My old way of picking a place to stay was just to book a hostel for a week and figure it out later, but after getting stuck in a noisy spot in Bangkok for a whole month, I started using a spreadsheet with scores for wifi, noise, and price.

I got tired of bad internet messing up my work calls, so now I book a private room for two nights first to test it myself. If the connection is solid and it's quiet, I'll extend, otherwise I move on. How do you guys check a spot before you commit to a longer stay?

3 comments

3 Comments

lee_barnes7024d ago

Totally agree with you on this! I got burned the same way in Chiang Mai last year - booked a month at a place that looked perfect online, but the wifi cut out every afternoon right when I had my client meetings. Now I do exactly what you do but I add a little test on day one. I run a speed test in the morning, afternoon, and evening to see if it holds up. Had one place where the morning was fine but the evening was basically dial-up speed because everyone else came home and hopped on. That's how I learned not to trust just one quick check. Your two night trial idea is smart, I might steal that for my next trip.

holly_flores793mo ago

Heard a friend got stuck with TERRIBLE wifi in Lisbon.

webb.stella3mo ago

Ugh, that's the worst. I mean it feels like every cafe or hotel promises great wifi and then it just dies. Maybe it's just me but it's everywhere now, not just when you travel.