May 15th, 2012
 Behold Our Mighty Infographic Fellow Travelers Last week we brought you what is arguably the greatest infographic on Mobile Dependence ever created. Capturing the hearts and minds of readers across the internet, it’s clear that we’ve stumbled upon a hot button issue in the world of business travel. With that in mind, we decided a little follow-up was in order.
The debate about whether we, as a species, have grown TOO attached to our mobile devices will continue until people begin to get them implanted into their bodies and everyone finally agree’s that enough is enough…bring back the Google Glasses!
While we tried to remain impartial in our exposition of the data we gathered, it’s hard not to feel like a growing dependence on ANYTHING that is not essential to survival (food, water, wi-fi, etc.) can be seen in a positive light. However, such is not the case with mobile technology, as the reasons for why we have grown so dependent upon it are the same reasons why it was created in the first place, i.e. to make life “easier.”
For business travelers this is especially true. Airline app’s make rushing through terminals only to discover a flight has been delayed a thing of the past. Mobile translation app’s help lessen the culture shock of being in a foreign country. In fact, just about every conceivable need a business traveler may have is covered by their smart phone in one way or another, so it stands to reason that this specific group would be the most entrenched in their tech addictions. The question that remains, then, is how much is too much?
Well, considering that there are already “digital detox” vacations being made available (complete with in-house therapists to assist guests in coping with life without a phone), the answer is apparently all or nothing. When people begin to sacrifice their personal health in the name of being overly-connected and can’t even leave their bed in the mornings without checking in on their phones, it’s time for a change. In ancient times, circa the year 1997, life was hard. Before apps, before iPhones, before….Yelp! But we persevered, knowing that a brighter future was on the horizon, and now that it’s here, it’s time to stop constantly looking forward to what’s next and taking the time appreciate what is now.
Planning a vacation based on the desire for a “digital detox” may seem a bit ridiculous in practice because the power to disconnect yourself from the digital world is always, you know, in your hands and all. But the inherent philosophy behind it remains sound. The only true test of whether you’re “too connected” exists within the user themselves. Most of us know what life was like before these smart phone things, and despite all the benefits, we know when we’ve crossed over the line into addiction territory. There’s nothing wrong with utilizing the tools at your disposal, however, never let yourself reach the point where you could never imagine life without one.
Image: Penraker
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May 2nd, 2012
According to our stats, smartphones and tablets are slowly placing themselves in between water and food as top necessities for business travelers. It makes sense. Being on the road is simply made easier and more manageable by these tools that allow us to stay connected but are these mobile devices taking up too much of our time?
Check out our infographic below to see how dependent you are in comparison to other road warriors!
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April 26th, 2012
Priceline has been up to more than simply letting Captian Kirk rep their online travel services. With the inclusion of a mobile app for Android, Iphone, and Ipad, Priceline was able to track the hotel and auto rental preferences of it’s customers based on which device they used as well as as how last-minute those decisions were.
The same study had been conducted previously, when owning an iPhone was more of a luxury and still considered elite. Their data suggested that there was a correlation between affluent iPhone owners and their choice of hotel accommodations (almost exclusively 3 and 4 star hotels). With the vast majority of mobile users now connected to the internet via their device, usage of Priceline’s app’s has grown considerably and their latest batch of data presents some interesting tidbits on traveler tendencies.
Apparently, renting a car turns out to be last on traveler’s lists when it comes to planning a trip!
- “Rental cars are a spur-of-the-moment decision for many mobile-equipped travelers. 41% of rental car bookings made through priceline.com apps were same-day. Of those bookings, 48% were made within 2 hours of pickup.”
In addition, the vehicle preferences for mobile customers reflect a more diverse range of choices that reinforce the dynamically changing online mobile market:
- The top 5 vehicle choices of mobile-equipped rental car customers are: #1 Economy, #2 Intermediate, #3 Full-Size, #4 Compact, and #5 Standard.
