Accommodation Archives

Five tips for getting late check-out at hotels

Hotel check-in and check-out times can feel restrictive how many times have you struggled to pack everything up in time for that fast-approaching 10 a.m. exit? But they’re there for a reason they give the hospitality industry time to turn rooms around in between guest stays. Before you can put your card in your hotel room door, it needs cleaning, a new set of bedsheets, toiletries refilling and fresh towels on the drying rack. It’s typical to be able to check in around 3 p.m. and check out somewhere between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. the next morning this crucial three-to-five hour window before the next guests arrive enables the hotel staff to work their magic. But business meetings and train schedules rarely follow a hotel timetable. For workforce travellers like rail engineers and construction industry workers, late check-outs or early check-ins can provide valuable time to pack or prepare for meetings before heading out to on-site visits. Hotels aren’t obliged to give you late check-out or early check-in when you request it but they will when they can. Follow these tips and hopefully, you’ll get what you ask for. Ready to learn more? TL;DR Many hotels offer late check-outs and early check-ins, but policies vary. Late-night check-in hotels are the same. To improve your chances of being able to check in late at your hotel, request late check-outs in advance, join loyalty programs and make your request politely. Fees might apply, but you can often avoid them by planning ahead. Travelling for business on weekdays can also increase your chances of approval due to lower occupancy rates. Use business travel management software like Roomex, which simplifies business trip booking and confirms requests. Do hotels allow late check-outs? Hotels know that trains can leave late and that meetings can overrun. Remember, this is the hospitality business, so hotels are incentivised to help you out where they can. If that means letting you stay late to have a shower before you head home, they’ll usually try to accommodate you. Many business travel hotels allow late check-outs, but the policies can vary. Generally, late check-out means you can stay in your room past the standard check-out time, which is usually between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.. Common late check-out times extend to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.. Some hotels might offer later times, especially if they’re not fully booked. It’s often a good idea to ask about late check-out when booking or during check-in to confirm availability and any potential charges. What about early check-ins? Where do you go when your flight arrives first thing in the morning but your hotel doesn’t let you in until early afternoon? Early check-ins can be a lifesaver when you arrive at your destination ahead of schedule. Many hotels do offer early check-in, but availability often depends on room readiness. Standard check-in times are usually between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., so if you arrive in the morning, you’ll usually need to wait unless the hotel can accommodate you. To improve your chances of an early check-in, it’s best to inform the hotel of your expected arrival time in advance. Can hotels charge for late check-in or check-out? Unfortunately, yes they can. Because, ultimately, they can be a bit of an inconvenience to the hotel. Charges typically apply if your request significantly extends your stay beyond standard times. For late check-outs, fees might be incurred if you stay past the usual check-out time of 11 a.m. or 12 p.m.. Similarly, late check-ins, especially after midnight, can sometimes attract additional charges or require prior notice because a member of staff needs to be on call to meet you. It’s not all doom and gloom though. If you want to avoid paying fees for late check-ins or check-outs here are a few things to try: Join a loyalty programme much like getting free upgrades on a flight, hotels are more likely to be lenient on fees for loyal customers. Plan ahead ask for late check-in or check-out when you book. Do your research book hotels for business travel that offer free flexible check-in and check-out times. How to ask for late check-out: five things you should know 1. Plan ahead If you can help it, don’t leave your late check-out request until the last minute. Getting organised and asking ahead for what you want is a key way to secure late check-out or flexible check-in times. Here are some points to consider: Make your request during booking: Always mention your need for a late check-out or check-in when you make your reservation. This gives the hotel advance notice and allows them to note your request in their system. Early requests are more likely to be accommodated if the hotel can plan their room availability accordingly. Check your confirmation emails: After booking, review your confirmation email to confirm your request for late check-out or check-in has been noted. If it’s not mentioned, contact the hotel directly to reiterate your request. Follow-up before arrival: A few days before your stay, call the hotel to confirm your late check-out or check-in request. This helps to remind them of your needs and verify that your request is still in their system. 2. Join hotel loyalty programmes Yes, those little cards hold some sway. Joining hotel loyalty programmes can significantly increase your chances of securing late check-out or check-in. Here’s why: Late check-outs are often membership perks: Hotel chain loyalty programmes provide valuable perks to frequent guests. These often include free late check-out, early check-in, room upgrades and other benefits that can make your stay more comfortable and convenient. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular loyalty schemes: Marriott Bonvoy® Elite Members, for example, can get guaranteed check-out as late as 4 p.m., depending on their membership level. For those on lower tiers, late check-out may be subject to availability. Crystal Hotels in London offer complimentary late check-out to Tier 1 and above..

