Business Travel Archives - Page 7 of 26 - Delsuites' Blog
Browsing Category

Business Travel

Business Travel, Fitness and Health, Holiday Events

Safer Holiday Gathering Tips for the Season

December 21, 2021
Safer holiday photo by Maxime on Unsplash

With omicron variant cases rising, safer holiday gathering plans are on everyone’s mind. How can we spend warm, nourishing time with our loved ones—and not pass COVID on as well?

As we head into the holiday season, here are a few tips on how to adjust our plans to stay safe.

Keep it smaller

Canada’s public health officials are asking us to keep our holiday celebrations smaller and more intimate this year.

The recommendations for the most people you should have at an indoor gathering are different in every region. And after two years of COVID waves, it’s not easy to decide we’re not going to see someone this year. But taking a moment to think about what the most sensible number of guests might be—not so small as to leave you missing loved ones, but not so large as to risk them—is definitely worthwhile.

Think about your guests’ real needs

As public health officials have been saying, there’s “no magic number of people that makes a gathering safe.” Instead, think about the real people you’re gathering with this holiday season—and plan around their real needs.

If your friends or loved ones are older, immunocompromised, pregnant, or higher-risk, it’s worth planning your gathering around their safety threshold, rather than yours. Even if there’s a level of safety you’re personally comfortable with—an indoor dinner instead of an outdoor meetup, or mixing vaccinated and unvaccinated guests—it’s just good hosting to talk with the most at-risk person on your list first, and find out what makes them comfortable.

The greatest gift we can give this year is the chance to be with loved ones without fear of COVID exposure—or arguments about it. With a little footwork, everyone will be safer—and happier.

Book your vaccines

Toronto’s shown a great commitment to getting our vaccines. But now that they’ve been approved for kids and higher-risk adults are getting booster shots, it’s important to keep on top of our shots.

The more people who are vaccinated, the less chance we have of getting sick—and making others sick.

Wear a good mask

While omicron may be daunting, the difference between this year’s holidays and last year is our tools. We have much more effective tools against COVID this time around—and one of them is a good-quality, good-fitting medical-grade mask.

High-quality masks have never been easier to get. They’re available from office supply stores, pharmacies, and even vending machines at Toronto Pearson Airport, Union Station, and major Toronto subway stations.

If you’re visiting Toronto for longer, you can plan ahead and have your mask supply waiting. Ontario mask manufacturers Canadian Shield offer express shipping on masks, face shields, respirators, and rapid tests. Order a few days before your travel date, and you can have a Health Canada-certified mask supply waiting for you when you arrive—enough for you and your guests.

Use rapid tests to make sure you’re safe

Rapid tests are a part of the COVID safety puzzle that’s never quite clicked in Ontario—but they can be vital in keeping your holiday gathering safe.

Rapid tests are available from some pharmacies and online suppliers: either over the counter or shipped to your door. They’re easy, convenient COVID tests you can do at home, giving you a result in 15 minutes. Get a negative, and you’re likely safe; get a positive, and it’s time to confirm that with a formal PCR test.

Having your guests each test themselves before your holiday gathering is a great way to make sure nobody’s carrying an asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic case of COVID. And it means you’ll be able to relax into spending time with loved ones, instead of worrying about the air you breathe.

Have a backup plan

Our situation’s changing fast, and it’s smart to have a backup plan, whether big or small.

On the simple end, a holiday backup plan can mean sending invites for a virtual Zoom holiday party in case gathering recommendations change—and your guest list ends up being too large.

If you have to travel across borders, knowing where to get a PCR test so you can make your flight home on time can save you trouble later. In the most serious scenario, it might be worthwhile to line up somewhere to stay in case borders close entirely.

Safer holiday gatherings are the holiday spirit

Either way, be prepared to be flexible as the situation develops: and get your friends and family to help out. Planning a group gathering that keeps everyone safe is much easier when we’re all on board—or when we divide tasks like testing and planning equally to make it easy on the host.

Even though COVID’s affecting our holiday plans, the holiday spirit’s unchanged: that we’ll always do better when we lean on each other, talk with each other, and work together.

Happy holidays!

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto

Splashing Back Into Business Travel: What You Need to Know

July 30, 2021
business travel toronto

The lively city of Toronto is finally opening up as COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted by local governments. Much like other major cities around the world, business travel is going up in demand as a result.

