Beyond hotels – our tips for choosing the right accommodation for you during business travel and our top alternatives to hotels.
With ever-increasing stay options far beyond just hotels, selecting the right accommodation for your business travel needs is no easy task. In today's interconnected world, the range of accommodation options available for business travellers has expanded significantly.
Business travellers tend to look far beyond traditional business hotels. There are a range of alternatives, such as serviced apartments, extended-stay properties, vacation rentals, and co-living spaces, just to name a few. This abundance of choices can make the task of selecting the right accommodation for business travel challenging.
When selecting the type of accommodation that best suits your corporate travel needs, there are many factors to keep in mind. By carefully considering these factors and utilising the available resources, travellers can make informed decisions that ensure a comfortable and productive business stay.
With the right accommodation selected, business travellers can focus their energy on their professional endeavours, knowing that they have a suitable home away from home to return to at the end of a busy day. These factors include:
Without a doubt, private rentals and other alternatives to hotels are cheaper than renting a hotel room. For corporate travellers, remaining within your company’s corporate travel budget is respectful, so finding a moderately priced accommodation is key.
Basic amenities, like tea and coffee, toiletries and a hairdryer are a given. But nowadays, business travellers expect digital convenience as essential. Examples of these are business-specific facilities such as free Wi-Fi, outlets and USB plug options, as well as a designated work area.
For convenience and ease of navigating a new city or country, finding accommodation in close proximity to the location of your work trip is of high importance, be that an office, fair, event, construction site, etc.
Many factors come into play with corporate travel that cannot be avoided. By opting into an accommodation that has flexible cancellation options can help save costs and prevent complications in the face of unexpected situations.
Having reliable accommodation is essential for avoiding difficulties during corporate travel. Relying on reviews to determine this can be hugely helpful, regardless of whether you select a hotel or an alternative type of accommodation for your corporate trip.
When selecting your form of business travel accommodation, having a focus on security and safety options can be quite different between hotels and private rentals.
Business travel often calls for the meshing together of groups, rather than solo travellers. Selecting an accommodation that can suit all of your group’s needs can help bring you together as a group.
For business travellers, there is a mixture of pros and cons to staying at private rental properties over at a hotel. Deciding on the best accommodation for you will depend on your corporate travel needs and how these balance against the pros and cons of hotels over alternative types of accommodation such as boutique hotels, hostels, apart-hotels, botels etc.
According to recent reports, alternatives to hotels are growing in popularity in the corporate travel world. Our top 10 alternative types of accommodation available on Booking.com for Business include:
If you’re seeking comfort and peace of mind during a business trip, alternative accommodations offer an excellent solution. Apartments provide business travellers with the convenience of a fully furnished space, complete with a kitchen and separate living areas, offering a more homely and comfortable environment for extended stays.
B&Bs offer business travellers a unique and personalised experience, with cosy accommodations, homemade breakfast, and often a chance to interact with local hosts, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Hostels provide budget-friendly options for business travellers, offering communal spaces to socialise, network, and meet like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and potentially leading to new business opportunities. Typically hostels also provide single or double rooms in addition to traditional dorms.
Motels are advantageous for business travellers due to their convenient locations near highways and major highways if the business location isn’t in the city centre, offering easy accessibility, affordable rates, and practical amenities such as parking, making them suitable for short and convenient stays.
Resorts provide a luxurious and relaxing environment for business travellers, with amenities like spa facilities, golf courses, and fine dining options, allowing them to combine work and leisure during team events, enhancing productivity and well-being.
Holiday parks offer business travellers the opportunity to enjoy a range of recreational activities and amenities, such as swimming pools, sports facilities, and entertainment options, promoting work-life balance and reducing stress. It can also provide a wonderful space for team events etc.
Homestays provide business travellers with the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture and experience the authenticity of a home environment, often including meals and personalised recommendations from their hosts.
Boats and botels (boat hotels) offer a unique and memorable experience for business travellers, combining accommodation with the novelty of staying on a floating vessel, allowing them to relax and unwind in a picturesque setting.
Villas provide business travellers with privacy, spaciousness, and upscale amenities, such as private pools and gardens, creating an exclusive and serene environment, ideal for executive retreats or team-building activities.
Holiday homes offer business travellers the flexibility to choose from a variety of properties, accommodating larger groups or providing extra space for meetings, ensuring comfort, convenience, and a home-away-from-home atmosphere.
Business trips tend to be stressful and demanding for corporate travellers. The last thing you want to add to your plate is to worry about your accommodation.
Alternative accommodations offer the convenience of worry-free bookings and the comfort of a home-like environment, allowing business travellers to focus on their objectives.
Whether travelling solo or with a group, these arrangements provide peace of mind and often come with strategic locations that offer easy access to necessary amenities.
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