Strive to make the dreaded box-o-bed a thing of the past!
It’s 8 pm. You’ve just flown across the country for work and you’re now standing in line behind a tour group… waiting to check in. After what seems like a lifetime, you finally get to check in and head to your room. The door swings open, you flip the lights on to find, yep, another box o’ bed. Two queen beds sit too uncomfortably close for anything other than jumping from bed to bed, the TV sits directly across, atop the dresser, as if to say there is nothing else to do, and a sad little desk is shoved into the corner, giving you the feeling that working there is akin to being punished by a displeased parent or teacher. And, for the next week, this is your “home” away from home?
We’ve all been there: the dreaded business travel hotel. As the leader in hybrid hospitality, we’ve heard lots of reasons why business travelers haven’t tried a vacation rental, alternative accommodation or business travel alternative.
- Reason #1 – It’s a vacation rental. Vacation rentals are for vacations.
- Reason #2 – My company won’t approve it for one reason of another.
- Reason #3 – Gotta get them loyalty points.
- Reason #4 – I’ve never heard of a vacation rentals, alternative accommodations or business travel alternatives.
Bottomline, the reason we probably stick with the dreaded business hotel is that we’re creatures of habit. But what if that habit kept us from enjoying that next business trip? Or at least where we stayed?
Call us what you will… vacation rental, alternative accommodation, the perfect business travel alternative, or just plain Alfred… How ever you describe us, Stay Alfred can destroy what you hate about business travel.
Benefit #1 – Get more than a room with a bed in it.
There’s no contest when you compare a cramped hotel room with a spacious vacation rental. According to USA Today, the average U.S. hotel room is 325 sq. ft. And that includes the bathroom. So how do vacation rentals stack up? That depends on the vacation rental, but let’s take for example Stay Alfred at The Office in Atlanta. Located in the heart of downtown, a one bedroom Stay Alfred at The Office is 721 sq. ft., has a separate living room and features an eat-in kitchen. We don’t know about you, but there’s something so nice about sinking into a comfy couch at the end of a long day of work… and you can’t do that in the standard hotel box o’bed.
Benefit #2 – Lifestyle amenities
You’re probably asking yourself, “What the heck are lifestyle amenities?” They’re the awesome extras that only a high-end, downtown apartment (ahem, Stay Alfred) can offer a business traveler. Need an example? While each of our buildings are unique, in most you’ll find amazing amenities like the outdoor, 7th-floor saltwater pool at Stay Alfred at 505 in Nashville or the full fitness center at Stay Alfred at Premier Lofts in Denver or the rooftop outdoor movie theater at Stay Alfred on Lake Street in Chicago. Just because you’re working doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself a little bit.
But it isn’t just about the building amenities. In your Stay Alfred, you’ll find all of the comforts of home… only better! At Stay Alfred at Moda in Seattle (and all other Stay Alfreds), get your healthy eating (and cooking) on with a full kitchen, because let’s face it, no one wants to eat at TGI Fridays four nights in a row. Obviously, no offense to TGI Fridays — their nachos are delicious. And, for those who want don’t want to have to cart around your entire closet, there’s a washer and dryer in your Alfred. Under packers and workout fanatics rejoice!
There’s a reason why websites like airbnb keep popping up. Travelers want more from their stays.
Benefit #3 – Designated Space
Your traveling for work, but you’re not alone. Bob from accounting is with you on the trip. And, while Bob is a great guy, the idea of going over this month’s financials with him while sitting on your bed in your hotel room is pretty unappealing. We get you. While we definitely have a few studios (we prefer compact powerhouses of urban, high-end living) to offer our guests, most Stay Alfreds have separate living and dining spaces, which means that your bed is in a bedroom, away from all the hustle and bustle of the work day. And some of our buildings, like Stay Alfred on Pine Street, offer even more, with a dedicated conference room that guests can reserve. That’s right! Separation of work and sleep!
But what about some of your original reasons for why you haven’t tried a vacation rental or alternative accommodation before? Let’s hit them head on…
Reason #1 – It’s a vacation rental. Vacation rentals are for vacations.
While the name might imply that, if a vacation rental is in the right location, who says it has to be for just vacations. That’s the hard thing about being a hospitality hybrid. You get put in a corner… and no one puts Stay Alfred in a corner. We’re the best of a boutique hotel AND a vacation rental.
Reason #2 – My company won’t approve it for one reason of another.
We know. There are a number of companies with websites like airbnb out there. But, do these companies have an entire department dedicated to business travelers? That’s right! We can’t speak for other business travel alternatives, but we have a dedicated sales team that supports our corporate clients. How, you might ask?
- VIT (Very Important Traveler) priority during high demand times
- Complimentary wifi and building amenities
- Discount rates for frequent travelers
- Book online with your corporate code
- Convenient online “My Alfred” account to manage travel details.
- 10% travel agent commission
Add to that our high-end buildings in the perfect walkable downtown locations and you’ll be asking yourself why would you ever want to stay at a “Howard Garden Inntel” at the airport ever again? Company need some convincing? Let us show them how we are the perfect alternative to airbnb.
Reason #3 – Gotta get them loyalty points.
You’re right. Most vacation rental companies don’t have loyalty programs. But, as we’ve pointed out, we aren’t just a vacation rental company. With Stay Alfreds across the nation and our own loyalty program launching in early 2018, you can totally get loyalty points when you stay with us. Where would your family rather stay on your vacation to San Diego? A hotel room where you all have to share a bedroom? Or a full two or three bedroom apartment? Make sure to check out all the cities where you can currently book a Stay Alfred. We’re constantly adding new cities and buildings, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date? It’s chock full of specials and deals.
Reason #4 – I’ve never heard of vacation rentals, alternative accommodations or business travel alternatives.
If you’re reading this, you have now!