5 reasons to use a central booking platform

If you ever start to feel that arranging your team’s travel plans is a full-time job, you’re not alone. As your company grows, so does the headache of manually managing all those flights, hotels and expenses. It’s tough enough when only a few people are travelling, but with 20 or more employees out on the road, it can quickly become a logistical nightmare. That’s where a central booking platform comes to the rescue. It’s like having a personal corporate travel assistant who takes care of all the messy details, from finding the best deals to keeping everyone safe and on budget. It’s a simple way to tame the travel chaos and give you back some precious time to focus on what really matters: growing your business. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as we’ll explore in this article. Let’s look at the top 5 reasons why a central booking platform is a must-have for any company that takes business travel seriously. A one-stop shop for all your travel needs A central booking platform acts as your business travel control centre. It puts everything you need in one place, so you can book flights, hotels and transportation, track expenses and manage approvals without juggling multiple tools and contacts. These platforms can adapt to your growing needs, accommodating an increasing number of travellers and more complex itineraries as your business expands internationally. At Roomex, we offer a huge selection of accommodation, including unique boutique hotels and eco-friendly options, catering to diverse corporate cultures and social responsibility goals. Integration with other corporate systems, such as HR and financial software, ensures seamless management of permissions and expenses. Here’s how this simplified approach benefits your business: Simplified processes: No more switching between different systems. Everything from booking to billing is handled in one place, saving you time and reducing the chance of headache-y errors. Easy to use: Your employees will appreciate the intuitive interface, which makes it easy for them to book their own travel quickly and efficiently. Effortless compliance: With built-in travel policies, bookings automatically adhere to company guidelines, so that compliance is straightforward and hassle-free. Cost-effectiveness: more than just saving pennies Saving money on business travel isn’t just about finding the cheapest hotel. A central booking platform like Roomex can help you save considerably on costs beyond just lower room rates. Here’s the deal: We’re negotiation ninjas: We can get exclusive deals with hotels and other accommodation that you won’t find anywhere else. This means more savings for your company, especially when you’re booking for a whole team. Less admin, more money in your pocket: By streamlining the booking process, we cut down on those pesky administrative tasks that eat up your time (and money). That means less paperwork, fewer headaches and more resources to put towards growing your business. Keep tabs on your spending: Our fancy analytics tool, RoomexAnalytics, gives you a real-time view of your travel expenses and helps you spot any areas where you might be overspending. This gives you the power to make smarter decisions and keep your budget in check. Ensuring policy compliance and simplified approvals One of the most significant challenges in managing business travel is making sure that all bookings adhere to company policies. A central booking platform automates and simplifies this process, so that compliance is non-negotiable. This level of control is vital for maintaining budget discipline and managing corporate risk. Here’s how it works: your company’s travel policies are baked right into the platform, so every booking automatically gets checked for compliance. The result is that no more surprise expenses or out-of-policy bookings slipping through the cracks. Approvals are just as streamlined, thanks to a simplified one-click approval process that keeps everything moving quickly and efficiently. This simplified approach to compliance means: Automated flagging of policy violations: The platform can automatically flag bookings that exceed set per diem limits, so that all accommodation and meal expenses stay within company guidelines. If an employee tries to book a luxury hotel that’s outside the approved price range, the system will either block the booking or send an alert to a manager for further review. Restricted vendor selection: Central booking platforms can restrict bookings to approved vendors and airlines. Suppose an employee attempts to book a flight with a non-approved airline. In that case, the platform will alert the manager or redirect the employee to approved options, preventing policy breaches before they occur. Customisable approval workflows: For travel expenses that require higher-level scrutiny, the platform can be configured to route booking requests through a customised approval workflow. For example, bookings that involve executive suites or international first-class flights can be set to require additional approvals from senior management. Speedy bookings: The one-click approval system makes things way faster for both you and your travellers. So, Roomex not only simplifies the whole travel management process but also acts as a safety net for your company’s finances, giving you peace of mind and helping you avoid costly policy breaches. Insightful travel management with real-time data Having access to real-time analytics can transform how a company manages its business travel. As well as helping you organise travel details, a central booking platform like Roomex provides powerful analytics tools that offer insights into travel patterns, spending and compliance. This information gives you the data you need to make smarter decisions and keep your travel costs in check. RoomexAnalytics is like having a magnifying glass on your travel spending. It shows you exactly where your money is going, what’s driving your costs and how well your team is sticking to the company’s travel policy. Armed with this information, you can pinpoint areas for saving money and make sure your travel program is working for you, not against you. Here are just a few ways that Roomex’s data insights can help you out: Take control of your budget: By understanding where and how your travel money is being spent, you can make better decisions..

