ridgeback

I'm currently staying at an Embassy Suites in Austin but won't be returning because of this hotel's policy of intruding on my privacy. It seems that the hotel group running the local franchises prevents access to certain websites that they deem offensive. Thus, in the privacy of my own room using high speed internet access that I pay for, this hotel has instituted a web filter that disallows access to many websites. I'm not just talking about blocking access to porn, which they do, but they also block access to humor-related sites such as uselessjunk and collegehumor.

The puritans that run this hotel franchise seem to have a real problem with sex and sexually related issues, which I conclude based on what they interdict on its way to my private room. But they apparently support the manufacture of crystal meth, destructive bombs, racial discrimination and assassination because their filter freely allows access to that sort of information.

Given this hotel's interest in what I view in the privacy of my room, it's probably not much longer before they search bags entering the hotel for forbidden accessories so they can ensure that any black-listed books and magazines don't get in. I think they're probably also working on a new sign to warn guests not to bring any sexual devices into the hotel. I also anticipate that in the near future they will begin interviewing all guests to ensure that they meet the hotel's moral standards. Thus, I will be taking my money elsewhere and I urge anyone who reads this to do the same.

VideoPaul

Can you please find out who the hotel franchisee is? SOme are corporate owned, and some are owned and operated by franchisees. If you find out who the franchisee/operator is, as can lsit ALL of their hotels and encourage other frequent travelers to not spend money with them until they stop this asinine policy.

By the way, have you complained to the front desk about this, and what if any was the response?

ridgeback

The MOD today is the sales director who told me to speak with the GM on Monday. From my recollection of what the Sales Dir told me, the franchisee is apparently Rutherford, but I don't know anything about them right now. I understand they are quite a large franchisee. But I will confirm who the franchisee is on Monday and post that info.

The Sales Dir told me their aim is to disallow access to "porn." They've done this by treating their guests like children and putting an internet filter in place. Not only do you get the broad brush of a filter that prohibits access to all kinds of sites. Also, the filter is the likely reason that their internet access is so SLOW.

There is no way around the filter. Oh, except for - get this! - if you use the computer in their business office because the filter doesn't hinder their own computers! Talk about hypocrisy!

flyinbob

Yup, WAY out of line. You pay for Internet access, not part Internet access. Besides posting the hotel info, I hope you aren't going to pay for that filtered access.

Jeeves

Does the pay-for-view movies channel offer porn movies. If so, they aren't exactly preventing porn from entering the hotel.

Diamond Man

Usually the hotel has nothing to do with whats blocked! Like anything else its the ISP that blocks content. Not saying it is right but Its usually not the hotels choice! Much like a company's filter! I do not have unlimited access to the Internet at work! There are filters that block access to certain sites! In my home its a totally different issue! In a public access venue it becomes a different animal! I certainly understand how the filters may block out sites that are offensive but ISP's are constantly under the Gun so to speak to stop the spam and unwanted intrusions to your e-mail and protecting your security! And feedback does allow us to address the issues. Free right to the Internet is each persons choice and should allowed! But Public access is determined by the Internet Service Providers based on the public they serve!

This is not a Hotel issue...This is a provider issue and we cannot change their rules concerning content!

tcook052

FT wasn't blocked? Oh, probably because there's a Virgin forum... Sex bad, virginity good.

GDIW

Nice excuse - but they do get to choose the ISP don't they?

ridgeback

DiamondMan: I don't know why you felt the need to steer the thread toward your theory, being that you're dead wrong and have absolutely zero idea what you're talking about in this particular case.

Here's the precise message I receive when trying to visit collegehumor.com. Read it closely and maybe one day you'll learn to find out the facts before posting b.s.:

"The requested page is currently unavailable. Due to the nature of the content on this website your request has been blocked by the Embassy Suites Austin Arboretum."



The hotel uses St. Bernard software to filter the sights that their guests may visit. Additionally, as stated above, the filter doesn't apply to the hotel's own business office computers -just the guest rooms and the wireless in the lobby.

It really burns me when some know-it-all posts their speculative b.s. as if it's fact when in fact they know not of what they speak.

Canarsie

One could derive the theory that because of the pay-per-view movies (if they are indeed available at that property), Internet access to “adult entertainment” sites may be purposely blocked so as to not cannibalize the revenue from the pay-per-view movies.

Again, this is only a theory.

------------------------------

If it is okay with ridgeback, I would like to eventually move this thread to the TravelBuzz! forum. I believe this would be an interesting topic to present to a wider audience than only the FlyerTalk members of the Hilton forum.

Please let me know what you think, ridgeback. This decision is your choice.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

ridgeback

Canarsie, thank you for asking. I don't mind - I'll leave it up to your greater experience with the site. The only concern I have with it is that if people search the Hilton forum for background on Austin hotels, they'll miss this thread, which may or may not be important to them. Perhaps a good solution would be that when I find out more about the franchise operator on Monday I can start a new thread in travelbuzz and reference this one. I'm not sure if that's a good solution either!

I meant to post earlier that the hotel does not have pay movie channels. But they do have Fox News and the Fox network, both of which I personally find obscene.

Also, some may find it noteworthy that there was no disclosure at the hotel regarding their filtering. Before I checked into the hotel I asked about the availability of high-speed internet. The answer was yes, they have it. But an honest answer would have disclosed that they only allow guests to view sites which the hotel deems appropriate. I only found out about their internet filter when I attempted to view a site that was on their blocked list and was redirected to the message quoted above.

MysteryShopper

If this is your biggest problem , then you are quite lucky.

Canarsie

After reading your response, ridgeback, I have a better idea.

Start a new thread in the TravelBuzz! forum (after, of course, doing a thorough search in the TravelBuzz! forum to ensure that the topic does not already exist there), but do not use the Embassy Suites in Austin as the title of the new thread. Instead, the title of your thread could be something more general in terms of dealing with restricted Internet access in hotel rooms — or maybe not restricted only to hotel rooms, come to think of it. You could link this thread as a reference. It would not be considered cross-posting because this thread deals specifically with your boycott of the Embassy Suites in Austin, whereas the proposed new thread would deal with restricted Internet access in hotel rooms in general. Should Internet access be restricted whether or not one pays extra for it? If it is restricted, should one pay extra for it in the first place? These are only a couple of questions that could be asked in the proposed thread.

Once you launch the new thread, please feel free to provide a link to it in this thread, ridgeback.

Thank you.

ridgeback

Canarsie - will do! Thanks. ^

ohmark

Next they'll block marriott.com and spg.com