Have you ever stood on tiptoes in the corner of your hotel room desperately trying to catch a signal to download your mails? Or found that the guesthouse at which you’re staying is not nearly as close to the conference centre as you had thought?
Choosing the right accommodation can make or break your business trip. “Whether you are a seasoned road warrior or a first-time business traveller, the right place to stay will allow you to conduct business efficiently professionally, as even the smallest details can make a big difference,” says Andrew Grunewald, Flight Centre Business (FCBT) Travel Brand Leader.
Business travel has historically always been associated with traditional hotels, but over the past few years, there has been a slight shift as travellers seek a more relaxed environment in guesthouses and alternative forms of accommodation.
Here are a few points to consider when choosing between a hotel or a guest house on your next business trip:
Location Trumps All
Location is the one factor that trumps all others when choosing the right place to stay. “Business executives don’t want to waste time and money travelling to and from the venue or have to worry about running late to their next meeting,” he says.
Traditional hotels are often situated more strategically for business meetings than smaller guesthouses, which tend to be found in more suburban settings away from the bustling cities.
If business travellers have back-to-back meetings or an important conference to attend, a hotel close to the venue is without a doubt the best choice, says Grunewald.
However, if the traveller has just one or two meetings and would then like to enjoy the destination at leisure on a bleisure extension, a guesthouse in the suburbs could be better suited.
Do You Enjoy A More Personalised Approach?
A guesthouse is often like living as a guest in someone else’s house. Some travellers absolutely love it, others hate it.
A guesthouse is often a more personal and more local choice. Along with the owners of the house, you’ll typically find a small team of long-term staff members on-site who will not hesitate to go the extra mile to take care of the traveller’s needs and who will love to have a chat with you in the dining or breakfast room.
Hotels, on the other hand, come with larger teams of qualified staff that are well-trained to make sure you are treated like royalty 24/7.
Hotels are ideal for business travellers who are short on time, with their grab-and-go retail snacks and coffee stations in the lobby. If late-night room service is a deal-breaker, stick to hotels.
Wi-Fi And On-Site Facilities
Fast WiFi alongside a mini-bar and room service is possibly one of the top reasons business travellers prefer to stay in hotels. However, many guesthouses are also stepping up these facilities.
Budget
Price is the number one reason why business travellers opt for guesthouses instead of hotels, according to FCBT travel managers.
However, price should never be the determining factor for your choice, says Grunewald.
“By booking through a travel management company such as FCBT, corporates can enjoy discounted corporate rates without the volume of bookings usually required by hotel programmes.
The Final Verdict: Hotel or Guesthouse?
There is no clear-cut right or wrong answer, explains Grunewald, as much will depend on your personal preferences.
“At FCBT, we’ve seen that career-oriented Gen X travellers are more likely to opt for hotels whereas the younger millennials – who place a lot of importance on a healthy work-life balance – tend to prefer guesthouses.”
Grunewald adds that the distinction between hotels and guesthouses is also started to fade. Guesthouses are starting to step up the facilities that business travellers want, while many hotels have started to personalise their offering to encourage a more homely feel.
