When it comes to doing business, there really are no limits. With the best ideas, products, or services, and an excellent strategy, different-size companies serving all industry sectors can enter a wide range of domestic and foreign markets. And you can’t conquer new niches over the phone, so enterprises need to send their best employees all over the globe. For comparison, over 700k business travellers came to the US in 2022 - 80% less than in 2019. Thankfully, the prognosis for 2023 is quite positive, with specialists expecting a significant rise in international work trips.

So now is the ideal time to think and plan one of the most important aspects of every business travel - accommodation. While there are many lodging options available, not everyone is suitable for the particular needs of their occupant. So let us explore some of the most popular accommodation types and see in which cases companies should consider booking them for their employees.

What do Business Travelers Want

However, before we dive into our list, it is a good idea to examine some of the more prominent factors that play a role when deciding what lodging to book. Some of the primary elements include:

• Price : When making decisions, money is always a key factor. If you are on a budget, the more affordable lodging options are the ones you should look into.

• Amenities : Sometimes long-term travellers require access to certain household facilities like a laundry room or a kitchen, whereas short-term visitors need different things like a round-the-clock front desk, on-site restaurant or gym. In the former case, an Airbnb may be a good option, while the latter may require a hotel booking.

• Accessibility : Think about the business travellers and consider their needs. Do any visitors require special accommodations due to a disability or limited mobility? Consider booking a room on the first floor or near the elevator.

• Security : Some business accommodations can be situated in sketchy areas. So before you look, think about your employee's safety. Choose a place that has security officers or cameras on the property.

• Privacy : Privacy is paramount when on a business trip. You don’t want to share a space with people you don’t know.

We have done a detailed study on what business travellers want from their accommodation. Feel free to check it out if this is something you find interesting.

Hotels

The best hotels may surpass even the wildest dreams in terms of safety, comfort, and luxury, but it is crucial to remember that they are not for everybody. Sometimes business travellers might not benefit significantly from a single or double room in a hotel.

Tourists who merely require a place to sleep after spending days and nights exploring the area are the desired target audience for most big chains. However, If you are there for work and not leisure, staying in a cramped room for more than a week may not be ideal. In order to be productive, every individual needs to have enough available amenities and most importantly - free space. That said, if you are planning to stay for a few nights, in most cases, hotels provide the best option when it comes to price, location, pampering and food and drink choices. Just remember - the more you want, the higher the cost and not all companies are ready to spend thousands for a 3-day stay in a luxury chain.

Hostels

Business travellers on a tight budget might want to consider lodging at a hostel. Long gone are the days when the word ”hostel" was associated with broke students and shady individuals. Nowadays, these are one of the most preferred budget-friendly accommodation options, especially for big parties.

Hostels are a great choice if you are travelling in a group, as they are inexpensive and have full kitchens. Yet, if your business activities involve handling sensitive information, the lack of privacy could be a problem. The risk of theft is also increased by shared facilities. Curfews and a small staff are two additional features of some hostels that won't work well if you want a more individualised experience, as many business travellers do.

Short term lets

Business travellers who need a little more comfort, convenience, and cost savings, should consider a short-term rental. Depending on the type of lodging you choose, you can take advantage of a range of services during a lengthy business trip to satisfy your personal and professional demands.

They are tremendously useful for anyone who wants to take care of last-minute schedule adjustments or hotel arrangements for a business trip. Knowing that you have a comfortable, convenient place to stay that feels like home makes it easier to relax and focus on the task at hand. These apartments are usually situated so that the tenant has easy access to almost everything, like airports, huge malls with food courts or other dining alternatives, significant roads, public transportation networks, and medical institutions.

Private Rentals (Airbnb)

They are typically located in tourist districts. This makes them not so great of an option for those travelling for work. Nevertheless, sometimes private rentals are ideal for a last-minute business trip. They are suitable for those looking for more of a vacation residence with the comforts of a home. New Airbnb listings are constantly being added, so there is a possibility you can find something suitable for your upcoming business trip, depending on where you will be travelling. They are more pay-as-you-go, so you may stay as long as you have made a payment for them.

Guesthouse Accommodation

Some people like to use this lodging on business travels because it is semi-self-service rather than entirely self-service like some other lodgings are. The majority of guesthouse accommodations offer breakfast and occasionally dinner, eliminating the need for visitors to bring their morning and evening meals. Most guesthouses are found in tourist locations, although as demand for short-term lodging has increased, some have begun to appear in major cities. These types of accommodations unquestionably have a vacation-style vibe, even though they are fully furnished.

Your housing should be the last item on your attention during a stressful business trip. Therefore making the best accommodation decision for your trip in advance will give you the peace of mind and motivation to focus on your important work-related tasks. If you want professional help, you can always contact a reputable agency, like Fair Point to organise your business lodging. Our associates have years of experience finding the most suitable accommodation options, as the company has an international network of partners - from big hotel chains to cosy guest houses.