From their data, Chief Product Officer John Caine deduced that, “Today, we’re seeing more mobile devices in the hands of mainstream Americans, whose hotel booking preferences more closely parallel desktop-equipped hotel bookers. This is another indication that the mobile marketplace for travel services is broadening as the popularity of mobile devices grows.”
As more and more business travelers and regular folks alike are hopping on the mobile train, it will be interesting to see how the travel landscape develops. PC Housing is here to stay ahead of the game but we’d love to hear your own stories regarding mobile travel booking! Ever tried it? Easier, faster, more convenient? Sound off in the comments below!
Images: HotelHub, RobbieAbed, BigHill
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April 19th, 2012
Well the times sure are changing but luckily PC Housing is here to fill you in! As the world evolves and business travelers adjust to the economy being down, up, down, and then slightly back up again, budgeting and strategy for travel expenses seems to be becoming one of the most important concerns for companies so far this year.
Hugo Martin of the Los Angeles Times recently reported on the changes in planning and execution of business travel for 2012. The key takeaway from the article focuses on how a new era of business travel has begun, wherein road warriors are focused on doing more with less, including longer trips hitting multiple cities rather than single day excursions and spending extended time in cities in order to get more done.
“The estimated total number of trips in the U.S. dropped 22.7% from 2000 to 2011, but overall spending on business travel increased 3.3%, according to a study released last week by the Global Business Travel Assn., a trade group in Virginia. “This trend makes sense,” said Michael W. McCormick. “We’re seeing road warriors taking fewer trips but making the most of them, making more stops and spending more on the road.”"
In addition to increased spending, there have been some other notable changes in 2012 that look to target the business traveler and offer a more streamlined, hassle-free experience. Imagine avoiding the sock, shoe, and belt removal that is mandatory in all airports in our post-9/11 world and making it a thing of the past. That’s exactly the aim of PreCheck.
“Travelers who have already submitted background information to participate in a frequent flier program with American and Delta may be invited by those airlines to participate in PreCheck. If passengers agree, the airlines would share the background data with the TSA.”
Skipping the long lines at security and avoiding the headache of showing up for flights hours before takeoff in order to ensure you make it in on time is definitely worth the small expense to participate in the program.
Have you been finding your company is focusing more on longer, more effective trips? One resource to consider to assist with cost-effectiveness might be a furnished apartment or a group corporate housing rental. Know of some other tips you would like to share with fellow travelers? Discuss them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!
Images: BusinessInsider, TravelAgentCentral,NewportJets
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April 16th, 2012
We’ve covered some pretty swanky digs in the past, but BloombergBusinessweek recently released a list of some of the best “everything’s” for business travelers the world over. From passports to hotel pools, they’ve collected a list of some of the “best for business travelers” and we thought our dutiful readers might enjoy a few of the more choice luxuries! Read on!
The Best Airline Food Court Winner: San Francisco International
“The first U.S. terminal to earn LEED Gold status—a measure of energy efficiency—features public art installations referencing the Bay Area (the airport is an accredited museum), as well as a “slow food” court with a range of regional favorites. Pack a picnic-to-go at Napa Farms Market, hosting artisanal vendors such as Cowgirl Creamery, Acme Bread, and Vino Volo wines.”
The Best First Class Seat Winner: Emirates Airlines
“The Emirates first-class seat is less a seat than a tiny flying hotel room—complete with mini-bar, wardrobe, mirror, touchscreen TV, and a sliding door between you and the rest of the world.”
The Best Hotel Stationary: Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles
The home of the rich and famous, from moguls to rock stars, the Chateau Marmont in LA is notorious for the lecherous and luxurious alike. If it was good enough for Led Zeppelin, its good enough for you! One thing they may not be so well known for is their hotel stationary. “Each room comes with its own letterhead. Beneath an etching of the distinctive Sunset Boulevard hotel, your name appears, along with the words “In Residence.” ” Swanky, indeed!
