How to Get Wireless Internet Access in a Hotel

Connect to your hotel's Wi-Fi on any device

by
Melanie Uy
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Melanie Uy has 5+ years' experience writing about consumer-oriented technology and is an expert telecommuter.
our editorial process
Melanie Uy
Updated on December 21, 2020
reviewed by
Jon Fisher headshot
Jon Fisher
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
our review board
Article reviewed on Mar 30, 2020
Jon Fisher
The Wireless Connection
The Wireless Connection
Introduction

What to Know

  • The name of the hotel's wireless network and any passwords needed to connect should be provided to you at check in.
  • Make sure your wireless adapter is on and then open Wi-Fi settings to find their network.
  • Enter the hotel information. Never enter it twice if redirected; hotels can be targets for evil twin attacks.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for connecting to hotel Wi-Fi networks.

How to Connect to a Hotel's Wi-Fi

The name of the hotel's wireless network and any passwords needed to connect should be written on the key card sleeve they give you when you check in. If you can't find it, call the front desk.

Person using Wi-Fi on a laptop in a hotel
Lifewire / Catherine Song

Instructions in this article apply to all computers and mobile devices capable of connecting to a wireless network.

Access your hotel's internet the same way you connect to any Wi-Fi network:

  1. Make sure your wireless adapter is on.

    If you don't have a built-in wireless device on your laptop, purchase a USB wireless adapter.

  2. Open your Wi-Fi settings to view the available wireless networks.

    A screenshot from Windows XP showing the wireless network icon

  3. Select your hotel's network, then select Connect.

    On some devices, you will automatically connect to Wi-Fi when you select a network. If this step takes more than a minute, you may need to restart the connection process.

    A screenshot of the Wi-Fi network in Windows 10 with the Connect button highlighted

  4. Enter the required password if prompted.

  5. Open your web browser if it doesn't automatically open. You may have to provide your credit card information (if the Wi-Fi isn't free), enter an authorization code, or accept the terms and conditions for using the service. In many cases, your room number, last name, or a combination of the two, is the password for complimentary Wi-Fi.

    The DoubleTree hotel internet portal for guests

After you've submitted your authorization information, gain full guest access to the hotel's Wi-Fi network. You'll likely see a confirmation screen showing how much time you have to use the internet. Keep an eye out for any time limitations so that you can schedule your work most productively and take full advantage of the Wi-Fi service.

Sharing the Hotel Wi-Fi Signal With Other Devices

If your hotel's wireless service isn't free, then you may only be able to access the internet from one device. A travel wireless router, such as the ZuniConnect Travel IV, extends the Wi-Fi signal to several devices.

Securing Your Information Over Hotel Wi-Fi

Most hotel wireless networks are password-protected and encrypted with strong WPA2. If your hotel's network is not protected, be aware of the security risks of using an unsecured network. Set up a firewall and install the latest updates for your operating system and antivirus. For extra security, consider subscribing to a VPN service.

Was this page helpful?