Roomex Summer Events Round-up

As the summer season winds down, here at Roomex we’re taking a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of activity that has defined our year so far. It’s been an incredible journey, packed with opportunities to connect, showcase our platform, and delve into the diverse industries we serve. Here’s a recap of the key events we’ve attended and exhibited at, as well as a glimpse into what’s on the horizon. Laying the groundwork Our year began on a high note with the PA Show, where we engaged with professionals dedicated to PA, EA, VA and office manager roles. The conversations were insightful, and the energy was contagious, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. We followed this with the Retail Tech Show, an event that highlighted the latest innovations in retail technology. This was our first time exhibiting at this event, and our team enjoyed discussing the evolving landscape of retail and how Roomex can streamline operations for businesses in this dynamic sector. Momentum builds Heading into May, we attended UK Construction Week, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the construction industry. The event provided a platform to discuss the unique challenges faced by construction firms and how our platform can enhance productivity and reduce travel-related complexities. Accountex was another highlight and was a pivotal event for accounting and finance professionals. Here, we showcased how Roomex can simplify business travel and expense management, resonating with attendees who seek efficiency and cost control. At Traffex, the UK’s leading traffic and transport event, we engaged with professionals dedicated to improving the nation’s infrastructure. The event demonstrated the importance of efficient travel management in large-scale projects, and it was great to have the opportunity to bring Roomex to the room. Hitting our stride Summer saw us at Digital Construction Week, where we connected with industry leaders in construction technology. The discussions centred around digital transformation in construction, and we were thrilled to demonstrate how Roomex fits into this rapidly evolving network. We also made our presence felt at the Business Travel Show, where we connected with travel managers and decision-makers across various industries. The focus was on demonstrating the seamless experience Roomex provides in managing business travel, from booking to expense tracking. RailLive, an event dedicated to the rail industry, was another firm favourite amongst our Sales Team. It was an exciting opportunity to explore the specific needs of rail companies and how Roomex can support their travel and accommodation requirements. We were pleased to be outside for this event and enjoy the glorious summer sunshine made even better by Poppy’s Ice Creams who joined us to serve refreshing ice creams to our stand visitors. Looking ahead While our summer events season might be coming to a close, our journey is far from over. We’re gearing up for a busy autumn, with plans to exhibit at RIN Derby in September, followed by Highways in October and London Build in November. These events promise to be rich with opportunities to engage with industry professionals, share insights, and explore new partnerships. Each event is a chance to learn about the unique needs of different industries and showcase how Roomex can simplify workforce travel to help companies save time and money. Thank you to everyone who visited our stands, engaged in conversations (and had a go on our interactive spin-the-wheel!), and showed interest in Roomex. Stay tuned for more updates – we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

Top 15 corporate retreat locations in the UK and Europe for 2024

Today’s workplaces thrive on adaptability and fresh ideas, and that’s exactly what corporate retreats are for. They give teams a chance to step away from the daily grind, recharge and come back ready to tackle their goals together with a new perspective. What to expect from a company retreat Company retreats are more than a simple break from the office; they’re a genuine investment in building up team morale and strengthening bonds. Here’s what to expect from a typical corporate getaway: Strengthened relationships: You might take part in team-building activities that build trust and rapport, creating a more unified workplace. Improved communication: Retreats are a good setting for clearing up any misunderstandings and getting everyone on the same page through open forums and discussions. Creativity and innovation: A change of scenery can kickstart creativity, bringing in new ideas and fresh perspectives. Heading to a tranquil forest setting? Perhaps you’ll be inspired to create a new, eco-friendly marketing campaign. A focus on professional development: Take advantage of workshops and sessions packed with relevant skills and knowledge to help push the company forward. Take a peek at our curated selection of prime relaxation and team bonding spots. Keep these options in mind and look forward to seamless and straight forward planning for your next offsite event. Top 10 UK corporate retreat locations 1. Rachel’s Farm – Buchlyvie, Scotland Just 50 minutes from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, this countryside hideaway features sweeping views of the Trossachs National Park. The barn can accommodate up to 50 people, making it suitable for meetings, while several large rooms are great for hosting board sessions. Choose from accommodation with 4 to 15 bedrooms, each catering for up to 30 guests. There are plenty of enticing extras too, such as private hot tubs, custom kitchens and chic living For adventurous team members, mountain biking and water sports are available in the surrounding area. Your team can enjoy peaceful walks through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, or take part in wellness activities like animal sanctuary visits and tree planting. 2. Elmley Kingshill Farm – Isle of Sheppey Just 40 miles from London, Elmley Kingshill Farm is located on a 3,300-acre family estate and national nature reserve on the Kent coast. The venue is home to Kingshill Barn, a rustic and grand space with spectacular views and a large outdoor area. The elegantly restored Kingshill Farmhouse provides cosy accommodation for 12 guests across 6 en-suite bedrooms. For a more modern touch, Elmley Cottage offers open-plan living for 10 guests, complete with scenic views of the reserve. 3. Osea Island – Maldon Osea Island offers an enchanting private island getaway on London’s doorstep. The island has a variety of properties, from grand houses to cosy cottages and apartments. You’ll be able to spot a variety of wildlife while on the island, such as owls, kestrels and peacocks. Explore the island’s paths by bicycle, or organise games of golf or volleyball for the team. If you’re visiting between May and September, you’ll be able to take a dip in a heated outdoor swimming pool. The local area provides even more options like boating, fishing, clay pigeon shooting and various water sports. 4. Elessar Yurt Village – Oakwood These thoughtfully furnished yurts provide a blend of luxury and eco-friendliness, so a good night’s sleep is very likely! Activities include sunrise yoga, team-building hikes and orienteering. The communal fire pit area provides a snug setting where groups can gather in the evening to discuss the day’s events. The site has a strong glamping game, with mod cons like reliable Wi-Fi, hot showers and flushing toilets. Plush Tents Glamping can accommodate up to 120 guests, making it an ideal retreat for larger corporate groups. 5. Broadoaks Country House – Lake District Set within 7 acres of gardens, this rustic country house is well-suited for team-building activities. The property has four breakout rooms, the Orangery, Bar, Oaks Room and Music Room, providing plenty of space for various event formats. For work-related activities, the house offers useful amenities such as Wi-Fi, flip charts and projectors. For those seeking adventure, activities include clay pigeon shooting and black powder shooting. Teams can also take part in archery, orienteering, treasure hunts and water activities. 6. Thornbury Castle – Gloucestershire Experience a retreat in a real Tudor castle with modern conference facilities. Located just 30 minutes from Bristol, the castle offers an inspiring and intimate setting for meetings, team building and training. This Tudor castle, once home to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, now serves as a stylish retreat with distinct event spaces accommodating up to 70 guests. The only Tudor castle in England to open as a hotel, Thornbury Castle is equipped with atmospheric bedchambers, a three-AA Rosette restaurant and free Wi-Fi. On-site activities include croquet, archery, clay-pigeon shooting and falconry. 7. The 616 Venue – Nottinghamshire Located in Sherwood Forest, this venue was built with eco-friendliness in mind, using natural and reclaimed materials throughout. The venue offers convenient transport links from Nottingham and plenty of parking for cars and coaches. The 616 Venue provides exclusive use of its features, including a private music cellar and bar, a retro games room and outdoor hot tubs. For a fun local excursion, you can head to the historic village of Wellow. Just a 10-minute drive away, it’s famous for its connections to the legend of Robin Hood. 8. Ellenborough Park – Southam Ellenborough Park is an imposing 15th-century English country estate located on the edge of the Cotswolds, just a short drive from Cheltenham. This venue has a spa where your team can relax in a sauna and steam room, receive a massage or soak in a hot tub. The estate offers 61 spacious bedrooms with large bathrooms, heated marble floors and modern conveniences. Many rooms have garden views and some include private patios. 9. Howgills House – Sedbergh Howgills House, nestled between the Lakes and Dales, offers a lavish 12-bedroom country residence. Just a..

