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!!!
Make sure you have all you charging cord needs packed and have your own adapter if going overseas. Pre-plan a short small group guided tour of the area toward the beginning of the trip – it will give you a good overview of what is available in the area without having to do much research. Use a travel agent!
Pack healthy snacks and a collapsible water bottle to fill after security and pictures of loved ones.
Make extra copies of all your travel documents, so the lost of one set doesn’t delay the trip. And in foreign countries, even friendly ones, hand over copies when requested for documents including passport and IDs instead of handing over the real thing. Unless they stay in the same room with you, I would not let personal ID out of my sight.
Make use of the free Regus Businessworld status likely offered by your frequent flyer programs. You get unlimited access to business lounges/centers pretty much everywhere in the world.
A portable wireless router is a must pack so you can stay in touch without being tethered to a wire.
My tip: Remember the three Rs. Something to read, things to help you record stuff, and something to help you rest. I have been a low tech person. So, these have meant a paperback that I can finish and leave; a camera, journal, and even a mini-tape recorder; and a machine that makes white noise. Now, it appears my new iPad will be all I need.
Sleeping well is important. Take eye shades, ear plugs and Benadryl. You should sleep better than a baby.
Take the time to go to a museum or historical site or see something unique and interesting in each place. You might not be back and there is something everywhere if you only remember to look. Enriching experiences last.
Bring something that reminds of home and makes you feel relaxed and happy. Your own pillow, or a favorite afghan/blanket, a certain scent or a photo are ones that I know of….
What an amazing contest! My tip is: If at all possible, stay somewhere with a kitchen. Something about being able to go to the grocery store and pick up comfort foods that I’d eat at home makes me feel more relaxed.
Own pillows and blankets are a must! And bring some items that remind you of home, so that you are home away from home!
Use a discount site like Yipit or Groupon to find restaurants, events and activities you can take part in while away. Offers from these sites are a great way to get to know a new place and have some fun while keeping to a budget!
A hanging shoe organizer that will velcro over the bar in the closet is an invaluable tool for me. Everything that needs a place can slide in here, helps keep everything organized and accessible.
http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/12/22/12227061.jpg
Always print your flight, hotel reservations etc. and file them together in a clear envelope. You never know when your Smartphone / laptop will stop working and you need to check your details quickly.
Always pack tea tree oil. Great to put under your noise to keep germs at bay, but diluted it can be used to gargle and it works for minor cuts and scrapes.
Before you go, designate a spot where you can put all the receipts and boarding passes you’ll need for your expense report. I always seem to come up one boarding pass short if I don’t do this! Also, be sure to have cabbies fill out the receipts for you (or do it yourself as soon as you can, to avoid forgetting the total). If I don’t do this, I find myself low-balling because I don’t want to overestimate either.
Save time and effort by buying no-iron shirts. ‘Steam’ your shirts as soon as you check into the hotel or before you go to bed by hanging them in the bathroom while running a hot shower for 10 minutes.
1. If there’s a grocery nearby buy some fresh fruit, even if only apples, and yogurt. If you don’t have a mini fridge you can keep a day’s supply in your ice bucket. At least you can start the day with a light, healthy meal even if you have to eat out a lot.
2. Try to put yourself on your new timezone immediately. Get a regular night’s sleep.
3. Bring your own good quality bath soap from home.
Bring some personal stuff to remind of you home and the people you are working hard to provide for. It will motivate you beyond belief:)!
Tuck a baggie containing wet wipes into your purse. Often times a lifesaver.
Comfy socks, granola bars, and a good pillow.
Get into a workout routine at the hotel gym. You get stir crazy in those rooms for long periods of time.
Take a set of workout clothes and sneakers. You’ll have them if you decide to exercise, but they can also double as lounge clothes if you’re not feeling as active.
own pillow is important! you want the hotels to feel like home
Find a fun part of town away from work/hotel. Being out and about for just a bit can make your extended stay feel more like normal life.
Find out if there is a nearby farmer’s market. You can often grab some great items there – fruits and veggies, of course, but also homemade preserves, desserts, meats, cheeses, etc – that can be a pleasant change from the chain restaurants that often seem like the easiest alternative or a great way to add some variety to the free hotel breakfast.
