Tech Travel
Hotel Chatter just posted their annual feature on the best wi-fi hotels. Because I travel frequently, I always try to look for a hotel that offers free wi-fi, or at least free wired access.
As long as the Internet is free, I don’t care whether it is wired or
not. I’m a savvy tech traveler. I carry an Apple Airport Express and an
Ethernet cable. I simply plug the Airport into the wall,
plug in the network cable, and just like that I have wireless in my
room.
I agree with several of Hotel Chatter’s selections. In particular, the lower-end hotels offer the best wi-fi service. Whether I’m at a Holiday Inn Express, a La Quinta, a Hampton Inn, or something comparable, I can always find free wi-fi in my room.
If I’m in a more expensive hotel, I generally have to pay for any Internet access. Whether it’s a Hyatt, a Sheraton, a hotel at Disney or in Las Vegas, I’m always trying to maximize the 24 hour period for which I’m paying at least $9.99 or more, up to $24.99. I really hate that. Honestly, it wouldn’t cost them too much to make each floor wireless. I’m not a fan of hotels, such as the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, which offer free wi-fi, but only in the lobby. In a busy, urban hotel, you are rarely going to lug your laptop from your room to the lobby just to get online. Of course, the hotels know this, and that’s when you pay the surcharge. I see lobby wi-fi as simply a backup plan when in-room access is down.
Hotel Chatter also mentions the Kimpton boutique hotels. I’ve always been a fan of Kimptons, but admittedly, I haven’t stayed in a Kimpton since 2005. As a club member (it’s free to join), I’ve always had access to free wi-fi in the room. Use of the access code never bothered me. It’s how they secure their network, and I get that. Because I don’t use VPN, a charge for that service also doesn’t affect me.
My favorite hotel chain, and one Hotel Chatter neglected to mention, is the Wyndham. In fact, I bet the Wyndham shows up on the "worst" list because their service is often wired. Whether at a low-end Wyndham Garden or high-end Wyndham Resort, I’ve always received great service. With their free club membership, you get free wi-fi and/or wired access, wine, and cheese, all ready and waiting for you when you walk into your room.
Technorati Tags: tech travel, travel, free wifi hotels, Airport Express
Marge
May 1st, 2007 at 4:45 pm #
OMG! This is awesome! I never heard of Hotel Chatter and I friggin travel (and chatter) for a living. I mean, I have my reliable hotel sites but I am always looking to add yet another. Thanks Tech Travel!
Marge
Chris
June 5th, 2007 at 6:33 pm #
Yo Marge,
Just booked a room on Sunset Boulevard in L.A. for under $100 a night off Reservediscountrooms.com. Granted, it’s at the Best Western, but hey, it’s on Sunset Boulevard!! Thanks!
I love this blog by the way!
Cheers!