The best travel management software in 2024

Emailing hotels, confirming reservations, rescheduling cancelled bookings, tracking workforce traveller movements and verifying expense claims; the business of business travel can be laborious. It doesn’t have to be. We’ve rounded up the best travel management software available in 2024. These business travel booking systems make administering and managing your business travel more efficient, saving you time and money and helping you meet your duty-of-care obligations to employees on the road. But which is the best option for your team? Here’s our lowdown: TL;DR Travel management software simplifies business travel organisation, from booking to expense management. While self-booking poses challenges, travel management platforms ensure compliance and flexibility. Roomex offers exclusive rates and a vast accommodation selection, saving up to 12%. TravelPerk excels in usability, while Egencia caters to global needs and Goodwings prioritises sustainability. Expensify streamlines expense management for frequent travellers. These tools optimise processes, which in turn save you money while enhancing the travel experience for your employees. What is travel management software? Travel management software is a digital solution that simplifies and reduces the cost of business travel. It’s the go-to tool for companies that want to manage business travel more efficiently, from booking accommodation to handling expenses. Usually you’ll find features such as centralised booking platforms and expense management tools. Alongside those, real-time travel updates keep you on top of duty-of-care obligations, while comprehensive reporting functionalities help you optimise travel budgets. Why does this matter? Business travel is growing fast, with workforce traveller numbers expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024. And while the pandemic curtailed travel, 70% of employees view business travel as pivotal to their companys growth. That increase and appetite for business travel impacts your team. With more travellers on the road, you, your travel managers, office managers and finance teams will need to look to digital solutions and travel booking systems to lessen the administrative burden. What’s the best way to book corporate travel? We’re not biassed, we promise, but the number one best way to book corporate travel is via a digital travel management solution or a B2B travel booking system. Why? By using travel management software, you make business travel more cost-effective and compliant with company policies: Centralised booking platforms provide access to a wide range of accommodation and transport options in line with your travel policy. Negotiated rates save your business serious money. Real-time travel updates keep your employees safe on the road and make it easier for you to assist in emergencies. Invoicing on account and prepaid debit cards mean you can manage expenses without needing to collate thousands of receipts or pour through pages of spreadsheets. Comprehensive reporting helps you make informed decisions and monitor travel expenses effectively. Can I self-book corporate travel? While some employees may prefer to self-book their travel arrangements, this approach can pose challenges. Self-booking is often not compliant with company travel policies, making it difficult to track expenses and maintain your duty of care to your travelling staff. Your employees are more likely to end up out-of-pocket, too, by paying for their own accommodation or transport and then waiting for reimbursement in the next pay run. However, travel management apps or hotel reservation software can give your workplace travellers the flexibility to book their own travel while keeping them compliant with company policies. These apps will highlight preferred suppliers and integrate approval workflows. What is the best travel management solution in 2024? For accommodation bookings Roomex: Roomex is a travel management solution tailored for workforce travellers, offering a central booking platform with over two million workforce-suitable accommodation options. With Roomex, you can book and manage all your accommodation in one place, reducing the time spent searching multiple sites and negotiating rates leaving your travel managers to focus on other tasks, enhancing overall productivity. Who is it for? Roomex is ideal for companies with frequent domestic travellers, such as civil engineers, rail workers and other professionals in need of standard accommodation across the UK. Why? Benefit from Roomex-negotiated rates that save your business money. Choose from over two million workforce-suitable accommodation options, including popular chains like Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn and Ibis. Effective filtering helps you search for the features your employees need. It’s free and there’s no contract. We estimate you’ll save 12% on travel expenses by using the platform. Roomex integrates with Trainline, allowing you to book rail travel alongside hotels and take advantage of cheaper rates with split ticketing. You can plug in your travel policy to help employees choose in-policy accommodation. Roomex Support periodically checks reservations with hotels to confirm bookings and fulfill additional needs, like flexible check-in. For useability TravelPerk: A giant in the world of business travel booking software, TravelPerk boasts global clients like Airbus, FarFetch and WWF. Its ease of use and responsive customer service team are rated highly. TravelPerk offers clients an intuitive interface and app with access to a vast global collection of flights, accommodation, trains and more. Who is it for? TravelPerk caters to businesses of all sizes, particularly those experiencing rapid growth. Its global reach and extensive travel inventory make it an ideal choice for companies with international operations, too. Why? Users benefit from 24/7 chat and phone support from real people, with a target response time of 15 seconds. It allows users to easily share and plan trips, making coordinating travel arrangements and internal approvals a much smoother process. Users can confidently book business travel without relying on personal credit cards, keeping personal information secure. TravelPerk provides comprehensive reporting and real-time cost visibility, which help you stay on top of travel budgets. Drawbacks: Some users report that the flight filtering features are inconvenient and that it’s not possible to pre-select seats when you book. For global reach: Egencia Egencia, part of the Expedia group, offers a comprehensive corporate travel management program and software for travel tailored to businesses. It supports policy compliance with authorization workflows, expense tracking, risk management and policy adherence all within a user-friendly interface. ..

