Great report DaveNCL. I don't visit FT much these days but your report is worth reading and coming back to.

The wifi charges are easy to get around. There are multiple ways to get status (free SPG status with specific credit cards) and they'll wave the internet charge if you book directly with the hotel on spg's website.

Regardless, you don't have to pay them but people feel entitled to wifi and breakfast these days it seems.

The breakfast charges seem pretty standard for a hotel these days. You can stay at a cheaper property with those included but I much prefer a nicer hotel so I'm willing to pay for these kinds of things. Usually I don't have to with status. That's why I don't hotel hop much (try to stick with SPG and Marriott) and it's never an issue. The same goes with airlines.