Booking corporate accommodation isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re arranging a short business trip or a long-term stay, there’s a lot to think about – from location and cost to comfort and flexibility. With the growing demands of corporate travel, serviced accommodation offers a solution that addresses many common worries. Let’s look at the top five concerns bookers face and how serviced accommodation can help overcome them.
- Location: Will it be close enough to the office and amenities?
- Wi-Fi reliability: Will it meet my team’s needs without extra costs?
- Security: Is the accommodation safe for my team?
- Amenities: Will it offer enough comfort for longer stays?
- Flexibility: What if travel plans change?
1. Location: Will it be close enough to the office and amenities?
When booking corporate accommodation, location is one of the top priorities. You need to find somewhere that’s not only close to work but also near local amenities and transport links. A poor location could mean long commutes, limited access to essentials, and an overall inconvenient stay. Hotels in ideal locations often come with steep prices, and properties further afield can leave employees feeling isolated or disconnected.
How serviced accommodation solves it: Serviced apartments are frequently located in popular business areas or within easy commuting distance. Unlike hotels that may have limited availability in these locations, serviced accommodation providers often have a wider selection of properties in strategic areas, whether that’s the city centre or near key business hubs. This ensures your team can stay close to work while still having access to local shops and transport links, without the high price tag of a central hotel.
At Situ, we have experienced Account Mangers who can work with you to find the ideal location for your team and negotiate costs with our accommodation Partners on your behalf. Have a read of our Cost-Effective Construction Accommodation Solutions case study which details how we helped a company find housing for twenty employees across London as just one example of how we do this.
2. Wi-Fi reliability: Will it meet my team’s needs without extra costs?
In today’s business world, reliable internet is non-negotiable. Your team needs a strong connection to handle emails, video conferencing, and accessing online tools. Hotels may advertise free Wi-Fi, but it often comes with limitations – slower speeds, data caps, or fees for premium access. On the other hand, rental properties might not include Wi-Fi at all, leaving you or your employee to sign an additional contract and manage yet another bill.
How serviced accommodation solves it: Serviced accommodation booked through Situ includes Wi-Fi as standard, so you don’t need to worry about extra costs or setting up a separate service. Your team gets immediate access to the internet from the moment they arrive, and it’s included in the booking – no unexpected fees or complicated contracts. This ensures your team can stay connected and productive without the hassle.
3. Security: Is the accommodation safe for my team?
Safety is a top concern, particularly when booking accommodation for your personnel. Employers are obligated to safeguard the welfare of their employees by a Duty of Care law, which is mandated in many countries, including the UK.
To meet this standard, corporate travellers need to feel secure both inside their accommodation and in the surrounding area. In unfamiliar cities, there’s a real concern about staying in properties that might not have the proper security measures in place, or being located in areas that are less safe at night. Hotels may offer secure access, but smaller rental properties can sometimes fall short in this area.
How serviced accommodation solves it: Trusted serviced accommodation agents with a well-evidenced approach to ESG (environment, social, and governance policies), such as Situ, are dedicated to prioritising safety and security.
The presence of round-the-clock support from our 24/7 support line gives your team peace of mind, knowing help is available if they need it. Additionally, some properties even provide on-site management or concierge services. Just let us know the features you want to see in the properties you book, and we will do our very best to accommodate them.
4. Amenities: Will it offer enough comfort for longer stays?
For holidays, a basic hotel room might be sufficient, but for extended business trips or relocations, your employees will need more than just a bed to sleep in. When staying for weeks or even months, comfort becomes a crucial factor in maintaining productivity and morale. Hotel rooms, even those with added amenities like room service or a gym, can feel cramped and impersonal after a few days. There’s also the issue of constantly eating out, which can be both expensive and tiresome.
How serviced accommodation solves it: Serviced apartments provide the perfect balance between the comforts of home and the convenience of a hotel. Each apartment comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, so your team can prepare their own meals and enjoy the flexibility of eating when they want. The spacious living areas offer a comfortable space to relax and unwind after a long day of work, and having separate sleeping and living spaces makes it easier for employees to maintain a routine.
For longer stays, in-apartment laundry facilities are a huge plus, eliminating the need for costly hotel laundry services. All of this helps create a more homely, less restrictive environment, which can make a big difference for business travellers staying for extended periods.
5. Flexibility: What if travel plans change?
Corporate travel is often unpredictable. Meetings get rescheduled, trips get extended, or sometimes, plans change at the last minute. Hotels can be notoriously inflexible when it comes to these changes, with many charging hefty fees for last-minute cancellations or amendments to bookings. Hotels also tend to have back-to-back bookings, meaning they are unable to accommodate extensions. This can quickly drive up costs and cause unnecessary stress when plans don’t go as expected.
How serviced accommodation solves it: Serviced apartments offer far more flexibility than traditional hotels. Cancellation terms are made clear from the get-go, and bookers can get in touch with Situ to make changes to booking dates, check-in times, and extensions without punitive fees, especially useful if you’re booking longer-term. With serviced accommodation, you can book with confidence knowing that if plans change, you won’t be hit with unexpected fees or find yourself scrambling for last-minute alternatives.
Conclusion
Serviced accommodation ticks all the boxes when it comes to addressing the common concerns of corporate travel. Whether it’s the ideal location, reliable Wi-Fi, enhanced security, or the homely comfort needed for longer stays, serviced apartments provide a smart and flexible solution for business travellers. With the added advantage of more adaptable booking terms, you can ensure your team stays comfortable, productive, and stress-free, no matter how long their trip lasts.
Ready to make the switch? Get in touch today and discover how serviced accommodation can transform your corporate travel experience.