In this blog, we are going to explore cost-effective accommodation solutions for employees who have to work away from home. Saving money on accommodation depends on several factors and requires organisations to look at the whole picture, not just the price per night of individual rooms:
Size of the team
Duration of stay
Nature of the project
Facilities required
Ease of booking
Availability of corporate rates
Saving money on accommodation
B & B
Although a B & B may offer a cheaper and more personal experience for business travellers, the majority of rooms are small with a lack of privacy or communal space for meetings or briefings. They are therefore unsuitable for long-term stays because they don’t provide adequate space to separate work and leisure, so are not the best solution for contractor team accommodation or professionals on long-term projects.
Extras are not included, with few providing kitchenettes or allowing food to be consumed in rooms. So meals (apart from breakfast) need to be factored into the overall cost.
Hotels
The advantage of hotels is their location. Normally situated in city centres or near travel hubs, they have availability 365 days a year, often at short notice. However, these locations can be inconvenient for working outside the city centre so daily travel and meals are extras.
Hotels tend to be the most expensive option, especially for groups. Although many offer multiple booking discounts and corporate/business rates for weekdays, extra amenities such as office services, laundry facilities and meeting rooms incur an additional cost. It is therefore necessary to determine these costs and factor them into your budget before making a decision.
Airbnb
You can read more about this option in our blog ‘Why serviced accommodation is better than booking an Airbnb.’
Although Airbnb offers a broad range of locations, properties are predominantly marketed to leisure travellers based on profitable nightly or weekly lets and may not be available out of season. On paper, they do offer cost savings for contractor accommodation or business travellers, but the reality is that quality and facilities differ according to the host, and few are suited to complex business requirements.
Rental properties
When saving money on accommodation, it is worth considering rental properties, especially for long-term business stays. However, it is important to realise that the initial rental does not include all costs:
Properties may be unfurnished
An initial deposit is required
Bills are not included
Most require a minimum rental term
Cleaning is not available
Private landlords rarely offer corporate discounts/rates
These additional costs and the extra paperwork mean this option is not as cost-effective as it may first appear, and the extras add to the stress for employees working away from home. This is especially true if they have to cover expenses themselves and be reimbursed later.
Serviced accommodation
Serviced accommodation is very cost-effective for those working away from home. It offers easy, flexible booking, cost savings via corporate/business rates, centralised billing and in-built flexibility.
Furthermore, it provides a ‘home from home’ setting with dedicated workspaces and fast internet connection. Properties offer enough space for individual comfort and team bonding, with the separation of work and leisure time - essential for a healthy work/life balance and happy employees. These facilities can be difficult to achieve with other types of accommodation.
Project managers, contractors, construction teams and professionals can take advantage of amenities such as guest service teams and housekeeping, focusing on work without distractions and no extra bills or maintenance issues to worry about.
If you are looking to save money on accommodation, it is therefore important to look at the whole picture, not just the price of an individual room or property. The extra costs soon add up, and what can seem like a reasonable price, can soon escalate into an expensive stay.
At Arte Stays, we have more than ten years’ experience in providing serviced accommodation in east London for employees or contractors working away from home. If you are interested in saving money on accommodation, we offer all-inclusive bills and flexible contracts. All our properties have high speed internet connection and come with fresh bed linen, towels and toiletries. What’s more, we offer a personal greeter and a guest service team with dedicated housekeeping to take care of your employees. For more information, and to find out how you can save money on business accommodation, contact the Arte Stays team today to discuss your requirements.
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