The Canadian Business Traveller's Survival Guide

Hotels.com helps those travelling for work with a list of the most business-friendly destinations

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - At one point or another, most of us will have to travel for work-related purposes. Many of us already do and, for a few, the movie 'Up in the Air' isn't too far from reality. While it's nice to get away from our desks for a bit, the process of travelling can be exhausting. With this in mind, Hotels.com® used its Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™) to put together a list of the most business-friendly Canadian destinations to help ease the pains of your next work trip.

1. Vancouver, British Columbia: The third most popular domestic destination for Canadians according to the HPI, with an average daily hotel rate of $144 CDN.

Airport: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

    --  This airport has won accolades for its views, food and
        amenities which include a 114,000-litre aquarium. It was
        crowned "Canada's Best Airport" by Flightnetwork.com and
        previously won "Best North American Airport" at the Skytrax
        World Airport Awards. Business features include free Wi-Fi, a
        business lounge and full postal service.

Hotel Recommendations:
    --  The Delta Vancouver Airport
        has all you need including free Wi-Fi, free airport shuttle,
        24-hour business centre and valet parking. It has an in-house
        restaurant, Pier 73, which offers cuisine to please all tastes
        - perfect for client entertaining - and is less than one
        kilometer from the airport.
    --  Now if that hotel is all booked, check out
        The Fairmont Vancouver Airport,
        also a stone's throw from the airport, which includes a 24-hour
        business centre, valet parking, event space and in-house
        restaurant,
        Globe@YVR,
        which features Pacific Northwest cuisine from the region and a
        day spa with treatments to reduce jet-lag.

2. Toronto, Ontario: The HPI ranks this as the most popular domestic 
destination for Canadians with an average daily hotel rate of $141 CDN.

Airport: Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
    --  This airport is the biggest in Canada and features free Wi-Fi,
        Plaza Premium Lounges where travellers can work at a computer
        station, use the self-serve bar and enjoy non-stop meal
        service. It also has a whole lot of coffee spots - five Tim
        Horton's to be exact - to keep you alert during your work
        travels.

Hotel Recommendations:
    --  Book a stay at the
        Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites.
        It's conveniently located next door to the airport, has a
        business centre, express check-in, meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi
        and an on-site Italian eatery, Bliss Bar and Restaurant. Here,
        both your client work and dinners can be under the same roof!
    --  Another convenient hotel is
        Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport.
        Located less than a kilometer from the airport, it features
        free Wi-Fi, conference meeting rooms and an in-house
        restaurant, Mahogany Grill, which caters to a variety of
        different tastes.

3. Calgary, Alberta: The seventh most popular domestic destination for 
Canadians, which has more head offices than any city in Canada and an average 
daily hotel rate of $162 CDN, according to the HPI.

Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)
    --  At this airport you get a taste of the local culture the minute
        you leave the plane with a Calgary-style welcome that includes
        a White Hat ceremony. It features free Wi-Fi, a business lounge
        and, if you're looking for some entertainment, a spaceport
        where you can simulate space flight and more.

Hotel Recommendations:
    --  The
        Delta Calgary Airport
        is just one kilometer from the airport, has a 24-hour business
        centre, conference/meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi.
    --  Alternatively, check out the
        Holiday Inn Express Airport.
        While it's not as close to the airport (approximately 11
        kilometers away) it features complimentary breakfast, an
        airport shuttle, business centre, conference/meeting rooms and
        free Wi-Fi.

4. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Another popular domestic destination for Canadians 
with an average daily hotel rate of $155 CDN.

Airport: Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
    --  This airport has won many awards and in 2011 Global Airport
        Service Quality (ASQ) ratings declared it one of the best
        airports in the world. If you're interested in a
        behind-the-scenes view, take an airport tour accompanying Royal
        Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers and their dogs as they
        search suspicious luggage.

