At the Enterprise Search Summit held at the Hilton New York it was particularly galling to be gouged for some quick Internet access.
The Wi-Fi network with the best connection was the in-hotel one from Hilton. The rub: It's way costly. But Hilton is sure to say "Thank you for staying with us." Hilton's statement should read: "Thank you for letting me pick your pocket."
Free broadband connections are standard issue at many hotels--including a Marriott Courtyard I stayed at just a few weeks ago. At the Hilton Wi-Fi is a racket. Here were my choices:
- Hourly plan: $4.95
- Daily standard: $14.95
- Daily VPN: $16.95
- Weekly standard: $74.95
- Weekly VPN: $84.75
You must be kidding. Does Paris Hilton's namesake hotel really need dough this bad? To make matters worse my wireless card was on the fritz. That fact just made me more agitated.
I refused on the price gouging, but am left with a lingering question. Who pays those rates? Someone must be paying that tab or Hilton wouldn't have the service. Typically if the
broadband ain't free at a hotel I'm not staying there.
Grrr.
