Hoteliers are all asking the same questions. It isn't for lack of providers. Eight companies showed up at the hotel industry's premier technology trade show two years ago offering high-speed Web access. This year, their ranks blossomed to 32, says technology consultant Larry Chervenak. Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which includes the Westin and Sheraton chains, appointed a technology committee that heard 30 pitches before thinning the choices to four potential providers.
Costs vary between properties.
Newer hotels that already have advanced telephone or cable wires in place are usually cheaper and easier to hook up. It shares revenue from the room charge. TV Web surfing Some hotels are offering dual systems, a plug-in on a desk for laptops and an Internet service through the television. After choosing to surf the Internet, guests can point and click with their TV remote like a computer mouse, or use a wireless infrared keyboard. Stocks, news and sports would be a click away.