Can you use free internet at hotel lobbys?

[Radiance]

Most hotels offer free wifi. Is this at the lobby or only at the rooms?
Can I simply walk in, sit at the lobby, open my laptop and surf the internet?... for free?

[disneysteve]

Technically or ethically?

Many hotels that offer free wifi have open networks so yes, anyone could come in and use the service even though it is intended for paying guests. Other hotels have secured networks and give you the pass code when you check in. That prevents freeloaders from coming in and sitting in the lobby for free access.

So sure, you can try this, but if the desk clerk or manager comes over and asks to see ID showing that you are a guest of the hotel, be prepared to be tossed out when you can't provide it.

[Radiance]

I see. I never saw it like that, I mean the ethical part.
I am guilty of freeloading! I have indeed use unprotected wifi when nerby a free wifi offering business. In my defense, it does not says free wifi, for paying customers only. The bathroom does. And even some parking spots, but not the wifi announcement. Panera has never kicked me out even when I am clearly connected and non consuming. I guess I have been lucky?

[eric eckman]

DisneySteve pretty much sums it up.

I spend half of my life living in hotels, so I definitely deal with the wireless issue on a regular basis.

Most of the top-tier hotels do offer wireless but normally charge for it, this includes: Hilton, Mariott, Crowne Plaza, etc. Wireless is generally available throughout the hotel, but in some older buildings you'll find that they have wireless in the lobby only with a wired internet connection in the guest rooms.

The mid-tier hotels like Hilton Garden Inn, Mariott Courtyard, etc almost always have wireless throughout and it's normally free, with exceptions. For those who offer it for free, you'll find that it's about 50/50 whether or not they require a passcode to access the network or if it's completely open. In my experience, the further off the beaten track a hotel is, the less likely they are to require a code to access the internet.

Budget-tier hotels- I don't stay in many of these because I travel on business and they put us in higher tier hotels when possible, but in my experience with these hotels, they almost always have free wireless and more often than not do not require a code to access the system.

Like Disneysteve said, it would be unethical to make a habit of using their internet if you're not a guest at a hotel, but I probably wouldn't worry too much about it if I was out and about and needed quick access to wifi for a short time. It's definitely something that would influence my decision in choosing a hotel to stay in if I was the one making the decision though (which I'm usually not). If you're deciding between a few options of hotels for your own travel, you can always call and ask them what their internet situation is before you book your reservation.

[disneysteve]

Places like Starbucks and Panera are a little bit different. Yes, they expect people to buy something but they sell themselves as being neighborhood gathering places. They want people to come and hang out, knowing that most will spend money while there. Hotels aren't like that, though. They aren't looking for random people to come hang out in their lobbies if they aren't staying there.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by eric eckman

Most of the top-tier hotels do offer wireless but normally charge for it

This always annoys me. The more expensive the hotel, the less likely they are to offer free internet. Seems backwards. I can spend $59 at Fairfield Inn and get free internet and free breakfast, but if I spend $259 at Marriott, I have to pay for internet and breakfast.

[eric eckman]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

This always annoys me. The more expensive the hotel, the less likely they are to offer free internet.

I agree, it should definitely be included in the nicer hotels. I think it's only a matter of time before people look at the internet as the same kind of necessity as a bathroom and a bed in a hotel room.

I think the reason they charge for internet at the more expensive hotels is that the large majority of their clientele are business travelers with expense accounts who aren't concerned about a $12.95 daily connection fee. It's definitely a scam if you ask me.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by eric eckman

I think the reason they charge for internet at the more expensive hotels is that the large majority of their clientele are business travelers with expense accounts who aren't concerned about a $12.95 daily connection fee.

Maybe if more businesses worried about this kind of stuff, they'd be in better shape financially. That money has to come from somewhere.