There’s one surefire way to balance work and pleasure on your next company retreat: Book your trip at a bed and breakfast inn as opposed to a hotel or a traditional inn. Why? It’s simple.
If you’re staying in a typical hotel room operated by a national or regional chain, how will you spend your time? First you’ll go up and down the elevator a bunch of times. At some point, you may check out the swimming pool, but most guests never use this amenity unless kids are in tow. And, honestly, what adult seriously expects to relax around a small indoor pool brimming with crying tots and young children?
It’s also likely you’ll spend time either gathering office gossip from other business professionals, engaging in small talk or finding yourself mysteriously bored.
In contrast, a bed and breakfast inn offers a delightful respite — one in which you can actually have some real relaxation, and THAT is what gives rise to those breakthrough moments of genius that may actually change the course of your company.
The moments when those golden nuggets of insight arise often occur during small-group gatherings — not in big, cavernous rooms or those sterile, white-walled, stuffy conference rooms.
A bed and breakfast inn also provides a richer sensory experience with unique furnishings and a rich array of textures. A more visually rich environment stimulates creative thinking. The pleasure component is also a no-brainer, as many bed and breakfast inns offer walking paths either on site or nearby in picturesque neighborhoods. And we all know moments of insight often arise during a stroll.
Consider booking your next company retreat at a bed and breakfast inn. You won’t regret the experience!