High-Speed Wi-Fi is the No.1 Driver of Hotel Choice for 64% of Irish Travellers

New survey shows High-speed Wi-Fi and eco-consciousness shaping hospitality expectations – but a generational divide remains

A new survey commissioned by property advisor, Savills Ireland, signals a shift away from the idea of “getting away from it all” when on holiday. Alongside digital expectations, the survey highlights a growing demand among younger generations for hotels to demonstrate clear sustainability credentials.

However, despite growing awareness, sustainability is not yet a major deciding factor for the general Irish public when booking hotels. 43% of men and 39% of women say sustainability doesn’t influence their decision.

The nationwide study, carried out by iReach – on behalf of Savills – among 1,000 adults, found that while Gen Z leads demand for both Wi-Fi (74%) and environmental action, older generations are more focused on comfort than climate. 49% of Boomers (55+) said hotel sustainability efforts do not influence their booking decisions, compared to just 28% of Gen Z (and approximately 38pc of millennials and Gen x respondents).

Tom Barrett, Director of Hotels & Leisure at Savills Ireland commented on the findings:

“High-speed wireless is now the top hotel must-have of Irish adults today – suggesting that not many truly “switch off” while away from home. While this is perhaps unsurprising for Gen Z, who grew up in a digital-first world, it’s striking to see older generations just as attached to connectivity.”

“Irish guests definitely expect hotels to deliver on digital fronts. But while high-speed Wi-Fi has become non-negotiable for most, there’s a clear generational and gender divide when it comes to the value people place on green credentials.”

Top Hotel Amenities: Digital-First, Service-Focused

When asked which amenities were most important in a hotel stay, Irish adults ranked their top three must-haves as:

1. High-speed Wi-Fi – 64%
2. On-site dining options – 61%
3. Swimming pool – 48%

The least important amenities were:

• Event or meeting spaces – 3%
• Kids’ clubs – 8%
• Concierge services – 13%

Room service (25%) was considered more essential than a gym or fitness centre (16%).

Generational Shifts

The Savills survey reveals key generational contrasts in expectations:

• Gen Z are most likely to want room service (39%) and concierge services (27%), more than double the rate of Gen X and Boomers.
• Wi-Fi is a top-three must-have across all age groups, but surprisingly, Boomers (71%) nearly match Gen Z (74%), indicating strong digital adoption among older travellers.
• Swimming pools appeal more to Gen Y and Gen X (both over 50%) than to Gen Z (22%).

“We assume Gen Z are the digital generation, but Boomers are just as reliant on connectivity, if not more so,” added Barrett.

Gender Gaps in Hotel Priorities

The Savills survey uncovered distinct differences between men and women:

• Men are twice as likely to prioritise a gym or fitness centre (21% vs 12%).
• Women place more value on on-site dining (67%) and swimming pools (55%) than men (55% and 41%, respectively).

Regional Preferences

• Dubliners are twice as likely as Connacht/Ulster residents to prioritise gym access (20% vs 10%), and are more inclined to value concierge services.

Sustainability: Growing Awareness, Divided Impact

While environmental responsibility is gaining traction, the Savills survey shows that sustainability is not yet a major driver for the majority of Irish hotel guests:

• 43% of men and 39% of women say sustainability does not influence their hotel decisions.

By Age:

• Gen Z are the most eco-engaged, with only 28% saying sustainability isn’t a factor.

• That figure rises to approx. 38% for Millennials/Gen Y, and nearly half (49%) of Boomers are indifferent to a hotel’s environmental efforts.

By Region:

• Munster residents are the most environmentally conscious (only 37% say it doesn’t influence them), rising to 40% of people in Dublin and around 45% in Leinster, Connacht and Ulster.

Barrett went on to say:

“These figures show that while awareness is growing, particularly among younger guests, many still prioritise price and comfort over sustainability, especially in older and rural demographics”.

Which Sustainability Measures Matter Most?

Among respondents who do factor in sustainability, certain green initiatives were more influential:

• Locally sourced/organic food – 32%: More popular with women (35%) than men (30%)
• Use of renewable energy – 29%: Favoured by 35% of men versus 29% of women
• Support for local communities – 27%: Broad appeal across demographics
• Waste reduction programmes – 24%; 29% of women considered this important vs just 17% of men
• Ban on single-use plastics – 23%: Stronger concern among women (29%) than men (17%)
• Water-saving initiatives (e.g. low-flow showers) were cited by just over one in five respondents

At the lower end:

• Sustainable building materials and net-zero emissions policies were only important to 15% of respondents.

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