I'll be staying in a hotel shortly, and one of the amenities will be in room modem. What I am wondering is if I'll be able to hook up my pc *I don't have a laptop yet* and if it's a telephone connection or broadband? it doesn't really state.

I also want to know if i have to bring my own cable to plug in, should I bring a telephone line or broadband line and do I need any extra attachments/adaptors?
If it's telephone, is there an extra charge I'll have to pay? I need to set up a small office like area there to work on some business and I'm not sure if they'll charge by my usage or if at all. Plus I'd like to be able to come here and see all you beautiful folk when I need a break.

If anyone's stayed at a hotel and has any insight, I'd appreciate it. I don't want to bring extra things if I don't need them, but I don't want to have to go buy anything I already have.

Imp,

A rule I live by is always bring what you need, don't expect anyone to supply anything, even if they say they have it. Most of the hotels and motels I stay at have wireless connections. There was one up in in Burlingame that had a wired ethernet, and they didnt tell you about it. So it payed to carry a wire. I havent seen a dialup data link for a few years now.

A word of caution about wireless. not every room has its own access point, so you might not get a usable connection. Let the clerk at the desk know you need one and they'll set you up in the right room.

You might want to call ahead and find out what they do have, then load for bear anyway.

Thanks Ride4life.

I don't have a wireless card in my pc. I do have some sort of bluetooth wireless USB device for a port connection but I have no idea how to use it.

So you mean, if they have a wireless connection, then if I let them know I don't have a wireless, they could get me online still?

Ok,I'll pack it all in case then.

When I went to Vancouver in 2005, the hotel had wireless and the old telephone connections. The girl i went there with didn't have wireless on her laptop, but the reception desk had the wireless card we hooked up to the laptop. Bringing the cables you need won't add too much space or weight. I'd bring them just in case. Also the people at the hotel usually know how to hook up your computer for you if you can't. There have been many before you that didn't know how. I'm one of them.

When traveling, it helps to remember that old adage: Be prepared.

Imp,

I have found that many of the hotels/motels that offer in room access also have a computer located somewhere in the building for guest use.

Generally cheap hotel means free internet, expensive hotel means expensive internet.

A lot of hotels I've stayed in have a port on the phone for dialup (usually free if you have an 800 number to dial into) and a high speed line at some insanely ridiculous per minute charge.

Generally cheap hotel means free internet, expensive hotel means expensive internet.
Not quite right. Expensive hotels mean limited web tv and pay by the minute access. no way to hook up your own equipment. It really sucks when you have to send photos to your clients.

I'd bring them just in case.
Also the people at the hotel usually know how to hook up your computer for you if you can't. There have been many before you that didn't know how. I'm one of them.
Yeah, I'll pack them just in case then.
That's what I was wondering, thanks.

Frogger...We had stayed at a Comfort Suite and they had a public computer I used, but this time I would rather have it in my room. but I will use theirs if I have no choice.

Blibblob...It's a Grand Resort, so I would imagine it is included at no extra expense.?!??

Yeah, I'll pack them just in case then.
That's what I was wondering, thanks.

Frogger...We had stayed at a Comfort Suite and they had a public computer I used, but this time I would rather have it in my room. but I will use theirs if I have no choice.

Blibblob...It's a Grand Resort, so I would imagine it is included at no extra expense.?!??

Grand resorts usually have wireless access points in each room

Grand resorts usually have wireless access points in each room
OK, thank you. So if I just show up with my comp, I'll let them worry about hooking me up.
Do you know if they charge by the minute or if it's free access?
Thanks, and sorry for being a pain. :thumbs:

I read an article about hotel wireless access awhile ago, basically hotels are in the stone age of wireless access. The grander the hotel, the worse the access, and the more exhorbitant the rates. Expect to pay outrageous fees, unless you get lucky. you should call them in advance to ask them about it.