Fairmont Announces Free High Speed

There's nothing business travelers like to hear more than the news that a hotel chain has decided to offer hassle-free, complimentary high-speed Internet service in their rooms.  For the past couple of years, it's been the mid-price chains--Courtyard by Marriott and others--who have offered free high-speed connections or wireless connections in their hotels.  The pricey hotels--the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carltons of the world--have stubbornly charged a daily or weekly fee. 

Now, Fairmont says it's going the free way.  Will luxury competitors follow?  I hope so.  Fairmont was just acquired by two companies, including one owned by the Saudi prince who also owns a big piece of Four Seasons; along with that purchase came news that the Raffles chain will be folded into the Fairmont family.  That will give the brand 120 hotels in 24 companies.  Quietly, without much notice, Fairmont has become a major player in the luxury hotel division.  Its hotels have been renovated and upgraded, and I've been consistenly surprised when I've checked in. (I'm old enough to remember when Fairmont meant stuffy, aging, huge hotels in Canada.)

I ask all travelers who carry laptops to join me a round of applause for Fairmont for eliminating the charge to go on line at high speed.  And I ask its competitors to do the same.