Blogging from a hotel room? Only if you can get a wifi signal.
I just spent four nights in the Florida Keys. I like to blog when I’m traveling. It’s in line with the timeliness component that sets a blog apart from other media. Allow me to vent my frustration with hotel internet connections.
First night: Key Largo — I had a great connection. Managed to upload some photos to BeachHunter’s Picasa Web Album, post some tweets, answer email etc. A happy camper was I.
Second night : Key West— Halfway decent connection, but too finicky to upload photos.
Third night (same room) : Key West— Useless connection. Gave up and went to bed (probably a good idea, since I’d had a very long day).
Fourth night: Marathon— Resort advertises high speed wireless internet. My computer detected the wireless signal right away. Flock browser loads an AT&T page that tells me there is a problem and that I have to use Internet Explorer. So I switch to IE. Now it tells me I have to download and install “password change software.”
Forget it. I’m not installing anything. I boot up my iphone to keep up with twitter and email.
When will hotels learn that modern business travelers require an internet connection? A good connection. Can you imagine going to a hotel where the TV doesn’t work? No one would stand for that. Well here’s a news flash–I don’t watch TV! I go straight to the internet. How can I blog about how great your hotel is if I can’t get online?
I could blog about it when I get home, yes. But by that time I don’t care anymore. I’ve forgotten about you and have moved on to other things.
I use the internet to find a nearby restaurant, to get directions to attractions, and to plan the rest of my trip. Much more useful than a TV.
Anyone else have less than positive experiences with hotel internet connections? Any Florida beach hotels with great wifi?
