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Whether you’re talking airport capsule hotels spinning off from a sushi chain or convenient budget hotels spinning off from an airline, the expansion of new chains of hotels across Europe is marching on.

For those familiar with the easyJet airline brand that flies no-frills across Europe, you might also already know the easyHotel brand, which serves a similar market: those who want a simple hotel choice, nothing fancy but conveniently located and with reasonable prices. easyHotel has just opened another hotel in Zurich, Switzerland. With a plan to have 60 hotels across Europe by 2010, we can expect to see more soon, including a new easyHotel at Heathrow Airport sometime in 2008.

Speaking of Heathrow Airport, a new Yotel has just opened up there. After the success of the Yotel Gatwick the chain is trying to expand faster, and their business model, where guests pay by the hour to stay in capsule-style rooms located inside airports, seems to be working. Like an easyHotel, a Yotel is not the high end of comfort, but the convenience is indisputable. And for travelers who have a few spare hours, it’s an ideal place for a rest and refresh. Yotels are also convenient for travelers with early morning departures, as you can stay at the airport the night before without paying a fortune.

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Business trips are a great opportunity to combine fun with business. Everyone knows how to have fun, but do you know how to milk that business trip for all it’s worth professionally?

• Consider your appearance: Traveling is generally not a high point for people aesthetically so you may need to think ahead. Most nice hotels offer laundry services, take advantage of their press and fold and get your business clothes in top shape. And make sure you’ve brought the right clothing. Always dress professionally–a crisp and clean appearance means a lot.
• Meet people before the event: If you can, touch base with several people before a conference or meeting. Email notes to the top presenters telling them that you’ll be attending the event and are looking forward to hearing them speak. If this isn’t appropriate, try to gladhand a bit before the meetings and make as many acquaintances as possible.
• Participate in the scheduled activities: It’s tempting to skip meetings and head out to the golf range, but unless you’re golfing with some of the top executives, you’re better off spending your time in the provided events, soaking up the information. You never know when it will come in handy or who you’ll meet.
• Send thank you emails to the presenters and follow up with any contacts you’ve made. This is how lasting friendships and business allies are made and kept. The trip ended but the business does not.

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You may want to print this out before you go.

1. Pre-book your seats, use the airline seating plan and pick what suits you.
2. Find out what type of equipment are you allowed to take on board the plane.
3. Take your laptop through as hand luggage.
4. Keep all of your documents in one place, like a folder or wallet.
5. Keep all electrical items in one bag.
6. Buy an Ethernet cable, not all hotels provide one and you may need to buy another.
7. Pack a USB flash drives for back up.
8. Just in case of battery run down, make sure you have paper and pens.
9. Carry some cash with you: Euros and dollars if you’re going overseas.
10. Never carry more than you are ever going need, essentials only.
11. Take water onto the plane with you.
12. Avoid alcohol as this can make you tired.
13. To get used to the time zone, when you arrive adjust to it ASAP.
14. Download Skype to communicate with the office and other contacts.
15. Consider buying a local or regional pay as go sim card.
16. Negotiate a fee for taxis in advance.
17. Work out route to places of interest, this avoids wasting time.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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What happens if you’ve done all you can to help prevent the airlines losing your luggage, but your bags still turn up missing? Here are some tips to get what you are entitled to as well as speed up the process of getting your luggage back to you.

Report the bag missing. As soon as your bag fails to show up on the baggage carousel, head over to the airline’s baggage office–usually located along the perimeter of the baggage claim area. If you don’t see it, ask one of the skycaps.

Exercise your rights.
Although, they often won’t advertise the fact, most airlines offer compensation for immediate needs, such as for a toiletry kit. Below are the stated policies of several major airlines. These are not etched in stone, however. Ask for more and you just might get it.

• American Airlines - $25 when you report your bag missing (one time only).
• Continental Airlines - Up to $50 after 24 hours; $25 per day after that, up to five days.
• United Airlines - Up to $50 after 24 hours (one time only).
• US Airways - $25 per day, up to five days, after 24 hours.

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According to the US Department of Transportation, approximately 98 percent of delayed luggage reaches its owner within a few hours. Still, over one million pieces of luggage were lost, delayed, or damaged in just May and June of 2007. If you’ve ever had your luggage lost en route, you know had it can disrupt your business trip or vacation. Here are some tips on avoiding having your luggage lost, even for a few hours:

1. Check Luggage Tags. When you check in, either at the counter or curbside, make sure that your luggage is tagged to the proper city. If you don’t show the three-letter code for the city to which you’re flying, you’ll find in on your paper ticket or your e-ticket confirmation.

2. Consider Atypical Luggage. If your suitcase looks like the others in a sea of black one-suiters, consider buying a bright red or even a brown case. That one act will greatly reduce the chances of someone taking your suitcase by mistake.

3. Label your Luggage Inside and Out. The airlines require you to label your luggage on the outside. Adding an additional label on the inside of the bag is a good idea, just in case the outer label gets torn off or removed. Use your office address if you don’t want your home address visible to strangers.

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If you’re a small business owner, travel expenses can be a heavy burden. Try the following tips to minimize costs.

