Business Travel: A Guide to London

If you’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to London for work, you’ll appreciate the excellent amenities that will facilitate your work, as well as a variety of intriguing international cuisines and unparalleled chances to amuse yourself after work.

How to Travel to London

Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City are the three most practical airports for business travellers. Due to airport constraints, London City offers the least selection of flight schedules and is the most costly to travel into and out of. However, it is also the closest to the centre.

Heathrow is the second nearest, but because it’s the busiest airport in the UK, you may have to account for lengthy lines at baggage and passport control. Because Gatwick Airport typically offers a greater selection of flight dates and airline carriers, more passengers are increasingly using it more frequently. The trip to Central London by private shuttle takes less than an hour, and flights are typically less expensive to this airport.

Airport Facilities

I believe that London City Airport has the least amenities for business travellers. The airport amenities are limited, and the First Class lounge is somewhat pricey. Free internet access is available all across the airport, and I really like the feature that lets you pre-register before you come to the terminal.

With free WiFi for an indefinite amount of time and the ability to enhance the speed with one of the pay-as-you-go packages available, Heathrow Airport is arguably the most business-friendly. Additionally, each terminal has a free computer desk with internet access. The Heathrow App, which helps you navigate the airport from door to gate, is, in my opinion, excellent.

Modern business lounges are available, and conference spaces can be reserved by the hour. If you have a lengthy layover, you can also reserve a traveler’s bedroom at Terminal 3.

Some of the more subtle offerings, in my opinion, significantly reduce the stress associated with business travel. When you go to the airport, you can pick up your foreign money that you ordered online. Additionally, Heathrow has a baggage delivery service that will transport your bags to your hotel so you don’t have to carry them with you to your meeting. These minor details are what really make a difference.

Huge progress is being made by Gatwick Airport to accommodate corporate travellers. There are business lounges at Arrivals and Departures at both terminals. The amenities include free WiFi, meals, showers, and conference rooms that may be reserved by the hour.

Workpods in both terminals are run by Regus around-the-clock. These clever soundproof private offices come with wireless connectivity, printing capabilities, and phone chargers.

The availability of ChargeBoxes in the North and South departure lounges, where you can recharge your phone’s battery, is wonderful because I don’t usually use the lounges or Workpods. The airport has a lot of PowerPoints, but the wireless connectivity is a little spotty. After your 90 free minutes on the terminals, you must choose a Boingo pricing plan for a longer period of time.

My Favourite London Business Hotel

The Lanesborough is my favourite business hotel in London. Even if it isn’t affordable for all business travellers, this hotel is deserving of its 2016 ranking as the top London business hotel. Although I’ve only had the privilege of staying there once, it’s an experience I always seek out when visiting London.

This five-star hotel will not let you down. Free WiFi is available all across the facility, and you can even use a laptop for free while you’re there. The Library bar offers a variety of cognacs, whiskies and cocktails and exudes an air of Old World grandeur that is sure to wow your clients and colleagues. After the day’s negotiations are over, it’s a great spot to adjourn. The hotel’s Withdrawing Room is the ideal location for casual gatherings or business lunches.

The free butler service that each guest receives, which is accessible around-the-clock to conduct errands and make sure their trip to London goes smoothly, is what really made me fall in love with this hotel.

Wining & Dining Your Clients

The variety of international cuisines available in London is unparalleled, making it nearly impossible to choose a favourite among the many alternatives for impressing with a meal. Club Gascon, which offers a flavour of South West France, appeals to me. It features Chef Pascal Aussignac Toulouse, a Michelin-starred chef who specialises in duck dishes, charcuterie, and cassoulet.

A sommelier who specialises in southern French wine can provide you with a great wine combination, and the lunch set menu is updated every day. The restaurant is the ideal choice for a business lunch because lunch service is guaranteed within 45 minutes.

Time to spare

If you have some free time in between meetings in London, it’s quite difficult to prioritise what I would advise doing. Because of the size of the capital, the activities you choose may be greatly influenced by your location.

Although the city is rather quiet on weekends, you are in a prime location to take the Tube to the most of the tourist attractions.

You might want to take advantage of the weekly late-night openings at the major museums, which are all free to enter, if you have time in the evenings. Among the organisations that are open after hours include the V&A Museum, Tate Modern, the British Museum, and the National Gallery.

I never get tired of taking a walk along the South Bank, where people, street performers, markets, and cafes interact every day and night, as a way to get some exercise and take in the “atmosphere.”

Borough Market is where I go when I seek unique experiences and keepsakes. Great cheeses, wines, and other goodies may be found here, and you’ll get a sense of the old London traders.

London is a fantastic destination for business travel because it’s easy to find accommodations with the amenities you need. You may find a flight at any time and on any budget thanks to the variety of transportation options available. The best part is that you’ll be in the centre of one of the liveliest cities in Europe, where your only challenge will be deciding how to spend your little free time.

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