My first trip to Madrid several years ago was an arranged affair, sponsored by the local tourism board in conjunction with the International Tourism Trade Fair, known locally as FITUR. That’s how I found my way to the Room Mate Laura, one of several of the chain’s personified properties in the city.
It’s not that I otherwise would have avoided the hotel. It’s just that I lacked familiarity with Room Mate Hotels and more likely would have booked with one of the bigger players in the business.
I’m glad I didn’t.
While at the Laura, myself and several other members of the media beta tested the best hotel amenity I’ve ever experienced in nearly a decade in this business: portable Wi-Fi.
The chain calls it the “WiMate Total WiFi.” Shaped like an old-fashioned pager, the device serves as a wireless hot spot for up to five devices anywhere in the city. Best yet? It’s free (to guests at least).
(And no, I’m not getting any kickbacks from Room Mate. I just love WiMate that much.)
While it’s a wonderful perk for domestic travelers, the benefits to inbound international tourists are far greater.
Take this wayward journalist who’s too cheap to pay for Verizon’s egregious international data charges as an example. No matter where I went in Madrid, I was able to stay connected. I looked up maps and walking tours, texted with my friends and even FaceTimed with my wife while strolling through Plaza Mayor.
When I got hungry and needed something to eat, up came Yelp. When I ventured too far afield from the hotel, a PDF of the city’s subway system was my beacon home. (That the Wi-Fi worked seamlessly while on that subway was an unexpected perk.)
You might be asking why, after years have passed, I’m bringing this amenity marvel up now. The answer: Room Mate has just launched WiMate in the Americas. The company has three under its belt: two in Miami Beach and one in New York City. More are likely on the way.
The fact that those three properties are all in gateway markets is no coincidence. Like most small chains with global aspirations, the biggest mark is left in the markets with the biggest exposure.
And that’s why the WiMate technology is sure to be a hit. Yes, many Americans will gladly book at a Room Mate in NYC or Miami, but so too will inbound guests from abroad. That means they’ll likely be faced with (and pass on) egregious international data charges of their own, which makes WiMate so unbelievably valuable.
Ours is a copycat industry. Here’s hoping other chains jump on the portable Wi-Fi bandwagon.
Now on to the usual goodies …
What’s making me happy this week?
Rob Riggle being named Holiday Inn Express’ Creative Director and Breakfast Excellence Honcho. The “Daily Show” alum and frequent secondary player in too many sitcoms and movies to count is a perfect choice for the revamped Stay Smart campaign. He combines a rare balance of self-assured arrogance and loveable goofiness that should jibe with consumers.
I feel smarter for having written this. And no, I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Stat of the week
$302.7 billion: Projected U.S. business travel spending in 2015, which would be a 4.9% increase from 2014, according to estimates from the GBTA Foundation and Visa. While trending in the right direction, the GBTA says that number could have been even higher if people weren’t worried about the U.S. economy.
Quote of the week
“Although there have been some cancellations, the situation is far from alarming, and any cancellations are being offset to an extent by new bookings.”
—Alexandros Vassilikos, president of the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association, commenting on the state of demand in Greece after the country voted “no” in a 5 July referendum to a European bailout.
The debt crisis in Greece continues to deepen, and the rest of Europe is standing precariously on the ledge hoping not to get sucked down as well.
Reader comment of the week
“Can’t wait to see this happen. Sometimes I am here at 6am and don’t go home until 9pm. Got to support my two boys so I do it. But I don’t have to like it. Yup the glamorous world of hospitality! Companies who will pay decent wages will be swamped with applications and the rest will be left limping along.”
—Reader (and apparent hotel employee) “Get Real” responding to a report outlining the U.S. Department of Labor’s plans to implement new rules governing overtime pay to nonexempt employees.
Email Patrick Mayock or find him on Twitter.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hotel News Now or its parent company, STR and its affiliated companies. Bloggers published on this site are given the freedom to express views that may be controversial, but our goal is to provoke thought and constructive discussion within our reader community. Please feel free to comment or contact an editor with any questions or concerns.