On arrival at a hotel, do you ask for the wifi password at check-in and then expect a swift connection once in your room? You are not alone, according to a new survey by Roomzzz.
Wifi, free or not, is now an expected facility when staying in a hotel or other holiday property, as much as television and clean towels. In fact, when searching for a place to stay wifi availability plays a key role in decision making.
According to a recent survey in the UK by Roomzzz, a serviced aparthotel provider, hotel guests are keen to get connected on arrival with almost two-thirds (65%) waiting no longer than seven minutes after arrival to connect. Indeed, for a third of guests, asking for the wifi password is the first thing they ask for at check-in, even before checking out their room.
“Our research shows that free wi-fi is paramount to guests because without it they are unable to check email, stay in touch with family and friends over social networks, check the news and, most importantly according to the research, read the weather forecast for where they are staying,” says Mark Walton, head of Roomzzz UK.
In fact, Roomzzz discovered that, for 45% of those surveyed, free wifi in their hotel room was considered more important than a great view and was second only on their wish list to a room upgrade.
Additional findings from the survey include:
– 25% refuse to stay in a hotel room that does not have free wifi;
– 9% panic if there is no wifi in a hotel;
– 12% use wifi to order takeaway food;
– 52% of those staying in a hotel with children say wifi is absolutely necessary;
– 34% say it has been years since they stayed at a hotel that did not have free wifi.