Marriott ExecuStay to Offer Free Wireless in All Apartments
In an increasingly wireless world, on-the-go access to reliable, low-cost wireless Internet has become an indispensable tool for business travelers. And in Consulting magazine's annual Best Places to Stay Survey last year, 93 percent of consultants told us they wanted Wi-Fi, and they expected it to be free.
Officials at Marriott ExecuStay must've heard our readers loud and clear. The brand is now offering free, wireless Internet access as a standard feature in all of its corporate apartments, making it the first national corporate housing brand to offer system-wide wireless coverage as a standard feature for guests. The brand also offers hardwire high-speed Internet access. "Marriott ExecuStay guests want the ability to work as they do in their office or in their home," says Cathy Bokman, vice president, corporate housing for Marriott ExecuStay. "With our wireless offering, our guests will be able to easily connect to the Web and work how they want— anywhere they want—in their ExecuStay apartment."
And Adam Sherer, vice president of Marriott ExecuStay, says the hotel chain "is committed to being the technology leader in the temporary housing market and will continue listening to guests and answer their requests by implementing technology and other offerings that are valuable to them."
Other corporate housing providers can't quite match Marriott's Wi-Fi everywhere endeavor, but say they are working on it. Hilton Homewood Suites spokesman, Brad Carmony, says it offers free wireless Internet at 85 percent of its 260 locations. Meanwhile, Suzy Quinn, a spokeswoman for Oakwood Worldwide, says all Oakwood apartments are equipped with wireless Internet, except where quality service issues exist, in which case a wired alternative is offered. And Meg Schramm, a spokeswoman for BridgeStreet Worldwide, says the chain offers wired Internet as a standard feature in guest units, and is considering a move to wireless.
—Chris Nesi
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