7 top rated business travel management apps in 2024

Business travel is back. After falling off a cliff during the pandemic, business travel in 2024 is set to outpace 2019 levels, driven by increasing attendance at live industry events. But, as a travel manager, where does that leave your workload?

Roomex Hotel Forward Pricing Report | Q2 2024

To access the PDF version of this report with the H1 event calendar and negotiated hotel rates click here. Author’s Note As we delve into the latest insights regarding forthcoming hotel prices, it’s imperative to navigate through the intricate landscape shaped by a myriad of economic factors and market dynamics. This author’s note aims to contextualise our findings, offering a nuanced perspective on the anticipated trends and their implications for stakeholders in the hospitality sector. 1. Significant Price Fluctutations: Our analysis of forward pricing data unveils a striking possibility of a 37% surge in hotel prices between weeks 15-25 of the current year. This substantial uptick underscores the volatility inherent in the hospitality market, urging stakeholders to adopt proactive strategies to mitigate potential impacts on budgetary considerations and consumer demand. 2. Impact of Economic News on Q1 Prices: Despite the anticipated price escalation, the first quarter of the year witnessed a softening of hotel prices attributed to unfavourable economic news. Understanding the interplay between economic indicators and pricing dynamics is crucial for informed decision-making in resource allocation and financial planning. 3. Moderated Year-on-Year Increases: In contrast to previous years, the year-on-year hikes exhibit a notable moderation, owing to mitigated inflationary environment. This deceleration in price growth signals a shift in market conditions, necessitating a recalibration of strategic approaches towards revenue management and pricing optimisation. In summary, while early 2024 shows promising prospects for hotel price increases, nuances in regional dynamics and the delayed surge in London warrant careful attention. Understanding these trends and their implications can empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and optimise strategies in response to evolving market conditions. Keith Watson – Chief Operating Officer at Roomex Q2 2024 Hotel Forward Pricing Forecasting Average Daily Rate (ADR) consumes a lot of time at hotel companies. Data scientists and revenue managers pour over historic trends, business on the books and pace trends. Revenue management software crunches through huge volumes of data, no doubt using the latest machine learning algorithms to find an appropriate price to sell their rooms at under various conditions such as lead time, length of stay, segment, room type etc. But then, of course, there is the emotional component. How does the revenue management function feel about the weeks and months ahead. Q1 2024 has been bumpy. Occupancy hasn’t always been easy to forecast and with the head winds of sticky inflation and recessionary pressures growing, pricing hotel rooms hasn’t been easy. Introduction It’s interesting to compare Q1 2024 to Q1 2023. Last year, price increases through the early weeks were strong and sustained. The first 4 weeks were increasingly less negative as the holiday period dropped out of the rolling 4 week average and then, from week 4 to 15, there was a continuous increase. 2024 has been different. The early weeks took time to shed the lows of the end of Dec/early Jan, but this has been followed by very sharp rises followed by a softening. In summary, much more volatility in pricing interestingly more volatile than is shown in total UK demand. Report Outside of school half term week, total UK hotel room demand has been robust and continuously upward during Q1. In the first 10 weeks of the year market data shows 26.8m room nights checked in compared to 24.3m in 2023. So why the volatility in price? Essentially forward visibility seems to have been clouded by bleak economic news. The UK reported falling into recession in H2 2023. Whilst it may turn out to be mild and short, it’s unwelcome news. This, combined with interest rates continuing to bite, has increased the pressure on sectors such as building materials, and construction. In such circumstances, it is business travel costs that are called into question. The below chart shows the rolling 4 week price movement over the full year 2023 and into 2024: The monthly view in the second graph smooths out these bumps, but the comparison to previous years is telling. ADR saw substantial rises between 2022 and 2023, although a stronger decline in Q4 2023, which ties in with a harsher economic climate. The 2024 price increases are comparatively much lower and as mentioned, less confident. Turning to the forward price data, ADR in the 12 weeks ahead will rise. It also might suggest that some of the nervousness of Q1 eases and hotels apply more confidently apply consistent rises. The 12 week forward figures as always are a better insight into the minds and sentiment of revenue managers rather than an accurate price forecast. What we see is greater confidence in secondary cities than gateway cities (In this case London and Edinburgh). The largest cities show little change between 8 and 12 weeks. Secondary cities see substantial gains or put another way are willing to wait a bit to start taking occupancy. Taking the UK as a whole the 3 star market is currently suggesting a further 37% price increase between weeks 15 and 25. 15.7% of this is in by 21 and the rest beyond this point making it subject to change. “…Taking the UK as a whole the 3 star market is currently suggesting a further 37% price increase between weeks 15 and 25…” Summary In the Q1 report we commented on strong forward ADR growth. Much of it didn’t materialise despite robust demand. For a range of reasons, hotels started the year strongly but lost confidence. The data is also support anecdotally. Certain sectors of the business travel market have changed their spend patterns. Building materials companies have reined in costs aggressively at the end of 2023 and are not releasing spend yet. That said, total market Room Nights checked in the UK has been robust. Having got to grips with changes in the market it’s likely we will see a more consistent upward price movement in the months ahead, perhaps with less froth in large cities. Roomex offers guidance to all its clients to navigate these trends and ensure their travellers..

