Find The Perfect "Business-Friendly" Hotel

One of the biggest challenges for business travelers is finding hotels that offer the ideal guest room layout, as well as services and amenities that are truly designed for people who need to get work done in their hotel guest room.

What I've found is that many popular hotel chains that promote a business-friendly environment, or that offer special guest rooms designed for business travelers, have missed the mark and never bothered to ask business travelers what, in fact, they need within their guest room and from a hotel, to be productive.

Business-Friendly Hotel Checklist

As you're planning your next business trip, use the following checklist to help you find the best business-friendly hotel in order to insure your comfort and productivity, without having to overspend on extras:

• Free Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the hotel (including within the guest rooms) - Traditional (wired), high-speed Internet access in the guest rooms is fine too, but you should not be charged up to $20.00 per day for it. Look for hotels that offer free Internet access and free local calls. Or, find a hotel that offers a flat rate for unlimited Internet, local and long distance calls. If you travel for more than three or four days per month, seriously consider investing in a wireless Internet card for your laptop computer. (Contact AT&T Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc., and shop for the best wireless service plan that meets your needs). A wireless Internet card for your computer will insure you have high-speed Internet access virtually anywhere you travel within the U.S. (airports, hotels, on trains or buses, etc.).
• A good size desk and workspace with a comfortable chair.
• Ample lighting near the workspace.
• Multiple electrical outlets located near the desk. (Surprisingly, few hotels offer this). Many business travelers need to plug in their laptop computer, cell phone, PDA, iPod and other devices simultaneously. One quick fix is to travel with your own power strip. I have stayed at countless hotels that offer wired Internet service (with the cable attached to the desk), but the desk had no electrical outlets nearby, so guests could not plug in their laptop computer while it's connected to the Internet.
• Two phone lines.
• Free parking.
• Coffee machine in the room and/or a coffee shop (Starbucks) in the lobby.
• A business center that is open 24-hours-a-day, and that doesn't charge a fortune to use a printer, fax machine or copier.
• Complimentary daily newspaper.
• A concierge to offer restaurant suggestions and make your reservations, especially if you need to impress important business associates.
• Express check-in and check-out.
• 24-hour room service (since many business travelers prefer to dine in their guest room, as opposed to alone in a hotel's restaurant).
• A kiosk in the lobby or business center for airline travelers to check-in with their airline, obtain seat assignments, and print boarding passes 24 hours before a flight.
• In-room iron and on-site dry cleaning/laundry service (preferably that offers express service). It's common for a business traveler to unpack and find their business clothing has become too wrinkled to wear, or it somehow gets stained before an important meeting or presentation.
• The ability to earn and redeem airline frequent flier miles and hotel rewards for each stay.

If you can find an affordable business hotel offering some or all of these business services and amenities, your next business trip will be more productive, hassle-free and comfortable.

In terms of saving money when booking a business-friendly hotel, I strongly recommend using Hotels.com, Travelocity.com, Kayak.com, Orbitz.com or one of the other popular online travel sites. I am also a big fan of TravelZoo.com for finding travel discounts and special deals.

Make sure, however, that you understand the online service's hotel rating system. I have discovered that Priceline.com, for example, sometimes tends to over-rate some hotels it offers at a discount. For example, I booked what Priceline.com called a "four star" hotel in Los Angeles recently, but every other hotel rating service called it a "three star" hotel (and that was being generous).

Sometimes, visiting a hotel's website directly and looking for online specials, and/or utilizing a AAA or corporate discount will allow you to find the best possible rate for a hotel.

W Hotels Offers A New (Inexpensive) Alternative To Courtyard Marriotts

For many business and leisure travelers, Courtyard Marriott hotels have become known for offering excellent quality, clean and affordable accommodations in low-rise hotels that are typically found in suburban areas.

Meanwhile, in major cities, W Hotels have become known as ultra-trendy, high-end "boutique" hotels that offer ultra-modern decor, but for a price. What if these two concepts were combined? Well, they have been -- very successfully!

The folks at W Hotels are now attempting to compete head-on with Courtyard Marriott with the introduction of "aloft" Hotels. These new properties combine the affordability of a Courtyard Marriott with the boutique feel, ultra-modern decor and trendy atmosphere of the W Hotels. aloft Hotels, however, are found primarily in suburban locations.

There are currently 21 alof Hotels open throughout the U.S., including the one I visited in Plano, Texas. By the end of 2009, more than 70 aloft Hotels will be open. Compared to W Hotels, these are scaled-down and much more affordable accommodations designed to tap into all five of a guests senses. For example, the hotels have a signature scent which you'll smell in all public areas. There are also specialized music playlists that can be heard, while your eyes and sense of touch will experience the custom-designed, multi-textured furniture and decor.

aloft Hotels are all about attitude and will appeal to young business professionals and anyone who is stylish and trendy. The chain truly represents a new type of boutique lifestyle hotel. In addition to offering very affordable guest rooms (starting at $89.00 per night in Plano, Texas, for example), free WiFi Internet access is offered throughout each hotel.

