Business travel Bleisure: Forget Boring Business Trips
We’re all familiar with the saying “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and this phrase has never been more true than when you travel for business. Business travel can be stressful, sometimes grueling, and oftentimes mundane. However, there’s no rule that says you can’t have a little fun while on a work trip. Ultimately, combining business with pleasure can leave you feeling more relaxed and energized and your work/life balance, which is something most strive for, can be improved. That is why Iberostar bets on bleisure, making its hotels leisure and business centers.
With bleisure travelers becoming the fastest growing demographic in the travel industry, turn to an experienced travel agent who can help you make it worth your while. Flying on certain days of the week can help cut costs, which will be attractive not only to you, but to your employer as well. Additionally, the beauty of combining business and pleasure is that it will keep your personal expenses low. With your airfare and hotel (for the majority of your stay) paid for, its beneficial to take advantage of your trip. If it’s still difficult to get away from the office for more days than you’re scheduled to be, there are still ways to fit in the fun in your downtime, even if this means taking a client or two along. We’ve rounded up the best cities for bleisure for you.
NEW YORK CITY
As the city that never sleeps, New York City is one of the best towns for bleisure with amazing hotels such as Iberostar Avenue Park. When the working day is over, it seems that all New Yorkers and straphangers (those that commute into the city from nearby suburbs) head out for happy hour. With the options seemingly endless, it can be hard to narrow down exactly where to hang out. Head to Midtown (located between 31th Street and 59th Street) where you’ll mingle with locals, commuters, and visitors. With so many Irish pubs and sleek restaurants to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go. Head to Proper West for a cold pint or some classic American bar bites. If you’re looking to sample some American craft beers (a trend that’s sweeping the nation) you’ll want to pay a visit to The Stag’s Head. The number of museums and performances in New York City is so vast, it would be impossible to see it all. Before you land, do some research on which museums offer free extended hours during the month.
BARCELONA
This Spanish seaside town is infamous for its tapas culture, nights out that start at midnight, and culture at your fingertips. With some of the most beautiful weather in Europe, you can’t help wanting to be outdoors when you can.
BARCELONA
After you’ve been inside all day for meetings and conference calls, it’s time to get some fresh air. A good choice is to enjoy a drink breathing the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Mmmallorca Coffee Bakery Bar of Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia Hotel. Other option is to head down to La Barceloneta and stroll along Sant Sebastià Beach. Visit Restaurant Barceloneta for dinner or drinks and sit along the harbor watching the yachts come in and out. You’d be remiss to sample the famous tapas scene that Barcelona does so well. The best known of all the tapas restaurants is La Esquinica. Decide to stick with one restaurant or visit multiple in the same evening, sampling different small plates at each—the choice is yours!
BARCELONA
Barcelona has amazing art, seemingly almost everywhere you turn. Stunning building facades, street artists, and sculptures are peppered all over the streets. Park Güell may sound like just a park, but it is actually one of the great works of Antonio Gaudí, one of the most well-known artists of the Catalan Modernism movement. Basílica de la Sagrada Família, the largest Roman Catholic church in the world, was designed by Gaudí in the late 1800s. It’s controversial and jaw-dropping design let Picasso to say “send Gaudí and the Sagrada Família to hell.” With feedback like that, you must add it to your to-do list.
BARCELONA
A quick 45-minute ride out of the city puts you in the middle of wine country. Cavas Cordoníu has spectacular grounds that are perfect for strolling after you’ve sampled some of their award-winning cava. As the oldest family business in Spain, there is a lot of history in the buildings. Hop on a bike as part of a guided tour to really soak up the ambiance (and flavor!) of the area.
MIAMI
Art deco vibes, Cuban influence, and trendy nightclubs are just a few of the things that make Miami such a hot destination. Add good weather mostly year round to that and you’ve got a spot that is irresistible in its offerings for the bleisure traveler, where they can go from boardrooms to beaches and suits to bathing suits in a matter of minutes. A hopping nightlife scene can also help to blow off some steam.
MIAMI
While South Beach can be tempting, it can also be crowded. A perfect option is to staying at the Iberostar Berkeley pool, sunbathing and relaxing at the heart of the When you’re looking to just relax at the end of the day, scope out Yard Bird in Miami Beach. Their cocktail list is a thing of beauty, but if nothing on there catches your eye, their skilled bartenders will whip up something for you that will pair perfectly with their Southern cuisine (think fried chicken and waffles). Sample another local Southern specialty at Joe’s Stone Crab which has been serving up stone crabs since 1913. Once dinner is finished, put on your dancing shoes. There is truly a club for everyone with so many cultural influences creating a melting pot. From salsa to EDM, be prepared to dance the night away in true Miami fashion.
MIAMI
Events like Art Basel, an international art show which features new and established artists, happens in major cities like Hong Kong, Basel, Switzerland, and now in Miami Beach which has helped to put Miami on the arts scene. The Miami Design District has become famous for its architecture, art galleries, and shops which have an emphasis on interior design. The Institute of Contemporary Art opened at the end of 2017, further solidifying Miami has a major player in the arts.