Hotel Recommendations:
    --  The
        Quality Inn Halifax Airport
        is two kilometers from the airport and just 200 metres from the
        Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum - hey, it could work for client
        entertaining! They also offer free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle,
        business centre and your choice of a free hot or cold breakfast
        to start your day.
    --  Another very close hotel,
        Hilton Garden Inn Halifax Airport,
        is just over three kilometers from the airport. The hotel has a
        24-hour business centre, meeting spaces, audio-visual equipment
        for rent and a free airport shuttle.

5. Montréal, Quebec: The second most popular domestic destination for 
Canadians by HPI ranking, with an average daily hotel rate of $154 CDN.

Airport: Montréal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
    --  This airport includes a much-appreciated spa to soothe stressed
        travellers, free Wi-Fi and a business lounge.

Hotel Recommendations:
    --  The
        Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel
        is just 600 meters from the airport, has a large event space,
        business centre and free Wi-Fi in public areas - who wants to
        hole up in their room anyway?
    --  A bit further away, but don't fret, it has a free airport
        shuttle, is the
        Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Montreal Airport.
        Business offerings include a 24-hour business centre, small
        meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment rentals and a much-needed
        coffee shop.

Simplify your trip: Business Traveller Tips

So now you know where to go and stay, you have to make sure you're prepared 
for the trip itself. Make life easier with these helpful business travel tips:

Tip 1: Stay packed - If you travel a lot, make sure to always leave your 
suitcase partially packed when at home to save time and hassle.

Tip 2: Look for perks - When you check in, always ask if there is an upgrade 
available, if there are extra points for anything or if there are any 
specials. It's free to ask and worth the effort.

Tip 3: Travel light - Pick clothing that can do double-duty to save space. If 
you can get away with just a carry on, you can skip the luggage carousel and 
get in and out of the airport in no time.

Tip 4: Be metal and lace -free - Put metal accessories, like a watch, phone or 
jewellery, in your bag to save time going through airport security and wear 
shoes without laces so they're easy to slip on and off. And, don't forget to 
put your travel sized liquids in a quart-size bag.

Tip 5: Sleep for free - Sign up for Welcome Rewards™, the Hotels.com loyalty 
program, and you'll earn one free night for every 10 stayed. What's even more 
appealing is that you're not tied to one chain, so you can book hotels based 
on convenience and not by name.

While business travel will never be as enjoyable as leisure travel, there are 
many ways to improve the experience. Besides, think of all the different 
destinations you may not have visited if it wasn't for your work schedule... 
and while on your company's dime!

The HPI is a biannual report that looks at hotel prices in cities all around 
the world. The data is based on bookings made through the Hotels.com website 
and the prices listed are the actual prices paid by Canadians - not advertised 
rates. This most recent edition of the report compares the first six months of 
2012 with the same period in 2011.

About Hotels.com(®)

Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online 
accommodation booking brand. Through its global network of websites, 
Hotels.com, LP connects travellers with over 160,000 properties around the 
world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local 
favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to 
book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel 
contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, 
and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 
million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in 
the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. 
Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome RewardsTM, 
customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 
hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal 
for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the 
difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the 
multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also 
be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book 
on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an 
award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends 
called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 
individual country editions, with North American data available at 
www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at 
http://www.facebook.com/Hotels.comCA, on Twitter at 
http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomca and on YouTube at 
http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, 
Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive 
portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, Welcome Rewards and the Hotels.com logo 
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other 
trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2012 Hotels.com, LP. 
All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

Press contacts: 

Lauren Wasley energi PR for Hotels.com Phone: (416) 425-9143 ext. 19 
Email: lauren.wasley@energipr.com Twitter: @energiPR

Taylor L. Cole, APR Hotels.com North America Phone: (469) 335-8442 
Email: taycole@hotels.com Twitter: @taylorlc

Image with caption: "Take advantage of business travel perks to simplify your 
trip (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at:  
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121115_C8246_PHOTO_EN_20685.jpg

SOURCE: Hotels.com

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CO: Hotels.com
ST: Ontario
NI: LEI LEI 

-0- Nov/15/2012 12:38 GMT