The 4:30 a.m. alarm is a harsh reality of business travel. The constant grind, time away from home and lack of focus can severely impact your productivity and bottom line. But your accommodation choice can be the single biggest factor in turning a grueling trip into a highly successful one.
Let’s face it, business travel presents unique challenges to focus but staying in just the right location with a little local flair can make your business trip seem like you are still at home. A smaller boutique inn or a bed and breakfast might be just what you are looking for when traveling. A smaller number of rooms will mean less distractions, quieter rooms, invaluable local intelligence and guidance and office-like amenities for your visit. With that in mind many Bed and Breakfast owners are eager to establish relationships with corporate travelers.
Who can get any work done with noise pollution and unnecessary distractions. Never mind the lines for the wait at the elevator but also the noise and unnecessary distractions others will provide. Staying at a local bed and breakfast gives you the chance to have a less distracting visit, so that the focus can be on the task at hand. Not having to call the front desk to inquire about quiet hours. The majority of guests who travel and stay at Bed and Breakfasts are very respectful of other guests when visiting. Often you rarely even know if other guests are in residence until you come down for breakfast. The fewer people, the decrease of distractions for those evenings when you need to work from your accommodations.
The type of accommodations you receive at a Bed and Breakfast are generally geared towards your comfort. No cookie cutter rooms and amenities but rather distinct and unique rooms that make you feel like you are at home. These rooms are typically quieter than hotel rooms, since most Bed and Breakfast’s are located off the main drive and in a more residential location. Which helps to reduce the amount of noise from the freeway. The accommodations at a bed and breakfast will make you want to return to visit with the innkeeper or stay in contact to make sure you have the best stay when visiting again.
The local innkeeper is your eyes and ears when in a new town or even one you have visited before. They will always have great advice for where to dine and shop while visiting. They will typically know of any changes that might have occurred since your last visit and help you find the best place, outside your inn, to dine and enjoy the company of any work colleagues while in for a visit. After all, work still does come first, but having that base of knowledge is invaluable.
Since work is still the primary reason for your travels. A Bed and Breakfast can have some office-like amenities for your stay. An in room work station to be able to set up your laptop and leave it out when not working. Access to good hot drinks with easy to use machines that do not take an additional degree to figure out. Along with secure, private Wi-Fi connectivity for confidential business matters than a busy coffee shop or restaurant would typically allow. The best part, many Bed and Breakfasts will also have a space where you could meet with clients or host a private meeting with local clients. Most will work with guests to accommodate meetings at a discounted cost based on availability.
Take the extra time to explore the accommodations off the beaten path. Many local Bed and Breakfast or Boutique Inn’s will be more than happy to welcome you for your business trip. Plan to be a regular in their city, be sure to ask for a corporate discount based on anticipated travel volume. The consistent stays not only are a great way to build loyalty but secure better rates and personalized service tailored to your business needs. After all, we enjoy when we see repeat guests at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast and can assure our guests that unless they ask, no breakfast will be repeated. We hope that you will look for a local Inn to support on your next travels.
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