Thursday 11 March 2010

Houston Corporate Housing: An Accommodating Travel Solution That Makes Your Home Away From Home

This is actually an apartment. But it may also be a hotel. Wrong on both counts, for it is actually corporate housing. Corporate housing has gained traction over the last decade, yet some companies still don't know much about it. The Corporate Housing Providers Association states that corporate housing produced $2.77 billion in the US in 2008. It supplied
approximately 73,385 units and had an occupancy rate of 88.5%.

Closer Look At Corporate Housing in Houston

Houston is fortunate to be home to several firms from which you may choose when your needs include corporate housing, including Choice Corporate Housing, Oakwood Worldwide, RXHousing and CorporateHousingcom.

What will you get out of using corporate housing? That is an easy question to answer. With corporate housing you have the advantage of convenience, you get twice the living space which means you are more comfortable, and you only have to pay about half the price you would expect.

It is true that corporate housing was designed with business travelers in mind, but it can also be accessed by people who need a temporary place to live due to relocation or short-term military assignment. Traveling theater groups use corporate housing for extended performance stays, and television/film actors and crews use it when shooting on location. Others use corporate housing for personal getaways. Insurance companies often provide this type of housing for displaced policyholders.

Corporate housing companies can act quickly to provide temporary housing in an emergency. It was only a few years ago when Katrina hit southern Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. Being relatively near, Houston was inundated with inquiries for corporate housing to sustain thousands of employees who had lost their living quarters.

Oakwood Worldwide was able to provide 1,500 apartments in various locales within three weeks. . Honestly, the only limitation we had was that our furniture rental companies could not handle it any quicker that that, stated Oakwood Senior Vice President Gavan James in an interview with Mobility Magazine in 2007.

Some companies own their own furniture. "Our firm owns all the furniture in our units, stated Paul Sternberg of Choice Corporate Housing, "which is beneficial since we are not dependent upon others for our furniture and housewares." "We can make certain that our quality needs are met, and we are sure that our units are in the best shape, permitting our control over each section of our business", he said.

Advantages of Corporate Housing in Houston
When you consider comprehensive travel spending, whether it is for special projects, relocations or general corporate travel, Houston corporate housing offers savings and convenience when compared to mid-range to high-end hotels. Many corporate units will offer amenities such as fitness centers, laundry and business centers.

"We provide great value with corporate housing in Houston," Sternberg said. He went on to say that being a small company allows for a lot of flexibility. He states that they are able change accommodations quickly and provide a discounted product.
1 When looking at the value of Houston corporate housing against hotels, you will see that you are provided with twice the living space at the same bargain rates. Plus, you are made to feel right at home. In corporate housing in Houston, you are also provided with the option of having a kitchen stocked with cooking tools.

Travelling expenses are less, thereby saving money. A healthier option to dining out, employees can shop for the foods they like and cook their own meals which saves time and money.
This can lower per diems allowed for food as employees like the idea of cooking their own favorite meals, yet they still have the option of dining out for corporate entertainment if necessary.

While hotels have their own advantages, after a week or two, people miss the relaxed environment of home. The home-like atmosphere of temporary housing can mean more productive employees while on extended stays.

In Summary
The main reason companies tend to use temporary accommodations is how cost effective it really is; however, they also get the advantage of decreased elusive costs, because employees are more efficient and less stressed, meaning they can get more done when staying here. It is a natural human desire to want a relaxing home-like environment. This is exactly what Houston corporate housing provides. The privacy of a well-outfitted, furnished apartment in a convenient location will reduce employee tension when spending time out of town on business.

Lastly, the availability of amenity options is the frosting on the cake On the next occasion that your firm has to seek employee accommodations for prolonged periods, explore what corporate housing in Houston has to offer.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Corporate Housing In Houston: An Accommodating Travel Solution With The Comforts Of Home

What appears to be an apartment - or a hotel - is sometimes corporate housing. Although corporate housing has increased in popularity over the past ten years even now some firms are not aware of it.

The Corporate Housing Providers Association states that corporate housing produced $2.77 billion in the US in 2008. It supplied approximately 73,385 units and had an occupancy rate of 88.5%. Corporate Housing, Houston, TXCorporate housing in Houston is made up of several companies, including (but not limited to): Choice Corporate Housing: Houston, Oakwood Worldwide, RXHousing and CorporateHousing.com.

What does corporate housing do for you?
It is extremely convenient, the accommodations, with double the living area, are more enjoyable, and at about one-half the price, it is cost effective. While corporate housing is known to cater to business travellers, these services are also available for temporary living during relocation or short-term assignment by the military.

Travelling theatre groups have used corporate housing when they are staying in an area for a while due to performances. Television/film actors and crews are also known to use it when they are shooting on location. Other instances of use include Insurance companies needing to make accommodations for distressed policy holders as well as smart vacationers.

Corporate housing companies can act quickly to provide temporary housing in an emergency. We all remember Katrina in 2005, which hit southern Mississippi and devastated New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of displaced employees were in extreme need for temporary housing. Houston, being a nearby metropolitan city, received a ton of requests for corporate housing.

Some companies own their own furniture, and some do not. "We own all the furniture in our units," said Paul Sternberg of Choice Corporate Housing, "which is advantageous because we don't have to depend on other sources for furniture and housewares.

"We can make certain that our quality needs are met, and we are sure that our units are in the best shape, permitting our control over each section of our business", he said.

Benefits of Using Corporate Housing in Houston
For people traveling and staying for a short period of time, whether it is for special projects, relocations, or general business travel, corporate temporary housing is a source of convenience and savings you would not get from mid to high-end hotels.

Many corporate units will offer amenities such as fitness, laundry and business centers. "We give excellent value with corporate housing in Houston, Sternberg stated."That's because we are a small company, which gives us flexibility". We can change accommodation quickly, and we offer a discounted product.

"We can set clients up with a 700-950 sq ft elegantly furnished apartment in a Houston high-rise for as little as $60 a night, less than what you would pay for a 285 sq ft hotel room", he added.

When looking at the value of corporate housing in Houston against hotels, you will see that you are provided with twice the living space at the same bargain rates. Plus, you are made to feel right at home. Another benefit of corporate housing is being able to get fully-equipped kitchens. Companies can save money by reducing travel expenses. Employees can purchase food and cook their own meals, instead of constantly going out to eat or ordering room service on the company's tab. This allows companies to lower the expenses for food during business trips.

Employees will be able to cook their favorite meals, and still have the extra to dine out for business entertainment when required.

It is true that there are many advantages to staying in a hotel. However, once you stay in a hotel for a week or two, you tend to miss the comforts of home. So taking advantage of corporate housing can increase employee productivity on prolonged business trips.

Corporate Housing - The Cost-Effective Answer
The main reason companies tend to use temporary accommodations is how cost effective it really is; however, they also get the advantage of decreased elusive costs, because employees are more efficient and less stressed, meaning they can get more done.

Cost effectiveness is generally a top factor as companies choose corporate housing in Houston, but an underlying benefit is the decrease in vague costs of employee non-productivity and mental pressure.

It is a natural human desire to crave a relaxing home-like environment. This is exactly what Houston corporate housing provides. The privacy of a well-outfitted, furnished apartment in a convenient location will reduce employee tension when spending time out of town on business.

Plus, with the various amenity options, you can not find better value. Knowing the benefits, it only makes sense to look into temporary accommodations the next time your company needs to find housing for employees on extended business trips to Houston.

Contact Houston corporate housing next time you are planning a trip to Houston for business or pleasure - you'll get the welcome you deserve!