Skift Take
It is doubtful that business travelers would be rallying around a call for free Wi-Fi at the very economy-class Motel 6, but what-the-heck, Accor should liberate the Wi-Fi there, as well.
Accor, which operates some 4,400 properties around the world including luxury and upscale brands such as Sofitel, Pullman and McGallery, earned a lot of plaudits the other day when it reportedly revealed it would be offering free Wi-Fi at its properties in Asia-Pacific.
But, there’s no word from Accor North America, based in Dallas, on whether free Wi-Fi would make its way to the U.S. and Canada. A spokesperson was checking with corporate headquarters in Paris about the issue.
Meanwhile, Accor’s properties in the U.S. skew toward the economy tier, where Wi-Fi is cheaper than the norm in higher-end hotels.
Online at Motel 6 for $3
Accor operates 1,074 Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations in the U.S., and they charge $2.99 for 24 hours’ worth of Wi-Fi.
There’s only one Novotel in the U.S., in New York City, and this mid-scale brand charges $9.95 per 24 hours for Wi-Fi, or $39.95 for the week.
And, at the eight upscale Sofitels in the U.S. (New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.), the basic Wi-Fi has already been freed.
There is no charge for the basic service, but a step up to a faster, premium Wi-Fi service goes for $14.95 per day.
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