Can a hotel charge a fee for the use of WLAN?
November 27, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Hohenwarter
Dear lawyer,
I am Artur Schottmann and recently stayed in a hotel that charged a fee for using the Wi-Fi. This surprised me, as I was used to being able to use free Wi-Fi in other hotels.
The situation was as follows: I checked into the hotel for a short vacation and wanted to use the Wi-Fi to check my emails and find information about local attractions. However, when I tried to connect to the Wi-Fi, I was informed that there was a fee of 10€ per day for usage.
This got me thinking, as I believe that Wi-Fi should actually be part of the basic amenities of a hotel in this day and age and should be available for free. Therefore, I am wondering if it is legal for the hotel to charge a fee for Wi-Fi usage and if I actually have to pay this fee.
I am concerned that there may be other hidden fees that I am not aware of, which could make my stay at the hotel more expensive. Therefore, I would like to know from you if the hotel has the right to charge such a fee and if there are ways to potentially not have to pay this fee.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Artur Schottmann
Dear Mr. Schottmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the fee for using the WLAN in the hotel where you recently stayed. It is understandable that you are surprised by this additional fee, as many hotels nowadays offer free WLAN.
In general, a hotel has the right to charge a fee for the use of WLAN. There is no legal obligation for hotels to offer free WLAN. The provision of WLAN is a voluntary service of the hotel, and therefore it is free to charge a fee for it.
However, there are exceptions: If it was explicitly stated in the booking confirmation or on the hotel's website that WLAN is subject to a charge, and you agreed to this at the time of booking, then the hotel is within its rights to demand the fee. In this case, you would have had the opportunity to inquire about any fees before booking and make your decision accordingly.
It is important to note, however, that hidden fees are not permissible. The hotel must clearly disclose all fees and inform you about them before you use the service. If you discover any additional hidden fees that were not disclosed to you, you may be able to challenge them.
If you do not wish to pay the WLAN fee, you could try negotiating with the hotel. There may be a possibility to waive or reduce the fee if, for example, you are planning a longer stay at the hotel. It is always worth trying to communicate with the hotel and seek a solution.
Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of hotels being transparent about their fees and clearly communicating them. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Alwin Hohenwarter
Travel law attorney
