Giveaway Contest: (2) $250 Fairfield Inn Gift Cards

by Gary Leff

Marriott’s Fairfield Inn & Suites offered up (2) $250 gift cards to give away to my readers in celebration of their Silver September national vacation giveaway.

Fairfield Inn & Suites is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with its national Silver September giveaway, awarding 25 lucky guests with an all-expense paid weekend getaway to one of four premium Fairfield Inn & Suites destinations across the United States. From September 1-25, Fairfield Inn & Suites guests in the United States and Canada* will receive Silver September envelopes upon check-in – 25 of which will contain winning silver tickets.

So if you win the blog contest, and you use your gift cards on a stay by September 25, you could leverage that into another free stay. (And if you use the gift cards by October 31 you can earn MegaBonus credits towards another free night.

It’s interesting that Fairfield is offering weekend getaways, since my mental model of the chain or how I’ve found them useful in the past is business stays in smaller cities. And in fact they pass along a business travel survey as well finding that 76% of people find they’re more prepared in life because of business travel; 86% value time with family and friends more because of their time on the road; 83% value personal time more; 92% say they’re a better traveler overall; 76% believe they’re viewed as experts by their friends.

So here’s the contest, $250 Fairfield Inn gift cards to each of two randomly selected readers who tell me in the comments what you look for in a business hotel?

How To Enter

  1. Enter with an answer to the question, “What do you look for in a business hotel?”
  2. This is the official entry post. Leave your entries as a comment to this post.
  3. You may enter only one time per 24 hours, you need to wait at least 24 hours from your previous entry to enter again. Make sure not to leave more than one comment in this thread every 24 hours under any circumstances or you will disqualify yourself.
  4. Contest ends, and your last chance to enter, September 5th at 5pm Eastern time.
  5. The winner will be chosen at random. In the usual fashion for giveaways, with the assistance of Random.org.
  6. All judgments, interpretations, and decisions by me are final. By entering you agree to that, agree not to give me a hard time, acknowledge that I am trying to give something to my readers and not taking anything from Marriott or Fairfield Inn to do this. So please please please you agree not to give me a hard time or sue me. There, that’s my legalese, thank you!

Got questions about this contest? Email them to me, as they may get lost in the entry comments.

Good luck!

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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  1. I look for a hotel where I can earn as many points/miles as possible while my business picks up the tab.

  8. I pick my hotels like I pick my investments, looking for hotels that are currently under-priced by the market compared with their quality.

  10. Free wifi (that is actually usable), a comfortable working desk, and a not-terrible breakfast. I completely agree with you that Fairfield Inns are great business hotels for smaller towns.

  14. Since this is a business trip, I look for anything provided that will help me achieve maximum efficiency.

  17. I would want a hotel that is easy to get to, good firm beds, a great breakfast and has to have WiFi.

  21. I usually go with the hotel with the best promo, I.e. points, free nights. It must also have free breakfast.

  31. When on business travel I hope for a comfortable bed, proximity to interesting parts of town, & a complimentary breakfast is always nice!

  33. I look for a hotel that has good business centers – a good conference room with video capabilities.

  35. 1. Free wifi with excellent signal strength.
    2. Free breakfast that has at least eggs…and meat a plus.
    3. A fax machine in the business center so I don’t have to ask the clerk in the event that I have to fax something.
    4. A business center.
    5. A decent lounge — but this may be pushing it.

  36. I look for proximity to public transportation, cheap parking and good on-site restaurant.

  58. A clean and quiet room, free WiFi and a decent breakfast is all I need when travelling on business.

  62. Consistency. I want to know what is included in the rate and/or available at the hotel without having to research specific properties.

