7 Reasons to Spend Time with Family This Holiday Season
Our calendars are filled up with work, school, homework, and many other activities throughout the year. It is getting harder to find enough free time to spend with your loved ones. However, holidays are a perfect opportunity to be with your family uninterrupted and it is a perfect escape from the demands of everyday life.
This is a chance to make priceless memories that last a lifetime and enjoy moments of laughter and fun, but there are many other benefits of spending time with your family during the holidays.
Disconnecting from technology
Disconnecting from technology will help you realize the importance of face-to-face conversation with your family members. You will enjoy hearty, honest interactions, without being distracted by the digital world.
Sharing pre- and post-holiday happiness
Planning holidays in advance will let your brain produce more “happy” hormones, which will result in a cheerful, more positive attitude that increases performance in school and at work. This effect will also last for a couple of weeks after the holiday.
Spending time with family helps kids develop parenting skills
Children love spending time with their parents, and that helps them develop parenting skills because kids learn by example. They will apply the parenting skills they learn from you to their future children and treat their siblings the way you treat them.
More family time results in fewer behavioral problems
Children who communicate more with their parents tend to have fewer behavioural issues. Communication is the key to the solution to many problems. If you help your children learn to talk through their problems while they are little, they will keep doing the same when they grow older. This is especially important for teenagers who are going through a lot of hard moments, and there is no better thing for them than caring, non-judgmental advice from their parents. That kind of approach will help them choose better solutions for their problems in adulthood, too.
More family time builds greater self-confidence
Family can foster healthy self-esteem and a positive self-concept by helping the child develop important skills that lead to self-confidence, like social confidence and problem-solving skills. This will change the way family members see themselves, and their ability to succeed in life. If parents show a positive value of themselves, the children will learn to value themselves too.
Family time strengthens family bonding
Many people think that only fancy activities that require a bigger sum of money can impact the “health” of the family. Even low-cost, home-based activities like playing a board game, gardening, or playing outdoors can make everyone involved feel closer to each other emotionally. The strengthening of bonds is one of the most important benefits of spending holidays with your family.
Trying new things
Being on a holiday means that you are more relaxed than usual and more open to new ideas. There is no safer and more comfortable feeling than being with your family, and vacations are a perfect time to do something you haven’t done before. Each member of your family can pick the activity they enjoy, and then everyone should participate.
Have You Started Making Plans for Your Next Family Holiday?
We live in an age when technology and busy schedules disconnect us from reality. We are unable to make time and visit our family, and sometimes we think that a birthday wish written on social media can replace human interaction.
All of this affects the connection we have with our family members and although we don’t see that right away, we don’t even have a chance to connect on a deeper level. The best way to prevent this from happening to you is to spend quality time with your family.
Vacation or Staycation?
There are benefits and drawbacks to both a vacation and a staycation. It is up to you to decide what you are wanting to get out of the experience.
Vacation Benefits
Explore New Climates and Landforms
Oftentimes when we see something every day, it tends to lose its significance. If you don’t live near one, then a trip to a hot spring might be exciting to you. Certain naturally occurring rarities are recommended to be experienced at least once. Obviously, if you don’t live near it, you will have to travel to it. Sometimes you have to feed into your wanderlust side and go explore something new!
Leave Your World Behind
Be honest. How often do you sit at your job and daydream about being on a beach somewhere? Probably a lot, so sometimes it’s good to just go indulge in that fantasy every once in a while. Day-to-day stress can really get you down, so it’s nice to shake things up and forget about your worries for a bit with a getaway trip. Since a lot of people have had to work remotely, they are ready to seize the day!
Reconnect With Loved Ones
Unless all of your family and friends live nearby, you most likely have a connection with someone outside of your area. While we have discovered the beauty of video chats, it is not the same as going to visit that person. For some people, it has been years since they have seen their loved ones. Now is the time to catch up and give those much-needed hugs. While you’re visiting, it might be fun to explore the area and make memories with your loved ones!
