Hotel site says "Each room has internet access". What does this phrase usually mean? Free?
At the hotel last trip there was a charge for internet at a unit in the lobby. Is there a shift in services?

I would be very surprised if the access is "free".
M

It means that, if you are very lucky, you will actually be able to connect to the internet and transact some sort of business successfully. Most likely paying extra for the connection, but not always.

If something is "free" meaning included in the room price, it would be in huge letters so you won't miss it. If it says "acess" translate it as "give us your credit card number first"

Hotels are different..you need to email them and ask. On the same trip, our hotel in Paris offered 15 minutes free but the one in Florence had a laptop on a desk and it was completely 100% free.

But the paradigm will... has to, surely... shift, before long, won't it?

I have been able to enjoy free wireless in-room internet access virtually everywhere I travel in the US (I am picky about the hotels I choose, admittedly) - - and I travel a lot - - for the last year or two now.

Surely European travelers want no less.

Best wishes,

Rex

By the way, Fairhope.. what hotel? in what city?

Tuscany Inn Montecatini Italy