I was away all last week running a 5 day QMS LA course in a Holiday Inn in the UK. They offer an Internet connection paid for by the hour, day or business week (5 days) so I thought fine, I'll get the 5 day package - until I looked at the prices:

£6/hour
£15/day
£60/week:mg:

I just wondered what everyone else pays in various countries.

By the way, I got by with Bluetoothing to my mobile phone on which I have unlimited Internet access built into my deal - not too quick but good enough for email. :)

When travelling in China, all the hotels I stayed at had FREE and unlimited internet access.... here in Brazil, the hotel´s I ´ve stayed at where also free....

Colin

Just think what it is like for an Aberdonian having to spend money like this! Having said that, I have found a few hotels in London which don't charge.

Peter, I can see the tears from here! Yes, I have stayed in a few hotels where it is free but they tend to be the smaller ones in my experience.

Around here it is usually part of the room price.

/Claes

I recently vacationed in Hawaii (3 of the islands - one week each)


The most expensive resort (Turtle Bay) on the north shore of Oahu had free WIFI throughout the buildings, lanais, pool area, but no signal was available on the beach or either of the two world-class golf courses. Each room or suite also had at least one ethernet cable outlet and free cable loan from the management. Finally, there was an "office center" (accessible 24/7 via key card) with three internet-connected computers loaded wth MS Office, Adobe, etc. networked to a black ink laser printer with a variety of sizes of paper (USA 8-/2 X 11, Europe A4, etc.) - all free plus free incoming fax.
In glitter gulch (Kona on the Big Island - kind of like the Dells in Wisconsin), The Royal Kona had WIFI available for $13.95 per calendar day - if you used it from 11:59 pm to 12:01 am (a total of two minutes), your credit card would be dinged $27.90!
On Kauai, we stayed in a secluded Condo resort (Hanalai Colony) where free WIFI was only accessible inside the restaurant/lounge/coffee shop with a special room with two free internet-connected computers and printers also available, but guests had to have a key card to enter the computer room. Building and computers and thus WIFI were only accessible between 9:00 am and 10:00 pm - the restaurant operating hours.

I haven't been traveling for a few months, but I have been reading that 'many' hotels are starting to charge for internet access as a way to increase revenue.

I haven't been traveling for a few months, but I have been reading that 'many' hotels are starting to charge for internet access as a way to increase revenue.

I stay at the Hampton Inn wherever I can. No charge for internet.

Stijloor.

Strangely, in China, all 5 Star Hotels charge for Internet but the below 5 Stars offer for free :)

I stay at the Hampton Inn wherever I can. No charge for internet.

Stijloor.

Let's see if I remember this right...

Hampton Inn - FREE
Hilton Garden Inn - FREE
Hilton - PAY
Doubletree - PAY
Embassy Suites - PAY (except that it's part of our corporate agreement is free for folks from my company)

I've also stayed at hotels where if you connect via cable, it's free and you pay if you use their WIFI.

This almost makes Boingo a worthwhile business expense! And many of the airports I fly through have a Boingo WIFI established. Tampa Airport still has a free WIFI signal if memory serves.

When the boss or accounting has questioned some of the WIFI charges, I've explained it like, "I've been in assessments all day. When would you like me to do the report exactly? Especially as Bossman had the rental car and he was my ride to/from the plant. The aircard service has been terminated for all employees so how would like me to get work done while I'm sitting in an airport for 4 hours waiting for a connection? Would you rather I simply not work? Be thankful I don't charge you for my monthly internet access from home...yet..."

Ah, Roxane's on a short-leash this week... :notme:

Let's see if I remember this right...

Hampton Inn - FREE
Hilton Garden Inn - FREE
Hilton - PAY
Doubletree - PAY
Embassy Suites - PAY (except that it's part of our corporate agreement is free for folks from my company)

I've also stayed at hotels where if you connect via cable, it's free and you pay if you use their WIFI.

This almost makes Boingo a worthwhile business expense! And many of the airports I fly through have a Boingo WIFI established. Tampa Airport still has a free WIFI signal if memory serves.

When the boss or accounting has questioned some of the WIFI charges, I've explained it like, "I've been in assessments all day. When would you like me to do the report exactly? Especially as Bossman had the rental car and he was my ride to/from the plant. The aircard service has been terminated for all employees so how would like me to get work done while I'm sitting in an airport for 4 hours waiting for a connection? Would you rather I simply not work? Be thankful I don't charge you for my monthly internet access from home...yet..."