If you're traveling with kids, there's the unique "Camp aloft" program, which features special kid-oriented bedding, games and activities within the guest room. If you're traveling with your dog, the "Arf" program offered at the aloft Hotels welcomes your canine friends and provides a bog bed, treats and other amenities - all at no extra charge.

Other great services and amenities you'll find at aloft Hotels include optional, totally automated check-in kiosks (if you don't want to deal with the friendly front desk staff), as well as a trendy lobby bar, lobby games (including a pool table), a "grab and go" snack shop (offering breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, etc.), a nicely equipped workout facility and a swimming pool.

Within the guest rooms, you'll find ultra-modern, somewhat minimalist decor in a well-lit room that contains a 42-inch LCD TV, Bliss spa amenities, an oversize shower, and plenty of electrical outlets to plug in all of your favorite gadgets.

The concept behind the aloft Hotels is in a word brilliant! I'm currently spending the week exploring Plano, Texas, and in future entries will include full details about other great hotels, plus descriptions of fun things to see and do in this area - for business travelers and vacationers alike. However, no matter where you're traveling, if you're looking for a totally new experience when it comes to affordable hotel accommodations, check out one of the new aloft Hotels properties. 

The aloft Hotel in Plano, Texas, for example, features a total of 136 guest rooms, including 87 rooms equipped with one king-size bed and 49 guest rooms with two queen-size beds. This hotel is located just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas (about 30 minutes from the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport). If you're headed to Dallas, but want to stay outside of the city, seriously consider the Plano, Texas area.

For more information about aloft Hotels, call (877) GO-ALOFT or visit www.alofthotels.com on the web.

Hyatt Better Caters to Business Travelers, While Marriott Offers Families A New Hotel Alternative

Business travelers will soon find their stays at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts more comfortable. In fact, when business travelers reserve the new Hyatt Business Plan accommodations at any of more than 190 participating hotels and resorts worldwide, they can expect a variety of new amenities included with their stay, such as:

* A full breakfast for one guest each day
* Free high-speed Internet access for one computer
* Bottle of water (replenished daily)
* Daily newspaper
* One pressed shirt or blouse (per room, per day, during business hours)
* Unlimited local, toll-free and long distance calls to the U.S. and Canada

In addition, between now and April 30, 2009, Hyatt Gold Passport members who stay eight nights will earn 20,000 bonus points redeemable for free nights at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts around the world.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts have always been a popular choice amongst frequent business travelers, but these new amenities and incentives will help make each stay more comfortable, affordable and productive.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call (800) 233-1234 or visit www.hyattbusinessplan.com.

Hyatt isn't the only hotel and resort chain taking steps to cater to a specific audience. For families traveling with kids and teens, for example, Marriott Vacation Club has begun making its timeshare vacation properties available for nightly or weekly stays to non-owners.

For about the price of a standard (typically small) three-star hotel room at or near any popular vacation destination, guests at any Marriott Vacation Club timeshare property will enjoy very spacious, two or three bedroom accommodations, a full kitchen, living room and multiple bathrooms. Most also offer in-room laundry facilities, plus access to all of the resort's services and amenities - swimming pools, tennis courts, spa, restaurants, golf, gym, etc.

I recently stayed at a Marriott Vacation Club property in Orlando for a week and found it to be extremely comfortable. The two bedroom accommodations were clean, modern, spacious, well-decorated and the location was very convenient to Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and International Drive. In fact, the property was located about a 1/4 mile from SeaWorld. 

In addition to the accommodations being top-notch, the resort also has a wide range of on-property activities, including a fully supervised activities program for kids and teens. All this is now available to non-owners, typically at very affordable rates (compared to a typical hotel).

Instead of staying in a small hotel room, any family should consider staying at a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare property (even if they're not an owner). In addition to offering affordable nightly or weekly rates, you'll have plenty of extra space and more privacy. For a family, just having two bathrooms and multiple televisions can relieve some stress. Plus, you can save money by utilizing the full kitchen to prepare breakfasts and lunches (instead of dining out). With the in-room laundry facilities, you can also pack less, which means you can travel with less luggage.

For additional information about booking nightly or weekly accommodations at any of the more than 49 Marriott Vacation Club properties, visit http://www.marriott.com or call (800) 845-5279. While you'll probably be invited to participate in a timeshare sales pitch as a nightly or weekly guest, you are not obligated to attend.

Business Traveler Tips For Attending Trade Shows

The following tips will help you maximize your time and efficiency when attending a trade show or convention:

* Pre-register for the event you'll be attending. This will allow you to avoid long registration lines at the start of the event.

* Don't forget to bring your registration papers and/or ID badge to the event.

* Make hotel accommodations early to get the best rates and ensure you're able to get the room configuration and hotel you desire.

* Pre-schedule your meetings and appointments. For each meeting, write down the scheduled time and date, the location, the name of the person you're meeting, their company and the purpose of the meeting.