However, a “business trip” doesn’t have to be all work despite what you might think. If you choose the right rental provider, most of the heavy stuff will be off your plate so that you can enjoy everything the city has to offer.

Corporate Stays & Business Travel Are More Than Just a Dormitory

DelSuites wants to redefine the notion of “corporate housing.” We believe that your short-term rental should alleviate any stress of the workday, not add to it. DelSuites renters have come to expect features like:

  • A welcome package. It contains basic starting items like toiletries, soaps, and other needs.
  • Room features. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer room, an intrusion alarm system for home security, and multiple utilities at your disposal.
  • Entertainment. Get ready to unwind during off-hours with our HD television package and large flat screens. Don’t forget about the DVD and stereo system in case you want to bring that next season of your favorite show. Our smart TVs are also compatible with Netflix and other popular streaming apps.
  • Outside amenities. Now that they’ve opened up again, why not take advantage of all the gymnasiums, swimming pools, and even bowling alleys during your stay?

 

 

Of course, one of the best features is the price. DelSuites is actually less expensive than many of the hotels around the area.

The Next-Best Thing to Your Home Office

Now that working from home has never been easier, it’s not uncommon for professionals to have home offices. Our designated work desks available in most suites have a minimalistic design that will help you stay focused on the task at hand.

Never fear being disconnected. We have upgraded, secure wireless Internet alongside local and long-distance calling within the US and Canada. It’s practically the next-best thing to your home office.

A Positive First Impression

We believe the first few hours of move-in are extremely important. That’s why we always make pre-arrival inspections to ensure the room is working exactly as intended before you even get here.

Don’t worry about struggling to find a parking spot in the busy city either. DelSuites offers underground, indoor, and other secure parking options.

There’s also our pre-arrival grocery shopping service. Do you want to focus on move-in and don’t have time to pick up essential groceries first? Let us know, and we’ll have them delivered directly to your fridge and pantry. Delivery dates are perfectly aligned with move-in so that the food stays fresh.

Talk to your dedicated account manager to walk you through the customer-focused reservation process.

Your Health Is Our Priority

COVID-19 may be ending, but you can never be too careful. DelSuites is dedicated to our Enhanced Hygiene Practices and Protocols:

  • Virtual tours are offered to prospective guests in lieu of physical visits.
  • Housekeeping services always use disinfectant cleaners with bleach. We use a special bathroom bleach that kills 99.9% of bacteria as well as a spray cleaner with bleach for protection against germs, viruses, and fungi among others.
  • Staff members are given personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
  • They also go through a daily Self-Assessment Health Check and are asked to stay home if they experience any symptoms.
  • New linens and towels are available in your suite upon request to supplement standard laundry services.
  • The garbage disposal procedure respects social distancing.

Need additional resources? Get in touch with Toronto Public Health for all your needs.

Find Out How Easy Business Travel Can Be With DelSuites

As far back as 1998, DelSuites started off helping single families find beautifully crafted homes throughout the city of Toronto. Today, our teams are still continuing that tradition in one of Canada’s most lucrative and active cities.

Get in touch with us today and find out why so many of our previous clients recommend us on platforms like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and LinkedIn.

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Downtown Toronto Condos, Toronto Condos

What Our Dedicated Guest Services Can Do to Make You Feel at Your Home Away From Home

July 23, 2021
delsuites guest services

We’re finally coming to the end of the COVID-19 quarantine, and that means that public events, restaurants, theaters, and rental properties can safely open up again. There’s no better time to get that business trip you’ve been wanting to schedule for all this time.

Toronto is the perfect place to get started. You have a ton of lucrative opportunities in such an active and lively city. Restrictions have recently been lifted in the area, and many building amenities have opened up as well. Scheduling a rental doesn’t have to be a headache, so take the time to make your stay a comfortable one.

DelSuites has been serving the short-term rental market in Toronto and other surrounding areas. We have a dedicated Guest Services team designed specifically to make our properties aligned with the high standards of our guests.

Pre-Arrival Services

First impressions matter, so we always have a “Points of Perfection” inspection to make sure everything is working as intended before you reach the room. We offer pre-arrival packages for all our new stays as well that contains:

  • Directions to the property
  • Confirmations for your reservations
  • Any special requests you’ve made

Grocery Service

One of the first things you do in your new place is to purchase groceries. To take some manual work off your plate, let us bring them to you directly when you move in with our pre-arrival grocery service! The cost will be conveniently added to your standard invoice. Delivery will be coordinated with move-in and be added directly to the fridge so that foods remain fresh when they reach you.

