Althouse: Motels with WiFi.

July 9, 2005

Motels with WiFi.

Are there U.S. motel chains that consistently provide WiFi (or at least high-speed internet connections)?

I'd like to know, as I'm driving across the country, which brand names to associate with the internet access I simply must have when I stop. I consider this more important than a television, and of course, you take it for granted that there will be a television. If I knew a particular brand-name motel always had WiFi, I would keep driving until I got to one of those. So, if there isn't such a chain, this is just a suggestion: WiFi should become a standard amenity.

18 comments:

Earl said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 7/9/05, 5:57 PM
Earl said...: Give it a whirl; 7/9/05, 6:03 PM
Anonymous said...: Each Hampton Inn that I've stayed at in the last 2 years has had wifi and free breakfast too; 7/9/05, 6:10 PM
Ann Althouse said...: But does any chain as a chain make this a guaranteed feature?; 7/9/05, 6:27 PM
amy said...: I don't believe any hotel has WiFi at ALL their locations, but Hilton seems to be pretty good about it.; 7/9/05, 7:18 PM
Paul Deignan said...: This may be of some help: Geektels

As a practical matter, it seems that any Comfort Inn level hotel has WiFi. Certainly, Hampton is in this category.; 7/9/05, 7:59 PM
Rick Lee said...: Holiday Inn Express advertises free broadband (see www.hiexpress.com). Some I've stayed at have had wired and some wireless. It's been my experience that wireless is often crappy in some rooms. Wired is more reliable. I carry a Cat5 cable and coupler so that I can sit on the bed and use the laptop. I hate sitting at a desk using the computer.

It's ironic that most lower level motels now offer broadband free... but your nicer downtown hotels all charge 10 bucks a day.; 7/9/05, 8:13 PM
Paul Deignan said...: BTW, speaking of WiFi, you will find open access networks are very common.

So, what are the ethics involved? I'll press this case for open access. Open networks are like having a well in the desert. For example, I was able to locate on the White Pages a fellow who had just lost his CDL (and credit cards, etc.) on Father's day and insure that he was able to retrieve them.

I can think of 100 other reasons why open access networks ought to be encouraged. Open communication is a good. But, perhaps I am a contrarian.; 7/9/05, 8:14 PM
nina said...: Hampton Inn has never let me down. But if you are truly worried, you could sign up for Starbucks HotSpot, pay the huge monthly fee and be set for life. Imagine, every Starbucks (and Borders and a bunch of other places). That just gives you a million options (at least in cities) right then and there.; 7/9/05, 8:34 PM
Unknown said...: I have had good luck with Super 8. Whether or not they offer Wi-Fi or Ethernet seems to depend on the physical layout.; 7/9/05, 9:49 PM
Michael Stiber said...: Every Country Inn that I've stayed at has had wifi; it may be that all of them have it. They're on the more expensive side, but you can find more reasonably priced ones away from big cities and resort areas. They also have those great waffle machines you can use to make your own waffles in the morning (I've got this thing for waffles).

Also, check out MetroFreeFi for lists of free wifi locations throughout the US, including lists formatted for downloading to iPods.; 7/9/05, 11:19 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Here"s a good Hampton Inn chart showing locations of their motels with WiFi. This is quite useful, though I note the dearth of locations driving west from Wisconsin on the northern tier of states: one in Montana, none in South Dakota.; 7/10/05, 7:05 AM
Miranda said...: When I drive through SD and MT, I give up all hope of finding decent coffee, soft towels, and music other than country. I always found the level of ammenities hit or miss when I travelled out West unless I were in a larger city.; 7/10/05, 7:20 AM
Ann Althouse said...: To blog from the road, WiFi in the lobby is not going to cut it. That might work for people who are checking a little email, but it's ridiculous if you're trying to read the news and write and upload photos. Are motel lobbies in the middle of nowhere these days filled with people with their laptops? (I haven't done a road trip in a while.)

Miranda: That worries me. I want to do a road trip but I detest substandard motels.; 7/10/05, 7:28 AM
k said...: We just got back from a quick trip from Missouri to Columbus OH for a family reunion ... had wifi in the little Amerihost we stayed in, and on the way to and from, I noticed that nearly every chain motel (and many little mom and pops) had hung big banners advertising either their "hi-speed internet" or "fast web access" (which I take to mean, fast dialup). My brother, whose room was upstairs and just a little farther from the lobby (where we assumed the router was located) complained that his signal strength was low. I had no such problem. A "help" card in the guest rooms said we could also use wired access, but I had so little trouble, I didn't bother even locating the plugin. I'd call ahead, but it sure looks like the movement toward "amenity" wifi has already begun; 7/10/05, 7:34 PM
Ann Althouse said...: K: I like the idea that the signs visible from the road give this info.; 7/10/05, 7:40 PM
Duke of DeLand said...: Ann,
Just returned to Tampa from a trip to Lake Geneva, WI (new grandson in Rockford).....Stayed there and back in Country Inns & Suites...
Blogged nightly from all their locations!

All had WiFi or High Speed....lovely places with a GREAT breakfast included!

$78 - $104 rates enjoyed....when you factor in a complete breakfast it is reasonable for two... and we enjoy the AARP discount (even if we don't enjoy the AARP politics!)

Duke of DeLand
http://pekinprattles.blogspot.com; 7/11/05, 10:25 AM
Maggie Goff said...: All the Country Inns have wi-fi. I stayed at one in Scottsdale with my sister a couple of weeks ago, for only $52 a night, double occupancy. Even had a microwave in the room. The breakfast was OUTSTANDING, and they have a bedtime snack, and 24/7 tea and coffee. And the staff was the nicest I've ever dealt with. Great energy about the place.; 7/11/05, 3:53 PM