Ah, Roxane's on a short-leash this week... :notme:

Roxane,

Full-service hotels charge for everything: internet, breakfast, stuff out of the room fridge, can't take the luggage cart!!!, etc.

Others (the lower tier hotels), do not charge for internet, breakfast, breakfast-on-the-go, etc. My favorite hotel has free Manager's receptions, cookies, popcorn, etc.

My choice is always easy....

Stijloor.

Roxane,

Full-service hotels charge for everything: internet, breakfast, stuff out of the room fridge, can't take the luggage cart!!!, etc.

Others (the lower tier hotels), do not charge for internet, breakfast, breakfast-on-the-go, etc. My favorite hotel has free Manager's receptions, cookies, popcorn, etc.

My choice is always easy....

Stijloor.

Not disagreeing with you. However, I have other considerations...where is the boss staying, restaurants in the area, safety of area, etc. This is why I like the Hilton Garden Inn. I'm at the level where my breakfast is free, there's a restaurant with edible food and the beds are comfie. Hampton is my second choice if there is something close by for my dining pleasure...or pizza will be delivered.

However, when I'm travelling with the boss, I stay where he stays and he likes his creature comforts.

Lets see.

All Marriott brands .......... Free (for me at least)

All Hilton brands ...... Free (For me too)

All Intercontinental brands (all Free again)

I stay at the Hampton Inn wherever I can. No charge for internet.

Stijloor.

No additional charge, but you're still paying for it. The Hampton Inn breakfast isn't "free" either (although I too like Hampton Inns). It's a matter of comparison shopping, like everything else. Find out what a given property is charging and what the charges include, and compare it with others. Sometimes you'll find that the hotels that charge extra for WiFi are cheaper in the long run that some that don't.

No additional charge, but you're still paying for it. The Hampton Inn breakfast isn't "free" either (although I too like Hampton Inns). It's a matter of comparison shopping, like everything else. Find out what a given property is charging and what the charges include, and compare it with others. Sometimes you'll find that the hotels that charge extra for WiFi are cheaper in the long run that some that don't.

Good points...no such thing as a free lunch. :)
I do like the "extra" goodies that come with diamond "status."
I guess I'm brand loyal and they have never disappointed me.

Stijloor.

I find it interesting that the more expensive hotels charge, while the more budget oriented hotels offer it free.

I was kind of surprised that the resort I stayed at in Walt Disney World (Port Orleans Riverside) in November charged.

In the UK and Europe it is quite common to charge.
I was asked €20 in Luxembourg for 24 hours.
I am in Germany at the moment and they want €5 a day. I am using the free internet booth. I will buytommrrw as I have to upload my report and thus can justify the expense.
If they put another €1 on the price no one would know and evry one would be happy.
Next week Poland will report

I find it interesting that the more expensive hotels charge, while the more budget oriented hotels offer it free.

I was kind of surprised that the resort I stayed at in Walt Disney World (Port Orleans Riverside) in November charged.

While a cynic (like me :tg:) might see WiFi charges as a profit center for the hotels, an argument can be made that it's fair to charge only those who use the service. You have to remember that although once the WiFi infrastructure is in place it doesn't much matter who grabs the signals out of the air, there is a cost involved in assisting people who, for whatever reasons, can't get their stuff to work.

In the UK and Europe it is quite common to charge.
I was asked €20 in Luxembourg for 24 hours.
I am in Germany at the moment and they want €5 a day. I am using the free internet booth. I will buytommrrw as I have to upload my report and thus can justify the expense.
If they put another €1 on the price no one would know and evry one would be happy.
Next week Poland will report

What most of my American friends take for granted will be charged for in Europe. Not many toll-free calls. If you call a service provider, you'll be charged for it. Want to use a toilet? There's likely a charge. Paper or plastic? Nope, bring your own bags. A second cup of coffee or soft drink? Nope, not free. Well...as a good friend of mine once told me: "celebrate differences." :D

Stijloor.