• Fly for less. Purchase your tickets as far in advance as you can or switch to a low fare carrier.
• Sleep for less. Never pay the asking price for a hotel room. If you can’t find a deal on the internet, call the hotel directly and ask if they have any specials or if they’d be willing to give you a discount. If you don’t care what hotel you stay at, try one of those best-rate guarantees online and pick your own price.
• Drive for less. Always reserve the cheapest rental car available. Since these are generally the first cars to run out, the car rental agency will give you an upgrade at the inexpensive price.
• Eat for less. Find a local grocery store and pick up a few items for breakfast, snacks, and even lunches. This can add up to a huge savings.
• Look for freebies. Take advantage of as many free offers as possible. Complementary breakfasts, free shuttle rides, or entertainment; go crazy with the freebies.

The more you try to look for ways to save the more you’ll find super discounts. The real key is giving yourself the time to look for deals and to follow up on them. Try to avoid all last minute travel expenses as they’re usually the costliest.

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When you are traveling often, you need to stay looking good and feeling fresh. Successful Style & Image, a company that specializes in image building, has created men’s and women’s refresher kitspackaged with everything you need to always look terrific.

These refresher kits are practical to use on the plane, or in the car when traveling. Each kit comes in black vinyl bag and is small enough that it can be kept in your briefcase or carry-on bag.In the men’s bag, you will find lotion, lip balm, hand sanitizer, mints, toothpicks, a lint brush and several other key items. In the women’s refresher kit, hairspray, clear nail polish, a small brush, sewing kit, mirror and much more are included.

You can purchase the stocked refresher kits online at successfulstyle-image.com. The men’s kit is $13, while the women’s kit is $16.

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Doing business in Vietnam? Consider booking a room at the Sheraton Hanoi hotel, voted “Vietnam’s Leading Business Hotel” in the World Travel Awards for 2007. The hotel was also praised as a good location for holding conventions.

With it location on the shore of West Lake, the hotel offers guests a sense of tranquility unavailable on Hanoi’s busy streets. But it’s only 10 minutes from downtown.

For eating and drinking, there are several restaurants and bars. Members of the Sheraton Club can also have breakfast or a drink and snack in the Club Lounge. There’s a tennis court and a fully-equipped gym where you can unwind. Internet access is provided throughout the hotel - although there is still a charge to use it, unless you’re staying on the Club levels or in a suite. There is a desk and telephone connection in each room of any standard.

As a business traveler, the usual hustle and bustle of Vietnam can be quite exhausting, so finding a good home-away-from-home is vital to a successful trip.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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It’s estimated that women now constitute nearly half of all the business travelers in America.  Here are a few basic tips for women traveling alone on business.

Never tell anyone you are traveling alone: If you meet someone on the airplane, at the hotel or in a business meeting, never say you are traveling alone. If necessary, even lie and say you have other (male) business associates or your husband with you on the trip.

Look like your know where you are going: Criminals often prey on women who are lost or needassistance. Get directions ahead of time so you aren’t walking (or driving) around looking like you are lost. If you do actually get lost, stop for directions at a brightly lit, safe-looking restaurant or cafe rather than a dim-lit gas station.

Have someone from the hotel front desk walk with you: When you arrive at the hotel, ask someone from the staff to walk you to your room, and check inside before entering. Also have a person walk you to your car in the hotel parking lot at night.

Stay at a smaller hotel or inn: A bed and breakfast or boutique hotel may be a better option for women traveling alone. The hotel owners will know who is coming and going in the establishment and will notice if you have not shown up to breakfast or another activity.

Lock the windows and doors: When you are inside your hotel room, check to make sure the windows are locked. Bolt the door and do not open it unless you are expecting someone. Even then, look through the peep-hole to verify the identity of the visitor. Keep the curtains to your hotel room closed. When driving, be sure your car doors are locked and windows are rolled up.

Don’t leave a room service ticket on the outside of your hotel door: These forms indicate how many people are staying in the room. You do not want outsiders to know that you are staying alone.

Consider wearing a fake wedding ring: This could help to deter unwanted male attention. Register at the hotel as Mr. & Mrs. even though you don’t have anyone with you.

Check in often: Plan to call and check in with someone in your family or a business associate several times throughout the day and evening. This way everyone will be assured that you are safe.

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A new job with travel benefits sounds exciting at first, until that first trip rolls around. Suddenly business travel isn’t so exciting and fun, it becomes stressful and demanding. To make your business trips a little more predictable and easier there are a few packing tricks you can use to help you establish a comfortable routine.

First, make note of every product you use throughout the day. Contact lens solution, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. Then, go to the store and pick up small sample sizes of these products. Pack your travel supplies into a bag and put them inside of your luggage. Now, half your packing is already done. When you return from a trip, refill these sample bottles and repack them.

Next,  consider your wardrobe. What will you need to wear? Build a wardrobe around one neutral color, this way you’ll only need one or two pairs of shoes and fewer accessories. Try to keep your clothing in the same color family so you can mix and match and create several outfits with few pieces.

Finally, consider the job you’ll be doing. List your equipment and tools and pack whatever you can so you don’t forget something simple like a clipboard or a notebook at the last minute. If you’re going to need projectors, or video equipment delivered, call ahead to make your arrangements and then confirm the equipment as soon as you arrive.

These tips can ease the stress of business travel and help you get the most out of your trip.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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