I am happily ensconced this morning at that beautiful Villa Pinciana not far from the Roman steps in Roma, Italy. Besides the beauty of this location and this hotel, one other thing is likely to stand out for American travelers not just at this but virtually all hotels in this country: free wifi. As many of you know, I have long complained about the practice of high-end hotels charging ridiculous fees for wifi while cheaper hotels (and countless coffee shops, restaurants, and other establishments) offer it for free.(Here and here and here) It is an open gouging of business travelers but these hotels which are charging hundreds of a night only to demand that guests pay them for something free on the street. Now there is a small victory against the corporate greed of high-end hotels. Marriott has agreed to pay a $600,000 fine after the Federal Communications Commission found the company blocked consumer Wi-Fi networks last year during an event at a hotel and conference center in Nashville. Of course, nothing changes in Marriott ripping off guests for wifi generally, but they stand to do the electronic version of poisoning wells to force travelers to drink at their well.
It turns out that Marriott was charging exhibitors and others as much as $1,000 per device to access the hotel’s wireless network while blocking their Wi-Fi access. The way Marriott sabotaged its own guests was by using “containment features of a Wi-Fi monitoring system” at the hotel to prevent people from accessing their own personal Wi-Fi networks. The hotel was forced to agree to stop the practice at all of its properties, not just the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. I would love to know who busted the hotel. In March 2013, someone sent the FCC a complaint that the hotel was “jamming mobile hot spots so that you can’t use them in the convention space.”
Marriott however agreed to the settlement but still insists that it was acting entirely appropriately: “Marriott has a strong interest in ensuring that when our guests use our Wi-Fi service, they will be protected from rogue wireless hot spots that can cause degraded service, insidious cyber-attacks and identity theft.” Wow, forcing people to pay $1,000 a device was Marriott way of protecting people from unscrupulous actors.
Here is the FCC press release.
What continues to amaze me is that high-end American hotels continue to rip off travelers when most of the market offer free wi-fi as a basic feature for guests. It turns out that Marriott is only “Your home away from home” if you come from an incredibly abusive and usurious family.
Source: CNN
Bailers … I too prefer the extra bit of security I get from our Verizon LTE HotSpot (WWAN) that will handle up to 4 devices. I’ve used one of those from the day they offered the first old one that you had to plug in to your laptop via USB 2 port. My better half has an iPad with Verizon WWAN option, so she’s happy with that. Me, so far I find I prefer a laptop as a tool and and as a means review and purge photographs on the go. One of they days I’ll probably get a tablet of some kind…my daughter already has nicknamed me “Old Dude” for my throw back habits 🙂
Did this “corporate citizen” commit a felony based on the “Citizens United” SC court case? Where is the DOJ?
The Blood Red Moon! Stock up the shelter! My ammo is dry and I’m ready…are you?
Aridog,
There are a number of hotels now in Chicago that are pet friendly. The Drake is certainly a nice one, and I’m pretty sure there are a few more up near the Gold Coast/River North area that also allow pets.
Just left the Crowne Plaza in Arlington, VA and I’m happy to report they do not block hotspots. The internet here is free anyway, but I’m a paranoid person who prefers the extra bit of security I get from a Verizon LTE hotspot.
Can’t speak to pet policy here. I have children who act like dogs sometimes, would that count?
As far as past experiences, the best hotels for big dogs have been the ones hosting trials either national or local sponsored by a local Schutzhund Club. Ramada was a great host, as was the Holiday Inn years ago, and I for the life of me can’t recall the hotels in Madison for the National Championships in Madison, WI in CY 2000. When near Madison, otherwise, I usually try for the Super Eight out on the belt way drive, whatever that x-way is called.
When traveling without dogs I usually went for the best hotel available at the GSA stipulated “Government Rate”…and believe it or not, that included The Drake in Chicago, on Walton Blvd….near the lake and near the entertainment as well. Another in Chicago I liked is the Swissotel for activities in the Wacker Drive area. In Washington DC it’s a new trial every trip…when I was there frequently I preferred the Hyatt Regency just off Capitol Hill. Long ago my favorite stop was the Mayflower (now the Mayflower Renaissance) in DC, but hard to get one of the government rate allocated rooms. For those who need to go to Louisville, KY, The Brown is the place to stay.
Mr.Schulte…
You could be Mr. Johnson for all I know. How does anyone know who uses a pseudonym and who doesn’t? Now I must leave you fine people, my wife has promised to wax my back.
Annie – see you later.
Regarding internet, I sometimes stay @ Fairmount hotels. I like the one in Chicago. I joined their FREE President’s Club years ago when internet was new and not often free. You get free internet w/ this club membership along w/ other little perks. In Chicago, you get to go to an adjoining health club for free. Fairmount is a great chain but pricey.
The 4 Seasons Hotels were famous for being pet friendly. I don’t know if that’s still the case. You won’t find a room under $300.
Aridog, I think LaQuinta has a 75lb. limit but my Golden was all of that. I never found a desk clerk who cared. They hardly ever saw the dog. They ask the weight on the registration and I would just put 75. That was the extent of the issue.
Mr. Hairydog…
Excuse me, I’m a male, ask my wife.
When traveling with one or more of our dogs I usually try for Super Eights, although not as fancy as I might like, the dogs seem at ease. I will definitely try the BringFido site in the future. Do many of the fancier places have dog-weight restrictions? Mine average between 75 and 95 pounds.
I can imagine that. The dog probably doesn’t sh*t on the carpet and hump the guest’s legs.
Aridog, What are your experiences in hotels? You have travelled a lot and always have a lot to offer to discussions.
I think my wife loves our dog more than she loves me.
Mr. Spumoni sez …
I think we should all relax and have some fun and some good discussions.
Yes, sure you do. I notice how carefully you are trying to do that. That remark at 6:27 to Squeaky was right on topic…oh, wait….you meant your idea of “fun.”
What comment in the past few hours have you made that was on topic and not a mockery of what you were courteously asked not to do? You assert that others get special treatment, when it is you who demands it personally
I was deleted once … and rather than debate it, I simply apologized right here, to Prof Turley, not in a back door email. Why are you so obsessed? You just had to come right back and prove to Darren that you could re-invent another sock puppet, and shove it in his face too boot. Force him to chase you down…is that the idea?
That’s about as rude as it gets, lady, and pretty pathetic.
Paul, I’ve used a couple of websites, the best one I found is BringFido.com. Most Red Roof Inns and Super 8’s also take dogs, but they are not as clean and welcoming as LaQuinta.
DBQ and Karen, They have rules @ LaQuinta about dogs. The big rule is never leave them unattended, barking being the big problem. My experience has been the same as DBQ’s, very responsible and respectful pet owners. I usually order a pizza delivered when I have a dog, not having to leave the room.
I believe that “outing” commenters who use pseudonyms is strongly frowned upon, this blog went through that last year. Feel free to pressure Darren though.
Annie – you are going to have to explain ‘outing’ commenters. Since Annie is a nom de plume, you are hardly being outed.
I believe the moderators have access to identifying information on posters.
Nick – I did not know La Quinta is dog friendly. Good to know, as we often travel with a dog or two.
Aridog – you are right, of course.
Karen – there used to be a book available for dog owners on which motels and hotels would take pets and what the requrements were. We used to travel with a pet and it was a big help. Have to get them crate trained and you are good to go. 🙂
@Mr.Spumoni
Thank you! I am glad you like it! Just FWIW, I like Asti Spumoni, too!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter