Even as high-speed Internet access is becoming standard fare at hotels in the United States, navigating the choices requires a fair amount of research and preparation, especially when access is essential.

Sometimes you need your own computer, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes access is free, sometimes it’s not. If a hotel receptionist tells you, «Yes, we have Internet,» you need to learn exactly what that means -- unless you want to learn, after it’s too late, that you need to bring your own computer or pay $20 per hour at the hotel’s business center.

Hotels typically offer access in one of the following ways: wireless or wired access via a guest’s notebook computer, special TV-based systems and hotel computer rooms.

The hodge-podge of options means you need to research a hotel’s Internet offerings just as you do its gym and restaurant when access is essential. And for many people, access is always essential, either because of the requirements of business travel or because being away from e-mail is no more conceivable than turning off the cell phone during a date.

In major cities, finding hotels with Internet access will not be a problem. According to a recent report from In-Stat/MDR, a market research firm, the number of hotel properties offering high-speed Internet connections will grow from 5,207 in 2003 to 26,828 in 2008.

Hotels now view broadband access as «an essential element of the guest room,» along with a bed and TV, according to In-Stat/MDR. «Despite a seeming collapse of hotel broadband in 2001, as of mid- year 2004, a fury of deployment activity is occurring, as hotels across the board, from the small ’no-frills’ properties to the large luxury resorts, are viewing broadband as a ’must have,’» according to the company.

Much of that «fury» revolves around bringing the wireless technology known as WiFi to hotels. With a WiFi-enabled notebook computer, you will be able to connect from «hot spots,» including guest rooms, within the hotel. If you don’t already have WiFi equipment installed on your computer, the hotel may loan the equipment to you.

Omni Hotels, for instance, offer high-speed wireless access -- for free -- from most of its hotel rooms. Hyatt, meanwhile, is beginning to roll out wireless access through T-Mobile, a company known for offering access at Starbucks cafes. That service requires you to sign up with T-Mobile and pay a fee -- anywhere from $6 for an hour to $39.99 per month.

Next best for those with a notebook computer is an in-room wired connection -- that is, one requiring a cable -- to the hotel’s high-speed network. Hotels typically provide step-by-step instructions for accessing the network, but special equipment and software may be required, depending on your computer. Call the hotel in advance to find out what you need.

Internet access via your room’s TV may not be the ideal situation, especially for conducting business, but it does provide a handy way to view news online and check Web- based e-mail accounts.

Hotel business centers may be more conducive to working, but they can be expensive, sometimes charging as much as $20 per hour for access to a computer with an Internet connection.

When searching for hotels with Internet access, don’t look only to luxury chains. Best Western is setting up free high-speed access throughout the chain’s properties in North America.

Hotels often provide details about Internet access on their Web sites, but the information may be out of date. Be sure to check on current offerings. And don’t assume these will be the same throughout a hotel chain. Options may vary widely, especially as hotels add wireless capabilities and otherwise revamp the way they provide Internet access.

If a high-speed connection isn’t a necessity, a dial-up connection should be available through the hotel’s telephone system. For this, you will need an Internet access plan, such as America Online -- ideally with locally available phone numbers in order to avoid long-distance fees. Just check how much the hotel charges for calls, or else you might end up with a hefty bill for your time online.