Top Travel Management Software Compared in 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the top travel management software solutions available in 2024. With a staggering 445 million business trips undertaken every year by workforce travellers and business travel anticipated to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by 2027, the demand for efficient travel management solutions is increasing. Business travel plans aren’t straightforward. 78% of millennials intentionally carve out personal time during business trips, creating a need for easy expense management and travel booking systems that keep work and play organised and separate. In this blog, we’ll compare the leading travel management software options including Roomex, TravelPerk, Navan, and more equipping businesses with the tools to streamline their corporate travel processes and stay efficient. Corporate travel management: What is it and why do you need it? Corporate travel management refers to the process of overseeing and coordinating business-related travel arrangements for employees within an organisation. This includes everything from booking flights and accommodations to managing expenses and ensuring compliance with company travel policies. Efficient corporate travel management is crucial for businesses of all sizes. Here’s why: It saves money: By centralising travel bookings and making use of negotiated rates with suppliers, businesses can achieve significant cost savings on travel expenses. It streamlines booking and expenses processes: A business travel management system streamlines the entire travel process, from booking to expense reimbursement, reducing the administrative burden and saving time for both travellers and travel managers. It upholds your corporate duty of care: Ensuring the safety and well-being of employees during business travel is paramount. Travel management software provides tools for tracking employee itineraries and communicating critical information during emergencies. What is a travel management platform? A travel management platform is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline and optimise various aspects of corporate travel. It serves as a centralised hub for managing all travel-related tasks, including booking, expenses, and analytics. This platform simplifies the entire travel process by consolidating multiple functions into a single interface. It enables users to: Book travel: Business travel software provides tools for booking flights, accommodations, and transportation seamlessly. Users can access negotiated rates and preferred suppliers that are in line with company travel policies. Manage expenses: An otherwise tedious task, travel management platforms automate expense reporting, allowing users to capture receipts, track spending, and submit reimbursement requests effortlessly. Share analytics: Monitor travel spending, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Travel management platforms offer robust reporting and analytics capabilities, providing valuable insights. The top travel management software in 2024 compared Roomex: Who should use it? Roomex is a business travel management company for businesses with highly mobile workforces requiring domestic travel accommodations. It caters to companies operating in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. How does it work? Roomex is a global hotel booking platform specifically designed for business travel, offering a centralised platform that connects to every hotel worldwide. By presenting the best accommodation options at competitive rates and consolidating payments into a single invoice, Roomex eliminates the hassle of manual administration and ensures cost savings for businesses. Best features: Roomex provides access to over 2 million properties from leading providers, offering exclusively negotiated rates not found elsewhere. Custom workforce filters allow users to narrow searches based on specific requirements, such as secured parking or free cancellation. Roomex’s industry-leading analytics software provides real-time data insights into workforce travel spend, policy compliance, and spend distribution. Roomex offers RoomexPay, a business expense management solution that eliminates out-of-pocket spending for travellers. Don’t take our word for it! Roomex provides a simple platform where we can keep an eye on everyone’s spending on hotels. Previously we would have to go through the expenses to check on trends. Capterra reviewer. To learn more about Roomex, speak to a Roomex Travel Expert now. Navan: Who is it for? Navan (formerly TripActions) is suitable for businesses seeking to simplify accounting, manage spend effectively, and save money across expenses and travel. How does it work? Navan is an all-in-one travel, corporate card, and expense management solution. A corporate travel planner can use it to book flights, hotels, trains, or rental cars. It provides businesses with real-time data insights to keep workforce travellers safe, reduce spending, and drive productivity. Navan leverages volume discounts from third-party sources like Priceline, Booking.com, and Expedia. Best features: Proactive notifications and support in case of flight delays or cancellations. A user-friendly interface for starting bookings directly, whether it’s flights, hotels, trains, or rental cars. Users can use the business’s own travel payment cards or link existing Visa and Mastercard accounts to track spending, control purchases, and earn rewards points. Here’s what customers say: Whenever a flight gets delayed or cancelled, or something is going on, they always let me know before the airline even does. Plus, it’s great to get Amazon credit for booking within the company asks. Capterra reviewer TravelPerk: Who should use it? TravelPerk offers corporate travel software suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking to manage and book all their travel needs in one place. One of the leading names in corporate travel management, its also one of the more costly. TravelPerk boasts big-name customers like Uber, FarFetch, and Wise. How does it work? TravelPerk simplifies the process of booking flights, hotels, and rental cars for corporate trips. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including real-time reporting, policy configurations, and expense management, making it a one-stop solution for businesses. Best features: TravelPerk offers access to the world’s largest inventory of flights, hotels, rental cars, and accommodation. Quick and efficient customer support with an average response time of just 15 seconds. Real-time travel tracking, policy configurations, and expense management, ensuring compliance and control over travel spending. Don’t take our word for it It’s a pretty comprehensive business travel solution for organisations with employees that often need to travel domestically or internationally and allows operations people to set cost limits so cost-effective booking is easy for staff. G2 reviewer. Booking.com for Business..

