Currently staying in a hotel/accommodation for a few days whilst I'm on a training course (new job, yay me).

Laptop is connected to the wifi which requires a Web based login. I've got an RPi with openelec I want to plug into the TV and use to stream some stuff.

Is there an easy way to have the laptop running Windows 7 act as a hot spot whilst sharing the wifi connection?

Currently installing Connectify which on its first attempt blue screened.

Booting a Linux live usb isn't out of the question.

Shouldn't need any extra software installed? Isn't it just Internet Connection Sharing?

Lifehacker claims you'd need two network adapters: http://lifehacker.com/5369381/turn-your-windows-7-pc-into-a-wireless-hotspot

But Microsoft says Windows 7 can do virtual adapters from a single physical wireless: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd815252(v=vs.85).aspx

I looked at ICS but that needs two adapters, usually wifi + wired if you're talking actual physical adapters on the laptop. Didn't think of virtual adapters so I'll give that a go.

If the 2 network connections is an issue... could always try cabling the pi to the laptop and using ICS?

Depends if he's a big enough geek to have a cable with him.

A lot of hotels use cat 5 cables for the phones....

If you've got an android phone I believe you can share wifi from that via the USB.

i.e. Connect to wifi with phone then plug it into the pi via USB and share its connection.

(And yeah you can create a wifi hotspot easily in networkmanager but I'm pretty sure you need two nics there too).

Didn't pack a cable. Definitely could have easily done ICS then.

I'll probably be staying in more and more hotels in the future so I think I'll get together a bit of a "hotel pack" with a cheap small dd-wrt capable AP/router.

Yup that works - I've done it when using my pi in uni.

Sounds like that will probably be the easiest option. I'll try that tonight.

This thread is a little bit old, but my 1520 can act as a hot spot for up to 8 devices via wifi.  I don't know what is normal.