Originally Posted by
FlyerStef
... what router, how big is it, how much of a pain to set up - do you just hardwire it?
A long time ago I saw this
Asus WL-330gE portable router listed on FT, and I bought one. I have a cable that powers it via USB (so I never need a power adapter), and I use it in both "Access Point" mode (where it plugs into the hotel's Ethernet and NATs WiFi on my own SSID) and "Repeater" mode (where it associates with the hotel's WiFi, then NATs WiFi on my own SSID,
and provides a NAT-ed Ethernet port, too, which I plug my portable switch into so my Fire Stick and laptop can have wired Internet), depending on if the property has working Ethernet ports. It's nearly 7 years old, and works perfectly, and holds onto the sometimes-inconsistent hotel WiFi signal pretty great, too.
Originally Posted by
phltraveler
When properties have wired internet it's really nice as it's more secure ... and the performance is usually way better than the wifi routers in the hall.
... a lot of newer properties (built 2010 onwards) don't put [wired] internet in the rooms
Yeah, and I really dislike that, too- and have been nearly tempted to start a companion thread to the "WiFi Speeds" thread listing MR hotels with (
working!- I'm looking at YOU, Courtyards!) Ethernet ports in rooms.
What's "funny" (if you've been following the various SPG-to-MR threads) is most of the SPG hotels I've been in lately (4PTs, Aloft and Sheraton, anyway) still have Ethernet ports in the rooms and the thruput has been fantastic.
It's still light/small enough where I pack it in my bag every time
Yeah, this one too ... it's about the size of two "Tic-Tac" containers.