Wi-Fi high-speed internet access gives hotel an edge

By RICHARD PAMATATAU

Takapuna hotel Spencer on Byron is offering high-speed Wi-Fi wireless internet access to its guests.

The hotel's marketing and IT manager Chris Skilton said the move followed research into overseas trends that showed high-speed internet access was a pre-requisite for up to 80 per cent of hotel users in America.

"Fast, affordable and reliable internet access will soon become essential to remain competitive in the hospitality industry," said Skilton.

Offering Wi-Fi gives the hotel an advantage over its competitors because guests are no longer confined to their rooms using slow dial-up modems.

"Instead they'll have the independence of being able to take their laptops anywhere around the hotel - at the bar, in the cafe or by the pool," said Skilton.

The service, provided by Reach Wireless, a fast-growing New Zealand Wi-Fi and broadband supplier, means hotel guests can use various "hotspots" or zones offering wireless access via the Reach network.

These include some Starbucks coffee outlets, BP Connect centres, the Viaduct Harbour and Ponsonby Rd.

Skilton said hotel guests were presented with an automatic pop-up screen which enabled them to log on to the internet.

"If a customer already has a Reach Wireless account with credit, they can immediately start their internet session."

New customers were able to buy pre-pay vouchers from Spencer on Byron or use their credit card to buy usage top-ups. The price is 50c per megabyte with rewards of free megabytes offered for larger voucher purchases.

Broadband access was available in the hotel's deluxe rooms, providing an extra incentive to upgrade from standard rooms, Skilton said.

The Hyatt Regency offers Intertouch high-speed internet access in all its rooms and charges $2.02 for every three minutes or $28 for 24 hours.

Rydges Hotel offers internet access over the television and charges $5.50 for the first five minutes and 55 cents a minute after that, with a pay-per-minute service at kiosks.

The Duxton Hotel has internet access in its rooms and free broadband in its business centre.