Jan if you have a oversize plug in place on the lap top {kind of like a phone plug connector only bigger??} that is for a network or cable connection.

If the hotel/motel has outlets for wired cable internet access {DSL} all you need is a network cable to plug it in.

If they have WiFi {wireless internet} then you need the wireless card or even a USB wireless plug in thing.

What is the Mac laptop that you have ?
- you can look it up here - if it is fairly new it might already have wireless and network built in to it.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...n&mco=EC571521