Frequent business travelers list their favorite hotels
— -- Tony Goddard was grumpy as he entered his room at the Beijing Hilton after a tough workday two years ago.
He was alone on his 42nd birthday, and his urgent business trip to China had also made him miss Father's Day with his family.
The unhappiness disappeared when the executive from Tully, N.Y., noticed a large birthday cake with his name on it and a card. Hotel staff apparently spotted his birth date on his passport.
"That was pretty neat," recalls Goddard, whose company sells machines to build aircraft. "That was over and above the usual service a hotel provides."
Many travelers choose a hotel based on location, but it often takes something more — maybe extra service, amenities or luxury — before a hotel becomes a favorite.
USA TODAY interviewed 360 frequent business travelers and asked them for their favorites. The travelers — who occasionally respond to travel questions as part of the newspaper's Road Warrior Panel — spent nearly 44,000 nights in hotels last year, or an average of 122 nights per person.
Their favorites are located everywhere around the world and range from luxurious lodgings to inexpensive chain hotels.
Freebies, courtesy count
For Goddard, who has stayed at the Beijing Hilton on at least 40 trips, the birthday wishes aren't the only reason it became a favorite.
On arrival, the hotel routinely upgrades him to a suite and gives him an assortment of freebies, including a bottle of wine, candies, cashews and flowers. Plus, the hotel general manager writes a personal welcome-back letter.
Consultant Steve Miller of Federal Way, Wash., recalls a single incident that helped make the Muse Hotel in New York his favorite. He ran out of toothpaste one morning and made a mental note to buy more.
When he returned hours later to the boutique hotel near Times Square, a new tube of toothpaste was on the bathroom counter. A note from the housekeeper said: " 'Dear Mr. Miller, I noticed you ran out of toothpaste, so I took the liberty of replacing it for you,' " Miller says.
