My primary source is uni-berlin. No binaries.
My secondary source is what Comcast provides, which I believe is Giganews. Good retention on binaries.
My tertiary source is TeraNews. Unpredictable service but is free (although I believe they have instituted a low one time fee since I signed on with them).
I've really never had a problem getting through to the Wreck on uni-berlin on the road, although, as you have experienced, there may be a problem with providers who use password protocols that don't get along with the hotel interface. This also happens to me when I try to access Giganews or TeraNews at work.
When this happens I get an error message that I can't defeat.
HTH
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)