| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 05/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 47 |
| Copyright: Other |
International chain
Hyatt signs I-Quest deal for high-speed Internet access
Report by PENNYRUSSELL
Report by PENNYRUSSELL
HYATT International has signed an agreement with Hong Kong-based I-Quest to install high-speed Internet access in all of its hotels.The chain, which is responsible for all Hyatt hotels outside North America, expects to be able to offer the service in all its properties by May next year.
Following a successful trial in five Asian properties, the upmarket group has decided to roll access out to its other hotels. It currently has 59 hotels and 19 resorts and has another 25 hotels under construction.
Unlike most hotel Internet services, which allow guests to access the World-Wide-Web through their in-room television sets, I-Quest’s Worldroom Connect allows guests to link up through their laptops.
Hyatt’s senior vice-president marketing John Wallis said focus groups among business guests in their 20s, 30s and 40s showed they preferred this option.
Worldroom Connect, which is also being installed in the properties of UK group Thistle Hotels, provides broadband Internet access that is 175 times faster than a dial-up modem.
Users simple plug their laptops into a dataport and are provided with immediate access. There is no need for them to change their laptop settings or dial up for connection.
Worldroom director of marketing David Kwok said: “Up until now, getting onto the Internet has been a frustrating experience.
“You have to plug in, phone the local telephone number and wait, and it’s a very slow process.
“With Worldroom Connect, you just turn on your laptop and you can get into Internet Explorer or Netscape. That’s it.”
The first hotel outside Asia to be equipped with the new technology will be the Hyatt Carlton in Sloane Street, London.
The installation is due to be completed this month and the hotel will charge £10 for 24hr connection.
Other Hyatt properties will charge between $10 and $15.
Under the deal with I-Quest, Hyatt has not had to make any investment. Instead, it pays I-Quest a share of the revenue generated from guests using the service.
The agreement is not exclusive but Worldroom said its priority is to fulfil its commitment to Hyatt before it makes similar deals with other international hotel chains.
Simplicity: guests can access the Web through plugging laptops into in-room dataports