Last-Minute Hotel Deals for Business Travelers in the UK
A digital nomad friend of mine was telling me recently that she booked a last-minute trip to London, and decided to just stay with a friend - she said it was easier than trying to navigate accommodation that caters to business travelers and nomads in the UK. However, there are a few tips you can keep in mind when booking accommodation for a business trip or longer-term stay during your nomadic lifestyle.
Especially when you have looming meetings and tight schedules, it is important to find a hotel that is comfortable, convenient, and in my personal preference - centrally-located! Here are a few tips and things to keep in mind when looking for a last-minute hotel deal.
How to Find Last-Minute Hotel Deals
If you are looking for last-minute hotel deals, knowing where to look makes all the difference. Many hotels will fill empty rooms by offering massive discounts to travelers who book late. These opportunities should be explored by those travelling for business by using dedicated hotel deal websites, using travel apps or subscribing to alerts from booking platforms. But it’s a quick process and with just a few clicks, you could have the right option pretty fast.
Be Flexible With Location and Star Rating
Reviews, reviews, reviews! Hearing from other people who have stayed at the property before is a crucial step before booking a place to stay in my opinion. For example, a traveler on vacation might not care if the Wi-Fi is slow as their itinerary is more focused on activities and exploring, whereas a digital nomad or business traveler will emphasize Wi-Fi being a top priority, along with other important travel aspects such as location and neighborhood.
To continue with the UK thread, major UK cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham often have several neighborhoods, which are all a short train or Uber/taxi ride away from the main business district or city center. If you look just outside the city center (using a map view can be helpful during your search), you may find top-rated accommodation for a fraction of the price.
Depending on the neighborhood, you might find a more livable, cool vibe compared to being in a more touristy part of town. (Just check the safety ratings first!)
Book at the Right Time
Booking last minute deals can also be a matter of timing. Rooms that are still available towards the end of the day tend to be cheaper in hotels. If you’re a digital nomad or business traveler and you don’t know what you’re doing until the day of, it could pay to wait until the afternoon or early evening to book.
This approach might seem risky but I’ve heard from some seasoned travelers (especially former backpackers!) who have found that the savings are substantial. This really could go either way, though, so if you can plan ahead, do it.
Consider Business-Travel-Friendly Hotels
Not all accommodations are the most nomad-friendly! Which makes sense, since there are a number of reasons someone may be staying at a hotel - it could be for tourism or fun, it could be to visit family, or it could be for business or longer-term nomadic travel.
When in doubt, finding a hotel that targets business travelers almost always means you will basically guarantee fast Wi-Fi, and potentially co-working spaces or rooms, with early morning breakfast options with coffee. For example, companies like Premier Inn, Ibis, and Holiday Inn normally offer competitive last minute rates, and still offer a decent experience to business travelers. I’ve stayed at Ibis in Germany, and while the room was small, it was set up well for business needs.
Utilize Loyalty Programs and Corporate Discounts
Personally, I use my miles and credit card points for flights, and almost always forget that I can apply these to hotels! Don’t forget the benefits of loyalty programs, and if you work for a company, see if they have any perks for corporate discounts.
If you’re booking at the last minute, sometimes being a member of a hotel’s loyalty program can unlock exclusive offers and perks, like free upgrades or late check out times. Some hotel chains also offer discounted rates to particular companies or industries. If your employer has partnerships with certain hotels, it’s definitely worth checking them out.
Explore Alternative Accommodation Options
Apart from standard hotels, last minute deals are also available on alternative platforms like Airbnb or co-living houses. Typically, these options allow more space and amenities such as kitchenettes or co-working areas, making them perfect for longer business trips or for someone who prefers a home feeling. I often stay in co-living apartments or houses when traveling as I know strong Wi-Fi is a top priority, and there is usually a social element that helps with meeting people.
Long story short: don’t stress! These few tricks above can be helpful for digital nomads and business travelers to make last minute hotel bookings.