  64. I want to be spoiled. Make me feel like I’m CEO while I’m there – and obviously wifi & a healthy breakfast!

  70. For a business hotel:
    1. Usable wifi
    2. Quick Check-in
    3. Comfy Bed
    4. ample free parking
    5. Water (free or paid)

  75. Business Hotel Needs:
    1. Free breakfast
    2. Free and fast wifi
    3. Fridge and microwave
    4. Comfortable couch
    5. Good, comfortable office chair

  77. I look for a convenient location, clean and decent rooms with a desk, a gym that is free to use, and a decent breakfast.

  80. 1. Good centralized location, hopefully with free airport shuttle
    2. Hot Breakfast
    3. Free wi-fi
    4. Maximize rewards points

  89. Free WiFi, free/cheap parking, room service, safe neighborhood, close to my business destination.

  96. The #1 requirement is well placed outlets. Nothing is worse than staying at a nice hotel (I’m looking at you Renaissance) and having to leave the phone plugged in on the other side of the room.

  99. I look for a hotel in my preferred chains, close to the business office. I also check reviews before booking.

  111. I look for price vs. location and amenities, just like I do with leisure travel. There are some low daily rates out there with great amenities, but you lose that savings and more in transit costs (both monetary and sheer effort).

  113. Clean, comfortable room is a must. Wifi and great customer service is also a must. Good location, good breakfast, nice staff, always makes it better.

  115. Comfy bed. Good exercise room with a good variety of dumbells and a treadmill/elliptical, hot good breakfast available.

  116. I look most for a good location and internet connection. If the shower has decent pressure and controls, that’s gravy.

  122. In addition to Complimentary Breakfast & WiFi, the overall quality of the hotel in its entirety is what seems to seal the deal for me. Everything from the kind of service I receive from the hotel staff all the way to how comfy the sheets feel and everything else in between.

  125. A really comfortable bed – a good night’s sleep is critical to performing well in meetings the next day

  132. I want complimentary parking, wi-fi, and breakfast. A comfortable bed and a casual room decor will be a plus.

  137. Free wifi in rooms and lobby, lucrative award program and promotions, and location near social activity..

  144. For business travel I’m looking for a place with good wireless connection and in a convenient location to work. A comfy bed is always a plus!

  147. For my business trips, I generally look for location, comfort, price, and high-speed internet. The most important will be location (needs to be near where my clients or work). Upgrades and breakfast are always nice perks though. 🙂

  155. Good Wifi, a comfortable chair and desk to work from, several plugs that are at desk level, lots of free parking, a short walk from the parking lot to my room, and a breakfast to go option.

  158. I like free breakfast so I don’t have to go searching for a bakery or coffee shop. Nice soundproofing on the room is also a plus.

  159. Clean and efficiently operating facility, comfortable bed, thoughtful attentive service that recognizes my loyalty status.

  179. Reliable WiFi in the room (not just the lobby … not just sometimes … not terribly slow)

  189. A comfortable bed/also a comfortable chair plus good lighting. A GOOD breakfast – not just cold cereal. Complimentary wi-fi, of course.

  191. First of all IT NEEDS TO BE VERY CLEAN, I really appreciate when beds are clean and white 🙂

    High speed interenet (WIFI)
    Nice breakfast
    good Matress
    And just to be a good place to relax with no problems

  195. For business hotel, I look for quiet, clean and conveniently located hotel near the client site.

  201. It’s not complicated. Convenient location, preferably away from highway noise, comfortable bed, and an adequate breakfast. Anything more is appreciated, but not necessary.

  203. I often will work late hours on my laptop. Beyond wifi I compare my options to see which might have a better work space and chair.

  207. Good Wi-Fi is really the only criteria I look at. You can usually be more comfortable in the room than in any lounge and free breakfast is often worth what you pay for it, so it boils down to internet connectivity when you’re looking for a place to work.

  218. Good Internet connection, access to a business center should one need to print any documents, comfortable beds and pillows, extra blankets, and a good hot breakfast. An iron in the room helps too.

  226. I look for a hotel with plenty of outlets and late night room service. Friendly service is also really important too.

