A foreign technology

I'll probably visit you folks often. Just received a new laptop with wireless installed. I presently have a verizon/msn dsl acount. I'm heading to california and will have access to hotel wifi. I'm totally new to this. Should I sign up for a connection service offering encrypted security? Once a wifi connection is made, will i be able to easily access my msn mail account?

Thanks, please be gentle. never been "unplugged" before.