Hotels Without WiFi in Room
 

Just checked into the CY Memphis East/Lenox Business Park and am very disappointed to find it does not have WiFi in the rooms. Since I have a MacBook Air, this leaves me without WiFi access unless I go sit in the lobby, since the computer has no ethernet port. Had this been clearly stated on the hotel information page, I would have not stayed here.

Anyway, water under the bridge at this point.

I'm asking fellow FTers to please post any Marriott properties at which you stay that do not have WiFi in the rooms. I'd like this information so that I know to avoid those hotels. The hotels do not provide this information clearly or honestly on the Marriott Site.

Thank you in advance for posting.

I carry the router below with me to make my own wireless network in any room that has only wired internet. Its small and light and easy to set up. Works well. We stay at Marriott timeshares that are condos with wired service only. Its a pain because the unit is large and I dont want to be tied to the dining room table.

Just set it up at home. Name your network and put in a password. When you are traveling, plug it in to ethernet and the wall. Find the network and login to the hotels internet service. I find alot of CY's are wired.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB...press-AirTunes

Thank you. I think I'm going to get one. While I don't want to add another piece of equipment (already at two computers, projector, heavy extension cord, remote, extra batteries, Blackberry, a couple thick books I use, GPS, chargers and other cords) this might be a good thing.

Update on this hotel: The staff told me they will be putting WiFi into the rooms in the very near future.

And David B*****, who apparently is staying in this hotel right now, must have one, as his name shows up as an available, but locked, WiFi. David B******, if you're reading this, call the front desk if it's okay for me to join your WiFi and they'll connect you to my room!

Yes, mini-routers are becoming a standard traveler's device. Even the hotel provides wireless connection in room, one does want to set up multiple wireless connections for, in my case, my notebook PC, iPad, and iPhone. Without a wireless router, it is not possible.

Did you ask anyone at the front desk.
Might not help with Mac, but I know some have USB ethernet cards you can borrow.

I bought a small, basic router for $31 at Wal-Mart about a year ago, and keep it in my suitcase. It's about the size of a paperback book. Problem solved.

The CY Baltimore Hunt Valley is the same way -- wireless in the lobby, but only wired in the rooms. At least in this case, the Marriott website does clearly say:

High Speed Internet
* Public Areas: Wireless
* Guest Rooms: Wired

However, it was still disappointing when I stayed there over Christmas, as I prefer to use my iPad to check email and read the news in the morning (and normally I don't carry a wireless router).

The D-Link one I'm using is about the size of a deck of playing cards, only thinner!

I can just about see that property from my house!

OK I got ripped off. $99 for the Airport Express!

Actually, the front desk clerk (may have been front desk manager) had just gotten off work when I discovered the lack of WiFi. She had one at home and offered to bring it to the hotel for me to use. I wouldn't let her. She couldn't have been any nicer or more helpful.

My frustration was that on my flight here, I had typed out something that I was going to send via email on the MacBook Air. Instead of just being able to quickly send it, I had to either type it back out on my other laptop or lug down to the lobby. I retyped the email, and it didn't kill me.

Thank you all for your router suggestions. I am going to add something like that to my travel stuff.

Come over to Europe to have that even happen at Full-Service Properties. Checked out of the Lisbon Marriott yesterday, and that one only had wired Internet in my room - as does the Courtyard Munich City Center where I am staying today...

Greetings - Dirk

Funny you should mention that... that's my expectation in non-US properties - sitting in the CL or lobby to use my computer. My frustration last night was that WiFi in the rooms has become so common in the US that I take it for granted that I'll be able to check into the hotel after eight and answer the emails that stacked up during the day while sitting in my comfortable pj bottoms and long sleeve thermal shirt. Those clothing are, IMO, not lobby appropriate.

CY was originally pitched as the hotel for the business traveler. Lately, some of the CYs make me think the appropriate business traveler for a CY would be one with a horse-drawn pushcart. No free, quick breakfast, no WiFi in the rooms ...

I love my AirportExpress! All in one, no cable to travel with, always reliable.

For those unfamiliar, it works with PC as well as Mac.

One thing I've started to notice, a year or so ago, I could use it, and only get charged for 1 internet connection afer I connected all my devices - more and more, if I use it, I get charged for each device I connect with (laptopPersonal, laptop Work, Iphone). I think this sucks.

At least now we FINALLY have free internet worldwide for Gold/Plats so this is becoming less of an issue, but still, do they really think I can work on all 3 devices at once (maybe 2 at a time...LOL)

Here is a cheaper alternative to Apple's AirPort Express for only $37 and change - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127053