Home2 Suites by Hilton, the award-winning, all-suites extended stay brand, is celebrating one year since opening the doors to its first hotel, and introducing guests to its innovative “hip and humble” concept. Many guests have already made Home2 Suites their go-to home away from home, coming back every time they have to visit one the seven destinations across the United States where it has locations. The brand already has nine new hotels under construction and more than 70 in the works including Canada.
They have a lot of great features, including free breakfast, free wifi, in-room kitchen facilities, outdoor spaces, and more. My two favorite items are that it is pet-friendly (yay!) and has a number of sustainable features.
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Home2 Suites by Hilton opening, we are holding a contest. Hooray! The winner of this contest will get a three-night stay for two in the Home2 Suites by Hilton property of their choice, roundtrip airfare, and money for food. Wow!
Now you’re probably all asking, how can I win? It’s simple, as it usually is here on Road Warriorette. Simply leave a comment answering the following question: What is your best tip for someone going on their first extended business trip? We will draw a winner at random next week. Only one entry per person.
Since I am on my first extended business trip right now, this contest seems very appropriate for this week. I will post my best tip next week, once I have the experience to back it up!
For more first birthday fun, check out Home2 Suites by Hilton on Facebook and Twitter (@Home2Suites)!
Thanks for entering!!!
On your first extended business trip, take the opportunity to buy duplicates of the basic personal items you use on the road and at hope. That way you have one less thing to worry about when you travel next.
Don’t buy a lot of stuff in advanced because you might never use them which means you just wasted money. Always a good advice in general.
Chowhound is your best friend when you are trying to make the most of — or just find some comfort in — a new, unfamiliar place.
Make a packing list of essentials only and try to stick to it.
Take extra underwear!!!!!!!
Sneak in a nap or two when you can. You’ll be sharper than if you spend that time cramming/getting nervous for your meetings/plans.
Make sure someone is taking good care of your pets at home while you are away, and research what’s ard your hotel with online travel guides, and even Google Street View.
Be warm and friendly with the staff – you never know when the wifi might go out and you need to borrow the extra router from the office and it’s always nice when they are running low on one of your favorite breakfast items and they set some aside especially for you.
So many good ideas already!
Mine are: roll your clothes, take essential toiletries in your carry-on (unlike some, I don’t hesitate to check a bag on an extended business trip – I always fly in the day before & it’s worth it not to worry about stuffing a carry-on full…plus, my laptop is super heavy, so that’s enough of a carry-on for me), and understand your company’s travel policies FULLY before your trip. My company will pay for up to 2 checked bags on an extended business trip and will pay for a GPS on the car rental, but they do not want me to take the pre-paid gas option.
I made the mistake of charging meals to my company credit card on a trip just after my company changed to a per-diem system. It was much more complicated to reimburse the corporate card than it would have been to reimburse myself (2 steps instead of 1).
Keep large bottles of soap and shampoo in a bag at the hotel or office so that you don’t have to carry liquids with you every time you fly.
Find a place that is comfortable for you and don’t worry about everyone else’s opinions of standards of comfort and luxury.
When you get to wherever you’re going, unpack and make yourself at home. Find a food (and booze if you’re so inclined) and try to get into a routine.
Yoga pants and flip flops.
They take up next to no space, and let you change into something immediately upon getting back to your room that signifies to your brain “I am done for work and can chill out” while still being appropriate for walking around the hotel.
It’s incredibly easy to miss something and screw up your entire trip when you’re not used to it. After a while we all become “experts” to an extent, but for a first extended trip (business or pleasure) having some sort of tracking / planning app is a must.
Using tripit or something similar to keep track of reservations, hotel contact info, maps/directions, flight status, etc. is a must.
Memorize your room number! There’s nothing more embarrassing than not remembering, plus it just makes you feel off.
Also, wear comfortable shoes. Always.
Plan ahead. Plan your day clothes and night clothes for each day (if you have to or want to change for the evening). Plan for clothes you can wear more than once and can mix up with other pieces for a different look. Make a packing list that you can use every time of things you don’t want to forget, and then add your clothes in a 2nd list that are particular for that trip. Plan plan plan. Plan.
Get to know the hotel staff! You’ll have a better stay and they are locals who will have good tips for things to do during down time.
