tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post4919689011648109059..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Hotel Internet Charges Are a RipoffIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-86496805489670640452011-06-27T18:23:19.802+01:002011-06-27T18:23:19.802+01:00Amusement... I've just posted about Hilton hid...Amusement... I've just posted about Hilton hiding their internet charges on their website, and you're the number one Google search result for their, um, rather expensive fees.<br /><br />I'm over here. Any publicity welcome. I hear the radio's a very good place. <br /><br />http://james.cridland.net/blog/hilton-hotels-should-come-clean-about-their-internet-charges/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14215937048572588425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39397099328583354752010-03-02T11:58:27.763+00:002010-03-02T11:58:27.763+00:00"Luckily it works in the bar, which is where ..."Luckily it works in the bar, which is where I am now"<br /><br />Is this a guest post by Guido? :0).................................https://www.blogger.com/profile/09387648864595329094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2724705517382072192010-03-01T13:36:30.440+00:002010-03-01T13:36:30.440+00:00I had the same dilemma. However, the ethernet cabl...I had the same dilemma. However, the ethernet cable access was hopeless until I had reconfigured my computer's network settings which buggered it up for my home and work so another resetting was required. Free wifi is the way. Hotels provide a service. Blatant rip offs are not a good induicement to stay.Dr Evilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00176521760477086914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9524173517476661642010-02-28T11:44:18.929+00:002010-02-28T11:44:18.929+00:00@Will Dean
You could install a dedicated broadban...@Will Dean<br /><br />You could install a dedicated broadband line for including line rental for less than £20 a month.<br /><br />Now compare that to the £450 a month that the Hilton charge for a 2mb connection.<br /><br />That's one hell of a markup.<br /><br />Do you think that the obscene markups for telephone calls, are due to people have problems operating a telephone?<br /><br />I think depend on the fact that in many large businesses, the accounts departments don't bother to question minibar and other add-on charges, in the same way that the House of Commons Fees Office turned a blind eye to it.<br /><br />Of course the bottom line is that the hotel can charge what they like, but if you ask the front desk staff about the number of squabbles they have at checkout time you'll get some idea of the effect it must have on repeat business.Twighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16698620636313191152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-91487714849998990672010-02-27T23:48:52.917+00:002010-02-27T23:48:52.917+00:00This always annoys me too, especially with the com...This always annoys me too, especially with the comparison to the US where it always seems to be 'free' (i.e. included).<br /><br />But to the 'how difficult can it be to provide' crowd, the answer is 'quite difficult' - in anything more than a tiny B+B you need quite a bit of kit, which needs to be set up and maintained/supported. And much worse than that, you then have to support every guest who can't get their laptop on-line. This is a real serious difficulty for most hotels, so they avoid the problem by subcontracting the whole business to someone else. <br /><br />The problem is not that hotels don't do the WiFi themselves, it's that, in the UK, they chose to pass on the costs explicitly rather than implicitly.<br /><br />As others have said, a real Tory wouldn't care, but I'm not sure there are many of them around in DC'sCsWill Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515078919433985452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88086226608301295952010-02-27T19:40:51.412+00:002010-02-27T19:40:51.412+00:00google
uk ngn internet
and then suggets they use...google<br /><br />uk ngn internet<br /><br />and then suggets they use those companies who can provide next generation internet serviesBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810599928765693534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51548011442997773312010-02-27T14:51:30.757+00:002010-02-27T14:51:30.757+00:00Add it onto the cost of the room? So that those wh...Add it onto the cost of the room? So that those who don't want it can subsidise it for those that do?<br /><br />No thanks!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01411532185094303370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88529225486239374492010-02-27T14:13:01.449+00:002010-02-27T14:13:01.449+00:00I'm glad you raised this, and I totally agree ...I'm glad you raised this, and I totally agree with you, it's outrageous.<br />They told me it wasn't their fault because they contract the service out to "iBAHN". <br />How difficult can it be to install their own router?<br /><br />The did however say that you can get it for free when you get your HHonours Gold Card.