by Marti Mayne

Recently IndependentTraveler.com posted a survey on their site and their Twitter and Facebooks page asking about the top hotel pet peeves.  While some respondes like those asking for hot and cold running chocolate were a bit off the wall, the largest majority posted their frustration with fees for wi-fi or lack of access to wi-fi.  According to IndependentTraveler.com’s blog, the #1 answer that kept on coming back over and over when asked what is the #1 hotel pet peeve was “no free wi-fi”.  One respondent said “this is huge.  Today it’s all about connecting”.  Gadling.com recently posted results of a survey of 8000 people concurred – the #1 pet peeve of hotel-goers was having to pay for wi-fi.

According to BedandBreakfast.com 2010 surveys, more than 92 percent of inns and B&Bs offer complimentary wi-fi access to guests.  By now that number is probably closer to 95 percent.  Only in areas where Internet access is sketchy will inngoers find B&Bs without some access to wi-fi.  More than 50 percent of them offer guest computers and/or access to a computer, and increasingly inns like the Bernerhof Inn in Glen, NH are offering their guests free use of i-Pads.

According to Sarah Schlicter in her IndependentTraveler.com blog post, “…All too often, luxury hotels charge guests for Internet access, while budget properties let you connect for free. If you’re paying $400 a night for a hotel room, why should you have to shell out another $19.95 a day just to get online? Is the hotel trying to chase us out to the Starbucks down the street? I’ve seen properties where the Wi-Fi is complimentary in public areas but not in individual guestrooms, which seems almost more obnoxious. If they can offer free Internet in the lobby, they could clearly offer it everywhere else — but instead they’re making us put on shoes, leave our comfy rooms and crowd into a noisy lobby with all the other Internet addicts. Thanks a lot.”

Add in the complimentary and often gourmet breakfast, free parking, free afternoon or evening refreshments, complimentary beverages 24-7 and often snacks too, plus the free wi-fi and you’ve got about $125-$150 in added value when staying at inns and B&Bs.  Now add gas saving packages and rewards for eco-driving, and you’re getting close to $200 in added value when you stay at a B&B.

Take it from connected travelers, today’s inns and B&Bs are the better way to stay!