--- title: "Study: Free WiFi a Necessary Perk for Many Hotel Guests" id: "16091" type: "post" slug: "study-free-wifi-a-necessary-perk-for-many-hotel-guests" published_at: "2013-02-28T20:35:56+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T19:02:28+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/02/28/study-free-wifi-a-necessary-perk-for-many-hotel-guests/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/02/28/study-free-wifi-a-necessary-perk-for-many-hotel-guests.md" excerpt: "According to a recent study, freely-available wireless access is a must-have for many hotel guests, and few are willing to pay for such wireless access." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "hotel amenities" - "Meetings" - "travel fees" - "WiFi" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Study: Free WiFi a Necessary Perk for Many Hotel Guests Forget free food, parking, or coffee. What’s on hotel guests’ minds these days is WiFi. According to a [Hotels.com Amenities Survey (opens in a new tab)](http://press.hotels.com/en-us/news-releases/global-travelers-want-to-stay-connected-and-comfy/) , just 11 percent of guests are willing to pay for wireless when staying at a hotel, and 34 percent say free WiFi is their biggest priority when choosing a hotel, no matter their reason for travel. > They are using their tablets, smartphones and laptops to plan activities, stay connected to family, and even order a delivery meal straight to their hotel room, so it’s no surprise they require free and fast WiFi. **Always connected:** Out of all amenities hotel guests want, free WiFi is at the top of the list. “Free WiFi trumps both free parking and complimentary breakfast when it comes to choosing a hotel for both leisure and business travel, showing that access to the online world is a necessity for modern-day travelers with over a third still looking to stay connected while on vacation,” the study said. Other amenities, such as high-end fitness centers and spas and coffee makers, also got high marks. **Life of the tech-savvy:** Taylor Cole, travel expert for Hotels.com, believes travelers expect free WiFi now, especially because airlines and airports have the capability. “With an increase in airlines and airports offering free WiFi, tech-savvy travelers expect the experience to continue upon arrival at their hotel,” Cole said. “They are using their tablets, smartphones and laptops to plan activities, stay connected to family, and even order a delivery meal straight to their hotel room, so it’s no surprise they require free and fast WiFi.” **On the go:** The survey found that hotel guests, whether they’re traveling for business or pleasure, rely on their mobile devices for activities information. Fifteen percent of those surveyed said they wanted free WiFi on hotel-provided tablets to order room service, get easy access to local guides, and find guest information. What’s your must-have hotel amenity? Tell us in the comments. (Goodshoot/Thinkstock) [Anita Ferrer](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Anita Ferrer is a contributor to Associations Now. 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