Wi-fi, free b'fast a must in hotels for Indians: Survey

Indian travellers consider wi-fi, free breakfast and beverages as important amenities while looking for hotel accommodation, be it during leisure or business travel, according to a recent survey.

"Among Indian travellers, 26 percent consider wi-fi as an important amenity while looking for hotel accommodation during leisure travel. The demand for free Wi-Fi doubles to 55 percent for business travellers," according to a Hotels.com survey.

"With an increase in airlines and airports offering free wi-fi, tech-savvy travellers expect the experience to continue upon arrival at their hotel," Hotels.com senior PR manager, APAC, Zoe Chan said.

About 34 percent of global travellers say free wi-fi is the number one factor in choosing a hotel even on leisure stays, while 56 percent said free wi-fi was their number-one must-have when travelling for business.

"Travellers use tablets, smartphones and laptops to plan activities, stay connected to family and even order a delivery meal straight to their hotel room, so it's no surprise they require free and fast wi-fi," he added.

The survey further revealed that 48 percent of Indian travellers would like to see complimentary breakfast to be standard offering at all hotels in 2013. Around 19 per cent travellers would like to enjoy the items in their room refrigerator without being charged for it, it said.

Among the global travellers, free breakfast ranked the favourite, with 31 per cent want to it see becoming a standard at all hotels in 2013. Keeping hydrated when travelling is important to hotel guests globally, with 43 percent choosing complimentary bottled water as the most appreciated simple amenity.
Sharing the same sentiment, 42 percent of Indian travellers also appreciate complimentary bottled water.

Only respondents from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Brazil rated free power adaptors above bottled water. Indian travellers preferred room amenities like massage chairs or foot massagers (36 percent) and 25 percent of them would like to have totally wired rooms, which are completely controlled by one remote.

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking website with almost 155,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed and breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book a stay.