DelSuites also strategically selects our locations so that you’re always near a grocery store, some of which may be open 24/7. Ask Guest Services for recommendations and directions.

Too busy or need to focus your time on other things than just groceries? No problem! Get in touch with us for easy shopping at your convenience. You can also use other popular grocery delivery services like Instacart or Gateway.

During Your Stay

We firmly believe that our job doesn’t end on the move-in day. Guest Services will continue to ensure everything runs smoothly for our guests. That’s why there’s a welcome message in the first few days to check on your satisfaction. Need anything specific or want an in-suite orientation? Just ask about our services (additional charges apply). Some of what we offer includes:

  • Housekeeping to keep the room in perfect shape every time you get home.
  • Airport transportation. Make travel easier both to and from the rental.
  • Family services. Bringing the kids? We have cribs, playpens, and other useful touches.

In fact, don’t be afraid to ask whenever you want, even after hours. Our On-Call Manager is available during fires, floods, lost keys, and other emergencies.

Health and Safety

We’re not quite out of the woods yet when it comes to COVID-19. We’re committed to the safety of our guests, no matter how big or small the risk is.

  • Extra linens and towels are available in your suite. You also have a washer and dryer to refresh them.
  • Isolated garbage disposal. Check your arrival package for information on how we dispose of trash with maximum sanitation precautions.
  • Virtual tours are offered as an alternative to a physical visit. Just ask our Sales Team by video chat or phone call.

Need additional resources on COVID-19? Toronto Public Health and Telehealth Ontario have ample resources available.

Turn Short-Term Renting From a Chore Into a Delightful Experience

In such an active and populated city as Toronto, finding the right short-term rental property can be a challenge if you don’t know whom to turn to. For all your business travel needs, DelSuites is here to make things easy.

Ever need something extra, or is something not quite right? Our Guest Services are ready to take care of it right away. Ask us about new openings today.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing

What You Need to Know to Adapt to the Push for Hybrid Work

July 16, 2021
hybrid work video conference call

Were you prepared for the COVID disruption, or were you among the 88% of organizations that didn’t feel completely prepared to switch to remote work? These organizations had to rush to deploy their cloud technologies, which harmed their business continuity. 

Now we’re on the verge of another major disruption – the switch to hybrid work. This is a blended model that involves having some employees return to the office while others continue to work remotely. 

Want to be ready and prepared instead of being caught off guard by this disruption? Read on to learn how this shift will impact your business and how to prepare for it.

Why Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay

Vaccines are being distributed at a rapidly efficient pace and the government’s reopening plan is underway. So many employees will be heading back to the office soon. But will the workforce ever fully return to normal? 

Although the COVID disruption forced many businesses to switch to remote work, most of them also saw an increase in employee productivity and satisfaction. This is because 76% of employees say they’re more productive when they’re working from home

So, we’ve already launched cloud technologies that allow you to work from home and we’ve seen that it works. Why go back to the old way of doing things? 

Businesses are much more likely to adopt a flexible work model—one that allows employees to work from anywhere and come into the office whenever they need to. 

Employee expectations have also changed. Over 70% of workers want to have the option to work remotely, while over 60% crave the opportunity to work with their team in-person again. 

And competitive employers will find that they’ll need to offer flexible options to acquire the best talent in the post-pandemic workplace. 

How Hybrid Work Changes Where People Work

Because the hybrid workplace has a cloud infrastructure, businesses are more agile and flexible. And you can easily take your work from the office to your home. 

But you’re not limited to your office or home either. Hybrid work allows people to be based in or travel to any part of the world.

This gives employers access to a broader talent pool and the best talent across the globe. 

It also means that workers can visit strategic areas or even relocate to a new city with minimal disruption to their work. For example, those based outside of Toronto can be actively involved in its business, finance, arts, and culture. 

Business travel is increasing, and it’s expected that this trend will continue well into the 2020s.

The push for hybrid work makes the future of flexible travel possible. 

How to Ensure Your Employees Are Well-Equipped for Hybrid Work

How do you ensure a smooth transition to hybrid work that doesn’t disrupt the continuity of your business? 

Leaders must equip workers with the necessary tools so that they can remain engaged in the platforms their company uses – whether they’re at home or on the go. Leaders shouldn’t have a narrow focus on where to invest but also invest in remote work and business travel. 

