There probably isn’t a CFO out there right now who doesn’t have “cut T&E” high on the Finance to-do list. Lodging is such a large portion of those totals, it’s a great candidate for smarter spending.
Hotels across the U.S. just got their report cards from Business Travel News (www.BTNonline.com). Its “2008 U.S. Hotel Chain Survey” can help you ID the best places for your road warriors to hang their hats. Here’s who fared the best.
If you go budget/economy class
You’re in good company if your organization is shifting to the most frugal of the lodging options. Many T&E policies are now mandating their people stay in this class of hotel.
It doesn’t have be a step above camping. Many of the lowest-tier chains are stepping up on the little things that can make a big difference to business travelers.
A few examples: Ramada now ensures Internet access in all its rooms and promises the daily paper will be in front of the door as soon as your road warrior opens it in the morning. And Days Inn is trying to keep you getting an earful about how that “cheap bed” wrecked his or her back by getting all new pillows.
But which economy class chains most deserve your company’s business?  Here are the top five, according to Business Travel News:
- Days Inn
- Econo Lodge
- Ramada Limited
- Red Roof Inn, and
- Motel 6
The winners in specific biz-critical categories:
Best Corporate Rate Programs: Ramada Limited
Overall Price-Value Relationship: Motel 6
Granted, employees won’t get a lot of glitz. But this group is doing a full push to get better with the basics: a clean, well-kept hotel room with a courteous and responsive staff.
If you go mid-range
Your organization has the most choices if your company encourages employees to stay at mid-range hotels. This is the fastest growing group in the hotel industry – and you can benefit from that.
With so many players, it’s critical you ID the best of the best for your company’s business. The Business Travel News survey can help you narrow the field. Here are the top five worth your attention (and perhaps your T&E dollars):
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Springhill by Marriott
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Hampton, and
- Fairfield Inn by Marriott
The winners in specific biz-critical categories:
Best Corporate Rate Programs: La Quinta Hotels
Overall Price-Value Relationship: Hilton Garden Inn and Springhill by Marriott (tie)
There’s a slew of reasons why this category is a good one for cost-conscious companies – some of them unexpected.
For one, these mid-price options aren’t just for the ‘burbs anymore. If you’re sending employees to major metropolitan areas you can still avail yourself of these choices. Hampton in particular is developing a more urban presence, with five new hotels opening in New York City this year and others in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Washington DC.
And you don’t have to be a corporate giant to be able to enjoy some sweet corporate rates. La Quinta, for example, while it has many Fortune 500 clients, also offers national discounts for the smaller companies, stressing its flexibility that some bigger chains can’t afford to have.
Bonus: You probably won’t get a lot of backlash about the condition of the accommodations – many chains have been pumping major money into building new hotels, rather than overhauling old properties.
If you allow upscale
Maybe your company lets some or all of your road warriors enjoy a little luxury on company business.
Doesn’t mean you don’t still want to get the best bang for your admittedly bigger buck. When determining which upscale chains are worth bestowing preferred supplier status upon, keep in mind these top five:
- JW Marriott Hotels
- Marriott Hotels and Resorts and W Hotels (tie), and
- Hyatt Hotels and Loews Hotels (tie)
The winners in specific biz-critical categories:
Best Corporate Rate Programs: JW Marriott Hotels
Overall Price-Value Relationship: JW Marriott Hotels