The Best Hotel Mini Bar: The Stanford White Building in New York
While a mini bar can be sometimes be both a gift and a curse, more often than not they’re good for little more than $13 bags of macadamian nuts and $19 shots of Jack Daniels. The Stanford White Building takes it to the next level, “filled with everything from candy cigarettes to a portable poker table to “Chatwal No. 44″–scented Krigler candles to a copy of The Great Gatsby and a vintage cocktail shaker. In-room bar service is also an option.”
The Best Airport Club: Sydney Quantas First Lounge
Flight delayed? Yes, and thank you! “Upon entering, you’re greeted by a “vertical garden” created by tropical botanist Patrick Blanc that uses indigenous greenery. Native son Marc Newsom is behind every aspect of the club’s design: the leather lounge chairs and sofas in the private wireless-equipped work suites and mobile-free library; the tables, cutlery, and wall of windows at the seasonally inspired restaurant from fellow Australian chef Neil Perry; the site-specific, large-scale sculptures throughout. The ivy-covered spa, which features complimentary Payot facials and massages, is surely among the best spots to unwind before taking off.”
These are only a few of the highlights from the list which you can go ahead and read here. PC Housing may not have personalized stationary in our furnished apartments, and our corporate housing suites may not allow you to blow off some steam with the classic American novel, but hey, they’re still pretty awesome.
Images: RiffsofWisdom, BloomburgBusinessWeek
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April 4th, 2012
On March 28, 2012, TripAdvisor published an eye-opening survey that sheds some light on the growing number of vacationers who are opting to stay in furnished apartments and vacation rentals instead of hotels. TripAdvisor is easily one the largest travel sites on the web, and their poll of more than 1200 travelers ultimately revealed that 46% of respondents (up from 40% in 2011) will choose to stay in a vacation rental this year.
- One in four respondents say that having more space is the main draw of vacation rentals. In addition, one in five say vacation rentals offer a better vacation experience, while almost one in five (19 percent) like having access to a full kitchen in a vacation rental.
One of the easiest ways to stay healthy on the road is by eating well, and in order for that to be cost-effective it helps to be able to prepare your own meals without the hassle of seeking out health conscious dining establishments.
- Travelers say vacation rentals have benefits the hotels can’t always match. Nearly one in three respondents (32 percent) like the greater amount of privacy a vacation rental affords. More than one in four (27 percent) say it’s easier to spend time with family and friends in a vacation rental. And one in five say a vacation rental just feels more like home.
From the horse’s mouth! We love to tout how our rentals offer vacationers and corporate travelers the same comforts of home while out on the road. Of those surveyed, it looks like these are exactly the types of luxuries they tend to appreciate the most. Vindicated and it feels so good!
- Variety reigns supreme when it comes to vacation rentals: 29 percent of travelers never stay in the same vacation rental year after year, while a further 40 percent rarely do so.
Not to sell ourselves too much, but PC Housing multiple properties in cities across the nation, providing our patrons with a variety of locations and neighborhoods no matter where they may be.
While there is no doubt that we can’t accommodate our guests in all the ways a large hotel might be able to, however, we like to think it’s the little things that come to mind when our guests make the choice to stay with us. TripAdvisor has the hard proof to back up our claims that there’s something to the idea of having a “home away from home” when out on the road, especially for those who must do it more often than they may like.
Images: HafnKennels, BerryCountryCrafts
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March 27th, 2012
Going green isn’t just a passing phase, trend, or lifestyle that happens to be momentarily en vouge. Traveling and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle is easier than you might think and it’s here to stay. Business travelers especially need to be conscious of the lasting impact they may be having on the environment. Between the hundreds of single-use products and rental cars, it’s easy to forget that a little forethought can go a long way when on the road.
We generally use every excuse we can to brag about our hometown of San Diego. We truly love it here and the natural beauty of the coastline we reside on plays a huge part in that. In order to continue to enjoy the natural world around us and preserve it for all the future business travelers (at least until they develop teleportation technology and we go out of business) we’ve got some simple tips that can help you do your part while maintaining your busy schedule!
