Marriott offers free Internet in hotels across Australia and Asia

Marriott is joining the push for free Internet, removing charges for hotel guests if they are members of the chain's Marriott Rewards loyalty program.

Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum elite members already receive free high-speed Internet but this now extends to all Marriott Reward members regardless of their status level – and with the programme being free to join there's really no reason not to sign up.

The free Internet offering covers both wired and wireless connections at Marriott, Renaissance and Courtyard by Marriott properties in Australia, China (including Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In announcing the scheme Marriott International regional executive Simon Cooper observed that "you can’t put a price on staying connected, so we don’t."

With business travel back on the boil and many hotel guests typically staying 3-4 nights on each trip, this can obviously amount to a saving of over $100.

According to a survey conducted by American firm Deloitte the vast majority of business travellers described free high-speed internet as a key critera in choosing which hotel they stay at.

79% of those interviewed for the report agreed with the statement "Complimentary high speed internet in my room is important to me".

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.