Roomex Hotel Forward Pricing Report | Q1 2024

To access the PDF version of this report with the H1 event calendar and negotiated hotel rates click here. Author’s Note In anticipation of the early months of 2024, our forward price data indicates a notable uptrend in hotel prices. Across regions, a robust increase in prices is expected, mirroring trends observed in previous quarters. However, there are distinct variations in the timing and pace of these price escalations. Regional Price Surge: Forecasts suggest that travellers will experience a strong rise in hotel prices across regions, particularly evident in the early months of 2024. A large number of trade shows and leisure events in key cities across the UK and Ireland will be expected to contribute to an increase in demand and, as a result, lead to prices climbing at a steady rate. London’s Delayed Increase: Contrary to the regional trends. London’s hotel prices are projected to exhibit a slower pace of growth initially, with indications pointing towards a delayed surge, likely to commence in late February. This delayed response may stem from unique market dynamics within the capital. Consistency with 2023 Trends: Analysis indicates that the trajectory of price growth from January to the summer months is anticipated to parallel that of the previous year, reflecting a stable pattern in market behaviour. Such consistency provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the hospitality industry to strategise and adapt accordingly. In summary, while early 2024 shows promising prospects for hotel price increases, nuances in regional dynamics and the delayed surge in London warrant careful attention. Understanding these trends and their implications can empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and optimise strategies in response to evolving market conditions. Keith Watson – Chief Operating Officer at Roomex Q1 2024 Hotel Forward Pricing The UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 4.2% for the 12 months preceding December 2023. This was an increase on the 3.9% preceding November. It paints a picture that inflation is significantly down compared to the levels seen 6-12 months ago, but a steady decline cannot be taken for granted. Whilst the drivers behind this increase have been pinned on some specific price rises (tobacco and air travel being high among them) input costs for hotels are of course much higher than this time last year. The question is, how the mix of rising costs, demand levels and seasonality will play out and impact hotel procurement in the UK and Ireland. Introduction Average daily rate (ADR) has started the year in a fairly muted way. In the first 3 weeks in January, Roomex saw its average booked rate rise 3.9% on the same period in 2023. This is behind the same period in 2022 (+4.6%). Demand being relatively low doesn’t give hotels enough traction to increase rates faster but buyers shouldn’t take this low rate period as an early indicator for future months. Report Staying with the 2023 comparison, price development was relatively subdued through to April. Between March and April price development was +7.6%. It’s also worth noting that the Roomex platform insulates its customers from wide price fluctuations through the combination of Client Rates and the Roomex Rate programme. Looking at 3rd party market data in the UK, ADR in the first 3 weeks of 2024 was +5.1%; a steeper increase than the Roomex platform and from a higher base. For Roomex customers seasonality became impactful in April last year (+7.6% month-on-month), but the broader market stepped up +11.8% month-on-month and a month earlier. The below chart shows the rolling 4 week price movement over the full year 2023: Taking in the full year, the continuous upward movement through the first half of the year is evident. The drivers being the powerful combination of both inflation and seasonality. Only the summer period and a weak Q4 brought the run to an end. We also see an enlarged difference between budget hotel brands in periods of low demand. Higher quality brands are able to hold price in weaker periods and trade-off the brand strength they enjoy. Weaker, less well known chains drop prices further. Looking ahead at the forward market data, overall there is a strong and continuous upward trend. The first 10 weeks of the year forecast an upward trend to the tune of +15.3%. Bear in mind, week 1 is always a low point and forward pricing beyond 6 weeks becomes less reliable. “…For Roomex customers, seasonality became impactful in April last year (+7.6% month-on-month), but the broader market stepped up +11.8%…” Breaking this out by regions, London in isolation takes its time for price to get traction – a level of demand is required for hotel systems to yield against. The first week in March is forecasted to steep increases which is not the case country-wide. At the other end of the spectrum, Regional destinations, which include locations such as Cambridge, Sheffield, Plymouth, and Northampton, show a much earlier price pick up. Summary After 2023 we might have hoped for a more subdued price environment, but the year hasn’t started that way and the near future also shows strong price increases. It’s well worn advice that if you book early you will secure better prices. This is often not useful for business travel because of constraints on timing of booking. However, from a budget and planning perspective the trend looks robustly upwards from this point. At the end of 2023 Roomex purchased an external price forecast for the whole UK market. It showed a January to August trough to peak increase of +42.7% ADR. Our forecast and working assumption at Roomex is that we can protect customers from most of that and limit that inflation/seasonality driven rise to +20.8%. Were always happy to advise customers on their specific requirements. About the Data Sample set of 50,000 price points used from UK and Ireland Hotels. All data is from 3 star hotels only to reflect Workforce travel requirements Research and Analysis Keith Watson Robert Sullivan To access the PDF version of this report click here.

