Home comforts

Look at the Internet and most brochures, and thousands of hotels across the world describe themselves as luxurious.

Most business travellers expect their company to arrange accommodation that is in hotels or apartments that are at least as comfortable as their own home.

When a flight is delayed or uncomfortable, the traveller invariably blames the airline. A noisy, uncomfortable, lower than standard hotel, however, will see their finger being pointed at the travel arranger. A flight has, on average, just a couple of hours to be problematic whilst the hotel is in use for 24 hours or more.

The travel management company usually offers a portfolio of hotels at preferred rates and this should not be ignored. It is important to choose a property near to the place of work rather than on price alone. With average room prices at over £100 per night and much more in key cities, it is understandable that an educated decision is important. A hotel is representing your company. It said that others judge us by the company we keep. Hosts often ask where their visitors are staying. Don’t let the side down.

Check out the Internet for the hundreds of luxury rated 5-star hotels at 3 and 4-star prices. Good, well-respected properties will create the right impression for business accommodation and a meeting.

The Danesfield Court, Cliveden and the Oakley Court hotels are all within a short drive of Heathrow and offer a welcome contrast to the usual airport properties. Rates, especially when discounted via the Internet, are very favourable and the facilities definitely impress guests for overnight stays and meetings.

Near Gatwick, the Ockenden Manor at Cuckfield is a realistic alternative to the airport hotels. More details are on www.hshotels.com

Similarly, in Bath there are a number of luxury-rated choices in the city centre which are bookable on lastminute.com at up to 50% discount. The Royal Crescent Hotel has meeting facilities for up to 90 guests and an elegance that cannot fail to impress visitors, especially those from overseas.

There are a number of five-star establishments in the heart of Edinburgh, all competing for the business traveller. Check out the latest offers and The Glasshouse, The Balmoral or The Caledonian Hilton may well be ideal for the next visit to the city. It is often a good idea to check out the hotel company’s own website as many have a policy of always offering the best deals through their own website.

In recent years, Dublin has seen a number of luxury-orientated properties opening such as The Pembroke House near the RDS exhibitions site and Brownes Townhouse which is situated right on St Stephen’s Green in the heart of the Irish capital.

Further afield, those booking hotels in Paris will be wise to check their travel agent’s special rates at Le Meurice or the Intercontinental near the Place de la Concorde. With public transport always crowded and taxis hard to find, travelling around the city is not always easy. Choosing a hotel near to the place of work is important. Most hotel booking sites such as activehotels.com have links to maps, which should be used to check the location of meetings and accommodation.

European cities often offer good value for money in the five-star bracket when compared with London, especially when reservations are made via the Internet.

Nobody pays the full price for accommodation in New York where a 30% discount, or more, is the norm. As an example, Le Parker Meridien on West 57th Street offers rooms, through hotel booking company Expotel, at $290 per night instead of $410. It is possible to stay at the Millennium Broadway, on Times Square for $249 instead of $329 when booking through Expotel.

Remember, most trips abroad are stressful, busy and tiring. The traveller needs to arrive at meetings and conferences ready to represent their company with optimum enthusiasm. The most important step in achieving this is to be sure of a good night’s sleep.