Business Travel Accommodation: Why Extended Stay Lodgings are Ideal for Business Travelers
According to two new studies, the world of business travel has changed dramatically in recent years — and for the better. In the past 12 months, almost half of all business travelers chose extended-stay lodging for their business travel accommodation.
Plus, 60 percent of those travelers handled the booking themselves. This is a big departure from the days when companies relied on travel departments and corporate travel agencies.
However, some things don’t change, such as the desire for freedom and specific amenities while you’re away from home. That’s why extended stay accommodations are the ideal choice anytime you travel for business.
What Are Extended Stay Accommodations?
Extended stay accommodations are hotels or lodgings that cater to guests looking for long-term stays. You see, your needs during a trip that only lasts a night or two are quite a bit different than your needs during a week or month-long trip.
On a short trip, you likely only need the basics—like a small bottle of shampoo, a coffee maker, and plenty of pillows.
However, for longer stays, your lodging becomes your true home away from home. You’ll quickly find yourself appreciating amenities like 24/7 laundry facilities, an in-room kitchen, and a fitness center.
Extended Stay Hotels and Their Unique Offerings
When you think about business travel lodging, it’s common to picture a plain, just-the-basics hotel with a discounted rate. However, our modern extended-stay hotels are designed from top to bottom with you in mind.
- Fast and free Wi-Fi
- Non-smoking properties available
- On-site staff available around the clock
- Multiple room layouts to suit your needs
- In-room kitchens complete with appliances
- Complete fitness centers at select locations
- 24/7 laundry facilities and vending machines
- Free parking for the entire duration of your stay
- Interior doors and secured corridors for added peace of mind
- Convenient locations near corporate offices, airports, and downtown
Key Features and Amenities
One key feature of extended-stay hotels is their overall dedication to guest service. These locations don’t charge more for necessities like parking, Wi-Fi, and housekeeping.
Beyond policies, each hotel is designed with extended stays in mind. First, you have a wide choice of non-smoking properties, and every location has several room layouts.
Our suites don’t just include different furniture configurations—you’ll also pick the number of beds from one to four. No matter your choice, all rooms have a spacious desk or table and chairs to help you work productively.
Outside of work hours, 24/7 amenities help you feel more at home. Work up a sweat at the fitness center, do some laundry, or whip up a home-cooked meal without setting foot outside the hotel.
Whether you’re heading to your next meeting or the airport, every hotel is conveniently located to make your trip straightforward and stress-free.
Benefits of Extended Stay Hotels for Business Travelers
Extended stay hotels offer a range of benefits tailored to business travelers' unique needs.
Cost Benefits
One of the biggest reasons to choose an extended-stay hotel for your business travel accommodation is the potential for huge savings.
When you choose WoodSpring Suites hotels, our extended stay weekly rate typically costs you the same as four or five nights would at a traditional hotel.
Besides, you can save more money thanks to on-site amenities. Your in-room kitchen and guest laundry facilities mean spending less time and money on daily needs.
Best of all, the longer you stay, the more you’ll save. With our monthly hotel rates, you’ll save about 44% versus a standard hotel. Can you imagine how it would feel to slash your business travel costs nearly in half?
Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
While saving money is awesome, it’s not the only benefit of choosing extended-stay business travel lodging. Ultimately, you want your hotel to feel like a true home away from home.
That’s what you get from an extended-stay hotel. It starts with free Wi-Fi—no daily fees or time limits. Your room will also be designed around comfort and convenience instead of the latest interior design trends.
In a traditional hotel, for example, you have to make a hard choice anytime you’re feeling hungry. Expensive room service or an unsatisfying snack?
But in an extended-stay hotel, you can access a full-sized fridge and freezer, microwave, and two-burner cooktop. You can make a quick snack anytime or put together one of your favorite recipes when you’re feeling homesick.
Flexibility and Freedom
The flexibility and freedom that come with an extended-stay hotel are like a burden lifting off your shoulders. You can finally say goodbye to spending days worrying over =-=---.
Thanks to your hotel’s amenities, you can pack fewer changes of clothes, and you won’t need any complicated gadgets that let you cook dinner in a coffee maker.
Plus, extended-stay hotels offer flexible check-in and check-out times. You don’t have to build your entire agenda around front desk hours at these locations.
For many business travelers, the biggest issue is juggling personal needs with maintaining a productive work schedule. Extended-stay hotels solve this problem by providing 24/7 access to amenities, just like at home.
Factors to Consider When Picking a Business Travel Lodging
When booking extended-stay business travel accommodations, it’s wise to consider what amenities you’ll truly need.
There’s no worse way to kick off a business trip than by realizing, for instance, that your hotel is a long commute from where you’ll be working.
First, think about your business-related needs. How much space will you need in your room to work effectively? Do you also need 24/7 access to a printer or fax machine?
Next, consider the hotel’s specific location and its proximity to where you need to be. Business travel lodging located next to the airport can be very convenient—unless you need to be across the city for your work every day.
Lastly, always scroll through recent reviews before booking an extended-stay hotel. Ideally, check several different websites and focus on any written by business travelers. These give you the clearest insight into which hotel is the best choice.
Real Experiences: Business Traveler Insights
Whether you’re staying for a week or a few months, choosing an extended-stay hotel for your business travel accommodation can make all the difference.
According to many business travelers, the value of having clean, quiet, and conveniently located lodging can’t be overstated. Plus, since staff are always on-site, you never have to worry about calling the front desk during ‘business hours.’
However, some people find this option just isn’t a good fit.
If you’d prefer to spend your evenings socializing with other guests, an extended-stay hotel probably isn’t the best option for your business travel lodging. The same is true if you’re looking for recreational amenities like lounges or game rooms.
Conclusion
Choosing the right business travel accommodation can be the deciding factor in whether your trip is stressful or smooth sailing. But with more than 200 locations across the U.S., it’s easy to find a WoodSpring Suites property with all the benefits and amenities of a home.