  231. location, price, no appearance on the bed beg registry, lots of electrical outlets and tripadvisor reviews.

  234. It has to be away from major noisy places whether highways or airports or at least have sound-proof windows

  238. -wifi
    -breakfast
    -newspaper
    -clean pool
    -large room with comfortable office chair/desk
    -in-room chaise to lay down in.
    -assortment of pillows

  252. Free wifi, decent breakfast, reasonable price, close to my customer. Fairfield’s usually do it for me.

  258. What do you look for in a business hotel is a quiet room with free Internet and a large desk and comfy chair for it with a high back.

  273. I wish for a quite room, a good night’s sleep, and comfortable working conditions.Wifi should be free.

  287. What i look for is proxikity to the business location and restaurants to minimize overall driving time

  288. In a business hotel, I look for a convenient location, complimentary breakfast or at least a good cup of coffee in the lobby, and flexible check-in/check-out times…. and of course a quiet room to get rest, a good sleep, and some work done!

  296. Quiet room, lots of hot water in large shower, reliable/lots of bandwidth wifi (free or pay doesnt matter).

  299. Reliable internet, good location (for business and for dining). Maybe a good hotel loyalty program also.

  305. A hotel that is close to the reason I am visiting, quiet and clean rooms, free Internet, comfortable bed and a small fridge.

  333. Good rewards program. Location. Good beds. Good Wi Fi and decent breakfast. Consistency! I do not want to worry about what I will find when I get there.

  340. I’m surprised how many people want free wifi, traveling on their own dime. For me:

    -Location
    -Somewhere I can earn points, preferably with a good promo, unless it’s truly luxurious
    -Wifi
    -Gym with late/early hours
    -24-hour room service
    –

  345. I look for a clean room, wifi and decent breakfast with a location suitable to where we will meet or work.

  346. Proximity to the client site and membership in one of the loyalty programs in which I have status.

  360. A comfy bed with high quality cotton sheets – free wifi – and a generous points plan.

  361. I look for three things in a business hotel: free Internet, free and easy breakfast, and airport shuttle service.

  363. I look for something at government per diem, breakfast and good wifi with good point promotion opportunities.

  364. A quiet room, comfortable bed, free WiFi, and most importantly easily accessible electrical outlets.

  369. All i care about is that it is quiet so that I can sleep! Free wifi would also be useful as well. Also, a decent breakfest with healthy options can really save a lot of time for early morning meetings.

  373. I look for convenient location, cleanliness, speed of checking in/out, fast internet, and reward bang for buck.

  375. Free hot breakfast, evening meal offering is awesome. Free wifi, that actually works and is fast. Been to some where the free wifi hardly existed in my room, or was slower than my phone. Suite room. Good cable channels.

  388. Business hotel must have free internet and breakfast. A nice area to set up your laptop and work. As a bonus a great points system would be nice 😉

  391. I look for free wi-fi, location, easily accessible outlets to recharge electronics and a great breakfast.

  393. A special promotion where I can accumulate additional free points toward a free hotel room while on vacation.

  400. I think one of the most important features of a hotel for business stays is free and good quality internet access. I frequently travel to N for business and I stay at a Fairfield Inn because of the quality of their internet.

  401. A portable desk/workspace, complementary breakfast & dinner, and (ideally) both wired and wireless Internet access since wireless alone can be unreliable and wired alone can be limiting

  404. I look for a good fitness center, a shuttle to the airport, and a good machine to print out my boarding pass home.

  409. I need high-speed reliable Internet and a nice restaurant close by that I can walk to or delivers.

  414. 1 clean
    2 proximity to work location or public transit
    3 at or below federal per-diem
    4 right points program for my current earnings need
    5 free breakfast is good
    6 Flat screen TV with proper Hi Def, preferably with MSNBC

  424. Free and reliable wi-fi, and ideally a free breakfast as well. I would also encourage more hotels to do away with carpeting in rooms and adopt wood flooring. It would look better, and is generally cleaner and easier to maintain (though would require a revamp of housekeeping routines).

