Tourism News

Juliana's opens Internet café

Story and photo by Suzanne Nielsen and reprinted with permission of the Daily Herald.

June 27, 2003

Juliana's Hotel is the first hotel on the island to join the information superhighway and offer internet cafi services to its clientele.

New managers Johanna van't Hof and husband Wim Schutten said that many of today's travelers need to keep in touch with their world via the internet. Assistant manager Vanessa Johnson often permitted guests to use the front office computer, since there is no Internet business elsewhere on the island. As demand grew, the management team sought a better solution.

They bought a computer from St. Maarten, and set it up in a quite corner of the Juliana's common room. Access is password-protected. At $5 for 30 minutes, length of time on the .net is calculated on the honor system.

Steve Johnson - not a relative to the island's Johnson clan - is a repeat guest at Juliana.s and has already used the cafi several times. "I am on 10-week trip, and it is important that I follow my financial affairs in a secure environment," he said. Johnson added that is was important to him that his vacation destination has internet access. Juliana's web site informs browsers of the new service, and guests are informed during check-in procedures.

Guests can also down load pictures from their digital cameras, and email these home in advance of their return. The hotel's computer is equipped with a CD burner, so that guests can make a record of their trip or leave that special photograph behind with their new Saban friends.

Vanessa said that the internet cafi had received a very positive response from Juliana guests. She pointed out that the service is open to any island tourist who drops by the front desk.

Photo: Assistant manager Vanessa Johnson helps guest Steve access his e-mail.

Click here for a larger version of the photo.


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Story and photograph © Suzanne Nielsen, 2005.