Fewer U.S. hotels are offering free breakfasts, more are charging for late cancellation, and more are offering free in-room wireless Internet access. Ironically, though, the more you pay for your room, the less likely you are to get free Wi-Fi.
Those are some of the findings from a recent survey of 10,000 hotels conducted by Smith Travel Research for the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Wireless Internet access is being offered by 91 per cent of hotels, up 35 per cent from four years ago, according to the survey.
Only 15 per cent of hotels charge for Internet access, down from 18 per cent in 2006 and 22 per cent in 2004. But charges for Internet access were most common at more expensive properties, with three-fourths of luxury hotels and 91 per cent of "upper upscale" hotels charging guests to access the Internet from their rooms.
Thirty-five per cent of the hotels that responded to the survey also offer iPod docking stations in their rooms, and most of these hotels were also luxury and "upper upscale" properties.
Nearly three-fourths offer a computer in the lobby for guest use, though economy hotels are least likely to offer this service.
Fifty-nine per cent offer a complimentary breakfast, down nine percentage points from 2006.
Forty-seven per cent have indoor swimming pools, and 58 per cent have outdoor swimming pools.
Forty-three per cent said they have flat-screen TVs in guest rooms, and 57 per cent said they upgraded bedding packages in the past year. Eighty-two per cent offer a refrigerator in rooms, up from 68 per cent in 2006.
The number of hotels offering vegetarian menus rose to 48 per cent, up 16 percentage points, while the number offering "healthy menu" options rose to 66 per cent, up 15 points.
Nearly a fourth of hotels participating in the survey said they offer "allergy-free rooms," and about two-thirds said they use energy-efficient lighting. Nearly 40 per cent said all of their rooms are nonsmoking.
In terms of rates, 67 per cent of respondents offer weekend special rates, up eight percentage points from 2006, while the percentage that charge for late cancellation rose eight percentage points to 82 per cent. Fifty-six per cent said their properties allow pets, but 61 per cent charge extra for the service. Free newspaper delivery to guest rooms dropped to 70 per cent from 83 per cent in 2006.
The survey is conducted every two years. More than 45,000 hotels throughout the U.S. were invited to participate in the survey by e-mail or fax. More than 10,000, or 23 per cent, responded, according to Smith Travel Research and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.