As promised back in January, Marriott has started deploying a suite of streaming applications to their Enseo set-tops and televisions… and Cord Cutters News has gone hands-on. Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Hulu Plus and Crackle are available at select higher-end Marriot properties and it’s believed the plan is to expand to more and more diverse properties. At the moment, there aren’t any television-specific fees but you’ll be required to use your own subscription with Netflix and Hulu Plus. Even should the lineups shift over time, this is a great option and sure beats trying to get a Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick working in the hotel (via WiFi Marriott once blocked). Or sadly “watching TV” via phone or tablet in bed, as I have on too many occasions. Two more interesting tidbits: Marriott’s Enseo TV remote has a dedicated Netflix button and supposedly the hotel will clear your credentials upon checkout.
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Well my work traveling days are over but most of the hotels I stayed in didn't have fast enough Internet to stream much of anything. Maybe that has changed. I really never stayed at Marriott's (stayed in more rural areas that didn't really have higher end hotels) so perhaps they are better. But I did come to hate having to watch "live" TV in hotels so these streaming options would have certainly been welcome. Will be interesting to see if they find someway to justify charging extra for this.
I'm baffled that Marriott isn't offering free Netflix and Hulu to guests that don't have subs. I mean, I used to select motels on the highway based on whether or not their signs advertised HBO. You'd think free room subs wouldn't cost Marriott more than a rounding error...
"We promise we'll delete your credentials on checkout"? I don't know how I feel about that. I'd feel much more comfortable streaming from my iDevice where my credentials (ahem) "safely" reside.