If you’ve ever turned up at your accommodation expecting “high-speed Wi-Fi” and ended up hotspotting from your phone just to join a video call, you’re definitely not the only one. For digital nomads and professionals who work all over the world, fast and reliable internet isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
But finding places that actually deliver on that promise? That can feel like a full-time job in itself. And when you throw in the hunt for the right amenities, location and feel. Well, it’s rarely as simple as it looks on booking sites. You scroll through listings, read the descriptions, check the ratings, and still, it’s hit or miss. One place has a great Wi-Fi rating, but the reviews are mixed. Still, you figure, “Hmm… let’s give it a try anyway”. Another one claims to have fast internet, so you assume it’ll be fine. What could go wrong, right?
We’ve all been there. Treating listings like mystery novels: full of clues, but no real answers. Wouldn’t it be easier if the actual internet speeds – both download and upload – was listed and backed by solid reviews? It’s not always straightforward, and honestly, that’s exactly what led us to create My Nomad Space.
Here’s how to make sure your next stay doesn’t let you down.
Why reliable Wi-Fi matters when you work remotely
Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend half their workday troubleshooting the Wi-Fi or waiting for even the simplest web page to load. And yet, so many accommodation listings still describe their internet as “good” without ever telling you how good it actually is. Even user-generated scores can be misleading. For working travellers, this can be the difference between a productive work trip and, well, a complete disaster (we’ve certainly had a few of those over the years!).
At a minimum, you’ll want around 10 Mbps for both download and upload to keep things running smoothly. That’s typically enough to handle video calls comfortably and maintain a stable connection that won’t keep dropping out or have you refreshing your screen mid-meeting. But of course, the higher the speed, the better. And ideally? A quiet space, a desk and some breathing room from the outside noise. While we absolutely love a co-working cafe from time to time, we prefer to do most of our work in the comfort of our own accommodation (with good Wi-Fi, of course!). It works best for us.
Where to find the best accommodation with suitable Wi-Fi speeds
We built our platform specifically to solve this problem. No more guessing games or vague “Wi-Fi available” tags. Every stay on My Nomad Space is carefully analysed and selected for overall satisfaction and Wi-Fi that will let you get work done. The spaces we feature are consistently highly rated across multiple booking and review platforms. We’re not here to list just any place simply because it shows Wi-Fi speeds. If it doesn’t meet our quality standards, then we simply won’t list it. Further down, we’ll walk you through how we carefully choose stays with consistently high reviews and verified Wi-Fi speeds.
All in all, by subscribing to My Nomad Space, you can explore all types of remote work stays around the world (yes, we list all types of accommodation!) with listed Wi-Fi speeds, filter for your preferred amenities and book with confidence on your preferred platform knowing your space will support your workflow, not sabotage it.
What to look for in digital nomad accommodation
It really comes down to you and what matters most to your lifestyle. In a hot climate, air conditioning is non-negotiable. Maybe you want access to a swimming pool or gym. Or perhaps you’d rather stay in a quiet neighbourhood than be in the middle of a bustling city. There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to finding the right accommodation. It’s all about what’s right for you and your setup. That is key.
If you’re curious about what we typically look for, here’s an example: let’s say we’re browsing on Booking.com and want a place with free cancellation and the option to pay at the property (we like the flexibility). We usually filter for stays rated 8 or higher. Then, the search begins. Our ideal pick is a one-bedroom apartment with air conditioning, a dedicated workspace and access to a swimming pool. Being close to central areas or within easy reach of public transport is also a big plus. And if the place has kitchen facilities? Even better.
How is Wi-Fi measured?
Wi-Fi is typically measured by two simple things: download speed and upload speed. Download speed is how fast content gets to you, like when you’re streaming a video or loading a website. Upload speed is how fast you send things out, such as when you’re on a video call or uploading files. There are other factors too – like latency, which affects response time, and jitter, which shows how stable the connection is – but we’re keeping things simple here.
You’ll probably notice that when Wi-Fi speeds are listed – whether on a booking site or even on your own mobile device – it’s usually just the download speed that’s shown. Here at My Nomad Space, we include the upload speed in our listings, too. We actually wrote an article about the importance of upload speeds for working travellers. You can read it by clicking here.
Common red flags to avoid
Unfortunately, there are plenty of red flags when it comes to finding top-rated accommodation with decent Wi-Fi. When we first got going as digital nomads, we booked a place that had a solid user-reviewed Wi-Fi score – but there were no actual written reviews. We trusted the user rating, and it turned out to be completely off. Since then, we’ve paid much closer attention to reviews, especially when assessing a space for My Nomad Space.
Another common red flag is when a listing claims to have “high-speed internet” but doesn’t show the actual Wi-Fi speed. These claims aren’t always accurate. Some hosts also only list the maximum speeds their connection is capable of, rather than what guests actually get inside the property. That’s why we dig deeper. We cross-check reviews, test speeds where we can and only list properties that genuinely meet the needs of remote workers. It’s not about what sounds good on paper. It’s about what actually works when you’re trying to get stuff done.
How we verify listings on My Nomad Space
This is all based on our own experience as digital nomads. So when we come across a property that looks like it fits, we check it across multiple platforms – like Booking.com and Agoda – to see how it’s performing in terms of quality. If it’s rated 8 or above on Booking.com, for example, that ticks the first box. Next, we take a closer look at the reviews to see if the details match up – especially around whether it’s actually as work-friendly as it claims. If everything still looks good, it gets another tick.
Then comes the big one: the Wi-Fi. We verify speeds either by aggregating data from booking platforms, contacting the accommodation directly for a speed test, using user-submitted results or through on-the-ground research. If we’re not confident in the connection or overall quality, we simply don’t include it.
Don't comprimise on Wi-Fi - or your experience
Just because you’re working remotely doesn’t mean you should settle for second-best. You deserve decent Wi-Fi and a space that makes your stay genuinely enjoyable. That balance is absolutely possible, and when both the connection and comfort are right, being a digital nomad becomes far more rewarding.
A solid internet connection is essential, but so is the quality of where you stay. That’s why we don’t just check for reliable internet; we make sure each place also meets a high standard for comfort and overall experience. You should feel good about where you’re basing yourself, not just working.
This is the gap we wanted to fill with My Nomad Space, so you’re not stuck choosing between great Wi-Fi and great accommodation. Our listings are carefully selected and verified, so you can stay focused on what matters: doing your work and enjoying your digital nomad journey.
FAQs
What Wi-Fi speed do I actually need for remote work?
Aim for at least 10 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, especially if you need it for video calls.
Can I trust "Free Wi-Fi" or "High-Speed Internet" on booking platforms?
Not always. If there’s no verified speed or details, then it’s unclear how fast the internet is going to be.
How do I test the Wi-Fi speed myself?
You can use tools like Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com to quickly check both download and upload speeds.
Where can I find accommodation with Wi-Fi speeds provided?
You can subscribe to My Nomad Space and let us do the heavy lifting. We track down stays with verified Wi-Fi speeds, work-friendly environments and consistently high ratings.
This article was updated on December 8th, 2025.