What most of my American friends take for granted will be charged for in Europe. Not many toll-free calls. If you call a service provider, you'll be charged for it. Want to use a toilet? There's likely a charge. Paper or plastic? Nope, bring your own bags. A second cup of coffee or soft drink? Nope, not free. Well...as a good friend of mine once told me: "celebrate differences." :D

Stijloor.Starbucks doesn't give the second cup free, either;)

Regarding free WIFI at hotels:
In a whirlwind tour of seven southeastern states in December 2008, I usually stayed at the least expensive motel near the main highway - I didn't keep exact track, but at least three of the ones with "Free WIFI" had the service down for some reason - the connection could be "seen," but it would not assign a temporary address to individual machines. No hotel had a tech on call - all answered, "Our IT guy will look at it in the morning."

I visited at least two coffee shops advertising "Free WIFI" which also had no tech available (even at 2:00 in the afternoon versus 1:00 am at the motels) when the WIFI wasn't hooking up to ANY customer (not just tech-challenged Wes:o)

24/7 access via wireless Verizon, Sprint, AT&T etc.
IF I were still a road warrior, I'd pay it out of my own pocket (about $100/month for unlimited access) rather than have to run around looking for access points even if the company paid the hourly or daily fees some internet providers charge while on the road. Problem is, there are still a lot of "dead spots," regardless of the carrier/provider.

It looks like I'll be able to check hotel fee's in Chicago at the end of March. I'll let you guys know;)

I have never payed at hotels, I typically choose that same few ones that offer the service for no addition charge.
A recent layover at the Toronto Pearson International Airport made me choke at the extra ordinary high price of connecting there! Such as airport gouging though I suppose.

I have never payed at hotels, I typically choose that same few ones that offer the service for no addition charge.


That, and a free breakfast bar! :tg:

Starbucks doesn't give the second cup free, either;)

That's an exception...

Lets see.

All Marriott brands .......... Free (for me at least)

All Hilton brands ...... Free (For me too)

All Intercontinental brands (all Free again)

Wow, why only for you?

Wow, why only for you?

For all intents and purposes, Randy lives in hotels/motels.

Randy may be one of the few humans on earth to know more hotel staff on a first name basis than he has family and his family is huge! What is it Randy - 150 or 200 nights/year?

It's close to 200 nights there Wes.

Hey amanbhai! Everyone can get that stuff when you're Diamond, Platinum or whatever else is top tier. Executive floor and lounge is automatic when there is one (I recommend the Ballpark Hilton in St. Louis and the Hilton Westchase in Houston........great executive lounges)

You also get to upgrade to a Luxury or Premium car or whatever when you rent an intermediate one for similar reasons......lots of rentals:lol:

It's close to 200 nights there Wes.

Hey amanbhai! Everyone can get that stuff when you're Diamond, Platinum or whatever else is top tier. Executive floor and lounge is automatic when there is one (I recommend the Ballpark Hilton in St. Louis and the Hilton Westchase in Houston........great executive lounges)

You also get to upgrade to a Luxury or Premium car or whatever when you rent an intermediate one for similar reasons......lots of rentals:lol:

I would imagine that a lot also comess with knowing what to ask for, who to ask, and how to ask. Experience is a nice thing to have....

Gee, it must be just like being on vacation all the time!:rolleyes:

I would imagine that a lot also comess with knowing what to ask for, who to ask, and how to ask. Experience is a nice thing to have....

Gee, it must be just like being on vacation all the time!:rolleyes:

Yeah, vacation:lol:

Believe it or not one normally doesn't have to ask, you just walk in and they say "We've automatically........, and thank you for using....."

And Wes is right, and it's scary at times.......I walk into the airport here and before checking in the airline counter has already printed my tickets out for me and double-checked on any upgrades for connecting flights. I have a running dialogue with a couple of the flight crews (AA) and airline lounge staff (DFW Terminal B Admirals Club), hotel folks (example Crowne Plaza @ Dulles) and restaurant staffs (TGI Fridays, Terminal B @ DFW is one place).

Free internet is just a small bit of the whole thing:lol:

Yeah, vacation:lol:

Believe it or not one normally doesn't have to ask, you just walk in and they say "We've automatically........, and thank you for using....."

And Wes is right, and it's scary at times.......I walk into the airport here and before checking in the airline counter has already printed my tickets out for me and double-checked on any upgrades for connecting flights. I have a running dialogue with a couple of the flight crews (AA) and airline lounge staff (DFW Terminal B Admirals Club), hotel folks (example Crowne Plaza @ Dulles) and restaurant staffs (TGI Fridays, Terminal B @ DFW is one place).