Well, we all know that sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long flight is hop on a public bus. But, not all municipal transit systems are the the same. If possible, consider utilizing public transit once you’ve settled into your destination as a subway or trolley can oftentimes beat the hassle of sitting in traffic in a taxi!
- Renting a Car? Go Electric!
More and more, car rental services are catching on to the benefits of offering fuel-efficient/electric rentals. Take advantage! Not only can it save money on skyrocketing gas prices, you’ll avoid some serious air pollution. We’ve already covered a great eco-friendly travel company, Car2Go, and stand by the belief that if you haven’t started seeing them pop up in your hometown, you will soon.
- Fly Non-Stop Whenever Possible
Take-off and landing account for almost 50% of a flights emissions according to GoGreenTravelGreen. Do the earth a favor and suck it up by taking a less convenient flight time that skips that layover whenever possible, your healthy children will thank you later!
- Leave the Plastic Bottle Behind
Probably the easiest yet most effective tip on this list is to invest a few bucks in a re-usable water bottle. Preferably one that can also keep your coffee warm! Think about how many meetings, lunches, and Starbucks runs add up to hundreds of used bottles and cups each year. Actually, why not just keep a tally for a month and decide which would be easier for yourself.
This is sort of a catch-all tip. It’s easy to forget that when you aren’t paying the bills, leaving the light on or running water adds up for someone. And by someone, we mean everyone. Do you duty and make sure you’re taking care wherever you stay the same as you would for your own home when it comes to electricity and water use. We know it sounds crazy, but, maybe even use the SAME TOWEL rather than a new one!? No, maybe we’re not quite there yet. One day. Of course, one could always avoid the wastefulness of staying in a hotel by utilizing a furnished apartment or corporate housing suite as well!
Thanks to IgniteMag and GoGreenTravelGreen for some helpful info!
Images: AndyvanDyke, RezHub
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March 23rd, 2012
Here at PC Housing in San Diego we tend to stress the importance of combining your business travel with a little R&R whenever possible. Whether that means enjoying a local cafe, restaurant, bar, or neighborhood, taking advantage of the gift of travel is something many corporate road warriors ought to be doing more often (unless you happen to have a furnished apartment in San Diego…those lucky few are living the good life guaranteed!)
 Ask yourself, why isn't this me? A recent survey conducted by Hotwire was reported on by MSNBC in which they found that:
41 percent of traveling U.S. adults spend the majority of their vacation budget on obligation travel. And 89 percent of respondents said they would take more leisure trips if they had the time and the money to do so.
The article continues on to suggest combining so-called “obligation travel” (business, graduations, birthdays, weddings, etc) with some extra leisure time. While some of the suggestions seem a bit impractical, such as bringing the spouse and kids along, the underlying takeaway here is to allow yourself a little time to relax and enjoy your surroundings when duty calls and you set out to face the perils of foreign water coolers and coffee and doughnut spreads.
Of course, one great way to avoid the drudgery of floating from office to corporate housing suite and back again is to use our helpful tips for having a good time in a new city. Another idea suggested in the article is to simply book your trip for an extra day or two to allow yourself some free time to do some exploring.
Mixing work and play is certainly easier than most might think, and while turning every business trip into a lavish vacation is far from what we recommend, you might be surprised just how far taking a driving tour of a unique city or strolling through a funky neighborhood will go in making you feel like you’re all pleasure, and only some business.
Does your work-life tend to dominate your yearly travel plans above and beyond personal trips? Sound off in the comments and weigh in with your best tips for making the most out of obligation travel!
Image: DJC
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March 13th, 2012
The term “business travel” brings to mind a multitude of associations, both good and bad. Today, we focus on the good. The travel in business travel is, for many, the best part of the experience. Being paid to visit places and experience cultures you wouldn’t otherwise be able to while getting paid for it seems like a dream to some. Granted, work takes priority, but who says you can’t take advantage of your free time and indulge in the finer things?
