Crowne Plaza by IHG, one of the world’s largest premium hotel brands and a leader in the blended travel space, has officially announced the launch of a new Bring Your Bestie package to accommodate travel and workplace behaviors, available at select hotels across the US.
To understand the significance of such a development, we must acknowledge one Crowne Plaza’s global YouGov survey, which took into account the opinion of 12,000 people. In essence, 74% of U.S. travelers reported they would invite a friend or family member on a work trip.
Out of the surveyed contingent, Gen Z and Millennials emerged as more likely than the rest to do so. Nearly 40% of U.S. travelers were found to combine work and leisure travel specifically to spend quality time with family and friends.
Talk about the achieved findings on a slightly deeper level, we begin from the fact that creating a welcoming environment for plus ones was found to be a key. This translates to how nearly 1 in every 5 U.S. respondents revealed they have invited a family member or friend to join them on a work trip without disclosing it to their employer.
On the other hand, 34% of respondents said company policies or guidelines influenced their decision to bring a guest on their trip.
Next up, there is a piece of data which claims how streamlining costs can make travelling with a companion more accessible. Here, over a third of U.S. respondents mentioned they may hesitate to invite friends or family on work trips because of the added costs.
Another detail worth a mention is rooted in the way more and more travellers said they look for different options to keep their guests entertained while they work. 1 in 4 people noted that itineraries or activities for the person they are traveling with are a valuable amenity in the context of encouraging blended travel.
“Today’s professionals are embracing blended travel and the perks it offers. Bringing a plus one on a work trip was once kept under the radar, but times have changed,” said Ginger Taggart, Vice President of Brand Management – Global Premium Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “Connectivity is at the heart of the Crowne Plaza brand, guiding how we deliver service and spaces across our hotels. The Bring Your Bestie offer delivers upon guests’ needs for shared experiences and meaningful relationships.”
Turning our attention towards Crowne’s latest brainchild, when booking the Bring Your Bestie package, guests will be able to enjoy new spaces and inventive guest experiences. These experiences, on their part, are designed to support both professional and personal growth.
They can come expecting, for instance, an assortment of reimagined guest rooms made using three distinct zones i.e. work, relaxation, and sleep. Alongside that, there will be social spaces envisioned as lively plazas to create the perfect setting for morning coffee, informal meetings, or evening cocktails.
Not just that, soon enough, Crowne is also set to soon launch weekly activities, such as wine tastings and local delicacy sampling, all for the overarching purpose of fostering conversation and connection. The company will also introduce specialized Crowne Plaza programming, which is going to provide complimentary access of FIIT, a world-class fitness and movement platform.
Joining that would be BBC Maestro program, geared towards providing expert-led masterclasses on topics ranging from wine appreciation to finding happiness.
Open for booking from April 14, 2025, through May 12, 2025, the report mandates stays to be completed between April 14, 2025 and July 10, 2025. The guests who do participate will receive 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points, which will be automatically deposited along with base earning points after checkout.
On top of that, complementary breakfast is provided for up to two guests each day, along with one complementary drink per night, subject to the discretion of the property.