Make sure you are staying somewhere centrally located near entertainment and has all the comforts of home. Since most people love traveling but nearing the end of the trip, they say: “I can’t wait to go home”. Research the hotel and find one that makes your home jealous, like Home 2.
Bring framed pictures of your loved ones and put them out in the hotel room once you arrive.
For long-term trips, bring a water bottle with a built-in filter. Hotel room water is poor quality and buying water bottles is expensive and wasteful.
Bring “home” with you – a pillow that you find most comfortable, some sort of reading material, a Netflix membership or local guide to your favorite channels, a soft blanket or squishy socks that make you feel homey. Check out local restaurants in advance and plan your meals so that you have something to look forward to. Most importantly, make time to communicate with those you love as you would at home! Make use of Skype, Facebook, texting, and unlimited nationwide calling plans. 🙂
Stick to a routine! If you work out at home, work out on the road. And: find a grocery store, or at least a drug store – too many restaurant meals is no fun.
I always pack a refillable water bottle on all trips short or long & fill up at airport water fountains &/or at the hotel. I also bring my own tea bags & light snacks!
Pack light and do little things for yourself like run! Best way to stay in shape while eating out every night.
Do not try to bring everything, keep to the essentials and pick up the rest when you are there.
As soon as you know you’re going to be going on a trip, start to make a list of the things you’ll want/need to have with you. If you make the list ahead of time, you won’t be scrambling to try to remember things at the last minute (which, if you’re like me, leads to forgetting things).
If you’ll be traveling on more extended trips in the future, you can adjust the list afterward (Did you really need that many pairs of socks? Would it be nice to have your kindle with you next time?) and save it for the next trip.
Make sure your electronics (ipad, ipod, etc.) are fully charged before you leave.
Don’t overpack! better to do (albeit overpriced) laundry than to haul too much stuff!
Always make sure you take something super comfy to change into “after hours”. And I take all my magazines that I’ve let pile up for such an occasion.
Check your list after you pack and make sure your list includes your computer and phone charger!
a lot of great tips.
I’m not sure if anyone mention it, I always take along on trips business or pleasure a power bar.
most of the the time in busy airports all available power outlets are taken, I would offer my bar and 5-6 more people have a power outlet including my self.
its also useful in hotels when you want to plug in several items instead having it spread out trough the room I use my power bar and plug in everything neatly in one place.
1. (Women only:) Don’t travel abroad while pregnant, or you could find yourself stuck on bed rest in a hotel where you know absolutely no one and have no idea when you’ll be cleared to go back home. *ahem* (Seriously. NOT WORTH IT.)
2. (Anyone:) If you’re in an interesting locale, pack an empty duffel bag in your suitcase. Then you have plenty of room for souvenirs and/or gifts.
For long trips – being able to wash your clothes is key. Make sure you have access to reliable laundry services (some places have several machines you can use). Also, make sure your room has an iron and ironing board (for guys especially).
I find no matter the destination, it’s always a good idea to dress in layers, especially with business. Inevitably your meetings are either overheated conference rooms because of cold weather outside or freezing conference rooms next to the balmy beach. Or your someone who likes to get a little activity in between all the meetings so you go for walks during the breaks which heat you up. So, layers!
Be organized about packing. Make a list of what you ABSOLUTELY need and stick to it. Remember that you can always acquire things at your destination if needed. No need to drag along more luggage than necessary!
Don’t worry about the small stuff. Things go wrong in travel. Roll with it. There’s a solution that’s probably nearly as good. And now you have a story and perhaps an adventure.
Go with the flow!
Your cell phone can be used for a lot more than just making calls and surfing the internet-I can’t tell you how many times taking a quick photo of something has made it easy to quickly find something later. Your boarding passes, your hotel room number, even which section of the parking lot at the airport or mall. And when the trip is over, you can easily delete any photos you don’t want to save.
Carry an empty nagelene water holder to always fill up and stay hydrated and if you can’t fit pair of sneakers into your luggage – bring a swimsuit for a great aerobic workout.
Don’t lose site of the comforts you;re used to at home; set up skype time with family, continue to work out, bring a book/ipad to solo meals, etc. also bring clothing that can be worn in multiple outfits, your employer will typically expense you for drycleaning as well.
Ask if the hotel has hypoallergenic rooms available. If you are prone to allergies and colds when travelling these can help cut down on issues. Hyatt and Marriott offer these types of rooms at no additional charge at many of their properties.