5 Things Smart Business Travelers Look For in a Hotel

Time is money, especially in business. This is why someone whose time is worth tens of thousands of dollars gets chauffeured around or travels by private plane. The perks and the convenience are just icing on top; the real benefit is the efficiency these allow. One doesn't have to waste time waiting around and can rest, review contracts, or do something similarly productive while traveling.

 

Are you an executive traveling to Abu Dhabi on business? Remember that your hotel choice is as important as your mode of travel. When screening the hotels in Abu Dhabi, find one that offers smooth logistics and reduces friction, thereby freeing your mind and time for more important things.

 

Here are five things to look for in a hotel on your next business trip:

 

1.    Location, Location, (Nuanced) Location

Location is always important when choosing a hotel. A generally good piece of advice is to choose a centrally located hotel. Note, however, that being centrally located is more nuanced than it initially appears.

 

Choose a hotel that's close to your meetings, field inspections, and other business activities. If you will be roaming the city during your stay, the ideal hotel is one that is 10 to 15 minutes away from every destination in your itinerary, even in heavy traffic.

 

For executives needing central access to embassies, government offices, or the business district, Dusit Thani Hotel Abu Dhabi sits in the perfect location. It's also often listed among the world's top business hotels.

 

Your mode of transport will also influence your hotel location requirements. If you're riding the metro, you need a hotel right by a metro station. If traveling by private car with a driver (especially if you don't have a packed schedule), you may be more flexible with your location and go outside the radius defined by your scheduled activities.

 

In this case (and if you're meeting clients, partners, and suppliers in Yas Island), you can stay in a Yas Island hotel like Hilton Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. It has a prime waterfront location, you're close to major corporate events, top restaurants, and major attractions, and it's only 10 minutes away from theme parks like Ferrari World  Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, which is great if you're mixing business with some downtime pleasure and especially if you're traveling with family.

 

2.    Connectivity: Excellent Wi-Fi Is Non-Negotiable

You must have lightning-speed internet connectivity. It's a non-negotiable requirement for anyone traveling on business. You need to check in with headquarters, your clients at home, and key persons around the world. Without excellent Wi-Fi, you will have to sit through many frustrating hours of meetings plagued with laggy video and audio.

 

You need excellent Wi-Fi in-room, too, not only in the lobby. The business hotel Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi provides complimentary in-room Wi-Fi to Marriott Bonvoy members.

 

At the very least, your hotel must have an always accessible business center with robust internet connectivity. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, for instance, has a 24-hour business center, so it doesn't matter what time zone your meeting is set for. You'll always be ready.

 

Wi-Fi security is also an absolute requirement. Access must be protected and data encrypted to ensure sensitive business information is not vulnerable to skimming.

 

3.    Room Setup: More Than Just a Bed

You're in Abu Dhabi for business. You know you'll need to spend time reviewing and annotating documents, sitting in on video calls, replying to emails, and doing all sorts of office work.

 

This is why you need a hotel room with a working area or space you can turn into your office. You require a proper desk, several power outlets placed in accessible locations, and a comfortable chair. There should also be plenty of natural light and a desk lamp to provide ample illumination.

 

What else do you need? Soundproofing, of course. You don't want the sound of laughter and conversation in the next room to bleed into your phone calls or disturb your much-needed sleep. You also want an iron and an ironing board to get the wrinkles out of your shirt. You must look sharp for meetings.

 

If you're staying in Yas Island, DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences provides more than just a bed but an entire apartment. The studios are spacious enough, but the one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are highly recommended. Work anywhere, like near the windows where there's lots of natural light. Wash your own clothes and iron them. The soundproofing is superb, too, so you know you'll be well-rested and wide awake for those negotiations and presentations.

 

Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi on Sheikh Khalifa Street is another option if you need to stay closer to downtown.

 

4.    Business Facilities On-Site

Consider hotels that have the facilities that enable easier and better business dealings. First, the hotel must have meeting rooms (particularly boardrooms) that you can book last minute.

 

Ideally, the hotel will also have a quiet lounge that serves coffee and light bites for casual and exploratory meetings.

 

How about printing and scanning services? Definitely a requirement for when you need a document ready and on hand. Additionally, look for a hotel with a business center, particularly one with a concierge skilled in making business arrangements.

 

Yas Island Rotana is a great venue for business events in Abu Dhabi. It has a fully functional business center and nine meeting rooms, which may be combined in various configurations to accommodate smaller functions and business receptions. You can rent a boardroom for 12 persons or a full-fledged ballroom to accommodate a guest list of 400 people.

 

5.    Loyalty Programs and Perks That Add Value

When traveling for business, prioritize brands with membership programs that reward frequent business travelers with the following value-added perks:

 

●       Early check-in

●       Late checkout

●       Complimentary room upgrades

●       Access to executive clubs and lounges where you can work in peace or hold informal meetings

 

Consider staying at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island if you're a Marriott Bonvoy program member. This will let you earn points that you may redeem as perks. If you love motorsports (not related to business, yes, but still a boon you might like), you'll appreciate that it's located by the Yas Marina Circuit, the racetrack used in the Abu Dhabi leg of the Formula 1™ races.

 

Choose Your Business Hotel Wisely

There you have it. Consider location, internet connectivity, room amenities, business-oriented facilities, and loyalty program availability the next time you need a hotel for a business trip in Abu Dhabi (or elsewhere). These factors will let you effectively and efficiently screen your hotel options, so you can stay in one that will provide you with the best business accommodation on your work trip.