One of those finer things includes exploring the many different types of cuisine unique to the region you happen to be in. While you may pride yourself on your expertise in the finer points of dining etiquette, there are just some things you can’t know unless you’re told (or you offend your hosts!) Our friends over at BudgetTravel recently put out a list of interesting etiquette rules from around the globe that might surprise even the most well-traveled of us. We know how to successfully work the room at a professional mixer, or even where the hottest spots in San Diego may be, but would totally look like tourists in Italy for ordering a cappuccino AFTER 12 o’ clock!
You can view the whole post here, but we wanted to include a few of our favorites, the ones which truly caught our eye!
Sip, Sip, Pass the Port on the left hand side in Britain
“It’s unclear why passing port on the left is so important; some say it has to do with naval tradition (the port side of a boat is on your left if you’re facing the helm). Regardless, passing the decanter to the right is a big gaffe. So is not passing it at all.”
Fork’s y Knives are No Bueno!
“Worried about spilling refried beans and salsa all over your front? Tough. Mexicans think that eating tacos with a fork and knife looks silly and, worse, snobby—kind of like eating a burger with silverware. So be polite: Eat with your hands”
I’m Italian, So Keep your Cheese off my Slice
“Putting parmigiano on pizza is seen as a sin, like putting Jell-O on a fine chocolate mousse. And many pasta dishes in Italy aren’t meant for parmesan: In Rome, for example, the traditional cheese is pecorino, and that’s what goes on many classic pastas like bucatini all’amatriciana, not parmesan. A rule of thumb: If they don’t offer it to you, don’t ask for it.”
While PC Housing has corporate housing locations all across the US and Canada, we love our international friends as well, so the next time business takes you out of our beloved North America, remember these handy tips to save yourself some embarrassing missteps!
Images: Chiasuanchong, Walton College
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March 7th, 2012
While much of what we here at PC Housing like to share with our readers revolves around the latest and greatest in hospitality news, technology, and trends, we never forget that our client are connoisseurs of life on the go and all that comes along with it (re: dining out!). We’ve covered the best of the best in America’s Finest City before, but our focus was on the more well known areas in town. Today, we wanted to take a look at Little Italy, one of our smaller, tucked away neighborhoods that makes up for it’s small stature with unparalleled class, sophistication, and lots of red sauce.
We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for places that you absolutely must stop in at the next time you find yourself traveling for business in San Diego or simply blowing off some steam. Read on, friends, and drop us a note in the comments if you’ve found yourself indulged by one of these delicious haunts.
Craft & Commerce is for the truly sophisticated sipper. With signature cocktails that feature both liquor AND beer as well as a rotating tap list of truly distinct brews, this classic gastropub is sure to leave you feeling like you belong among the upper echelon of drinkers.
Chef Deborah Scott’s Indigo Grill is part of the fabulous Cohn Restaurant Group that prides itself on offering unique and delicious cuisine with a focus on utilizing locally produced ingredients. Without a doubt, the Hickory & Apple Smoked Pork Ribs should top your to-do list when stopping by. 
What would a list of great eats in Little Italy be without, well, an ITALIAN RESTAURANT!? While there are a number of fine locations along India St., our personal favorite is Mona Lisa Italian Foods. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere is complimented by recipes and flavors that taste just like someone’s Grandma used to make. An extensive but unpretentious wine list and homemade bread, crackers, and cheeses make Mona Lisa one our top picks for Italian in Little Italy.
Once the day is done, sometimes all you really want is something sweet and decadent. Extraordinary Deserts is what you’re looking for. Sure, they have a restaurant menu as well, but why else would you come here for anything but their namesake? Trust us, they deliver on the promise of the marquee.
While these are only a few of the many fine establishments located within the small area that makes up Little Italy, we know you’ll love each one of them as much as we do! And guess what? Our corporate housing suites and furnished apartments are mere minutes from the neighborhood, making a trip an absolute necessity for friends and clients alike! Salud!
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