Take Me To Hospital
International business travel can be frustrating, especially when you come from New Zealand, where we are spoilt by the levels of service, that we take for granted.
It is always important to make sure that your accommodation is not only comfortable but that it allows you access to a whole raft of things from luggage storage and reliable internet through to access to good restaurants, office facilities and even simple things like maps or an extra pillow.
Recently I stayed at Hospital Club in London because of reciprocal rights I hold by being a member of The Seafarers Club in Auckland.
This gave me a central city base that punched way above its weight in terms of cost (subsidised) and convenience.
It also granted me access to some of the most difficult doors to breach in a city that's tough on strangers. These included The Arts Club and the Groucho Club.
If you are a frequent flyer I cannot recommend enough the value of becoming a Seafarers member.
On top of all the local benefits I cannot say enough about the importance of having a good base in a foreign city. You have everything you need to conduct business in a professional way at your fingertips and the support of great infrastructure.
It makes all the small niggles and issues travel invariably brings seem insignificant.
Seafarers reciprocal clubs are:
London: The Arts Club, Groucho Club and Hospital Club
Hong Kong and Shanghai: Kee Club
Los Angeles: 41 Oceans Club
New York: Norwood Club
Budapest: Brody House
Toronto: The Spoke Club
Madrid: Club Matador
Seafarers Applications can be filled out here:
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