The Realities of Corporate Travel
Corporate travel isn’t always straightforward, and this especially rings true for long term corporate housing stays.
A lot of our bookings have unique requirements, and after more than two decades operating in the corporate accommodation industry, it’s safe to say we’ve seen a lot. From the reasonable to the more challenging, day in, day out, the special requests come through.
This is where some accommodation solutions can fall short. When they receive more complex requests that typically accompany extended stay bookings, relocations or project team bookings. That’s because approvals for requests can take time to work through the decision makers, internal systems and processes can not be easily changed, or in some cases, company policies simply don’t allow it.
For us at Astra Apartments, it’s a little different.
In each location, if you were to pick up the phone and call, you are likely to speak directly with the owner. And because the entire business is built around the long term stay accommodation market, creating flexible, tailored solutions that work for the real world is all just part of the package.
Ultimately, we see ourselves as the partner that steps in when accommodation needs get complex.
We checked in with our teams across Australia to uncover some real examples of how we’ve solved client long-term corporate housing accommodation challenges — quickly, flexibly, and without compromising on comfort.
When corporate travel invoicing is a nightmare
The Challenge
A client was bringing a large team into Astra Apartments Melbourne CBD. They were looking for ways to simplify the administration load on their end. So, rather than receiving individual invoices for each of their travellers, they requested to receive a single invoice for all employees.
Solution
Because the client was bringing a large volume of room nights, director Rebecca Englman developed a workaround solution to meet their needs. A bespoke process was created in the property management system. This simplified the invoice reconciliation work for the corporate client by providing a single invoice for the entire group.
Insight
Providers can be restricted by the capabilities of their tech solutions, making it difficult to deliver on processes outside of the norm. However, some will have greater autonomy to create solutions outside of the box.
Coordinating groups and company technology needs
Challenge
A large legal project team was coming into Melbourne. Due to the nature of the work, they all had different arrival and departure dates, and the dates and durations were susceptible to change. In addition, all incoming occupants were required to have custom technology setups to meet strict company policies
Solution
As long-stay accommodation providers, Astra Apartments’ Melbourne CBD booking charts are carefully managed to best allow for date changes and extensions. Adding to this, apartment access was provided to the technology team before the occupants’ arrival, enabling them to set up the employees with the necessary IT requirements.
Insight
Accommodation providers managing a mix of short and long-stay business can struggle with last-minute changes, rolling extensions and early access. Working with long term corporate housing specialists can be beneficial because they are not balancing multiple target markets.
Adjusting Apartment Layouts & Amenities
Challenge
A professional couple were migrating to Australia with Global Talent Visas. They needed somewhere to initially base themselves while finding their feet, and had contacted a number of accommodation providers in their search. Because they were both working, it was critical that their apartment could accommodate two people working from home simultaneously. In addition to dedicated workstations, they needed a large amount of internet bandwidth and speed.
Solution
Whilst other providers said no, Astra Apartments Glen Waverley increased their already secure and fast internet connection and overhauled the bedding configuration in the second bedroom to make room for an additional dedicated work desk and chair. The corporate travellers comfortably stayed for 3 months.
Insight
The generous living spaces in Astra Apartments can allow for additional furniture and configurations. Individual apartment WiFi also allows for flexibility in unique circumstances.
Unexpected Needs, Handled Smoothly
Challenge
A family was relocating to Brisbane. They arrived in early March; however, their items didn’t arrive in a container until 1 month later, and they were struggling to secure permanent accommodation.
Solution
As they hadn’t yet secured a permanent home, and knowing how stressful a move can be, Astra Apartments Brisbane offered the family one of Astra Apartments’ storage cages for their belongings so they could focus on the task of re-establishing themselves. Because they were struggling to find a more permanent residence, Director Will Hunting leveraged his real estate connections to help find them a new home, which they are now happily settled into.
Insight
Operators with local on-the-ground service and ongoing personalised support are well placed to assist with unexpected local challenges.
Balancing Employee Comfort & Company Policy
Challenge
Astra Apartments Canberra were contacted by a leading IT company. The organisation had appointed a Sydney-based executive to the region for a 9-month contract. With family and schooling stable in Sydney, the Executive was not prepared to relocate his family and instead proposed a model where he would stay in Canberra for the work week, and travel back on weekends. The company was working to a set budget and was weighing up between long term stays at hotels, a short-term real estate rental and an Astra Apartment; however, the latter had a 7-night minimum stay.
Solution
Because the assignee would ultimately be using the accommodation for an extended period, Astra negotiated a 7-day rate that was only slightly more than the cost of the 5-day block in a hotel. This reduced the gap between the quoted rate and the client budget, and it also meant the executive would have a permanent, full-sized apartment for the entire period with no locked-in leases. Going the extra mile, Astra provided roll-away beds during holiday periods so family could come and visit at no extra cost.
Insight
Being transparent with accommodation partners on your needs and challenges opens the door to tailored solutions for complex requirements.
Why It Works
Astra Apartments is more than an accommodation provider; we’re a solutions partner. And when you’re a busy travel booker managing multiple bookings, that’s invaluable. We listen, we adapt, and we deliver for the real-world needs of companies and their corporate travellers.
If you wish to discuss unique requirements for an upcoming stay, be sure to reach out. Where possible, our team will workshop a solution.
