Above: the Hyatt Regency Trinidad

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Wi-Fi is no longer a privilege or an amenity — it’ s now a necessity for travelers, and one of the world’s top hotel brands has announced a plan to offer free Wi-Fi at all of its hotels.

Hyatt will begin offering free Wi-Fi to all of its guests around the world beginning in February 2015.

The connectivity will be free on an unlimited number of mobile devices or laptops in Hyatt-branded hotel guest rooms and social spaces, the company said.

“Internet connectivity is no longer an amenity,” said Kristine Rose, vice president of brands for Hyatt. “It has become an integral part of travelers’ daily lives and a basic expectation. Travelers shouldn’t have to remember which brands or locations offer it for free or the strings attached to get it.”

The company had previously been offering Wi-Fi at no charge to guests at several of its brands, and to certain elite status members.

“Our colleagues are committed to not just listening to what our guests say, but understanding their real needs. This practice has already brought us new ways to make a guest’s stay more personal and seamless, from expedited check-in methods to easier ways for guests to make requests,” Rose said. “Today, people consider smartphones just as important as their car, and more important than television or coffee.* Travelers feel out of sync with their lives when they can’t freely connect. Giving free Wi-Fi without a catch will enable us to continue innovating the guest experience to help people be more productive and stay better connected to colleagues, friends and family.”

The company’s move comes as several other top brands, including Sandals, have announced similar programmes.