Global financial woes are turning on the creativity tap among hoteliers eager for business.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced it is offering free and unlimited Wi-Fi – which should be music to business travellers’ ears – in all areas of its 60 properties, including Traders hotels.
Customers can now get connected free of charge, not only in guestrooms, but public areas restaurants lounges and function spaces as well.
In Singapore, the first Ibis-branded hotel is marking its February 12 opening, asking guests to log onto their website, www.paywhatyouwant.com.sg and put the price they want to pay each day. Those who make it during the “sale period” get what they bid for. (A clock on the homepage indicates the hours “till the next promotion period”.) Early birds get the price they ask for.
Singapore Ibis' bidding campaign ends on March 15.
Hiro Inoue, Singapore Ibis marketing director, said contrary to expectations, no one had put in a S$1 (66 US cents) bid. In fact, they had been receiving amounts starting from S$70 (US$46.30).
Singapore Ibis is located on Bencoolen Street, which was known for backpacker type lodgings. But as of late, the area has taken a more upscale image. The 538-room hotel, which offers all guests free Wi-Fi and a coin-operated laundrette, belongs to the multi-brand Accor group.
For more details, visit www.shangri-la.com as well as www.ibishotel.com.
Margie T Logarta