<br /><br />Perhaps it should be means tested, so that the extra money they make from wealthy guests and people on expenses (like MPs) could be used to subsidise free internet for the poor suckers who pay for it out of taxed income.<br /><br />Even a bottle of mineral water is eight times the supermarket price!Twighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16698620636313191152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47026003608490618952010-02-27T13:03:07.057+00:002010-02-27T13:03:07.057+00:00Certainly a rip off. Especially when you could ha...Certainly a rip off. Especially when you could have stayed at Queens Hotel down the road and had free wi-fi access...Man Of Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08503412573706955174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9329503745383660262010-02-27T12:58:01.954+00:002010-02-27T12:58:01.954+00:00It's just the operation of the market isn'...It's just the operation of the market isn't it? Stay somewhere where they charge less.<br /><br />At least that should be the Tory view. But like many Tories, your comments reveal a deep-seated confusion on economic matters. Clearly you are complaining about a side effect of capitalism, that it always trends towards monopolism and price-cartel behaviour, of which UK hotels internet charges are a good example. Clearly they all have a vested interest in replacing the money they used to get from guest's room telephone calls and this is how. All of the main UK chains charge approximately the same for almost everything.<br /><br />In short, you are complaining about a basic feature of the very capitalist system you so earnestly support.DespairingLiberalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903904463236135611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80353952616887359062010-02-27T12:06:59.367+00:002010-02-27T12:06:59.367+00:00"Luckily it works in the bar, which is where ..."Luckily it works in the bar, which is where I am now."<br /><br />Surprise, surprise.Magical_Misthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446193963152993371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16837949876328716552010-02-27T11:42:48.135+00:002010-02-27T11:42:48.135+00:00Got to agree Iain it's scandalous.Got to agree Iain it's scandalous.Simon Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15328606546904222885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83742259908226305962010-02-27T11:30:17.340+00:002010-02-27T11:30:17.340+00:00Vodafone do the best value PAYG dongle as you don&...Vodafone do the best value PAYG dongle as you don't have to keep topping it up every month unlike £ for example which makes you pay £10 regardless of how much of your 1 gig allowance you've used up.<br /><br />The other option Iain is to get a very cheap 3 PAYG mobile phone and use it to connect to the internet when you need. 3 charge 50p a day or £2.50 a week so it's handy if your dongle doesn't get a signal.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10574081059364644191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31108592382175370582010-02-27T11:23:05.800+00:002010-02-27T11:23:05.800+00:00As per what Roger Thornhill said, as and when the ...As per what Roger Thornhill said, as and when the Digital Economy Bill is passed into law, it will become a moot point. The burdens placed on anybody offering casual internet access will be so onerous that most places (cafes, etc.) will stop bothering and those that continue will probably bump their prices up significantly to cover the costs of administration and risk.Paul Locketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00201807319614893054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74409906890246326462010-02-27T11:23:01.140+00:002010-02-27T11:23:01.140+00:00As suggested it has replaced the high rates that t...As suggested it has replaced the high rates that they charge for telephones which resulted in the telephones not being used much with universal carrying of mobile phones so many budget chains no longer have a phone in the room.<br /><br />It was said a few years ago that it could be cheaper to carry a satellite phone than pay the telephone rates charged in many hotels.<br /><br />I wonder if we will see the same with WiFi, usage will drop as people switch to mobile broadband and so it is no longer worth providing the service at all.JMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13862227988978988383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73249522363273541872010-02-27T11:06:32.525+00:002010-02-27T11:06:32.525+00:00@Timothy Belmont
