How to Level Up Your Next Solo Business Trip

There’s something liberating about solo business travel. Why? Because one of the big decisions – perhaps the biggest decision – has been made for you: Where shall I go? With this kind of travel, there’s no pressure to tick a destination off your bucket list, or to make memories that will last a lifetime. Except here’s the thing: you absolutely can have a fantastic travel experience and advance your career at the same time. When you next need to travel solo for work, here’s how to do just that.

Get the essentials sorted

A successful solo business trip is about much more than what you take with you (Photo: Getty Images)

You’ve packed light, you’ve chosen the right business wear for the destination, and you have all the chargers, adaptors and VPNs you might need – but a successful trip is about much more than what you take with you. 

If your destination isn’t English-speaking, download a translation app that works offline – learning even a few phrases will go down well – and ensure you’re clued up on the local culture’s  etiquette. 

When planning your itinerary, try to allow for some flexibility – can you add on a few hours here, or an extra day there? It’s also a good idea to research your destination’s must-sees to help make the most of any downtime. 

Find the perfect hotel to suit your needs

Whether you simply need a convenient rest-stop between meetings, or plan to socialise and explore on your trip, choosing the right hotel is vital. Carefully consider your priorities – such as proximity to the airport, in-room workspace, or laundry and kitchen facilities – to help you locate the perfect base.  

… For when you want to be sociable

Moxy and Aloft hotels are ideal for those who want to make new connections (Photo: Marriott International)

With their communal co-working spaces and sociable lobby areas, Moxy and Aloft hotels are ideal for those who want to make new connections. For example, Moxy Manchester City combines super-fast wi-fi and efficient workspaces with a games room, lively Moxy Bar and 24/7 dining. 

Meanwhile in Türkiye, Aloft Istanbul Karakoy serves up live music and signature cocktails in its buzzing W XYZ cocktail bar, with Karakoy’s waterfront cafés, art galleries and Galata watchtower nearby too. 

… For when you need a super-convenient location

When getting from A to B is the priority, choose a hotel that's close to the action (Photo: Marriott International)

When getting swiftly from A to B is the priority, choose a hotel that’s close to the action, such as Courtyard by Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon, just a few steps from one of Paris’s main rail hubs. 

In central Birmingham, AC Hotel Birmingham puts you just ten minutes’ walk from the International Convention Centre and New Street Station, while Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Centre, Dubai has the city’s biggest conference centre next door. 

For cross-Africa connectivity, Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport is perfectly placed, while Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait is right in one of the Middle East’s key business districts. 

… For when you want to explore

Time can be short on a solo business trip, so choose a hotel that places you squarely in the heart of the action (Photo: Getty Images)

If you have time to squeeze some local culture into your trip, you need a hotel that offers a fast-track – somewhere that’s plugged into your destination.

For business trips to the German capital, Moxy Berlin Humboldthain Park is a great choice, lying close to Prenzlauer Berg’s breweries, flea market and vintage stores. Rent a bike from reception to get the most out of your downtime.

When work takes you to the Netherlands, consider the harbourside Moxy Amsterdam Houthavens. Just step outside and you’ll find yourself in a trendy quarter packed with wine bars, brunch spots and even a 100-year-old ferry converted into a restaurant. 

… For discovering a hidden gem

When your schedule allows, nothing beats a walk off the beaten path and discovering a hidden city gem that surprises and delights (Photo: Getty Images)

Sometimes business trips offer the opportunity to sample a different neighbourhood or a “second city”, perhaps by tagging on a few nights somewhere unexpected. If you’re in the UAE, consider Aloft Al Ain, in an up-and-coming city that’s just 90 minutes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Should work bring you to Istanbul, book into Aloft Bursa Hotel – a two-hour ferry away – to explore Bursa’s rich Ottoman history and easy links to Mount Uludağ for hiking and skiing.  

… For when you need maximum productivity

Many AC hotel rooms come equipped with generously sized desks, flexible meeting rooms and quiet break-out areas (Photo: Marriott International)

Sometimes you just need somewhere efficient and smart where you can get on with work in clutter-free comfort – like AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront in South Africa, or AC Hotel Krakow in Poland, both of which offer AC’s generously sized desks, flexible meeting rooms and quiet break-out areas. 

In Africa, Tunisia’s Sheraton Tunis Hotel and Uganda’s Sheraton Kampala Hotel blend city-centre locations with meeting spaces, room service and window-side workstations for maximum natural light – plus soundproofed booths for making calls on-the-go. 

… For when you’re away long-term

Choose Marriott hotels for a home away from home on extended business trips (Photo: Marriott International)

On extended business trips, it’s essential to find a hotel that resonates – somewhere that gives you that ‘Ahhh’ feeling. So be discerning – whether it’s in terms of location, views or amenities like laundry and room service, you want to know you’ll feel at home.

One good approach is to choose a hotel that’s geared towards longer stays, such as Residence Inn by Marriott Manama Juffair in Bahrain and Residence Inn by Marriott Ghent in Belgium – which both feature spacious studios and suites, with kitchens, extensive menus, on-site laundries and convenience stores. 

All rooms at Element By Westin Wroclaw, meanwhile, offer lounge areas, kitchens and spa-style bathrooms, while the apartments at Element West Bay Doha embrace modern living: think large desks, open-plan dining and city views through floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Embrace solo dining with a difference

All Moxy hotels feature a signature Moxy Bar, where local dishes are served amid vibrant surroundings (Photo: Getty Images)

Heading to a food court or local café are great ways to dine solo, while food tours and street markets offer a dose of culture and social interaction alongside the tasty treats. If you don’t want to forego fine dining, ask if the restaurant offers a bar menu: ideal for casual, last-minute plans.

All Moxy hotels feature a signature Moxy Bar, where local dishes are served amid vibrant surroundings: think colourful art, communal games and great cocktails. You’ll invariably have a trendy neighbourhood on your doorstep, too, if you fancy a post-dinner stroll.

Aloft hotels, such as Aloft Muscat in Oman and Aloft Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, feature 24/7 self-service dining and groceries at Re:fuel – ideal for grabbing bites when time is tight.

If you’ll be entertaining clients, opt for a hotel with a variety of options to cater to different tastes: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino features the M Club lounge as well as 12 restaurants and bars, ranging from authentic Egyptian cuisine to French fine dining. 

Get the most out of your ‘you’ time

If time allows, there’s no better way to get to know a new city than by jogging along its canals, side streets and hidden corners (Photo: Getty Images)

Whether for a few hours or a full day, a little downtime can help you balance personal well-being with professional goals – and make your trip even more productive. Find out if there are any easy wins nearby: from beach jogging routes and sightseeing excursions to safaris, theatre shows and Michelin-starred dining.

Solo travel can also allow you to focus fully on personal growth, whether that’s a meditation class, early-morning gym sessions or treating yourself to a deep-tissue massage. After all, when an experience like this is part of a business trip, you know you’ve earned it!

Published: November 07, 2025