London isn’t just for holidaymakers… it’s also a popular destination for business travellers, whether they’re coming in from neighbouring English counties, European countries, or from further overseas.
The city is served by fantastic travel connections, including five airports and several central railway stations. Once within the inner city, the London Underground gets you from A to B with ease. There’s also plenty of entertainment options, free sights to explore and restaurants to give business travellers something to do (and plenty to eat!) in between meetings and during the evenings. The invigorating buzz of the city lends itself to those seeking a productive and creative setting for any conference or meeting.
Of course, actually being in the city is the fun part. What may not be so fun is hauling your luggage from your home to the airport (or train station) and back again. But, if you invest in the right suitcase, you could minimise at least some of the hassle involved in travelling.
If you have a date in your diary within one of the meeting rooms in the City of London, prepare for your trip using our luggage and packing tips, in five easy steps.
Luggage: Just roll with it
A rolling suitcase is the best luggage option for a business traveller.
They are much more likely to keep your office attire wrinkle-free and are generally easier to pack than a rucksack, especially if you are in a hurry. As much as a backpack covered in flags around the world is an excellent conversation starter, you might feel a little conspicuous lugging that into the meeting rooms in the City of London; a simple suitcase will make you feel more professional.
If you are travelling by plane, save time at the airport and opt for a carry-on sized suitcase and travel light. It will also make getting around London much easier. Brands and cases that we recommend for business travellers are:
Samsonite: Samsonite’s range of hardside spinners are robust, lightweight and stylish in equal measure. They also offer a 10-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, so if you travel a lot for business (or leisure) this one will be your faithful companion for up to a decade. Impossibly cool, the Samsonite Winfield 2 case comes in a palette of stylish colours including charcoal, teal and burgundy.
ROAM Luggage: Turn a few heads when you stride into reception at The Montcalm Hotel London with a suitcase from ROAM Luggage, who let you customise your own bag. Their Hinomoto wheels deliver an ultra-quiet, ultra-smooth tug – even on London’s cobbled old streets and on your hotel carpet. The luggage is handmade with a proprietary nano-coating finish which makes it nigh invincible to scratches and chips.
Travelpro: If you want to go really concise with your packing – opt for Travelpro’s Maxlite®5 Rolling Underseat carry-on. This nifty little case fits under the seats of most planes, so there is no risk of having your bag sent to the hold luggage on a busy flight. It features numerous pockets specially designed for a laptop sleeve, cosmetics and office needs so you can arrive in London feeling organised and prepared. The lightweight yet sturdy PowerScope Lite handle reduces wobble and is strong enough to support another tote or case, in case you pick up some souvenirs whilst in London.
Be a pro-packer: Packing Cubes
If you haven’t cottoned onto the burgeoning trend that is packing cubes – start now. Packing cubes are a neat little invention which let you organise and compartmentalise all of of your clothes or other items inside your main luggage. They save you from rummaging around for a pair of socks or phone charger moments before your business meeting begins. Packing cubes are cheap to buy and an investment which will relieve you of a chunk of stress when it comes to packing and unpacking. You can pick up a set from most luggage retailers in stores and online.
City-proof your laptop
If you’re travelling with your laptop, you’ll want to ensure its safe and sound during the journey and kept free from scrapes and scratches so add a decent laptop case to your luggage arsenal.
Sleek and functional, Nomatic’s Travel Messenger Bag includes removable organiser panels and a detachable strap so you can use it as a day bag to carry your other essentials either as a satchel or as a briefcase, or you can break it down into a smaller hold-all just for your laptop. It even features a magnetic water bottle pocket to keep hydrated on-the-go!
Alternatively, protect your laptop with a snug and simple sleeve which can be slipped into your main day bag or inside your carry-on. Tomtoc’s slim range features a three-tiered system of protection – spill-resistant, dustproof and shockproof. They have models to fit most laptop sizes and are available in a range of different colours.
Most sleeves feature storage pockets for documents or cables and others include carrying handles and slighter larger zipper compartments for storage of other small essentials, such as portable hard drives, mice and a notebook.
Get the London Look
You’ll want to dress sharp when in London for your business meeting. Guests staying with The Montcalm Hotel London receive a 10% discount in store and online at two of Britain’s leading men’s outfitters – Hackett and Charles Tyrwhitt. There is also an 11% discount off fragrances at luxury perfumer Miller Harris, so you can dress (and smell!) the part for you business event.
If you’re attending a business event near The Montcalm Hotel London, you may end up dining with co-workers at the onsite Chiswell Street Dining Rooms. Imagine literary-themed wall art and leather tub chairs in an atmospheric and vintage Georgian brewery building. What better an occasion to show off a new shirt.
What not to pack
Save space in your luggage by only packing what you need for your business meeting. Staying at a luxurious, business-minded hotel such as The Montcalm Hotel London means you needn’t worry about bringing toiletries, a hairdryer or iron with you – these items will be waiting for you upon your arrival in your room at the hotel. Use that vacant space to take some treats home for either yourself or your family!
What luggage are you travelling with on your next trip to London?
