Business travel costs can mount up quickly if they’re not effectively managed and one of the first things companies often try to save on is accommodation. Caroline Saunders explains how serviced apartments can provide a viable alternative to hotels
Serviced apartments are ideal for reducing business travel costs, whether it’s for a one-off business trip or for the most frequent of travellers. Savings occur because extras, such as broadband, are often complimentary. For those on a tight budget, it’s worth noting that booking a serviced apartment could potentially save you up to 30 per cent of the overall cost. Here are just some of the reasons why serviced apartments can save you money on business travel.
Location
A comprehensive portfolio of international apartments is a must when it comes to booking accommodation. With literally hundreds of thousands of serviced apartments worldwide to choose from, there will be something out there that will meet your requirements no matter what city or area you want to stay in. Staying just slightly outside of the city centre can cut costs. In London, for example, nightly rates can drop by as much as £100 with a move from zone 1 to zone 3. While for anyone working in New York, areas such as Jersey City and White Plains are much better value than Manhattan.
Transparent billing structures
An increasing amount of accommodation providers are following the budget airline model of unbundled rates. This means that companies will offer a cheap basic rate, but services that would normally be inclusive are added on, such as breakfast, laundry or a wake-up call. Unlike other types of accommodation, serviced apartment rates are usually all inclusive, so your executive won’t incur surprise charges when he checks out.
Make sure you know all of the prices from the outset to make it easier to keep track of your finances – something that is particularly relevant if rates and occasional charges (such as laundry or internet) are handled by different departments.
Free wifi
Although wifi is an essential for the majority of business travellers, most hotel chains still charge over the odds for internet access. Free access is far more common in serviced apartments than in hotels.
Independence
Laundry and room service costs can easily increase and are difficult to monitor when staying in a hotel. Business travellers who do their own laundry and can cook their own food in a serviced apartment will save their company substantial amounts of money. They are also likely to value the extra independence this gives them and the privacy that serviced apartments afford.
Space
Comfort and space are paramount to anyone travelling away from home and serviced apartments provide more of both of these elements than a standard hotel room. All serviced apartments include separate living, dining and kitchen areas; this means that if your employees are happy to, they could share a two or three-bedroom apartment, thereby significantly decreasing the overall cost.
Caroline Saunders is Communications Manager at SilverDoor, a serviced apartment agency offering in excess of 100,000 apartments in more than 400 business centres located in 70 countries worldwide. Find out more at silverdoor.co.uk
