[8 Things to Look for When Choosing a Hotel for Business Travelers]

Intro:

Choosing the proper business hotel could mean the difference between a highly successful business trip and a lackluster misadventure. 

Of course, the devil is in the details.

Some hotels are simply better for business. 

These types of hotels offer the right kinds of amenities, services, and meeting spaces to facilitate successful business trips and stays. 

This isn’t exactly secret knowledge. However, figuring out which hotels to book can actually be a challenge.

Audrey Fairbrother at Hotel Engine describes the importance of finding the right business hotel in her blog post: 5 of the Best Hotel Chains for Business Stays and Events.

“Hotels that cater to the corporate clientele and large gatherings already have the major obstacles ironed out. They have a plan for meetings of any size, are conveniently located in their city, and offer essential amenities for the business traveler.”

So let’s dig into it and talk about exactly what you should be looking for before booking your next business-stay hotel reservation. 

1. Free WiFi

You’d think that in this day and age, all hotels would offer complimentary Wi-Fi.

Well, most of them do. 

But believe it or not, there are also some that don’t. 

Therefore, it’s absolutely essential to make sure that your business stay hotel is going to provide you with the internet you need (at no charge) to communicate and conduct business during your stay.

2. A 24/7 Business Center

High-quality business hotels will offer a 24/7 business center where you can access computers, get on the internet, use a landline telephone, make use of a printer, utilize a fax machine, etc. 

It’s basically like a small, temporary office space that you can utilize at any time during your stay—day or night. 

For best results, make sure that the business hotel in question offers this amenity. 

3. Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are important if you plan to invite clients, VIPs, or other important people into your own space to conduct business. 

Meeting rooms offer a private location where you can discuss sensitive business details.

They’re also convenient, and offer a greater sense of professionalism than a restaurant, bar, or hotel room.

4. Convenient Location

There’s a big difference between a 10-minute commute to a required business location, and a one to two-hour commute. 

You can’t invite potential clients to meet you for drinks ‘back at your hotel’ if your hotel is an hour away. 

Inviting them back to the hotel bar for a drink after the conference if you’re right around the corner, however—well, that could prove to be advantageous.

5. A Shuttle Service

Once you land in the city, you’ll need to get from the airport to the hotel. 

You’ll also need a way to get around town when you leave the hotel to conduct business. 

Sure, you can take a taxi or an Uber. But a shuttle service is super handy for a number of reasons. 

For best results, try to book a business hotel that offers such a service. 

6. An On-Site Restaurant

Reserving lodging at a business hotel with a built-in restaurant helps to make your business trip more efficient. 

Catching meals at your hotel will help you to save on commute time. 

Plus, if you’re getting ready for a conference or a sales pitch, you just may not have the time to leave your hotel to grab lunch. 

An onsite restaurant can provide you with a surprising number of benefits.

7. Laundry Service

This isn’t something that every business hotel offers. 

However, it’s an amenity that can save you an incredible amount of time, hassle, and frustration while on the road. 

For best results, make sure that your business hotel has a full-service laundry service. 

In other words, a laundry service where people do your laundry for you. 

This will save you the time and hassle of needing to do it yourself. Also, make sure they offer dry cleaning.

8. A Spa/Pool/Gym

Great business hotels generally also offer things like a spa, a pool, and a gym for their guests. 

While these may not seem like necessities, they’re actually crucial amenities that can help to make your stay better and more enjoyable. 

Plus, keeping up with your health and fitness routine while on the road is important.

Make sure that your next business hotel checks these amenities off your list. 

Conclusion

There you have it.

8 things to look for when choosing a hotel for business travelers.

Traveling for business can be a strenuous affair. 

For this reason, it’s vital to make sure that you have everything you need to make your trip a success. 

Booking the right business hotel could mean the difference between a stress-free trip and a frustrating trip filled with setbacks. 

Make sure to choose wisely.