Your timeshare resort offer FREE internet?

[michpich35]

I recently stayed in 3 Wyndhams back to back. They all provided free Wifi access which worked perfectly.

Wyndham Cypress Palm - Free Wifi, free Use of computers in 'owners area'

Wyndham Palm Aire - Free Wifi. Computer Terminal available for use 0.29cents per minute - in 'business area' although front desk reception will print out things like vouchers/boarding passes etc (well they did for us anyway)

Wyndham Santa Barbara - Free Wifi, Use of computers in Activity Room

 

[theo]

O.K., I'll bite...

...I've taken to carrying my 4G MiFi with me when I travel, and more than half the time end up just relying on it rather than crappy local connectivity.

While reluctant to admit technological ignorance, I'll do so anyhow. What on earth is MiFi?

 

[dioxide45]

I also believe that all Marriott resorts and hotels offer free internet to all guest.

Actually Marriott hotels offer free internet to gold members of their Marriott Rewards program. Those "lower end" Marriott names (Fairfield Inn, Courtyard) do offer internet free to all guests. The full service Marriott hotels do not.

 

[bnoble]

What on earth is MiFi?

It's a pocket-sized wifi base station that uses the cellular network for connectivity. The 4G/LTE networks---where there is coverage---are very very fast. Total usage is capped, so it's not something you'd watch netflix over, but for most other uses it's great.

 

[timeos2]

It's a pocket-sized wifi base station that uses the cellular network for connectivity. The 4G/LTE networks---where there is coverage---are very very fast. Total usage is capped, so it's not something you'd watch netflix over, but for most other uses it's great.

And there is perhaps the best reason it is likely a mistake for resorts to install infrastructure to supply "free" Internet access (WiFi or cabled). There is no standard and many options that any guest might use. Unlike a phone system the Internet isn't necessarily a requirement and those that don't use it - still a significant number - don't want even that $5-$10 / year on their fees. Those that do use it may have options such as cell service or the MiFi - there are plenty of others - so paying through their fees is an unneeded duplication. Plus the technology seemingly advances every 6-12 months. An investment in state of the art equipment may be totally out of date 18 months later. Money gone & yet another upgrade (more $$) needed.

If/when it settles down, every resort commits to supplying the service or the use reaches 85-90% of all guests then maybe it will be time to build it into the annual fees for all. Until then a reasonable fee for those that actually use it seems to be the most fair for both owners and guests.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Ours Is Just 3G -- Not That There's Anything Wrong With That.

It's a pocket-sized wifi base station that uses the cellular network for connectivity. The 4G/LTE networks---where there is coverage---are very very fast.

I don't think I will be able to bring myself to start calling it MiFi, will just stick to thinking of it as portable wi-fi.

We used it last night to watch an on-line episode of a TV show that we missed when the program aired originally -- was little bit herky-jerky a few times, but the overall viewing experience was OK.

For typing stuff on TUG-BBS, I switched back to the "free" timeshare WiFi.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[presley]

Villa L'auberge
Carlsbad Seapointe Inn

They have free internet, but they also have a resort fee. The resort fee includes parking and some other stuff. It's a bargain.

 

[theo]

Thanks

It's a pocket-sized wifi base station that uses the cellular network for connectivity. The 4G/LTE networks---where there is coverage---are very very fast. Total usage is capped, so it's not something you'd watch netflix over, but for most other uses it's great.

Thanks. Somehow, I seem to continually be about a decade behind in the technological arena ---
not deliberately, but nonetheless quite successfully...

 

[chriskre]

Thanks. Somehow, I seem to continually be about a decade behind in the technological arena ---
not deliberately, but nonetheless quite successfully...

Don't feel bad you're not alone.

Yesterday I had someone put the Mi-Fi app on my iPhone so I'm now out of jail for free. You have to pay for the jailbreak, well I guess if you're tech savvy you could do it yourself but I'm not so inclined and the Mi-Fi app is $20 with a free 3 day trial. Now I'm not paying for internet at any US resorts again. If only I could get a cheap data plan for going abroad I'd be all set.

 

[Dori]

I don't mind paying a reasonable fee for wifi in the unit, but many resorts charge, what I feel is an exorbitant amount. Sometimes the fees are as much as $50 per week. As an aside, when I write reviews, I try to include information regarding Wifi availability at each resort.

Dori