* Allow ample time (at least five to 10 minutes) between meetings to walk between exhibit booths or meeting rooms. You can obtain and advance listing of trade show exhibitors by visiting the website operated by the company coordinating or hosting your event.

* Bring a durable backpack, shoulder bag or wheeled suitcase to store and carry around brochures, catalogs, swag, free-bees and other trade show materials that you collect.

* Wear comfortable shoes (be prepared for a lot of walking and standing around), plus a comfortable, business casual outfit that's appropriate for the event you'll be attending.

* Bring a stack of business cards and/or company literature to distribute at the event.

* Bring a pad of paper and pen to take notes during seminars and meetings.

* Utilize the coat check at the convention center to store heavy items that you don't want to lug around the convention show floor.

For more useful tips, check out the series of pocket-sized Entrepreneur Magazine's Business Traveler travel guides, which are available from Amazon.com, BN.com and bookstores everywhere. Editions, written by Jason R. Rich, are now available for New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Washington, DC and Las Vegas.

Choosing The Perfect Wine

(This excerpt was taken from The Business Traveler Guide to Washington D.C. from Entrepreneur Press.)

One challenge many business travelers face is choosing an appropriate wine selection to go nicely with entrees or desserts being ordered. Not only do you want to impress the people you're dining with (such as important clients), but you want to order quality wine that's within your budget.

Andy Myers is the sommelier at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington D.C. In addition to managing the hotel's massive wine collection, one of his responsibilities is to help guests dining at the hotel's restaurants choose the best wine to accompany their meals.

"Ideally, the restaurant has a sommelier. If they do, then ask for that person, give them a basic budget for the evening, a feeling for how much your guests are likely to drink, and a rough idea of what kind of wines you like--fruity, earthy, full-bodied, light, etc. That'll solve most of your problems as a good sommelier likes to have a clear, basic profile of the table, budget and drinking habits. Using this information, we love it when you trust us to make the experience great," said Myers.

If the restaurant you're dining at doesn't have a sommelier, Myers stated, "Assume that most people put away about half a bottle of wine during dinner. This will help when figuring out how much to order. Next, as you'll never please everyone at the table, go for wines that work with lots of flavors. I recommend Sauvignon Blancs, Dry Rieslings and Chenin Blancs for whites and Pinot Noirs and Rhone Varietals (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre) for reds."

Diners at upscale restaurants should know that even if a sommelier is not available, most restaurants train their wait staff on how to assist guests in choosing appropriate wines. "Review the wine list to gather some ideas and then ask your server or manager what they think," added Meyers.

It's important to understand that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing wines. "Very basically speaking, with beef, go with big, chewy, tannic Cabernets. Go to California if you like fruit, and to Bordeaux if you want really dry. When ordering chicken, go with whatever wine you want, such as a white Burgundy, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, or Oregon Pinot Noir. Everything goes with chicken, as it has a little flavor of its own to get in the way. Pairing wine with fish and seafood dishes is a bit tougher. For white wines, go with quirky Italian wines, such as Vermentino, Vernaccia, Falanghina or Orvieto," explained Myers.

Since you might not want to admit to the people you're dining with that you know little about wine, Myers recommends pulling your server or the restaurant's sommelier aside to have an open and honest conversation about your wine needs, taste and budget. "Ask for their help and utilize their recommendations to ensure the best dining experience possible."

Welcome!!!

Greetings! I'm Jason Rich - the bestselling author of more than 35 books, including a series of travel guides published by Entrepreneur Press, called Entrepreneur Magazine's Business Traveler. This is a new series of city-specific, pocket-sized travel guides targeted to business travelers and convention goers.

The New York, Las Vegas and Washington, DC editions are now available from bookstores and airport shops nationwide. Watch for the release of the Los Angeles, Orlando and Chicago guides in late-2007. Additional guides will be released in 2008.

I also write regularly published travel-related articles for the New York Daily News newspaper. To read a sampling of these articles, point your browser to http://www.jasonrich.com/DailyNews.htm.

This new blog will focus on my travels and offer money saving tips and travel planning strategies designed to help you save time and money, while planning the very best trip possible, whether it's for business or pleasure. In recent weeks, I have traveled to Peru, Granada and Colorado Springs. Shortly, I will be posting details about these amazing trips and offer my advice on where to go and what to see when visiting these destinations.

Over the next few weeks, I'm also headed to Niagra Falls, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas and Orlando, so watch for travel tips to these destinations as well. In the meantime, if you want to see photos from my travels, please visit www.JasonRichPhotography.com. As always, you can learn more about my books by visiting www.JasonRich.com.

Have a travel-related question? Don't hesitate to email me at jason@jasonrich.com.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back here regularly for new travel-related information and advice.

-- Jason

P.S. The above photo was taken in Granada at the famous Concord Waterfall. I'm here in Grenada for a few days, which is one of the nicest places in the entire Caribbean! It's well worth visiting. More on this trip will be posted shortly.