  430. Needs to be close to my meetings, well kept, business “room” with plenty of printers and a fax machine, and quiet!

  433. Clean, quiet, and comfortable are my requirements. Breakfast, free wifi, and fitness room are my important nice-to-haves.

  439. I look for a hotel where I can earn as many points/miles as possible while my business picks up the tab. And free internet.

  448. After the obvious need for high speed wifi, I’d say a decent iron and ironing board are at the top of my list. I like to travel with a pretty small carry on, and I’ve never figured out how to pack a suit without the accompanying wrinkles. Too often I find myself at hotels that are otherwise fine, but the iron is absent, doesn’t work, or is rendered useless by a broken board.

  465. I want a clean room, clean bathroom, free from “deodorant” smells. Easy to find location and access to transportation or highways.

  466. Lots of points, a clean room, and as my fellow entrant Lewis said above… free from “deodorant” smells. Sometimes I wonder how bad the place smells if they have to use a gallon of orange cleaner to get it to small acceptable…

  467. Location, location, location is first. Second is good bed and good shower water pressure. Third is free wifi and parking.

  474. WiFi, decent location, breakfast, friendly staff, and (most important) a room that is well away from highway noise.

  477. I mostly look for a clean quiet room to sleep. I hate to be nickled and dimed for things like
    wi-fi and breakfast

  478. When I book a hotel for business travel, I am looking for a well designed work space in the room and free wifi.

  484. 1.Clean, quiet room with comfortable pillows and mattress and a good work area.
    2.Free Wi-fi
    3.Edible complimentary breakfast.

  486. I like promos where I can earn additional free nights for my personal use at other properties… also a breakfast is nice… and free wifi is great. Thanks.

  500. Benefits and points from repeat stay program and I much prefer free internet, free (quality) breakfast, free (non valet, easy in/out) parking and a location that is easily accessible to/from the client site.

  517. Convenient location to airport, free WiFi, comfortable and quiet accomodations, and friendly staff.

  518. free wifi and Marriott Reward points. wifi for free is nice too ( if itbis really high speed)

  528. High speed (and free) internet with lot’s of soft towels for a refreshing bath after work meetings!

  529. I like a room with really thin walls so that I can hear the neighbors boning. Saves me the cost of in-room porn.

  535. I look for free Wifi, free breakfast, and the distance from hotel location to my business destinations.

  547. I look for free wifi and breakfast in a busines hotel. Also if applicable for that trip, a free airport shuttle and parking while I am away are perks that I look for in a business hotel.

  554. A copy of the Good Book in my nightstand. Also an autobiography of the chain’s founder, if possible.

  565. Wifi
    Comfortable Bed
    Solid Breakfast
    Friendly service
    Cleanliness
    Proximity to where I need to be
    Points program awards
    and a smile or two!

  580. Fresh smell,hair free beds (YUK)VERY CLEAN , High speed internet or atleast a decent speed, good customer service, good place tor elax

  583. location, tripadvisor reviews, price, points program, wifi, electrical outlets and free shuttle from airport is always a nice perk.

  585. For a business hotel (in no particular order) free parking, large lobby area (sometimes necessary for impromptu business meetings & to get some of my work done), free Wi-Fi access (if not free then it must be fast).

  590. I look for a good, healthy breakfast. Ideally, I’d look for a soft, comfortable bed but I’ve found that beds have so much variety in the same hotel that it’s hard to pick a hotel for the bed.

  601. Price is the first thing as necessitated by my employer. $100 limit. Then I’m looking for point maximization.

  606. I stay in business hotels a lot, and I look for reward points so that my family gets a benefit of all the time I have to spend away from them.