Free internet is just a small bit of the whole thing:lol:A million years ago [it seems], I had all that when I was doing a lot of company traveling on commercial flights. After my latest series of flights and body cavity searches [not quite - but they sure were intrusive], I would only take up being a road warrior if I could fly on company planes or private charters.

Even when it was in the lap of luxury (70's & 80's), it was very wearing to be away from home for as much as a month at a stretch. Back then, I was free of "chains" back to the office - no cells, no emails. Now, the poor warrior is on call 24/7.

I'm writing this at the Hampton Inn in Aiken SC (I'm here getting implementation of SPC at the Savannah River Site rolling). This wireless connection is free. It's a rather sporadic connection, but free nonetheless.

Almost every single motel6, super8, and similar have FREE wifi. I stayed at two "nicer" hotels on business that both charged and only had wired ethernet. I was LIVID! I left a searing comment at each about the upscale price earning the privledge to pay for every blasted thing. What a ripoff. The so-cheap-its-a-joke hotels should not be setting the high standard.

Almost every single motel6, super8, and similar have FREE wifi. I stayed at two "nicer" hotels on business that both charged and only had wired ethernet. I was LIVID! I left a searing comment at each about the upscale price earning the privledge to pay for every blasted thing. What a ripoff. The so-cheap-its-a-joke hotels should not be setting the high standard.

The folks that frequent the top-tier hotels have much bigger expense accounts than you and me. That's why I stay away from them. I like the homey, real people atmosphere in the lower tier hotels anyway.

Travel safe!

Stijloor.

The folks that frequent the top-tier hotels have much bigger expense accounts than you and me. That's why I stay away from them. I like the homey, real people atmosphere in the lower tier hotels anyway.

Travel safe!

Stijloor.

You betcha.........I can recommend the Hampton in Corinth, MS...free beer. cokes and chow (lasagna, pizza, etc..) in the evening all week. The same for the Hampton in Oxford, AL

You betcha.........I can recommend the Hampton in Corinth, MS...free beer. cokes and chow (lasagna, pizza, etc..) in the evening all week. The same for the Hampton in Oxford, AL

Randy,

Lemme think here for a while..... Yes! When you retire, "old" road warrior you are, could you start a travel advice blog, column, or website...? Most of the folks that currently write these things have never endured the pains and joys of modern-day travelling as you have.... :D I mean, who else could talk about the goodies in far-away, of-the-road locations? :agree1:

Stijloor.

Randy,

Lemme think here for a while..... Yes! When you retire, "old" road warrior you are, could you start a travel advice blog, column, or website...? Most of the folks that currently write these things have never endured the pains and joys of modern-day travelling as you have.... :D I mean, who else could talk about the goodies in far-away, of-the-road locations? :agree1:

Stijloor.

Let me tell ya'll about Boaz, Alabama, or Paragould, Arkansas, or Fitzgerald, Georgia, or even Victoria, Texas..........:lol:

Let me tell ya'll about Boaz, Alabama, or Paragould, Arkansas, or Fitzgerald, Georgia, or even Victoria, Texas..........:lol:

See? Those are the places nobody ever heard about and most folks would fall over themselves to get there ASAP....:D

Stijloor.

See? Those are the places nobody ever heard about and most folks would fall over themselves to get there ASAP....:D

Stijloor.

Shucks, I've even been to Toad Suck, Oil Trough, and Possum Grape, all of them centers of culture for their area.

I am happy to report that the hotel in Sopot which is near to Gdansk has free internet.
Just as well as there are no English Language channels on the TV.
Weather 0C just arrived, Tomorrow I will visit Gdansk and then start work on Monday

I usually stay in places that have WIFI for no additional charge, my preference is Hilton Garden Inn, it is (IMO) the best of the mid-priced chains, and I am Diamond with Hilton.

I stay in Hampton Inns from time to time, but I like the option of a meal in my room, especially if I arrive late, which is where HGI really scores.

When I am on company business, I might end up at a Doubletree, Embassy, Homewood or Hilton, these places charge for WIFI, as Stijloor described above.

As I'm on expenses, I can charge for internet and breakfast etc, which is neat because I can then claim my hotel loyalty points (instead of claiming free breakfast or wifi).

