marleneawe

When I am on vacation, I do not even think about a computer. I have all my email blocked and notify all my friends not to send, as I block so none would go through anyway. The computer is not my life where I would just die without it.

ncounty

Thanks for all your responses. It was a very interesting range of responses to me. I was on vacation posting from a dial-up so this was my first opportunity to respond. I agree with how irksome it is that high end hotels charge for this when it is complimentary in the more budget hotels. I appreciate having free internet access when I travel and don't mind dial-up although of course, the higher end the amenity for no added cost, the better.

ncounty

I tried to do some math with the responses. I think about 19 out of 40 people felt it was either essential or somewhat important to them. I did not include those who responded that they needed it only for work trips in the numerator; I only counted those who indicated for vacation travel including those who have to take work with them on vacation. So, approximately half of respondents indicated a significant preference for internet access, preferably high speed, preferably free. I also did not include those who have their own technology so that it is a moot point whether the property they are staying at has access or not (iphone, blackberry, EVDO card, etc.). If I included this group and the business traveler group, it is a significant majority (about 3/4) who need internet access with travel.

elsiemoo

Essential to have my high-speed internet in my room ... and I only travel for pleasure. I simply like being able to "look things up" and to have access to my e-mail. It's not that I use it very much ... but I like to have it, if needed.

dmlove

Same as elsiemoo. I haven't had dial-up in so many years that that's not even in the equation for me. We stayed in a hotel this weekend where it was available but at a cost, and went looking for someplace else where we could log on for free. That said, even if I had to pay for it, it's very very important -- some people read before bed; I surf the 'net. Also, we watch our favorite home sports teams on our laptop (combination of TiVo and Slingbox), even when on vacation. I doubt I'll lug the laptop to Europe or Africa, though.

Traveling_Geoff

For business travel, I take my laptop computer with me, because WiFi is an essential communications tool for me, when I'm on the road. Dial-up access is both very problematic and just "painful" to use, if you are a user of broadband Internet access service(s), unless your cell phone can also function as a data modem and you have set up this communications option for your laptop computer.

For leisure travel, having WiFi or broadband access is discretionary, but using either a laptop computer or a hand-held WiFi device (such as an Apple iTouch or iPhone) to get current information and updates when traveling is very handy requisite for planning and getting the most from your leisure travel. Travel, like most other activities, is a dynamic, rather than a static activity, where whatever can happen to your trip plans usually does happen, so one would be well advised to have some way of getting current information about a destination that you are traveling in, other than trying to use the telephone or sending smoke signals from the top of your nearest mesa for communications purposes.

KarinNp

We take a computer on holiday because we take so many photos we download them each night.

My husband put some photos on his IPOD but didn't tell me how, I wish someone would.

It was fortunate that the condo on Kauai had wireless internet due to the fact we lost a camera on the flight over and we used the sony site to order another. We had it shipped to the condo office overnight.

It dosen't always have to be a business reason for internet usage.

trainbird

I would not stay at a hotel that did not have WiFi.

joyce1

I never take my computer on a trip so not importnt.

RuthMc

I don't take my computer on vacation but it's nice to have FREE internet access in the hotel to check weather in the next location, print boarding passes, etc. On a recent trip, we stayed in a lower cost chain that had a computer off the lobby for guest use (suggested limiting time to 15 minutes) and then a Renaissance where you had to pay the business center to use the internet. That really irks me, especially when you pay about twice as much for the Renaissance room.

NeoPatrick

I find the laptop great in my room before bed, checking local things like activities, museum hours, bringing up mapquest directions, making dinner reservations, and dozens of other things. I do NOT like using a lobby one for more than a couple minutes to check emails as invariably someone will be standing over my shoulder waiting for me to finish. And most places have a 5 minute or so time limit anyway.

So yes, it is important, and I'll admit I can't deal with dial up any more. The most important thing though is that it is free. I still can't get over checking with a "long term rental" suite hotel that told me they charge $11.95 a day for high speed internet. I asked if there was a break for a month stay, and they said "no". I'm not about to spend $360 for high speed internet access!

nstevey

One thing about the US, which you probably already know, if you have European or Asian friends, is that our internet access infrastructure is woeful, which is why the general public still isn't used to ubiquitous, affordable internet. We are behind the curve. It is tough hooking up our nation though, given that we have so much surface area to cover.

Just because someone uses the internet during vacation doesn't mean that person is checking e-mail or working. I like looking things up about the place I'm traveling in to enhance the travel experience. You can discover more things with access to the virtual encyclopedia that the internet is.

speckles

I'd just like to have broadband at home! I live in an Australian capital city of 1 million plus people and I can't even get broadband.

As for holidays, I don't own a laptop, nor would I take it on holiday anyway - too much else to lug as it is. However, I do think it is a bonus if a hotel offers free access to a pc with internet access. Although this is only important on long overseas holidays and not short local ones.

atravelynn

I prefer remote locations in nature so Internet is not a factor.

When it is available and free, it's saves on the cost of a phone call home to check in.