No matter how pervasive conference calls and web meetings have become, sometimes there’s just no substitute for being there in person. But before you fasten your seat belts, business travelers, don’t forget that every dollar spent will be scrutinized by management, clients, et al. So, how do you ensure you’re getting the best bang for your business-travel buck without sacrificing the high level of service you need while traveling and working? Your best bet is to check with the experts: your fellow business travelers. You know you can rely on your peers because their war stories are just like yours. Do any of these sound familiar? You can probably add quite a few of your own!
- Checked in at 2 am after a 14-hour, weather-delayed trip—no problem with your reservation, and the night manager got you a sandwich even though everything was closed
- Closing a big deal and needed to see four newspapers first thing in the morning—they were at your door, including the Financial Times
- Working late in your room and delighted to find three eye-level outlets right above the comfortably sized desk
- Arrived late and needed a haircut—the concierge found you several open barbers right away
- Stayed at a hotel that recalled from your last stay that you didn’t care for the evening snacks they provided but instead would really appreciate fruit and wine
- Dirtied your only shoes in bad weather the night before a big meeting, and the hotel revitalized them overnight
So, now that we have your attention, let’s focus on what your brother and sister road warriors recommend in recent business traveler surveys by Conde Nast and Business Travel News.
Conde Nast readers rate these hotels as the best for business travel:
- Auberge Resorts
- Montage Hotels & Resorts
- Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
- Peninsula Hotels
- Four Seasons
- Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
- Trump Hotel Collection
- Ritz-Carlton
- St. Regis
- Mandarin Oriental
- Raffles Hotels & Resorts
- Wynn Resorts
- One&Only
- Shangri-La
- Regent
A recent survey by Business Travel News ranks the business traveler’s choice hotels by category. Top ratings were earned for appearance, staff, business centers, business and in-room amenities, and price/value comparison.
Luxury
St. Regis
Ritz-Carlton
Waldorf Astoria
Four Seasons
Fairmont
Upper Upscale
W
JW Marriott
Hyatt
Renaissance
Westin
Hilton
Marriott
Omni
Sheraton
Upscale
Embassy Suites
Doubletree
Crowne Plaza
Wyndham
Radisson
Mid-price
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn
La Quinta
Fairfield Inn
Best Western
Comfort Inn
Country Inn & Suites
Select Service
Hyatt Place
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard by Marriott
Four Points by Sheraton
Springhill Suites
Don’t compromise! When you’re traveling for business, the hotel will be where you live, work, meet with clients, and more. A hotel that enables you to accomplish all of this comfortably and efficiently is worth the price to you, your company and your clients. That’s value!
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