Jolyon Attwooli, The Daily Telegraph, July 15, 2013
Forty per cent of those questioned said that being out of contact was the biggest annoyance when travelling.
The lack of Internet was more vexing than poor transport links (cited as the most stressful situation by 26 per cent) and a noisy location (24 per cent).
Of those surveyed, 61 per cent said that Internet was the most important facility they could have in their hotel room.
It was deemed more significant to a good stay than the presence of a television (17 per cent), a bath (five per cent), or a fridge (three per cent).
A mere one-per cent of respondents said that a mini bar was the most important facility they could have at their hotel.
More business travellers said they would log on to available internet networks as soon they arrived rather than unpack.
Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) would prefer to use the Internet to contact family to a phone, the study suggested.
More than half cited connecting with family as the best way to de-stress at the end of a working day, in research carried out by the InterContinental Hotels Group.
Hotels have also faced criticism in recent years for continuing to charge guests for Wi-Fi. A study of 70 different hotels and hotel chains by Telegraph Travel last year found that just 24 offer free Wi-Fi.
