Understanding Houston Corporate Housing: An Affordable Travel Solution That’s Just Like Home
This is actually an apartment. No, it’s a hotel. No, it’s 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 values the corporate housing industry at $2.77 billion in the United States during 2008, being comprised of approximately 73,385 units with an occupancy rate of 88.5 percent.
When it comes to corporate housing, Houston is lucky to have several companies you can choose from, including Choice Corporate Housing, Oakwood Worldwide, RXHousing and CorporateHousingcom, to name a few.
Why would you consider the use of corporate housing? Simple, it’s very convenient, it’s more comfortable with twice the living space, and it’s cost effective at half the price.
Although corporate housing is best known for catering to the business traveler, the services may also be utilized for short-term living arrangements during a relocation or for brief military assignments. 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 providers are able to react rapidly to offer temporary shelter in the event of an emergency. We all remember Katrina in 2005, which hit southern Mississippi and devastated New Orleans, Louisiana. As a nearby metropolitan city, Houston was flooded with requests for corporate housing to accommodate thousands of displaced employees in dire need of temporary living space.
Within tree weeks of this terrible event, Oakwood Worldwide was able to provide 1,500 apartments in different locations to assist these employees. . “Frankly, the only thing we were limited by was our furniture rental companies couldn’t take it on any faster than that,” said Oakwood Senior Vice President Gavan James when interviewed by Mobility Magazine in 2007
Some companies own their own furniture. Paul Sternberg of Choice Corporate Housing states,”We own all the furniture in our units.” He feels this is more advantageous than renting it, because it allows them to be free of the burden of depending on other sources for the furniture and housewares they require. He goes on to say that by owning the furniture, his company “can ensure that the quality meets our specific needs, and we know our units are in top shape, allowing us to control every aspect of our business,”
Advantages of Corporate Housing in Houston
When you look at the overall travel spend picture, be it for special projects, relocations or ordinary business travel, Houston corporate housing provides cost savings and convenience over comparable mid to high-end hotels. Many corporate units will offer amenities such as fitness centers, 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 swap accommodation rapidly and we provide reduced rates.
“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 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. Another benefit of corporate housing in Houston 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.
It may also reduce charges for food allowance as employees favor preparing the meals they like and still have the capability of dining out for business entertainment.
Although there are advantages with hotels, after a couple of weeks most people long for the comforts of home. So, taking advantage of corporate housing can increase employee productivity on prolonged business trips.
Cost Effectiveness
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. There is a natural wish for a calm environment when travelling and this is made possible by Houston corporate housing. The privacy of a well equipped, furnished apartment in a convenient locale also lowers employee stress level when conducting business out of town.
Finally, the amenities available top it off. The next time your company needs to accommodate employees for extended time periods, check out the convenience of corporate housing in Houston.
