How To Mix Work & Leisure on Your Business Trip

Looking to inject some leisure into your business trip? It can be challenging trying to squeeze in time for a vacation while preparing for meetings, but these handy tips will help you get the most out of your next work trip.

Start by planning your trip around your work and remember that that’s what you’re there for. Pick a hotel based on your work needs - this will include ballrooms or meeting rooms to conduct meetings in or simply to get some work done.

Look for a hotel with a business centre, just in case you need anything urgent printed. Last but not least: WIFI, the lifeline of any business traveller. Check if the hotel has complimentary high-speed internet connection all around the hotel, so you can have access to important documents on the fly.

If you make frequent business trips, it may be difficult for your family. Bring your family along so that they can explore somewhere new while you work, while also spending quality time with you when you’re not working.

Choosing the right hotel can make bringing your family along much less of a hassle than you’d expect. A child-friendly hotel with relevant amenities like pools and kids club can make your stay fuss-free: there are even hotels that offer child-care services.

Have no time to waste between meetings? Location is everything when it comes to making the most out of your business trip.

Choose a centrally located hotel that provides great accessibility to local attractions. Find out if your hotel provides local shuttle service or is close to transport links to help you make the most of your downtime.

If you feel that you’ve barely scratched the surface on exploring a new city, try extending your trip to travel without having to worry about meetings and work. If your return flight is covered by your company, find out about possible flexible options. Some hotels may offer discounts if you extend your stay with them for a few more nights. 

We don’t mean that you should overpack - in fact, remember to pack light. But you might want to pack two pieces of luggage: one for business and one for leisure.

If you're bringing along two separate pieces of luggage, remember to pack only the essentials. If you are planning to extend your trip or have a couple of free days off, you can send your work luggage back home ahead of you.

Choosing the right hotel is key. Look for a hotel that features business friendly amenities like meeting rooms and a business centre. This will help put your mind at ease while you work on what is important. But make sure you check what else the hotel has to offer. Many hotels now also have incredible onsite restaurants and bars, fitness centres, swimming pools, saunas, and even day spas.

Keep an eye out for hotels that offer express check-in and check-out for a seamless arrival and departure. And to top it all off, make sure your hotel is in a great location. That might mean in the centre of the city, in a great local neighbourhood, or in the airport precinct with convenient transport links.