For example, 1 in 10 workers lacks an adequate internet connection for their job. Yet over 46% say that their employer doesn’t contribute to their remote work expenses. 

And if your workers travel a lot, they may get worn out by it. They may also feel less compelled to work if they’re always staying at cheap motels. 

Make Business Travel Easier and More Productive with DelSuites

Looking for a rental where your workers can stay during their business trips? DelSuites offers short-term apartments and condos that are fully furnished and serviced, allowing employees to continue working effectively during their stay. 

DelSuites was also proud to win the 2021 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award, a guest-voted award designed for hotels, hospitality providers, and the many TripAdvisor attractions. The award saw guests agreeing that DelSuites “consistently delivers fantastic experiences to travelers around the globe.”

Are your workers spending a lot of time away from home? Do you want to make business travel easier and motivate them to work more productively? Have them stay at one of our quality short-term rentals. Browse our locations in Downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough, and more today.

Business Travel, Fitness and Health, Toronto Condos, Toronto Family Travel

How to Be Motivated and Stay Active While Working from Home

June 23, 2021
exercise at home

These days, we’re not moving around as much. Due to the pandemic, many of us are working from home. So, instead of commuting to our workplaces, walking upstairs, or moving around the office, we’re spending most of our time at our desks, in front of a computer screen.  

It’s important to maintain an active lifestyle, especially during a pandemic – when we need to boost our immune system to avoid getting COVID and combat its spread. 

But it’s hard enough to be motivated to stay active under normal circumstances. And it’s even harder when we can’t go to a gym or physically attend group workout sessions like we’re used to.

Are you unmotivated to exercise at home? Do you feel tired of always doing the same workouts? Read on to find out how you can make your workout routine more interesting and varied, even while working from home.

Follow an Exercise Class Online 

There are more online exercise classes available online than ever, so you can take advantage of this broad selection of online classes. Find the one that’s right for you – whether it’s a more relaxed cardio workout or a more intense weightlifting tutorial. 

Many of these classes are available for free on YouTube. So, you can easily access them right from your home. Just put on a video, and you’re in a virtual class.

For example, Yoga with Adriene is trusted by her 9 million-plus subscribers to give a soothing, relaxed approach to yoga that will leave you feeling completely refreshed.

Keep in mind that if you don’t have a lot of experience performing these exercises, you should try to be careful and know your own limitations.

Add New Exercises and Equipment to the Mix 

Doing the same exercises day in and day out can cause us to end up in a fitness rut. Do you need to reinvigorate your routine or want to stretch your body’s limits? Add something new to your routine to mix it up. 

If you tend to stick to running, try building your strength by incorporating more weightlifting into your routine. Or if you strictly use the same weights, challenge yourself by adding more weight.

On the other hand, you may already be big on weightlifting but not so keen on doing cardio. If so, try spending more time running or biking to train your body in different ways. You could even add a new cardio machine to your home like a rowing machine, a stepmill, or an air bike. 

Get Creative With Your At-Home Exercises

In order to motivate yourself to work out, it’s always important to be able to pinpoint the reason you’re not feeling motivated. That way you can know the best way to increase your motivation. 

Here are a few interesting and creative solutions to get you motivated to stay active:

 

  • Have a virtual workout session with friends: Do you miss being in an environment where you can work out with others? Do you need that motivation you can only get from working out with someone else? Have a video call with a friend while working out and motivate each other to get through each workout.
  • Play sports with your family: Are you looking for a more fun way to get moving while working from home? Why not encourage your family to get active, too, by playing active games or sports like soccer with them. 
  • Design a circuit workout in your own home: Doing the same workouts in the same room each day can get boring and difficult after a while. Consider coming up with a circuit workout where you do different activities in each room. A few workouts you could do are jumping jacks, burpees, and lunges. 

 

DelSuites: Stay Active on Your Business Trip or Vacation Using Our Exercise Amenities

DelSuites makes it easy for you to stay in shape when staying at one of our locations. All of the buildings include fitness centers. However, keep in mind that they are currently closed due to COVID-19.

If you’re going on a business trip or vacation or just need a place to stay for a while while you’re transitioning from one house to another, you can rent or lease one of our short-term rentals. 

Find one of our rentals wherever you need to go – with locations spread out across Downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, Markham, and more. Find the rental that suits your fitness needs today.