Traveling for a business trip is hectic enough. It feels like going to a second office packed with meetings and conferences and if you are lucky enough you might squeeze some time off to explore your new location.
Your choice of accommodation can make or break your business travel. The smallest details in the facility can make a huge difference. With tons of available options, choosing the ideal place to crash can be quite nerve-wracking.
Here is our recommendation of the critical factors to consider when planning your ideal accommodation for your business travel.
1. Scout the Location
The location should be your top of mind concern when scouting for the best accommodation for your business travel. You need to be close to the conference premise and the airport while still at proximity to other necessities.
While city center hotels are buried in lengthy commute and heavy traffic, airport hotels tend to be too remote. All major booking sites provide online maps to view the locality of your hotel. You get to pick one based on your preferences.
Cross check your location to reduce the time spent on the road. You might be required to conduct tons of research before choosing a suitable hotel, but it’s entirely worth the effort. Your hotel premise should be in a convenient location for work and play.
2. Affordability
Do you have a set budget on what you intend to spend on accommodation while you are on a business trip? You don’t want to obliterate your account splurging on a hotel you will scarcely spend time in.
Business trips are often short and packed with events. You barely have time for exploring the new city. But this doesn’t mean you should sacrifice quality and comfort.
You might be tempted to book hotels near your conference or business venue, but most of the surrounding hotels will be highly priced.
There are tons of accommodation options in the market that are comfortable, enjoyable and within your budget needs. Check out for discount hotel deals and book on the hotel’s website. Here you’re guaranteed the lowest rates.
3. Security
Security in a different region or country is a crucial issue to keep in mind when going on a business trip. Ensure your hotel is situated in a peaceful and secure neighborhood with a good reputation and positive customer reviews.
The hotel should have safety measures to protect the guests, its staff and hotel from any potential threat. Intelligence access control systems allow you to control who gains entry into your premise. The hotel should provide mobile keys to ensure that in case a guest loses their physical key no one can use it to gain access into their rooms.
Your privacy as a client should be respected with utmost discretion. The hotel should be adequately lit, feature round the clock advanced security systems.
4. Loyalty Programs
Most international hotel brands offer loyalty programs for their frequent clients. Guests accumulate free rewards when they sign up or purchase goods from the hotel. This is an effective way of attracting more guests to your establishment. Sign up for available loyalty programs in your ideal hotel.
The hotel uses the loyalty points to reward its loyal clients. It is more logical and more straightforward to create a steady flow of your business through past guests. According to research, it costs five times less to retain an existing customer than attract a new one.
Hotels can also gather additional information about their guests using loyalty programs which enables them to best tailor their services.
You can enjoy discounts on purchases, special booking rates, free nights away, priority bookings, complimentary upgrades among other attractive offers. You can also be rewarded with discounts on partner hotels or free meals based on the number of loyalty points you accumulate.
5. Business Facilities and Services
You are not on vacation but a business trip in a hotel that should ideally serve as your second office. Look out for a hotel with good essential business amenities and services. It is a good idea to find out what business facilities your hotel provides.
Find out if they have business facilities such as fax, scanner or printer beforehand because some hotels lack these amenities. Ask for in-room phone service, internet access or Wi-Fi availability, a projector and a conference room in case you need to host business meetings.
Do they have video and audio equipment? Can you order refreshments for your guests? All of these are essential before booking a hotel.
6. Know your Accommodation Options
There are various accommodation options you can consider and fit into your budget.
Hotels are the most common accommodation facilities when you go on a business trip. They are located in decent areas of interest though quite expensive. Check out the best hotels guide to shop for the best hotel for your business needs.
Hostels are slightly affordable than hotels because of their limited services. They mostly have a young culture and are ideal if you want to stretch your budget to explore the area more.
Alternatively, you can rent out an apartment or a villa and especially if you intend to be away for a business trip for a long time. It’s an ideal choice for those who want a private home for themselves — lookup websites like www.vacationapartments.com to rent out a villa.
Bread &Breakfast (BB) inns are the cheapest options. They are similar to hostels but on a smaller scale. They offer accommodation for the night and breakfast. A good choice if you intend to stay overnight in your business location.
7. Reliable Transportation
If the event or business venue is far off a distance, you cannot walk the availability of transportation. Are there plenty of taxi services to and from the hotel? What of public transport means? Do they have around the clock reliable buses and trains?
Bear in mind when you’re attending a conference many people will also be present; therefore most roads will be congested with traffic.
Bottom line:
Your choice of accommodation can mean the difference between an enjoyable business trip and a disastrous experience. It is vital to choose the right hotel for your business and personal needs. Weigh in on your options carefully and consider the key features to look out for before finalizing your booking.
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