The DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown rang in the new year with a new amenity for today”™s traveler ”“ free high-speed wireless Internet access in all of its 247 guest rooms.
The hotel at 455 S. Broadway is the first full-service hotel in Westchester County to provide free Wi-Fi access in all guest rooms and one among a minority of full-service hotels nationwide to do so.
The DoubleTree”™s general manager, Rich Friedman, in a press release said the new service is a result of the hotel”™s continuing commitment to meet the needs of its guests. “We learned from listening to them that the number-one amenity they want is free access to the online world from the convenience of their rooms where they can stay connected anytime via their mobile devices ”“ smartphones, tablets and laptops.”
According to a Hotels.com amenities survey, “Free Wi-Fi trumps both free parking and complimentary breakfast when it comes to choosing a hotel for both leisure and business travel, showing that access to the online world is a necessity for modern-day travelers with over a third still looking to stay connected while on vacation.”
Another independent survey last year from Smith Travel Research Inc. found that 84 percent of luxury hotel chains and 76 percent of upper-upscale hotel chains still charge for Wi-Fi or offer free Wi-Fi on a limited basis such as in the lobby.
“Compared to other full-service hotels in our league, the DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown is ahead of the curve,” Friedman said.
“Today, small and medium-size firms account for the majority of businesses in Westchester and provide us with opportunities to tailor our services to this highly dynamic market,” Friedman said. “Providing free Wi-Fi access will be especially attractive and convenient to both the local business community and to business travelers.”
Personally, I would prefer hotels remove the mini bars, as many are now doing, and instead ensure they have a solid wi-fi experience in every spot on the property. I can’t count how many times I have been in big brand name hotels and experienced very poor wi-fi coverage.
I always wonder why the Hotel management doesn’t walk around the entire property with their IT people and try to connect to websites using a tablet. Experience what the hotel guests experience.