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Internet access

PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:29 pm
by ottawa_cuple
Questions about internet access at Desire keep popping up so we thought it deserved its own FAQ topic.

As of March 2009, there was Wi-Fi available in many, if not all the rooms. Our understanding is that the signal is stronger the closer you are to the lobby. We had great access in room 1612.

Wi-Fi costs $15.00 USD for the duration of your stay.

Note: Wi-Fi is now(from Nov '09) provided free

There is a small computer room just off the lobby with two desktops. If you don't have your own computer you can purchase a set number of minutes on them for a set amount. As far as we know, you can use these minutes in small chunks over the course of your stay. Someone else will have to add the details on minute packages and cost.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:56 am
by mfay
We've been told that there has been a major upgrade to the Wi-fi situation in the past 3 months, and that access should be good in all the buildings. Some of the larger buildings even have two routers. The cost is still $15 for the week.
The public access computers are $5 for 1/2 hour of use-but you do have to contend with that spanish keyboard....

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:35 pm
by Yankeefan
Still drives me nuts that they charge for this. All Inclusive should be ALL INCLUSIVE. Jeez.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:38 pm
by mfay
I used it on our trip a couple weeks ago and it worked fine from our room-although it was often slow.
I wish it were totally free too, but to be fair- here is an except from an e-mail we just received from a travel agent talking about the new Wifi service at Hedo II- regarded by many as Desire's main competitor:

Hedo 2 now offers wireless internet (wifi) services to guests at the resort. This service was launched in July 2009 as a deliberate effort by the hotel¹s management to improve their guests stay at the property. "Hedonism II prides itself on making guests comfortable and their trip to Negril pleasurable, providing wireless internet is another of our countless services to fulfilling that maxim," said Melzina Webley the hotel's Sales Coordinator.
"The wifi service is available to visitors on the entire property, the beach and all rooms included. Initially, the only access to the internet was that of the Internet Café located at the front of the property, with wifi guest will keep connected to the outside world, no matter where on the hotel property they are located," she explained.

The hotel provides the wireless internet service at reasonable rates for visitors. Okuson Onuora, Online Sales Representative for the hotel, says that the "hotel offers this service at US $15 for the entire day and US $90
for the week."

PostPosted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:59 pm
by Nolaflacav
I agree with Mike that the speed is a little on the slow side. The upside is that the signal was strong enough from our room and outside on the patio. There was no need to go search from a stronger spot like I have had to on some prior trips.

When I checked in I told the clerk that I wanted WiFi and he turned it on and gave me the password/ID combo. I asked him if he wanted a credit card for the charge and any other incidentals. I was surprised when he said no and that I could just pay at checkout. Needless to say that at checkout time I had zero incidentals on my bill and they never asked for the WiFi charge.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:35 pm
by mfay
Interesting ! We did have incidentals on the bill, but since I knew Barbara had been "shopping" for a couple gifts in the gift shop- I didn't pay any attention to the receipt details. I don't know if we paid for the wifi or not.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:35 pm
by eddieandjojo
Well, our bill was $0 at checkout and I didn't realize it until we got to the airport....NO charge for the internet access.

So, there you go!

E&J

PostPosted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:26 pm
by mfay
See the update in the "News directly from Desire Management" section of the forum about newly offered free WiFi access. Just to clarify, when they say wifi is free in public areas, that does include your room-assuming you can get the signal there.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:51 pm
by swspice
Can anyone give an update on the wireless situation? Is it safe to bring a laptop and leave unattended in the room? Four weeks and counting :)

PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 7:13 pm
by DesireWeek43
swspice -> I have taken my laptop our last 3 trips (even before the "free wifi" was available), and have left it right on the desk in my room. I have had absolutely no issues with doing this.

It's been great to have for Skype to call home.

K

PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 7:35 pm
by swspice
Thanks.. I use Skype and am glad to hear it works...