Hong Kong based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which has 60 hotels throughout China and around the world, says the global financial crisis has led it to offer free Internet services to all its guests.

"Getting connected while on the road is the number one priority of our business travelers and many of our valued customers view Internet access as absolutely crucial. Offering free Internet is further evidence of our commitment to Shangri-La's service to our customers during these uncertain times. No longer considered a luxury, guests are demanding high-speed Internet access as an essential room requirement and as something that should be included as a standard service by an international hotel group," said Madhu Rao, managing director and chief executive officer of Shangri-La.

While budget hotel chains such as Super 8 have always provided free Internet connectivity in their mainland China locations, many luxury hotels charge for Internet connectivity.

Shangri-La's free Wi-Fi and wired Internet services are available in all areas of every one of the group's hotels, including guestrooms, public areas, restaurants, lounges and function areas.

In addition to its 60 current locations coming under either the Shangri-La or Traders hotel brands, Shangri-La has over 50 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, the Maldives, the Philippines, Qatar, the Seychelles, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

(China Hospitality News February 5, 2009)