Business Travel Made Simple

The nickname for frequent business travelers - road warriors - says it all. Business travel is stressful. But experienced travelers develop their own ways of dealing with these pitfalls. Here are some suggestions for your next trip:

* Get packing - Carry-on luggage is the way to go. It lets you get out of the airport and on your way much more quickly. To maximize your packing space, use travel size toiletries and clothes that can do double duty.

* Choose the right hotel - A good night's rest means you'll be alert and on your game the next day. AmericInn is so focused on traveler's comfort that the chain has developed the AmericInn SoundGuard construction system that reduces sound by using masonry block, sound-deadening foam and heavy plasterboard between rooms and floors. Think about that the next time you're awakened in the middle of the night by the partiers next door or the kids upstairs. In addition, AmericInn constructs its buildings to minimize noise intrusion from outside as well as from public spaces within the hotel, including separating the pool and recreation areas from the residential portion of the hotel.

* Stay in touch - While you're on the road, it's important to stay in touch, both with the office and with your family. Before you book a hotel, make sure it provides the business services you need. Will you have access to a fax machine? A printer and photocopier? If you need to hold an impromptu meeting, is there space available in the hotel?

A business traveler's computer and cell phone are lifelines when they're on the road. Make sure you will have Internet access, and make sure you know how much it's costing you. Also, you shouldn't have to unplug the desk light to have access to an outlet for your phone or computer charger.

* Stay healthy - Eating on the road can take a toll. Living on fast food or rich restaurant meals can mean added pounds and other health problems. Make an effort to make good food choices on the road. Sure, that sweet roll looks good, but oatmeal will give you more energy throughout the morning. Try to fit some type of exercise into your day, whether it means taking the steps up to your hotel room instead of the elevator, or spending some time in the pool or on the treadmill.

The more you travel, the more you'll develop your own "tricks of the trade." Just remember that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of business.

With over 200 hotels in 21 states throughout the United States, chances are there's an AmericInn where you're heading.

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