Best Western: Open for business

According to a new survey of 1000 business travellers, commissioned by Best Western Great Britain, a quarter of workers enjoy getting away from the office and find business travel relaxing as it provides them with an escape from everyday life.

Respondents’ top guilty pleasures when away from home for work include, having time on their own, having a bed to themselves and not having to cook for themselves.

More than a third of those surveyed said access to leisure facilities was a key factor in their final decision when choosing accommodation. The survey also revealed that having an internet connection was more important than the overall cost of the stay.

Best western GB has taken on board this feedback from business travellers and invested in improving their conference spaces, providing better wifi and offering innovative added extras.

With it’s ‘Business Different Campaign’, Best Western GB is looking to not only identify itself as being a great option for business travel, but also hopes to convert those business travellers into leisure customers who return with their family.

Travel Daily spent the night in Best Western: The Yew Lodge in Kegworth, which is one of BW’s best performing hotels for business travel, to see their ‘Business Different’ campaign in action.

The Yew Lodge is an independently owned hotel, which has had around 8 million spent on renovations and improvements over the past eighteen years. The corporate wing is a result of this investment and is a real asset to the hotel. There are 17 meeting rooms of varying size, complete with all the latest AV equipment. These corporate spaces also come with unlimited tea and coffee included in the price.

Best Western was the first hotel brand to offer free wifi to guests, so it is no surprise that The Yew Lodge provides a fast, free wifi connection for more than one device, fulfilling one of the top priorities for business travellers.

The Yew Lodge also satisfies the demand by those surveyed, who identified access to leisure facilities as an important factor when choosing hotels for business travel. The hotel boasts the Reeds Health Club and Spa, access to which comes included for guests. Reeds has a pool, sauna, steam room, gym and an Elemis spa.

The hotel certainly performs when it comes to food as it has a Marco Pierre White restaurant, Marcos Italian. The restaurant serves elevated comfort food, perfect for any business traveller. However, you will not find the chefs too proud to make beans on toast for someone missing the comforts of home.

Aside from the high performing facilities, Best Western: The Yew Lodge sets itself apart from most corporate hotels with its staff and the attention they pay to every guest. Perhaps it is down to them and their personal touch that the conversion of corporate guests to returning leisure guests is so high at this particular hotel. Best Western GB has 260 privately owned hotels, this is what sets them apart from most corporate accommodation. They each have their own unique character and distinctive atmosphere, a far cry from the drab locations and bland bedrooms associated with business travel. Therefore, it is fair to say that Best Western really is doing ‘Business Different’.