Roomex Hotel Forward Pricing Report | Q4 2023

The UK economy remains in an uncertain place. Whilst the continuous interest rate increases of the last year may have slowed, there doesn’t seem to be a clear consensus that the road ahead will be smoother. Higher for longer may be a common view, but that doesn’t exactly bode well for procurement and cost control. Business travel costs and specifically hotel rates continue to be hard to read, the indicators we do have might provide some short term respite, but not much. Either way, these insights will help you form your hotel pricing strategy for the coming quarter. Introduction ADR (Average Daily Rate) in Q3 has been more robust than expected. In recent years, the summer period has provided an exceptional high in hotel rates which has quite quickly dissipated into the autumn period. 2023 has performed a little differently. The price tailwind has been powerful but coming from a different source – inflationary pressures rather than COVID buying behaviour. This seems to have produced a different trend as we transition from summer into autumn. Total demand levels – room nights sold in the UK hotel market – jumped at the start of September as would be expected. However, they increased more strongly than 2022. This has lead to more robust ADR. Recent weeks though have shown a weakening in growth. Is this a glimmer of hope for travel buyers? Forward Pricing The rolling market ADR graph shows strong increases in September. Whilst hotels continue to face inflationary pressures on input costs – labour being at the top of the list – there has to be sufficient demand in the market to support ADR. This was initially the case in September. However, the graph shows signs of decline. Detailed comparisons with 2022 are not easy with 2022 impacted by the Queen’s death, but in 2023 there has been several weeks of consistent demand decline from a week 37 peak of 3.0M room nights sold to 2.8M in week 40. With school half term looming this is likely to continue. For context, autumn 2022 UK hotel demand peaked in week 41 – mid-October – after which demand and prices eased back. ADR declined – 16% from the 2022 high point in July down to the average November rate. So far 2023 is -8.2% off the July peak, so there is likely to be more to come. Roomex’s hotel rate strategy brings discounts to business buyers, but it also serves to smooth out ADR peaks. The combination of Roomex Fixed Rates and Client Rates cuts off the peaks of market ADR. Forward price data seems to support further hotel price declines, but they don’t look to be steep. Across all location types, 2, 4, and 8 week forward prices show relatively small but consistent decline. The 12 week forward indicators also suggest price declines, which speaks mostly to a downbeat mood amongst hotel revenue managers with regard to seasonal leisure in December. Gateway cities see sharpest ADR decline. Secondary locations (Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow etc.) perform strongest compared to gateway cities and regional towns, giving away little through to the end of November. Interestingly in these secondary locations, out of town destinations perform better than inner city in terms of actual ADR and ADR change through the autumn – they stay higher for longer. Many Roomex clients have a broad footprint in terms of destinations visited as a result of project work. Regional towns show weaker performance in outer locations. As always there are outliers in the data. Cardiff looks particularly strong in the autumn period, with rates likely being driven by events. Hotel brands are also applying their own revenue management strategies and addressing the market as they see fit. This in itself provides saving opportunities for buyers. Summary The forward data suggests hotel prices are holding up and the declines into the winter will not be sharper than 2022. Cost increases for hotels that previously had been around energy are now entrenched and labour costs continue to impact. There is currently considerable price variance between similar starred hotels in similar locations. It’s easy to think that there are enough hotels in any particular destination to smooth out but it’s not the case. Different market positioning and brand power creates highs and lows. Being able to see through the noise and find those savings potentials is something we would strongly encourage buyers to be paying attention to in the weeks ahead and contemplate as part of their hotel pricing strategy.

The Business & Corporate Travel Management Platform | Roomex