  613. Convenient location, no highway noise, decent free breakfast, good Internet service, friendly staff.

  640. I try and stay at the hotel where I can earn the greatest number of rewards points for a chain where I would typically stay.

  647. I look for free wi-fi and a variety of breakfast options are always nice, especially if it’s free breakfast!

  666. comfortable chair in the room w/free wi-fee.
    Breakfast with hot foods. And, of course, comfortable bed and pillows.

  672. In deciding between business hotels, I will always prefer the one which has a location that allows me to take a walk in the morning/evening and which has walkable amenities such as restaurants and shops.

  677. I want a hotel where the towel rack is not on the other side of the bathroom from the shower. What poor planning!!

  687. Free breakfast, free internet terminals (not just wifi), free airport shuttle, downtown location.

  688. I look for an on-property restaurant named for a local sports hero with an extensive collection of athletic memorabilia and relics from bygone eras lining the walls. Especially important is that my waiter introduces him/herself by name and ensures me that he/she will be “taking care of [me].”

  710. I look for one with free wifi, and central location to where I need to be. I prefer walking whenever I can, especially at night to go out for dinner and to explore the city.

  711. I look for Free Wi-fi and close proximity to the office I will be working from. Also in a location which has good food.

  727. Clean, comfy room, fresh breakfast, delicious coffee 24 hours…as a reprieve from my family of six!

  729. tripadvisor reviews (most important), location, price, wifi, numerous electrical outlets and free airport shuttle.

  749. I need the toilet paper to be folded in a neat little triangle to demonstrate that nobody else has used it.

  759. Clean and comfortable with wifi throughout in a convenient location….not to mention excellent earned point opportunity!!

  764. Free Internet, free breakfast, Airport shuttle (if close to airport), main street location if not.

  773. I like consistent wifi signal, free breakfast and plenty of conveniently placed electrical outlets.

  781. Wireless internet DEFINITELY – In this age, charging for internet is offensive. A large desk and comfortable chair are important to be comfortable. Also this might seem simple, but a power strip is crucial. I shouldn’t have to pack one with me and I need to be able to at least charge my laptop, cell phone, and any other digital devices I have brought on the trip. (Kindle, iPod, etc.)

  782. What I look for in a business hotel is for it to also provide a club lounge area which sometimes include a business center (fax machine, computers, etc). I like to also take advantage of any point promos and will drive to more inconvenient locations for them.

  783. Indoor or outdoor heated pool helps (even in a business hotel) to release the day’s stresses.

  789. Free WiFi, breakfast, and most importantly, consistency so that I know I can book any hotel in the chain and receive (at least) the same level of service. Peace of mind is huge.

  799. I look for comfort and accessibility to many nice restaurants since the company is paying the bill.

  808. Free WiFi is a must. Breakfast is a plus. If its a stay of more than one night, a minifridge is also very nice.

  840. Fast front desk service, not only for checking in but for any requests or questions. Sitting on hold for “operator” is the worst!

  844. A solid internet connection, free breakfast, and a little bit of character/connection to the local environs

  852. I stay with a business hotel with the best rewards options (good status rewards and flexible point redemption options).

  858. Free wifi, complimentary breakfast and a clean fresh-smelling room to return to after a day’s work.

  885. Downtown location, modern accommodations, free internet terminals (not just free wifi), free breakfast, free airport shuttle.

  893. fridge, microwave and maybe even a stove b/c I end up never being able to eat the free breakfast so I’d rather bring my own food. and wifi…that works….

  894. 1. Free Wi-Fi
    2. Business center with printer
    3. Comfy mattress to sleep and have sex
    4. Convenient location
    5. Breakfast/restaurants at the hotel

  907. I look for a place that the Democratic National Committee wouldn’t find it appropriate to put journalists. Because apparently the Charlotte Knights Inn is not a fine establishment.

  908. Something I have failed to mention before
    – GOOD LIGHTING

    Other essentials: comfortable bed, chair and hot breakfast.

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