Best Hotel Chains for Quality, Free WiFi

If one of your top priorities for a hotel is fast and free WiFi, you’re most likely to be satisfied at a Comfort, Quality or Clarion Hotel.

That’s according to the latest report from Hotelwifitest.com, which released a ranking of the top performing hotel chains around the world for online connectivity.

Global results placed Nordic Choice, the parent owner of hotel chains Comfort, Quality and Clarion, in the top spot for offering the best WiFi quality, and for its WiFi policy: 85% of the chain’s hotels offer adequate WiFi, and online connectivity is free for 100% of its hotels.

Rounding out the top five hotel chains for WiFi are Radisson Blu, Renaissance, Mercure, Ibis and ibis styles.

Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of top performing hotels for WiFi reveal different results.

In the US, for example, Marriott takes the top spot. But compared to Nordic Choice, Marriott’s WiFi policy is “not that impressive,” analysts say.

Free hotel WiFi is only available to Marriott’s loyalty members. Hyatt Hotels on the other hand, which ranks third on the list, offers free WiFi access to all hotel guests. Where Marriott outranks its competitor, however, is in the quality of its connectivity.

The Westin placed second for travellers in the US.

In a Hotels.com survey released last year, more than 1,000 travellers around the world listed free WiFi as the most sought-after, in-room amenity.

Here are the top performing brands for hotel WiFi around the world:
1. Nordic Choice
2. Radisson Blu
3. Renaissance
4. Mercure
5. Ibis and ibis styles
6. Scandic Hotels
7. Inter-Continental
8. Econo-Lodge
9. Four Points
10. Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Top five hotel chains in the US:
1. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
2. Westin
3. Hyatt Hotels
4. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
5. Best Western

Top five hotels chains in Europe:
1. Nordic Choice
2. Radisson Blu
3. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
4. Catalonia
5. Doubletree

Top three hotels chains in Asia:
1. Inter-Continental
2. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
3. Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/travel/article/best-hotel-chains-for-quality-free-wifi

Weekly Hot Pick for Ko Tao, Thailand

Haadtien Beach Resort – 4 Star

What’s nearby

Ø      Shark Bay – 0.7 km

Ø      Sai Nuan Beach – 1.6 km

Ø      Mae Haad – 2.1 km

Ø      Jax Trek bamboo path – 2.1 km

• Awarded Certificate of Excellence 2014.
• Free ferry terminal shuttle
• Free wi-fi and internet.

Healthy Chinese Food to Warm the Belly by Eliza Chow

This month, the goods and services tax (GST) came into force. If you think that this means cutting down on eating out, think again! The Malaysian Insider hunted down 30 cheap and good food spots around the Klang Valley and will reveal one for each day of the month of April.

Feel like having a healthy and nourishing meal without burning a hole through your pocket? Ah Yip Herbal Soup Restaurant can give you just that.

For a nutritious bowl of noodles, pay just RM15 to have your heart’s desire! Our choice from this restaurant was a steaming hot bowl of potato and chicken noodles. We were delighted at the generous serving of steamed chicken, potatoes, sweet kai lan vegetables and noodles. The broth added a savoury essence to the entire dish, completing the wholesome meal.

Apart from that, a complete set of rice, a dish of meat, vegetables and other side dishes come up to about RM15 to RM17. Ah Yip Herbal Soup also offers healthy herbal soups, congee and even health desserts.

Additionally, one can also enjoy drinks like herbal nourishing tea, chrysanthemum tea, lung nourishing tea and more for a few more ringgit.

As a result of the very traditional and healthy ambience, this restaurant attracts many members of the older generation. But good food will appeal to all ages, and we found that the consistent quality and taste of the food at Ah Yip is sure to go down well with everyone.

The shop has many branches around Malaysia, including one at Starhill Gallery, The Mines, Plaza Low Yat, Publika and Pavilion. – April 21, 2015.

Ah Yip Herbal Soup Restaurant | Add: Lot No. P33A Plaza Ground Floor, Hartamas Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur | Tel: 03-62012781 | Opening hours: 11am – 10pm | GPS coordinates: 3.163454, 101.656100 | Non-Halal

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/food/article/healthy-chinese-food-to-warm-the-belly