9 unique hotel amenities that will make your next business trip so much better
Let's face it: Life on the road isn't as glamorous as it seems. Your friends may be jealous of you jetting off to big meetings and conferences all the time, but business travel can quickly take its toll on your physical and mental health.
Thankfully, hotels are stepping up to the plate, offering amenities that make it easier to maintain a healthful routine while traveling — and get down to business, too. Airlines are following suit: Take United's partnership with the Timeshifter app in late 2019, meant to help business travelers beat jet lag, for example.
Ready to travel even better? Check out these nine hotels and hotel brands with business travel amenities that make life on the road a little less painful.
Standing desks at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown (Phoenix, Arizona)
This isn't your grandma's Sheraton. Marriott has majorly overhauled the tired brand and the result is smart and sophisticated, with amenities galore for business travelers.
Among our favorites is the downtown Phoenix property, the first of many Sheratons to be rebranded. Its in-room hydraulic tables (packed with outlets and USB ports) convert to standing desks, but work equally as well for room service. The hotel also offers long lobby tables with locking drawers to stash laptops and other gear (handy if you have to run out but don't want to move all your stuff while working). Also look for creative studios off the lobby that can be rented by the hour through the Bonvoy app for calls and meetings.
Bluetooth-enabled bathroom mirrors at Cambria Hotels
Cambria hotels are known for integrating local design touches from every city in which they're located, so they don't feel as corporate as a typical business hotel. One of the most clever standard amenities, though, is Bluetooth speakers embedded in the bathroom mirrors of all guest rooms, allowing you to personalize your routine on the road. Prepping for a big meeting or heading to a client dinner? You can brush up on the latest news, listen to a podcast or get pumped up with your favorite tunes while getting ready, with higher-quality sound than your phone speakers.
A private presentation theater at The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina (Charleston, South Carolina)
For a beach hotel, this 92-room property is pretty dang serious about business. We love the spacious guest rooms and wide desks that provide ample space for working. But the unique feature here is a 33-seat private theater (complete with recliners and surround sound) on the main level that can be used for small-business presentations. It's popular with groups and meetings, but individuals can also take advantage of the space to practice presentations when it's not in use.
Same-day clothing delivery at the Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel (New York City)
Need a wardrobe refresh on the road, or forgot a crucial part of your outfit at home? Thanks to Gild Hall's partnership with clothing company UNTUCKit, you can get free same-day delivery from the store's Brookfield Place location (and 20 percent off your purchase) when you're staying at the hotel. You've probably seen this brand's ads for menswear all over in-flight magazines, but UNTUCKit also has women's clothing, from classic no-iron button-downs to silk tops and flattering shirtdresses.
In-room Peloton bikes at the Austin Proper Hotel (Austin, Texas)
Business travelers staying at the recently opened, 244-room Austin Proper Hotel can request a Peloton to be delivered directly to their guest room — meaning you can squeeze in a quick spin between meetings or conference calls without leaving your room. If you need a change of scenery (and have the time to sneak away), the hotel's wellness center is impressive, too, with fancy Woodway treadmills, stair climbers, water rowers, Pilates reformers and more Pelotons.
Guest rooms with full fitness capabilities at Hilton Hotels
It might seem weird to sweat in the same space as you sleep, but Hilton's Five Feet to Fitness rooms help you get over it. These are a new type of larger guest room that includes everything you need to get in a full-body workout without straying far from your laptop: Think TRX ropes, sliding disks, yoga mats, weighted balls and more, plus an electronic kiosk with 200 exercise tutorials and 25 classes. Really, you have no excuse to not work out if you're staying in these rooms — a smart way to keep up your fitness routine on the road.
In-room Glam Squad services at the InterContinental New York Barclay (New York City)
Bloomingdale's is literally on speed dial on the guest room phones at this Lower Manhattan hotel — and it will deliver any purchase of $300 or more to your room for free if you're staying at the hotel (plus, guests get 15 percent off purchases). You can also ring NOMI Beauty to call up an on-demand, in-room Glam Squad, who can handle everything from blowouts and updos to makeup application so you look perfect for that big conference gala.
A full board room suite at the InterContinental London Park Lane (London)
A far cry from this Tweet about a "Boardroom Suite" that went viral earlier this month, the new 3,600-square-foot Capital Suite at this London property is all about intelligent design. Ideal for travelers visiting the city on bleisure, the suite has two private en suite bedrooms complemented by interconnected living spaces, as well as its own boardroom, a fully equipped office and an additional meeting room. It's accessible via a private elevator and entrance, creating a blend of working and living space that feels like both your home and office away from home.
Personal butler service at The Spectator Hotel (Charleston, South Carolina)
As the only hotel in the city with personalized butler service, The Spectator is a dream for business travelers. Chat with your butler, who's individually assigned to you, to arrange anything your heart desires while away on business, from pressing suit jackets or dresses to shining shoes, coordinating transportation or even fetching a drink to ease your nerves about that presentation.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.