Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- In a way, free Wi-Fi service has become the new continental breakfast. It used to be something only select hotels would offer. But now, travelers expect it.
Utah Hotel and Lodging Association Executive Director Michael Johnson says, "Almost every property has to provide Wi-Fi or else they are almost off the list of options as places to stay, at least for many travelers."
For many people ... it has replaced the concierge service.
–Michael Johnson
Johnson says more travelers are bringing their laptops along, not just business travelers. That wasn't the case a few years ago.
"The laptop, for many people, they're so familiar with it, they're so comfortable with it that it has replaced the concierge service," Johnson says.
While Johnson says nearly every hotel in Utah offers the service for free, there are a few businesses downtown that still charge an extra fee for it. These hotels generally cater to strictly business travelers, who may be more used to spending a little extra.
"Some of them (hotels) may carry on for some time where they continue to charge [for] Wi-Fi, just like there are many that charge for breakfast. In fact, there are some properties that used to offer free continental breakfast and now have gone to charging again," Johnson says.
Why do business people put up with these extra fees? Johnson says many of them book a hotel room based on its location. For instance, if someone needs to attend a convention at the Salt Palace, they'll book a room at a hotel close to the convention center, even if there are some additional fees.
For others, free Wi-Fi service has become so much of a selling point to attract customers that most hotels will put it as the very first thing you see on their list of amenities.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