I'm on vacation now, staying on points at a Doubletree. I've claimed free breakfast for my wife and I, and using a neat trick I picked up somewhere. Because our room is near the elevator (usually a bad thing!), I simply go downstairs to the lobby, where the wifi is free anyway, and simply carry my laptop, still connected, back to my room. It's good for an hour or so before the system kicks me off :D

Most of the hotels I stay in provide internet connections, or at least claim they do. The LaQuinta I was in recently lost the connection on the first night and wasn't able to reconnect before I left.

Resort hotels don't seem to like to provide internet access for free. Casino hotels in Reno must be afraid you will retire to your room to gamble on-line instead of with them.

Let me tell ya'll about Boaz, Alabama, or Paragould, Arkansas, or Fitzgerald, Georgia, or even Victoria, Texas..........:lol:

What the heck is in Fitzgerald? I've been there once, and don't remember much being there...

Let me tell ya'll about Boaz, Alabama, or Paragould, Arkansas, or Fitzgerald, Georgia, or even Victoria, Texas..........:lol:

Boaz, AL is actually about 45 minutes from me. :notme: My stepdaughter and her family live there, so we visit every now and then...

What the heck is in Fitzgerald? I've been there once, and don't remember much being there...

Used to be "Delphi", but it's gone........

I absolutely loath paying for internet connection and make it a point to my travel agency to find hotels that provide it free. Hampton Inns, Marriott's and Holiday Inns are usually free - esp. if you are on their frequent quest programs.

I recently had to pay for a Boingo account to get connected at an airport and maintain that on a "pay as you go" basis. That covers my short term needs.

<snip>I recently had to pay for a Boingo account to get connected at an airport and maintain that on a "pay as you go" basis. That covers my short term needs.

Be careful though....because the Boingo link shows up in places where you also may have free access. Food courts in airports (i.e. Atlanta) have free access...but go to the Gate, and you have to pay...

Stijloor.

I'm at a B&B in Sedona AZ - free access.

I'm currently at the Daily Estate on "R" Hill and have free access here as well

As an alternative to using hotel connections, has anyone invested in mobile broadband? It is being pushed very hard in the UK at this time but I am not sure how effective it is given that it is sometimes difficult to get a signal for a mobile phone in some hotels. There is one particular offer available at the moment that costs £10/month for up to 1 Gb of downloads. Trouble is, I don't know what that equates to in real usage terms. It gets really expensive if you go over your limit.

As an alternative to using hotel connections, has anyone invested in mobile broadband? It is being pushed very hard in the UK at this time but I am not sure how effective it is given that it is sometimes difficult to get a signal for a mobile phone in some hotels. There is one particular offer available at the moment that costs £10/month for up to 1 Gb of downloads. Trouble is, I don't know what that equates to in real usage terms. It gets really expensive if you go over your limit.I'm sure you could google to get comparisons, but I guess the 1 gig limit would pretty much preclude watching a lot of TV shows on hulu.com

Oh, thanks for the Boingo heads up. I will be more careful!!

And B&B's are the travelers friend. I love staying at the little places. I have a small hotel (almost a B&B) that I stay in when I visit one place in Germany and I have become friends with the couple that owns it. We exchange emails frequently. Unfortunately, my corporate travel policy usually requires stays at a major chain.

As an alternative to using hotel connections, has anyone invested in mobile broadband? It is being pushed very hard in the UK at this time but I am not sure how effective it is given that it is sometimes difficult to get a signal for a mobile phone in some hotels. There is one particular offer available at the moment that costs £10/month for up to 1 Gb of downloads. Trouble is, I don't know what that equates to in real usage terms. It gets really expensive if you go over your limit.


I have been using a Sprint 3G mobile card for over a year. Very pleased with it. If wifi is available, I use it, but any other time, I will use the Sprint card. I am using it now. Works about as fast as a DSL link in most places. The unlimited package allows me to maintain an online connection the whole time.

I stayed at a Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, and they did charge (and I did not pay) for a connection. However, the Phoenix airport offers free wifi.

I have been paying $60/month for my Verizon modem so that I can connect to the Internet almost anywhere in major cities. I can get a lot more work done at the airport and I don't have to charge my client when I stay at nicer hotels like Hilton. I can check my email and answer a quick email during lunch break and coffee breaks and in between audits.

For me, it is well worth it. I am thinking seriously about cancelling my Internet service at home ($40) and just use the Verizon modem stick because I am seldom home.

Tony