You're charged for the time you use, rounded up, of course. The amount of time you use is either tracked by a card you stick in the computer or at the main desk. Most of the staffers are young and will know enough English to get you started. Don't expect too much in the way of technical support-you are on your own. Of course, if you're lucky enough to stay in a business or luxury hotel, they may have Internet access available.
Some large hotels have business centers with a few machines connected to the Internet.
The best bet is to call or email the hotel to find out. And even if you're not staying at the neighborhood Hilton or Hyatt, you can often use their business center as long as you're willing to pay the hourly rate. Other Locations Train stations or airports are other good bets for finding Internet access. Rates vary widely and checking your email at the airport could be an expensive proposition. In some countries, there are public access terminals in libraries or community centers.