This streaming stick actually worked with hotel Wi-Fi

(Paradigm credit: Henry T. Casey)

My dedication to a quality streaming feel might have gone too far when I brought a bundle of streaming sticks to a wedding. No, these weren't gifts for the bride and groom, but rather an opportunity to test a long-continuing concern: what streaming devices actually work well on mediocre hotel Wi-Fi?

I'd heard from my friend and tech podcaster, Christina Warren, that Fire TV was a reliable selection at hotels, only never felt the need to test it. That was, until a contempo stay in Las Vegas reminded me how behind the times hotel TVs are.

Hotel TVs may give yous some of the channels you want, but if you're in the incorrect time zone, you may find yourself stuck with channels that are hours behind. And you certainly don't get whatever apps, as I haven't heard of any hotel that is including one of the best streaming devices. Oh, and equally y'all probably know, hotel PPV systems gouge guests of anything bought on demand, aforementioned as the M&Ms in the mini bar.

And then, I packed three of our favorites: the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, the Chromecast with Google Television set and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. At least 1, I thought, had to work. It turned out only one did. Of course, I should state that I was only able to exam these at one hotel, and then your mileage may vary.

Every hotel'southward terrible Wi-Fi is mind-numbing in its own way. I just promise yous walk away from this column with two realizations: the horridness of hotel TVs and what can exist done to make your stay a chip better.

Chromecast with Google Tv set in a hotel

I'll get the last-place contestant out of the way early. I had hopes for the Chromecast with Google TV considering, well, Google does the internet well. Google also has Nest products. It knows Wi-Fi, right? Well, non this Wi-Fi. Encounter for yourself:

Attempts at streaming on a Chromecast with Google TV in a hotel room — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

Later on I selected the hotel Wi-Fi from the list of network options, I got that "connecting" screen. It really never went away and I somewhen gave up. It's a shame, all things considered.

The Chromecast with Google Boob tube is easy to pack, since it folds and wraps up nicely, and its remote is on the smaller side (not that any of the others are as well big).

With Google TV out of the way, but two remained.

Amazon Fire TV Max in a hotel

My expectations were loftier, based on the recommendations from Christina, about Burn down Television receiver working with hotel Wi-Fi. Supposedly, its power to open spider web browser would exist the key differentiator, as hotels often brand you log in with your name and room number.

Things started off well, every bit the Burn TV Stick Max got me to this screen where I selected the basic, gratuitous cyberspace. I had no intention of paying daily for overinflated Wi-Fi tiers. And I assume, unless you're on important concern of a alive-streamer, that you take no intention either.

Attempts at streaming on a Fire TV Stick in a hotel room — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

Merely then, afterwards I plugged in my personal details I got this next paradigm, which I thought was a minor error. Some glitch I could animate being-forcefulness my way through by repeating the steps plenty.

But after multiple tries, each time hitting the same annoying screen, I grew worried. This experiment, which shouldn't have been that hard, was turning into one giant fail.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K in a hotel

And hither I found a long, winding road to a win, i that started in failure.

Signing into the hotel Wi-Fi on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, information technology gave me a "Network connection aid" window, alerting me that it needed "aid in connecting" the Roku to the network. And "I am at a hotel or college dorm" was an option. I was, only every bit Thom Yorke sang, "optimistic."

Attempts at streaming on a Roku in a hotel room — (Paradigm credit: Henry T. Casey)

Merely and so I got the following screen, which I guess I couldn't act on fast enough. This screen, which instructs y'all to basically connect your phone to the hotel or dorm internet, so connect that phone to a mini wireless network that the Roku's created.

Information technology sounded both convoluted all the same probable to piece of work. Well, non if I moved too slowly for the screen to get away.

Attempts at streaming in a hotel room — (Paradigm credit: Henry T. Casey)

I guess I was spending too much time trying to photograph the screen for this article and not enough time acting on the instructions. Or I hit the wrong button. But I couldn't get the steps to work.

Trying to go that screen to re-appear was a fruitless endeavor, and one that had me frustrated. At that point, I just started trying the Fire TV stick and Chromecast with Google Boob tube, over and over again.

But, then, I unplugged the Roku Streaming Stick 4K's power adapter, and plugged it back in. And since I had my phone ready to follow the orders, I pushed through the steps and voila!

Connecting to Sling TV in a hotel room — (Paradigm credit: Henry T. Casey)

I was able to open upwards Sling, and burn down a few hours watching a show in my DVR, the docuseries Dark Side of the Ring. This whole endeavour would have been a bit more than worthwhile had I been there for more than than one night, but the results and success was its own reward.

Readers, next time y'all're going away, make sure to pack a streaming stick. Equally I said above, your results may vary, but know that you may have a shot at connecting to those terrible hotel Wi-Fi networks. And in Roku's case, the company has developed some handy tricks to brand any hotel stay feel like a night at home.

a hotel, roku, Fire TV and Chromecast remote in a row — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

Henry is a senior editor at Tom'due south Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple tree, reviewing devices and services for the past 6-plus years. Prior to joining Tom'south Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He'south also covered the wild globe of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.