By Ellen Creager
Detroit Free Press
In February, Hyatt Hotels will start offering the perk most travelers really want most: free Wi-Fi.
We mean free, as in free in all their brands, all levels, all floors, all cities in the U.S. and worldwide, no matter how you book or whether you are a Hyatt Gold Passport loyalty member or not.
Wi-Fi will be available in guest rooms and public spaces. Laptops, tablets and mobile devices can access it.
This makes Hyatt the only large U.S. hotel chain to offer free Wi-Fi across the board. It owns the brands Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place and Hyatt House, with 573 total properties in 48 countries.
Competitors Hilton, Marriott and Starwood have recently increased free Wi-Fi — but restrict the benefit to only certain hotel brands, certain loyalty program members or guests who book through certain methods.
Hyatt will offer one extra perk to its top-level loyalty club members — even faster Wi-Fi than other guests will get.
