Wi-Fi winners: These hotels in Dubai and Riyadh offer the fastest internet in MENA region
High-speed connectivity has become key to guest satisfaction and loyalty
DUBAI: Luxury hotels in Riyadh and Dubai are at the forefront of providing ultra-fast Wi-Fi networks, according to recent findings by Ookla, a global leader in connectivity intelligence.
The study, based on Speedtest Intelligence data, analysed 22 high-end hotels across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, identifying a wide range of internet speeds that impact guest experiences.
Exceptional performers
Hotels such as Four Seasons in Riyadh and Dubai's Raffles the Palm and Jumeirah Mina Al Salam emerged as regional leaders, boasting median download speeds of 154.75 Mbps, 122.82 Mbps, and 121.35 Mbps, respectively. These speeds enable seamless video conferencing, rapid downloads, and multiple 4K streams, catering to the expectations of modern travellers.
Karim Yaici, Lead Industry Analyst for the Middle East and Africa at Ookla, highlighted the importance of stable and high-speed internet for today’s hospitality sector. "Our benchmarking over the past year captured how well guest Wi-Fi networks performed during varying occupancy levels and guest profiles," he noted.
Regional trends
Properties like Burj Al Arab and The Royal Atlantis in Dubai, along with Rixos Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, delivered download speeds ranging between 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps. While these hotels ranked lower than the top tier, their speeds were sufficient for most digital activities.
Interestingly, Doha’s Raffles and Fairmont hotels hovered just above 50 Mbps, reflecting room for improvement in their network infrastructure.
Additional contributors to the “good performers” category include properties in Muscat and Marrakesh.
Lagging behind
Nearly 45% of the hotels reviewed failed to meet the 50 Mbps benchmark, a figure that reveals a significant gap in digital connectivity standards. Among these laggards, some 5-star hotels in Abu Dhabi and Muscat struggled with speeds as low as 15 Mbps, highlighting challenges in Wi-Fi configuration rather than broadband capacity.
Post-pandemic priorities
The growing reliance on internet access for work and leisure has prompted cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi to invest heavily in their digital infrastructure. The shift towards hybrid work models and the rise of digital nomadism are driving demand for seamless connectivity.
“The COVID-19 pandemic shifted guest expectations, making reliable internet access a non-negotiable feature,” Yaici remarked, underlining the need for hotels to prioritise network upgrades.
With its expertise in connectivity intelligence, Ookla assists hotel managers in optimising their Wi-Fi networks. The company’s insights help properties refine their infrastructure and deliver consistent, high-quality internet experiences.