Hyatt Starts Free Wi-Fi Access Worldwide for All Guests

Free Wi-Fi access will be provided to all guests staying at Hyatt-branded hotels and resorts worldwide as of Saturday, a Hyatt news release said. Guests will be able to obtain Wi-Fi for free on an unlimited number of mobile devices or laptops in guest rooms and social spaces at Hyatt hotels, it said. The sign-on process to access free Wi-Fi will vary by property. “It didn’t feel natural to put barriers around something travelers view as an essential part of their hotel stay,” said Vice President-Brands Kristine Rose. “Staying connected through technology is a critical part of productivity and keeping in touch with loved ones, especially while away traveling." Platinum and Diamond Hyatt Gold Passport members will be able to upgrade to premium Wi-Fi service for free whenever the upgrade is available. Guests not enrolled in loyalty programs can buy premium service, said the hotel chain. Marriott International was fined $600,000 by the FCC in October after that hotel chain was found to be blocking personal Wi-Fi networks at its Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville (see 1410060066). The hotel chain announced in January it would no longer block guests from using their personal Wi-Fi devices at any of its hotels (see 1501150064) in order to “protect personal data,” said Marriott International’s Global Chief Information Officer Bruce Hoffmeister.