Is Your Hotel Wireless?
Wireless internet has been around for many years, but doesn?t it seem that guests are asking about it more often? This is partly because all mobile phones and laptops now come with wireless capability built in, and this has given people the opportunity to check email, book train tickets etc whilst they’re away from home. Recent guest questionnaires have shown that wireless internet access is amongst the most important things they look for when booking a hotel. This is set to continue.
So – if you don’t yet offer wireless at your hotel, you will be pleased to hear that getting the service installed is now very quick, easy and cheap, so here are a few tips to get you started.
The process of going wireless can be accomplished in 3 simple (ish!) steps.
1. Make sure you’ve got broadband!
If you don’t have broadband, you’ll need to contact a broadband provider. This is a straightforward process, and to help you choose, Which? has tested most of the services available and can help you
choose the right one for you. Just see www.which.co.uk/reviews/broadband.
2. Hook up your wireless router!
A wireless router is basically a little box that transmits a signal that laptops and mobile phones can connect to. If you signed up for broadband in the last year or so, your internet provider will probably
have given you one. If not, then you need to buy one from PC World or another electrical store. Be careful though, if you have a hotel with more than 2 floors, you’ll probably need some additional equipment called ‘wireless extenders’ or more than one router.
3. Set up a ‘wireless password’ to give to your guests and off you go!
To make sure that your network is free from unauthorised access, you need to set a password that guests will be asked for when they connect to your wireless. You can do this by following the steps in the instruction booklet that came with your wireless router. You then have the choice to either charge guests for using the internet, or whether you give complimentary access within the room rate. Putting a wireless sticker in your window and on your website will tell potential guests that you now offer wireless.
Some things to watch out for:
- You’ll need to make sure that the wireless signal extends to all of your rooms. If you have more than 2 floors, you will probably need additional wireless routers to extend the signal. You can also purchase more powerful aerials or move your router to a more central location in your building.
- Make sure that you use a free wireless channel if there are other wireless networks in range. This is again something which your router’s instructional manual will help you with.
- Avoid placing the router in the corner of rooms or near metal objects – these will degrade the signal range.
Once you’ve got wireless installed, it’s a great service to offer to your guests, and it’s one more reason why they might choose your hotel over another. A wireless installation for a small hotel should cost you around £100 or less with no on-going fees, so isn’t it about time you went wireless?
Adam Gough
Adam’s PC Services – £85 Wireless Installations exclusive to Yes!
Hotel Members.
http://www.adamgough.com/yes-hotel-wireless.php
01253 310495
