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!!!
Think about how different items can be used for different things. A smartphone can be a phone, skype device, camera, media player, note taker and more. This cuts down on other electronic equipment and related chargers. A business shirt with the right cut, style and colour can double as smart casual for informal after-work functions with clients.
Keep charging cables separately in plastic bags so that they are both easy to find and not tangled with each other. Noise cancelling headphones are a godsend on airplanes, buses and in hotel rooms with thin walls.
Pack the night before so that you can do a last minute check the day/morning of your flight. If this is your first trip, don’t wait until the last minute to pack as it will be much more likely you may end up rushed and then have to spend more on the trip replacing basics. This isn’t to say you should overpack and bring the kistchen sink, but instead to give yourself time to think your packing through.
Best wishes!
Get out of the hotel and explore the area.
I bring a small container of essential oil – lavender. Freshens up a smelly rental car and stale hotel room. I put a drop on my pillow and feel right at home.
If you’re not already staying in a suite or hotel room with a kitchenette, ask your hotel to put an empty mini-fridge in your room. (There may be a small per-day extra charge, but IMHO, it’s completely worth it.) That way, you can keep fizzy water, fresh juice, milk, string cheese, yogurt, fruit and other snacks in your room. Bring along a bowl and utensils (or ask to keep a set from room service) and you’ll then also be able to have cereal/granola as a healthy substitute meal or pick-me-up.
Earplugs!!!
Bring an extra pair of sunglasses. You are bound to break or loose the first pair over a long trip and even if you are in a cloudy area like Seattle, the sun is bound to appear when you are without them.
My tip would be watch what you eat, on a business trip It’s easy to eat junk because it’s quick and convinient. Try and get some exercise in the hotel gym if they offer it and take advantage of any free breakfast if offered.
Make sure to have decent luggage! Nothing worse than broken wheels/handles/etc while running around at the airport!
Use Skype video calls to connect with family and friends while you’re away.
bring your swim suit, a hungery stomch, workout clothes, and be ready to be treated, like a king or queen
Join HHonors (earn the points to stay again) and stay in a Home2 Suites by Hilton or a Homewood .. having a seperate place to relax out of the bedroom and a kitchen to make some of your own meals helps keep the pounds and the stress of being away from home away. Free wifi & having a cooked breakfast is a must and I bring a picture of the family that is attached to my alarm clock. It has a voice recording of the kids saying they love me.
Hydration is KEY!!! When you’re on multiple plane rides, you lose lots of whatever without realizing it, and if you “hit the ground running,” then it’s very easy to get dehydrated. You’ll end up tired, cranky, and looking like death.
Don’t forget your electronics chargers.
Make sure you book a hotel (like Home2 Suites) that has laundry facilities. Alternatively, it’s nice to book a hotel that will press your clothes when you arrive and has reasonable (it’s all relative) prices for laundry/dry cleaning. That way, you can travel light with carry-on baggage which is essential if you’re making multiple stops rather than plopping down somewhere for a long time. Also, many hotels (particularly ex-US) won’t have irons and ironing boards in the rooms but if you call the front desk, they’ll happily bring one to your room to use.
a framed photograph of your family
Find a local carry-out or grocery store and buy some ready/healthy food for snacks and meals so you can cut the costs and the calories which inevitably come with business dinners.
Pack light. After packing my bags, and right before leaving home, I open them again and take out one or two extra items of clothing and leave them home. It makes traveling a lot more comfortable, and so far I haven’t needed the clothes that I left behind!
Just relax and take care of yourself for awhile so you can take better care of your family later.
Bring clothes that all can match one (or two) set of shoes. It’s easier with men’s suits, but the concept is still the same. I was able to pack just a carry-on for 2 weeks in London bringing two pairs of shoes (black and brown)…and if possible, find the nearest dry-cleaner to get clothes washed cheaply or, if you can expense it, have the hotel wash your clothes. Doesn’t take up much time and allows you to bring less (I guess that is 2 tips).
Check out the sales tax where you are going. In my case, it was Alaska & there was ZERO, yes, ZERO sales tax there & I was able to buy a new iPad for about $100 cheaper than my home state! So any big purchases or even smaller items you might have wanted to buy, you can save a lot of money by bringing your credit cards with you & purchasing the items at the “work” location…..
Pack light! Carry-on only.
Make some friends at the hotel and have drinks!
Pack moist / flushable baby wipes. Life saver!
Pack a real bar of soap, and a fork, knife and spoon. Some extended stay chains are now going with cheesy plastic utensils.
instant noodle between restaurant meals
Remember to allow yourself time to enjoy the many amenities that your hotel may offer!
awesome contest! Keep luggage to a carry on by stuffing your workout shoes with socks. Don’t pack any toiletries including toothbrush as hotels usually have them for you. Get the amex platinum credit card! their concierge is great!
Don’t forget to bring your chargers!! If you do, ask the front desk if they have any extras!
Pack plenty of Underwear and socks
Before I go, I try to find out what’s the best local beer that I can’t find at home. Then when I’m there I can ask people where’s the best place to grab a pint of that beer. Not only am I guaranteed a great beer but it’s a good way to find cool bars and restaurants.
Take a small pack of baby wipes. Keep clean!
Pack an extra pair of shoes and check and recheck that you have all of your essential documents and paperwork, in duplicate.
Find a local dry cleaners that will deliver to the hotel.
Make sure you look up things to do on the weekends and check the internet for suggestions!
Bring clothes that all can match one (or two) set of shoes. It’s easier with men’s suits, but the concept is still the same. Pack something that will make you think of home…a picture, a favorite stuffed animal or mascot, incense or a scented candle, whatever is portable and means home to you!
If the lobby desk has a fruit basket, take advantage of it! An apple snack will always leave you feeling better than getting something from the mini gift shop or nearby convenience store. And they’re free!
Take Lysol wipes to keep your hotel room clean so you aren’t sick
bring along a mini-medicine kit
bring less clothes than you think you need.
bring aquaphor for your nose and face. it prevents the drying out from the very dry air on the plane.
Pack light, carry on only. Don’t forget your earplugs, electronic plugs and make copies of all passports/i.d.’s just in case.
Pack a magicjack and cheap corded phone if you’re traveling internationally and call home for free.
Have an extra set of mini bottles of your toiletries in a permanent “travel bag” so you never have to remember to pack them! also if possible, have an extra set of all your chargers so you’re never left with just your laptop and 30 min of battery life
Check out Diners Drive-In’s and Dives website to see if one of their featured places is near where you’re staying and have a meal there. You should also bring your GPS from home and explore the area!
pack the same color shoes & belt
Get to know the staff at the property…they are the greatest ambassadors for a city you might not know well, and can tell you the best local places for cuisine…like BBQ!
Make sure you have your charges for all your devices and maybe bring and extra travel surge block for additional outlets.
get a kindle!!