Make sure you tell your significant other or family members where you are going and what flights you are taking. This can be handy in case of emergencies.
Take one hand-washable outfit and a drain plug so that you can have backup meeting outfit in case extra meetings pop up.
If you are used to winding down with your favorites shows/sports or local TV I say invest in a Slingbox at home so you can maintain your wind-down routine.
One thing to consider , be sure to ask for what you`d like them to do for you, you maybe very surprised when you talk to the right person , the right way. For example after making your reservation at the hotel of your choice, ask to speak to the reservation manager, some hotels , call them the revenue manager, tell them you are on an extended stay for , business, a convention , or whatever reason you are staying, ask them politely if they can do anyhing to make your extended stay better.
I have gotten upgrades , free breakfast, concierge passes, and other things by doing this. Do not tell them what you want them to do for you , let them make that decision and you may be very pleaantly surprised
Remember to ask for the right person, not just a desk clerk. And a final word always be especially gracious and thankful, whatever the outcome
Great giveaway! I find that when I remember to pack one set of lounge clothes (for me, it’s my softest pj pants) and a good book, it helps me to unwind and unplug – definitely a necessity on a long trip.
Take the time and talk to the staff at the hotel. They can give you great insight on local shops and make all the difference for your extended stay.
Squeeze in exercise. You need some downtime/alone time when you’re spending a large percentage of your day working and networking.
Never forget to go out and explore, took too long for me to realize that and missed many great opportunities!
Get a room with a kitchenette so you are not reliant on restaurants for the entire trip.
Make a packing list and review it a few times to ensure you aren’t forgetting anything or over packing, bring comfortable clothes and shoes to relax when “off the clock”, and explore the area so you are not confined to the hotel.
bring non-iron dress shirts so you don’t have to worry about them if you wash them.
Get a room away from the elevators and ice machines
I would ensure a skype connection, some family photos so you can stay in touch with near and dear ones while you are away for an extended period.
Pack light! Don’t weigh yourself down with a ton of stuff you have to lug through airports and hotels. You can always buy what you need if you forget anything important.
I always try to make sure I Plan ahead of time so that I can see local sights. So bring a camera and schedule some time to take in the local scenery. If the business destination is not much too look at, then I would make sure to ask where the locals hang out and grab a local meal and make some
New friends. Have fun and don’t work too much!
Bring plenty of healthy snacks and emergen-C
Pack light but throw in one outfit you don’t think you need. You will end up wanting to use it to get out whether it is boots and sleeves for a hike or jacket and tie for the restaurant the folks passing through for 1 or 2 nights keep mentioning.
you get to cook your own meals!!!
Make sure you don’t come home to spoiled milk and moldy bread!
Great Promotion! Always unpack and not live out of your suitcase!
To relax, have something local/site seeing to learn about the area you are visiting. Bring more home with you than business as usual! ( no….don’t bring anything home that requires antibiotics lol )
Make sure you maintain a normal rhythm. It’s easy to get into a pattern of eating too much, sleeping too little, not getting any exercise.
Exercise, eat right. Also check out some of the sights. Even if it’s only a 1-2 hour vacation from business.
Find a place to stay that has lots of walkable amenities nearby.
Bring a small travel candle that reminds you of home that way you’re never far from home.
Cease & desist all eating at least two hours before lights out, and don’t leave home without white noise to dissolve all audible distractions.
At around the 3 week point, things will feel like you’re at home… your new home, that is.
For your first extended business trip, don’t go to Vegas! Vegas is great, and I am always looking forward to going, but I find that after about 3 days, I can’t wait to get out of there!
Always pack your swimsuit. You never know if you get out of a meeting early in time for a swim.
Pack light and enjoy the local culture.
Pack earplugs, a power outlet multiplier, and wrinkle remover spray. Thanks for the contest!
Bring your camera (or use your smart phone if you don’t) to take pictures of the places you visit – always make an effort to do more then just work.
White noise app is probably saved me more nights of bad sleep then I can count –
Make sure to pay attention to your hydration levels – flying, and conference centers and hotels are always really dry and it suprises me how fast it can sneak up –
If your company allows you to pay with your own credit card, make sure to bring all your various cards with specific spending categories to make use them!