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Corporate Lodging
February 21, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
According to the New York Times, corporate lodging is going to be harder to find at prices that will make your company’s CFO happy. They are reporting an expected average room price increase of 5.8 percent in 2006. And this is on top of rate increases from last year and the year before. New York City hotels are expected to increase in price by 14 percent.
This can put a crimp on any business traveler’s style. However, companies are getting around it by readjusting their focus. According to the article, “Almost 94 percent of the corporate travel managers responding to a survey on 2006 costs by the National Business Travel Association, a trade group, identified a trend in the industry to ‘book fewer luxury hotels in favor of midclass properties.’" Companies are also trying to cut back on the length of business trips in order to save money that way.
I think part of the problem is that business travelers who stay in a location for a week or more are staying at regular hotels. Not only are these hotels more expensive, they also do not cater to your needs for a longer visit. For instance, if you’re staying for a while and your hotel room has no kitchen, you’re going to be spending more per night on the hotel, and then more per day on food costs. This adds up. One way to bring a hotel back into your budget is to figure out what your needs are and find a place that can meet them. This may save you more than you think and offer you added benefits during your business travels.
As a business traveler, you need a good night sleep and an accessible location. So it’s not easy to scrimp on the hotel budget. Fortunately, as hotel costs climb, Extended Stay Hotels remain a good deal with more space than a hotel room and now incredibly cheap wireless Internet access.
Hotel Internet Access: $5
February 9, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
“’Heck, I'd sleep on the floor if I had to in order to ensure a good broadband connection,’ says Joe Wikert, vice president and executive publisher with John Wiley & Sons in Fishers.”
I think a lot of business travelers can empathize with the above statement. But, why take the floor when you can get a comfortable bed, a full suite all to yourself, and guaranteed, unlimited high-speed Internet access?
In one of the latest entries, I wrote about the announcement Extended Stay Hotels made about having high-speed Internet access in all their suites. It actually gets even better than that. Whether you’re just passing through and stop for the night, are in town on business and stay for the week, or are in the process of relocation and live for a month or two, Extended Stay Hotels gives you wireless Internet for $4.99. This isn’t per hour, per day or per week. There is one flat fee of $4.99 the first time you sign on, giving you wireless access for the length of your stay. It’s just that easy.
Please bear with me; I just have to repeat this news. It’s only $4.99 for unlimited wireless Internet access for your entire stay. And it’s available at over 670 hotels across the country, in every suite. Where are these hotels? Any location listed under Extended Stay Hotels. When I think of all the luxury hotels boasting Internet access for many times that per day or even per hour, I just can’t believe that such an affordable hotel offers such a great amenity. It’s about time someone realized how necessary Internet access is.
It’s certainly a relief to have a hotel chain that you know you can stay at and have wireless access that’s easy to use and has no hidden fees. I mean, just being able to assure coworkers and family that you will definitely be able to check email while away is worth the five bucks alone.
Contest Winner
February 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Earlier, we had posted a contest involving naming convention centers around the country. I'd like to announce that we have a winner. Eric Bounds won the free hotel night at an Extended Stay Hotels property. Please join us in congratulating him. The answers were:
A. Boston
B. Los Angeles
C. Philadelphia
D. New York
This officially ends the Convention Center Contest, but keep watching the site because there will be more opportunities and contests to come!
