Business travellers to the UK are increasingly opting for the atmosphere of a homestay accommodation rather than try and find an affordable room at a hotel or a serviced apartment. The costs of staying in London and other major cities, such as Manchester, Brighton, Oxford and Cambridge continue to rise while often, young and aspiring business people are likely to be on a tight budget.
A few select Host providers offer options, such as a superior accommodation or an executive accommodation, aimed at international students, work placements, interns or business visitors who need a fixed, residential base. In 2014, almost a quarter (24 per cent) of UK visitors were on business and the number of visits to the UK from overseas residents rose for the fourth consecutive year by 5.2 per cent – from 32.7 million in 2013 to 34.4 million in 2014, according to the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey, May 2015.
The success of a homestay solution for international students in the UK, where the accommodation standards of Host providers need to be approved by organisations, such as the British Council, has also proven to be attractive and affordable to the needs of a business visitor on a longer term stay.
“Personalised” experience
Business travellers, especially among the newer generations of entrepreneurs who opt to share accommodation on a Host scheme gain more than just the immediate benefits of the significantly lower cost of a hotel or the traditional serviced apartment on a long term stay. There is also the more ‘personalised’ cultural experience. There can be no doubt that a few seconds of conversation with your Host can provide the crucial, localised information you need or insight that searching online might simply not provide.
While it’s true that serviced apartments have become popular alternatives to hotels in recent years, their usually high standard, hotel-style service is often considerably more expensive compared to a homestay accommodation, despite a similar range of facilities offered. For example, a family hosted executive accommodation can, in many cases, also offer a private bathroom, private lounge and kitchen.
Not all serviced apartments provide the same level of service, such as prepared meals. A hosted homestay does offer options on meal plans, ranging from Full Board, Bed and Breakfast or Bed, Breakfast and Evening Meal (Half Board) to a Self-Catering option for the evening meal. Very handy for late night working!
Quicker and easier access to local transport
Further key advantages for busy business people is the quicker and easier access to local transport and once again, compares favourably to private rented rooms or serviced apartments, which are often at a premium rate because they are located close to main transport service links to a city centre.
Superior or executive accommodation are usually just minutes from most local and central rail and bus services, such as Zone 1 or 2 on the London Underground. It could mean precious time is saved on the daily commute and delegates can better schedule their appointments, meetings and conferences.
Of course, in the final days to Christmas, there is likely to be office celebrations or the last networking parties, shoehorned into last minute work deadlines. Not to mention, the likelihood of much hustle and bustle in a Hosts household in the run up to the big day itself as the decorations go up and the mince pies appear in the kitchen. Visiting delegates, business executives and international executives alike, might find this to be the ideal seasonal recreation for unwinding at the end of the working day…