The Starwood group will offer free Internet across its family of hotels – including Sheraton, W, Westin, Le Meridien and Aloft – from February 2, 2015.

All members of the group's SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) loyalty scheme will enjoy free WiFi and cable Internet, although there's a catch: your stay must be booked via Starwood's website or app.

In theory, booking directly with the hotel (or through a travel agency or hotel booking mega-sites such as Expedia) won't see you qualify for free Internet.

If you're an SPG Gold or Platinum member you'll get an automatic upgrade to high-speed 'premium Internet', which Starwood says is designed for "streaming content and downloading large files."

Starwood's move follows similar decisions by the IHG and Marriott chains.

Read: The Starwood Preferred Guest program for Aussie business travellers

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