I don’t think this is exactly a rant. I really do think it’s more along the lines of … hmm, isn’t this interesting, even a bit puzzling.

Why is it that almost all upscale hotels charge a daily rate for internet access and motels and less expensive lodgings almost always give it away?

I stay in a wide range of accommodations — everything from the most inexpensive motel chains (and even an independent) to the too-expensive-to-afford-on-my-own places.

I’m almost always paying an extra charge to go online in the upscale places, and we all know that a travel journalist, website publisher, and now blogger really has no choice about whether to go online or not. But when Ed and I travel on a road trip we stay in considerably less expensive places and have almost always found free internet. And in our room, not in the middle of the lobby. In fact, we stayed in a place in Missouri that was the seediest place I’ve stayed in a long time — and they had high speed internet. Although it was through a cable — rather than wireless — they would have provided the necessary cable had we not had our own. (Note: traveling with a techie is always a handy thing)

Okay, a little digression in case you were wondering. We were staying in this place because it was getting late and sometimes a motel room in hand is better than one three hours down the road… if at all. It was actually once a lovely place (we saw the pictures) but which had fallen on hard times.

So, back to the internet. I know that part of the reason is probably that most folks staying in a motel costing $60/night (and yes, I’ve often stayed in them) won’t be forking over $12 extra just for the internet. But it is certainly a wonderful perk.

Perhaps then, what this post is really about is “thank you” to all the inexpensive places that still give away internet access.

I appreciate it. And I do look for you when I stop for the night.