You could try using a relay somewhere in your process; while I was on a travel gig I had to do some finicky work with a travel router (though this may not work, since you need a VPN for your work, but maybe it'll give you an idea: https://ideatrash.net/2022/05/howto-secure-and-share-your-internet-on-free-wireless-wifi.html
Also if you have your DNS resolvers manually put in, you may not encounter their portal. Had that problem when on hotel wifi as well.
All that said, I ended up using phone data a lot.
Sure, because we've been taught that is cringe. Personally, I like learning new things (even if it's not something I'd "normally" be interested in), so I love it when my people both infodump, and then the look of pure joy when they realize that I'm into it.