Ascott Offers Free Internet Globally

The Ascott Limited, the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator, is offering free internet access to all guests who book its apartments at Best Available Rates. Free internet will be available across more than 100 properties under the Ascott, Citadines and Somerset brands worldwide.

In addition, wireless internet (Wi-Fi) access is now available in most apartments and will be rolled out progressively to all apartments by the end of this year. Wi-Fi is also available in common areas such as the lobby and residents' lounge of Ascott's serviced residences.

Mr Tony Soh, Ascott's Chief Corporate Officer, said: "Connectivity is vital for our guests. Many of them carry at least one mobile device and use Wi-Fi, and this trend has been increasing every year. Providing free internet and Wi-Fi will enable them to stay connected at all times. We will be progressively boosting bandwidth to meet the increasing data demand by our guests. This is part of Ascott's continuous pursuit of product and service excellence to enhance customer experience."

Offering free internet and Wi-Fi follows the launch of Ascott's mobile-friendly brand websites and online chat facility to enable online bookings on the go and real-time response to customers' questions. For its creation of an excellent and user-friendly mobile site, Ascott has clinched the Gold and Bronze awards for Best Mobile Site and Best User Experience respectively at the inaugural Mob-Ex Awards 2013 in Singapore.

Mr Soh added: "Ascott is proud to be recognised at the premier Mob-Ex Awards that celebrates mobile excellence. The tech-savvy customers of today want fast and convenient access to information while on the go. The launch of our mobile-friendly websites and online chat facility enables us to better reach out to our guests wherever they are, whenever they choose and whatever platform they prefer to use."

Organised by Marketing Magazine, the Mob-Ex Awards recognises leading organisations that have achieved measurable success through sound and innovative mobile marketing strategies. The winners are decided by a distinguished panel of judges comprising senior-level professionals from brands, academics and marketing experts from the industry.

About The Ascott Limited
The Ascott Limited is a Singapore company that has grown to be the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator. It has more than 22,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region, as well as over 8,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 31,000 units in over 200 properties.

The company operates three brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset. Its portfolio spans over 70 cities across more than 20 countries, 14 of which are new cities in Ascott's portfolio where its serviced residences are being developed.

Ascott, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. In 2006, it established the world's first Pan-Asian serviced residence real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust. Today, the company boasts a 29-year industry track record and award-winning serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Ascott's achievements have been recognised internationally. Recent awards include DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2013 for 'Best Serviced Apartment/Residence Operator', TTG Travel Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Residence Operator', TTG China Travel Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Residence Operator in China', Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Residence Brand' and 'Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific', and Business Traveller UK Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Apartment Company'.

Visit www.the-ascott.com for more information and connect with us on social media at www.the-ascott.com/connect.