Hotel Wi-Fi on work trips: how to check it before you book

"Free Wi-Fi" appears on almost every hotel listing. It tells you the hotel has a network. It does not tell you whether that network can carry a video call at nine in the morning, when every guest in the building is online. If you travel for work, check the connection and the room before you book, not after you arrive.

What the listing can and cannot tell you

A facilities list shows whether Wi-Fi is available and whether it is free. It rarely shows speed, and it never shows what the connection is like at busy times. Use the list to build a shortlist, for example by browsing hotels with free Wi-Fi or hotels with a desk to work at, then check the details another way.

Read recent reviews for the connection

Recent reviews from people who traveled for work are the best evidence you will find. On our property pages, each review shows the traveler type and when it was written, so you can look for recent reviews from business travelers. Look for mentions of dropped calls, slow uploads or Wi-Fi that only works in the lobby. One complaint can be bad luck. The same complaint from several guests is a pattern.

You can also ask the property. Front desk staff may not know the speed, so ask a simpler question: "Can guests make video calls from the rooms without problems?"

Choose a room you can work in

A good connection is not much use if the only place to sit is the bed. Check the room description and photos for a real desk and chair.

If you need quiet for calls, ask for a room away from the lift and the bar in the special requests box at checkout. How to get a quiet hotel room has wording that works.

Pick the location around your first meeting

Start from where you need to be. Put the office, client or venue on the map and look at hotels within a short trip. A cheaper hotel further out costs time every morning, and a taxi each way can cancel out the saving. Check that the check-out time works with your last meeting, or ask whether you can leave your luggage.

Keep a backup connection

Even good hotel networks fail. Before you travel:

• Check that your mobile plan allows hotspot use where you are going, with enough data for a call.
• If your laptop has an ethernet port or adapter, pack a short cable. Some business hotels still have wired connections in the rooms.
• Know where else you could work: the lobby, a business corner or a café nearby.

Free and premium Wi-Fi

Some hotels offer basic Wi-Fi for free and charge for a faster tier. Test the free one first, since it is often enough. If it is not, compare the daily charge with the cost of using your mobile data before you pay.

Receipts for expenses

If your company reimburses the stay, check what it needs before you book. Your booking confirmation shows what you paid, and you can get the booking documents again from your booking page. Extras you pay at the property, such as meals or parking, are billed by the hotel, so ask for an itemized bill at check-out.

Keep the booking flexible

Work plans move. A rate with free cancellation can cost a little more, but it lets you change dates without losing the money. If the difference is small, it is usually worth it. You can browse hotels with free cancellation.