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05/08/2004: "free wifi in hotels"

A long time ago, Wayport had free WiFi in hotel lobbys. (See previous post.)

Now many chains, such as: Omni, Fairmont, http://www.wyndham.com/wbr/benefits/main.wnt?">Wyndham(which really is Wayport), Courtyard, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn and Towne Place Suites, Clarion Hotels and Comfort Suites. Microteland, the largest chain in the world, Best Western"all have free WiFi in the lobby. I see signs even here in the backwater of Spokane that declare, "Free high speed wireless Internet".

The only model that works in hospitality now is free-to-guest. WiFi is an ammenity. The other model of "gotta have it" in public places, pay toilets, didn't last long either.

This must be what drove Wayport to do the deal (which sources tell me is not in Wayport's favor) with McDonalds. But even now that Wayport has "won" McDonalds, LESSnetworks is out blowing free WiFi into coffee shops and other short-stay venues.

Free wins, hands down.