Is no in-room coffee maker and charge for wifi a deal breaker for a hotel these days?
Jun 27, 2017, 12:54 pm
#17
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Status is no longer required to get basic Internet: you just have to book direct.
Jun 27, 2017, 12:59 pm
#18
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Neither is a deal breaker for me, but it's all about your personal needs and perspectives.
On a group trip to South America a few years ago, I was excited to have a toilet seat in the bathroom as the previous year our hotel didn't have one. Someone else on that same trip was bitterly complaining about no coffee makers or microwaves in the room.
On a group trip to South America a few years ago, I was excited to have a toilet seat in the bathroom as the previous year our hotel didn't have one. Someone else on that same trip was bitterly complaining about no coffee makers or microwaves in the room.
Jun 27, 2017, 1:00 pm
#19
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This was booked by Regent Cruise Lines, as it was part of a post-trip to one of their Alaska cruises.
Jun 27, 2017, 1:10 pm
#20
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OP has not given enough information for casual readers of FT to be able to give a decision. Any recommendation you get will be tainted. What are the different rates, where are the hotels located relative to each other, access to transportation, how much is it to buy coffee, to buy wifi, what other features are at each hotel, how much weight do you give to each factor, etc. etc.
Sorry, OP. You're going to have to answer these questions or else make this decision on your own.
Sorry, OP. You're going to have to answer these questions or else make this decision on your own.
Jun 27, 2017, 1:32 pm
#21
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My company doesn't supply a Wi-Fi hotspot, so that is a deal breaker. I use the coffee maker to boil hot water for my Aeropress and if the hotel doesn't have one, I can bring my own traveling pot.
Jun 27, 2017, 1:50 pm
#22
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Jun 27, 2017, 2:03 pm
#23
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Jun 27, 2017, 2:17 pm
#24
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Sheesh! and I thought I was a coffee snob. I rarely drink what is in the room. In the US I will go find something better outside the hotel, and in Europe most hotel coffee in the restaurant/cafe is light years ahead of the US equivalent.
Jun 27, 2017, 2:18 pm
#25
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Does your company pay for wifi used for business purposes or do they just expect you to not work when in a hotel???
Jun 27, 2017, 2:35 pm
#26
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I've never had a separate hotspot...I've always just tethered to a phone. I've done that since the 3G days and the USB tether via a 3rd party app.
Not smokin' fast, but good enough for email. These days a Wifi "tether" to the phone isn't too bad.
If I needed serious bandwidth and was in a place where the Wifi cost money, I could expense it. I would just be highly annoyed to have to do so from a hotel room that I was already paying for.
Not smokin' fast, but good enough for email. These days a Wifi "tether" to the phone isn't too bad.
If I needed serious bandwidth and was in a place where the Wifi cost money, I could expense it. I would just be highly annoyed to have to do so from a hotel room that I was already paying for.
Jun 27, 2017, 2:52 pm
#27
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I've never had a separate hotspot...I've always just tethered to a phone. I've done that since the 3G days and the USB tether via a 3rd party app.
Not smokin' fast, but good enough for email. These days a Wifi "tether" to the phone isn't too bad.
If I needed serious bandwidth and was in a place where the Wifi cost money, I could expense it. I would just be highly annoyed to have to do so from a hotel room that I was already paying for.
Not smokin' fast, but good enough for email. These days a Wifi "tether" to the phone isn't too bad.
If I needed serious bandwidth and was in a place where the Wifi cost money, I could expense it. I would just be highly annoyed to have to do so from a hotel room that I was already paying for.
Jun 27, 2017, 2:53 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2016
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Looking at a 4 hotels on the upper west side of NYC. Mostly in the $250-$350 a night range. One that I am considering which is the most reasonably priced, is the only one that does not have an in-room Keurig (or kitchenette) and charges $6 a day for room wifi, amenities that the other 3 hotels I am considering offer at no charge.
The idea of wandering out to a Starbucks at 7AM doesn't sound too appealing.....
Deal breaker in this day and age?
The idea of wandering out to a Starbucks at 7AM doesn't sound too appealing.....
Deal breaker in this day and age?
I frequently stay at Kimptons, which have coffee in the lobby in the mornings (and usually good coffee) — but what they don't advertise is that they have a supply of Keurig machines which can be sent to your room for use during the stay. (Never mind wandering to Starbucks; I don't want to see anyone before I've had my first cup.)
As far as WiFi, it's irritating that most Hampton Inn-level hotels have free WiFi, but many four- and five-star hotels don't. I understand they expect business travelers to buy it and just expense it, but, yes, it's irritating.
One nice perk at the Virgin Hotel (now in Chicago, but soon in New York, San Francisco and elsewhere) is screaming-fast, free WiFi — reliable, no hassle, easy to use.
Jun 27, 2017, 6:46 pm
#29
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Casino Hotels
Most Casino Hotels in addition to the quoted hotel rate charge additional $10-$20/day for "resort fees", which includes wifi (NOT high speed), use of pool, printing boarding passes, coffee is NOT always included.
Caesars Palace i.e. has a Keurig Coffee Maker in each room, but coffee is a mini-bar extra, $12 for 4 servings.
One day, "normal hotels", will follow the Casinos and begin adding mandatory "extra fees".
Caesars Palace i.e. has a Keurig Coffee Maker in each room, but coffee is a mini-bar extra, $12 for 4 servings.
One day, "normal hotels", will follow the Casinos and begin adding mandatory "extra fees".
Jun 27, 2017, 7:11 pm
#30
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I don't drink coffee, so no. If the hotel's in the U.S., Wi-fi isn't a huge deal breaker as I can just use my phone's mobile hotspot, I never go close to my data limit. Often times free Wi-fi is so slow I use my phone anyways.