The best option for the average Mac user is httpmail, a plug-in for Mail.app. Download the disk image and follow the simple instructions to install and add a Hotmail account, then reboot.
Unix gurus, on the other hand, might feel better about hotwayd, just because it is so much harder to install and configure. Hotwayd is a UNIX tool that emulates a POP3 server, allowing the user to access Hotmail as if were a normal email account. Hotwayd also has the added benefit in that it also works with Eudora, or any other mail client.
If you are feeling ambitious, and have your Mac set up as server/router on a home network, you can even check your Hotmail from any computer running any OS and using any email client!
A comprehensive how-to I wrote may help you get it up and running...
Enjoy!
[Editor's note: I had to publish this one after nearly falling out of my chair laughing over the "might feel better..." comment ... probably because I'm quite guilty as charged, at times!]

