No matter how pervasive conference calls and web meetings have become, sometimes there’s just no substitute for being there in person. But before you fasten your seat belts, business travelers, don’t forget that every dollar spent will be scrutinized by management, clients, et al. So, how do you ensure you’re getting the best bang for your business-travel buck without sacrificing the high level of service you need while traveling and working? Your best bet is to check with the experts: your fellow business travelers. You know you can rely on your peers because their war stories are just like yours. Do any of these sound familiar? You can probably add quite a few of your own!

  • Checked in at 2 am after a 14-hour, weather-delayed trip—no problem with your reservation, and the night manager got you a sandwich even though everything was closed
  • Closing a big deal and needed to see four newspapers first thing in the morning—they were at your door, including the Financial Times
  • Working late in your room and delighted to find three eye-level outlets right above the comfortably sized desk
  • Arrived late and needed a haircut—the concierge found you several open barbers right away
  • Stayed at a hotel that recalled from your last stay that you didn’t care for the evening snacks they provided but instead would really appreciate fruit and wine
  • Dirtied your only shoes in bad weather the night before a big meeting, and the hotel revitalized them overnight

So, now that we have your attention, let’s focus on what your brother and sister road warriors recommend in recent business traveler surveys by Conde Nast and Business Travel News.

Conde Nast readers rate these hotels as the best for business travel:

  • Auberge Resorts
  • Montage Hotels & Resorts
  • Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
  • Peninsula Hotels
  • Four Seasons
  • Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
  • Trump Hotel Collection
  • Ritz-Carlton
  • St. Regis
  • Mandarin Oriental
  • Raffles Hotels & Resorts
  • Wynn Resorts
  • One&Only
  • Shangri-La
  • Regent

A recent survey by Business Travel News ranks the business traveler’s choice hotels by category. Top ratings were earned for appearance, staff, business centers, business and in-room amenities, and price/value comparison. 

Luxury
St. Regis 
Ritz-Carlton 
Waldorf Astoria 
Four Seasons 
Fairmont   

Upper Upscale 
W 
JW Marriott 
Hyatt 
Renaissance 
Westin 
Hilton 
Marriott 
Omni 
Sheraton   

Upscale 
Embassy Suites 
Doubletree 
Crowne Plaza 
Wyndham 
Radisson   

Mid-price 
Hampton Inn 
Holiday Inn Express 
Holiday Inn 
La Quinta 
Fairfield Inn 
Best Western 
Comfort Inn 
Country Inn & Suites   

Select Service 
Hyatt Place 
Hilton Garden Inn 
Courtyard by Marriott 
Four Points by Sheraton 
Springhill Suites  

Don’t compromise! When you’re traveling for business, the hotel will be where you live, work, meet with clients, and even finish up your expense reports. A hotel that enables you to accomplish all of this comfortably and efficiently is worth the price to you, your company and your clients. That’s value!

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