| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/10/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 6 |
| Copyright: Other |
Thistle Hotelsto benefit from Internet move
THISTLEHotels has started rolling out high-speed Internet access to the majority of its 56 properties throughout the UK.
Three of Thistle’s London hotels – Thistle Charing Cross, The Royal Horseguards and Thistle Marble Arch – have already been linked up to Worldroom Connect.
Hong Kong-based firm I-Quest, which developed the system, claims the new ‘broadband’ Web access is 10-times faster than traditional ISDN lines. The remaining hotels should be brought on-line by next January.
Thistle Hotels chief executive Ian Burke said: “The availability of fast and convenient Internet access has become a key factor in hotel choice for many executives and we believe the Worldroom Connect product will give us a significant competitive advantage.”
Guests staying at Thistle Hotels will be able to plug their laptops into a specially designed desktop box and charged a flat fee of £11.75 for 24-hours’ usage.
The Marriott chain is introducing a similar service to 250 of its hotels (Travel Weekly September 25).
A pilot scheme is currently underway at several of itsLondon properties including the five-star Grosvenor House Hotel.