What to Look for in a Business Hotel

Going away on a business trip isn’t as easy as going away on a general jolly; there are certain things we need to bear in mind, such as accessibility, wifi, facilities, comfort etc.

There are a growing range of hotels dedicated simply to business trips nowadays, with huge conference facilities on offer, and even secretarial services for those that need them, bilingual even! So, what should you look for in a hotel being specifically chosen for a business trip?

Head to the reviews

Whilst people don’t generally like to write nice things, checking out reviews will give you a general idea on the downfalls of the places you’re looking at, and will also tell you a rough idea of the distance to the major landmarks, e.g. how far a walk into the city centre etc. Many hotel websites will stop at ‘a short walk to the centre’, but everyone’s idea of a ‘short walk’ is different! You don’t want to be booking a hotel that is a ten mile walk away from the main facilities of the area you’re visiting.

Check the wifi

We’re all addicted to the internet in general these days, but when it comes to work and the business world, we need it, quite literally. Make sure you pick a hotel that has a good quality wifi connection, again the reviews will give you an idea on this, and also make sure that all areas of the building can pick it up, so you’re not stuck on the side that isn’t in reach. If you need to do work in your room in the evening, or report back to your office, checking emails etc, then wifi is imperative.

Check the breakfast times

You shouldn’t skip breakfast, it really is the most important meal of the day, so do a little digging into the times of breakfast, so you know that it starts early enough for you to fill up and fuel yourself before your working day starts. If you have a particularly early meeting, then ask if you are able to have room service a little earlier, so you don’t miss out.

Check the parking facilities/general distance to train/bus station

You don’t want to be trekking miles to find your hotel, and this goes hand in hand with checking reviews. Find a hotel that is easy to reach from the main roads leading into the city or town, and easily accessible from coach and train stations. If many people are going to be attending the same hotel as you, then a hotel with close proximity to road, train and coach networks will be preferable, and be sure to find out the hotel zip code or postcode, to pass onto those who are driving with sat nav.

Check the office and conference facilities

I’m not suggesting you move into the office facilities, but if there are photocopying facilities on site, fax etc, then it could make your trip run smoother. If you’re giving presentations in the conference facilities within the hotel, the ask about the visual aids on offer, whether the rooms are sound proofed, and how many people they hold. Are they able to provide refreshments? These are all important questions to ask.

These are five of the most important things to bear in mind when you’re choosing a hotel to base yourself during your business trip, whether it’s for you alone, or for a conference/meeting group. Logistics and location are everything, and just because it’s a business trip, doesn’t mean that you, or others attending, won’t want to venture a little further into the area to explore, so think central!