JC, you are too kind, but I know that Im no longer that important to Starwood.... its been a looong time since Ive been high revenue with them....

Still, Im happy that I have a good chance of making lifetime Gold sometime next year...

Lifetime Gold is da bomb. Well, not really, as Lifetime Plat is on my horizon, but still, I cannot kvetch.

Thanks for the reminder, and correction. I was Platinum for so long, I forgot. Now, as Lifetime Gold, I'll forget again. Hopefully within a couple years as Lifetime Platinum, I'll forget forever.

Details...???