Chedi GM slashes WiFi rate after reading Hotel Spy

The Chedi Muscat in Oman has slashed the cost of WiFi for non-guests to a quarter of its original price in response to a Mystery Shopper report, Hotel Spy, published in November’s issue of Hotelier Middle East.

The Grass Roots mystery shopper highlighted that while internet is free for guests, non-guests were charged OMR 20 (US $52) for 24 hours’ unlimited access.

“Internet has been complimentary for in-house guests for the last four years. Unfortunately, we have not reviewed the prices for outside guest as there is just no demand, but since bringing this to my attention we have dropped the rate for outside guests to OMR 5 ($13) for 24 hours,” said The Chedi Muscat general manager York Brandes.

The Chedi Muscat was one of three luxury hotels in Muscat visited by Hotelier’s Mystery Shopper last month.

Ranked in third place with an overall score of 56%, The Chedi Muscat scored highly in terms of its concierge service, but lost points for difficulty in obtaining refreshments.

At the other end of the scale, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Muscat received the highest overall score out of the three hotels with 76%, having performed well in most categories.

Al Bustan Palace InterContinental, Muscat was ranked in second place with an overall score of 67%.

Don’t miss December’s issues of Hotelier Middle East in which Brandes, along with senior management from Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa and Al Bustan Palace InterContinental respond in full to the Hotel Spy's revelations.

Furthermore, December’s mystery shopper visits the seven new Alder-owned Yas Island hotels in Abu Dhabi and makes some interesting findings.