I stayed at a lovely little guest...@Timothy Belmont<br /><i>I stayed at a lovely little guest-house in London recently and they had totally free wi-fi.</i><br /><br />Years ago when I was doing a lot of business travelling I caused quite a stir amongst my colleagues by insisting on being booked into village inns rather than the nearby hotel.<br /><br />Nicer, certainly more interesting accommodation, better food, proper beer, friendly people... and at least 50% lower costs, a fact that eventually got noticed by the bean counters!<br /><br />All the inns around these parts have free WiFi. Why, given a choice, does anyone stay in a soulless hotel?John Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833630135480369122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16047512101635182162010-02-27T11:05:16.267+00:002010-02-27T11:05:16.267+00:00Depending on how often you stay in hotels, suggest...Depending on how often you stay in hotels, suggest you try:<br /><br />1) 3G dongle through your mobile provider. AT&T's is $60 per month, unlimited use in the US. I'd expect you can get a similar sort of deal in the UK.<br /><br />2) iPass (http://connect.ipass.com). It's a service that connects you to thousands of commercial wifi/ethernet services in hotels, airports, Starbucks, McDonalds, BT Openzone, etc. It's 25 quid per month in the UK. And guess what, you can use it at the Brighton Metropole.Dual Citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688872768973943522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35239245943847393832010-02-27T11:02:55.910+00:002010-02-27T11:02:55.910+00:00Iain,
Just echoing other comments in this thread...Iain, <br /><br />Just echoing other comments in this thread, get a USb dongle or simply connect your mobile to your laptop, most have free internet these days. <br /><br />That said, I think your reasoning is entirely flawed regarding putting it on the room rate. You are a conservative, a lover of the free market and a crusader for "choice". Where would be the choice in putting the charge on the room rate? Some people might not want internet so why should they have to pay for the privilege? I agree the cost is too high as an individual charge, but the principle is the same.Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12870095516944763251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22528467213211568142010-02-27T10:49:54.506+00:002010-02-27T10:49:54.506+00:00ask to speak with general manager Anne Bushfield a...ask to speak with general manager Anne Bushfield and complain...I did this at other Hilton and they waived the fee...!jolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05716798211469251721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10784480072490597452010-02-27T10:42:05.578+00:002010-02-27T10:42:05.578+00:00Well, chaps, the Digital communications bill aims ...Well, chaps, the Digital communications bill aims to make it illegal to have free wifi - the idea being we must all sign on with an account...so they know who is doing what, I suspect.<br /><br />Oh, they hide behind "protection of copyright".<br /><br />Pull the other dongle, its got an MP3 attached.<br /><br /><br />p.s. It is almost as much as my return train ticket to Brighton today (for the Tea Party).Roger Thornhillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591327286533118901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-71538297962054833222010-02-27T10:26:41.064+00:002010-02-27T10:26:41.064+00:00That is so so correct. A complete disgrace.
One ...That is so so correct. A complete disgrace.<br /><br />One option is to get some sort of USB connector that works over the mobile network. BT offer one effectively ree which I must invest in, its OK provided you do not want to do massive downloads.<br /><br />I am sure there are othersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36168368836150884912010-02-27T10:20:24.881+00:002010-02-27T10:20:24.881+00:00It's replaced the former rip-off from excessiv...It's replaced the former rip-off from excessive phone call charges hotels used to make, Once mobiles had cut off that source of easy revenue, they had to find another. But you're dead right - free internet access does create good will and makes us more likely to stay there again.Max Atkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06163447049027217653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-71291937427674292202010-02-27T10:01:05.345+00:002010-02-27T10:01:05.345+00:00They're like the airlines, charging for such t...They're like the airlines, charging for such things like wi-fi.<br /><br />I stayed at a lovely little guest-house in London recently and they had totally free wi-fi. I could use my netbook in my bedroom to my heart's content, for as long as I liked.<br /><br />About £46 a night, B&B!Timothy Belmonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15111145260662707575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41392399058609457762010-02-27T09:58:36.241+00:002010-02-27T09:58:36.241+00:00Yes, it's a scandal. The same with the charges...Yes, it's a scandal. The same with the charges for wireless access. Plenty of pubs, cafes etc offer free wireless. Hotels should be able to do the same.simonhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03328264677883774376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46490886337876059532010-02-27T09:48:52.378+00:002010-02-27T09:48:52.378+00:00As I unfortunately rarely get to stay in City Inn&...As I unfortunately rarely get to stay in City Inn's but in hotels with outrageous internet rates it worked out cheaper to get a 3G USB dongle. At £15 a month it doesn't take much use to pay for itself, which is a disgrace!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09407361378836669992noreply@blogger.com