Munkaloon

Hi everyone,

I'm posting this here b/c I cannot get a straight answer from the motel manager or from the corporate offices.

Motel 6 claims to have a data port in every location. Does this mean that I can use an ethernet cable to access high-speed internet provided by Motel 6, or does this mean that I can use my own dial-up ISP (if I had one, good grief, what year is it??) with the data port & therefore not occupy the phone line in the room?

I've looked around online, but all I can find is info that is 3-5 years old. Obviously, I have a wireless laptop, and I've never dealt with a data port before.

thanks!

PS - Motel 6 is our only realistic option, so we cannot just find a different place to stay that has WiFi.

DalaiLlama

No physical data port, no cables where I just used it in a Motel 6 in the Bay Area, it was simply wi-fi - you pay a small sum for a card that has the URL and access code on it, you log in, and for I think 24 hours you're good to go - repeatedly until it times out.

That was with a Macbook and an "airport" card - you need something like that, of course, but if you can use wi-fi anywhere like at Starbucks, you can use it in those Motel 6 locations that offer it.

hpeabody

I believe "data ports" is a term that has been used for quite a long time when there is a place in the phone itself to insert another phone cord. This allows one to use a dial-up internet service (If you still have one) This would "occupy the phone line in the room" and the hotel may have phone use time limitations.

I have stayed at Motel 6's before and have not found one that has wireless (wi-fi) or ethernet (wired) internet service. It has been a while, so that may have changed by now)

I would look for or ask for wired (wired) or wireless (wi-fi) internet service instead of "data ports" Also look for or ask if it is free of do you pay a fee?

DalaiLlama

I have used wi-fi in several Motel 6 locations this year - but don't expect to get an answer from the front desk staff other than - "here's the card, I don't know how it works, the instructions are on it, the cost is $XX". I can't remember how much it was, but it was trivial. Less than a couple of lattes at a Starbuck just to get to use their wi-fi...

Forget those hardwired data ports, they run up your credit card like crazy if you get them to work, and if you can't get them to work you still pay for the time you spent hooked up and trying. It is old technology anyway, go wi-fi and secure your computer (turn off sharing etc. etc. ) so you don't get hacked.

ElendilPickle

It's $3/day to use WiFi at a Motel 6.

Where are you going that you can only find a Motel 6 to stay? We stayed in one in Denver last year; while we were pleasantly surprised that it was much better than we expected, most cities and larger towns will have other options.

Lee Ann

Munkaloon

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all of your replies. I didn't think that the data port in the room would be of any use, and if they have WiFi they are keeping it a super secret.

We will be staying for 10 days in Socorro, NM. There are other chains there, but they cost more & the tripadvisor reviews on them are dicey. We've stayed at this Motel 6 before & found it to be clean, quiet, and a bargain (w/ corp. ID code found online, about $36/night for deluxe queen).

On the bright side, there are some cafes & a brew pub that has free WiFi, so I guess I'll have to have a pint while I check my email.