Security on notebook computer while traveling

Greetings,

My notebook computer connects to my Linksys WRT54GL. I have set up a secure wireless network and my notebook, I guess, is secure because the Linksys router.

When traveling and logging into a motel's wireless internet connection how can I be sure I have a secure network connection with the motel's wireless internet.

In other words, how can I be sure my notebook is secure when logging into a motel's wireless internet connection?

Thanks in advance for your help, comments, and support.

Leigh