USA | Business travel doesn't end when the workday does.
New research commissioned by Hyatt found that for 90 percent of business travellers, their hotel room was the only place they truly felt "off the clock" during a work trip.
Nearly half would rather spend free time relaxing alone in their room than attending optional networking events.
Some travellers also went to creative lengths to protect that time, including blocking fake meetings on their calendars or inventing excuses to skip optional work events, from caring for a pet anaconda to video calls with family. Although the tactics may be humorous, the motivation was relatable.
"Business travel has evolved and so have travellers' expectations. I travel frequently myself, and I know firsthand how much the little things can make a trip,” said Jason Ballard, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Leader, Essentials, Hyatt.
"From a thoughtfully designed guestroom and comfortable bed to reliable Wi-Fi and breakfast before early meetings, every detail matters. We want guests to spend less time worrying about the basics and more time feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes next."
Travellers expect comfortable, consistent accommodation that helps them recharge.
Nearly half of respondents said consistency across stays was one of the biggest indicators of a high-quality hotel, with 79 percent believing staying at a high-quality hotel directly improves their work performance.
When asked, respondents prioritised amenities that help them stay productive and well rested, including comfortable beds, reliable in-room Wi-Fi, 24-hour food options, and complimentary breakfast and early check-in.
Nearly three-quarters typically worked in their hotel room after the workday ends. This underscored the need for guestrooms that support both productivity and rest.
Most business travellers said hotel loyalty programs also influenced where they stayed when booking work travel, highlighting the importance of earning meaningful rewards while away.
These findings underscored the increasingly important role hotels play in supporting business travellers beyond providing a place to sleep.
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