Vacation Drawbacks
Let’s face it. Vacations can cause more stress than relaxation. There are a number of reasons why that is. For example:
Money
Yeah, this is the most obvious one. Not everyone has the budget to travel somewhere new and pay for travel, lodging, excursions, food, cars/transportation, and anything else that pops up. On top of that, it is difficult to get paid time off, meaning that it could cost you to not be at work.
Schedules
If you manage to get time off work, then you have to be able to schedule your trip around the days you have off. There’s usually a day at the beginning and end of the trip that is devoted to travel only. If you’re flying, then you have to make sure that you get to the airport on time to make your flight. Connecting flights can sometimes cause delays in your trip if any leg of the trip is not on time. Having to hurry up and wait can turn a lot of people off to this form of travel. It can make you feel more tired than before!
Managing Expectations
There is a lot of pressure to make your trip worthwhile. You have invested so much time and money into this vacation. Any tiny detail going wrong could throw off the whole trip. Maybe the airport lost your luggage, or you forgot to pack that really important thing that you needed, or you get sick and spent the entire vacation in the hotel. It’s hard to not get upset when things aren’t perfect after spending a ton of money to get there.
Staycation Benefits
You may think you’ve seen it all, but there is a chance that adventure is waiting right outside your door! A staycation could either be in your own city, or just outside of it, but it is treated just like a regular vacation. You are off work, so enjoy your time off!
Low-Cost Splurging
Yeah, this is just the inverse of the drawback from the vacation section, but this is why staycations are a thing! We need to enjoy the breaks we have even if we can’t travel very far. Some people make their staycations super cost-effective by staying in their homes, while some choose to stay in a hotel nearby. Either way, you are saving a ton of money by cutting out the travel aspect alone. Maybe you’re able to go on a cheap vacation, but you won’t be able to do too much while you’re at your destination. If that’s the case, splurge on things at home like a limo to a winery, take that yoga class you’ve been putting off or have someone clean your house while you’re at work and come back to a beautiful oasis. These might never be something you would do for yourself, but it’s a fun treat!
Relaxed Schedule
Once you’re off from work, your staycation has started! There isn’t as much packing required because you’re most-likely planning day trips or staying at a nearby hotel. You have more time to enjoy your morning without stress. Standard vacations pressure you to have fun every single second of the day. Staycations let you actually relax on your vacation and come back to your real life feeling refreshed.
Discover Your Surroundings
You’d be surprised at how much you can still discover in your area. A quick Google search of obscure or unique things to do in your city could come up with a multitude of adventures.
Staycation Drawbacks
Maybe staycations aren’t perfect either. For instance:
Limited Luxury
If you’re staying in your own home, then you have to clean up after yourself. Housekeeping won’t come in to change your sheets or fold the towels into a swan (or whatever they do). Unfortunately, you have to go out and buy the mints to place on your own pillow. Complimentary breakfasts require someone to get out of bed and make it, which few people want to do on vacation. There are countless tips and lists on how to make sure you’re getting the most out of your staycation, but ultimately, you still have to be responsible for things you probably wouldn’t have to be if you had stayed at a hotel.
May Become TOO Relaxing
As nice as it is to have time to chill, you might end up going through your staycation without doing anything. Without having an itinerary to give you an idea of what you want to do, you might talk yourself out of leaving the house. Why would you get up and get dressed if you don’t have to go to work? Staying at home can give you a bit of a weekend feel, discouraging you from making the most of your day.
Confined To Your Surroundings
The whole point of a vacation is to escape. If you usually take a summer vacation to somewhere not too hot or too cold, you might feel as though a staycation isn’t worth the time off. Staycations aren’t for everyone. If you are itching to get away, then you might feel a bit ripped off.
The Takeaway
It all comes down to a matter of preference and budget. Talk it over with your family and find out what everyone wants to do and what you can afford to do. The point of taking time off is to relax and spend time with loved ones. Whatever sounds the most relaxing to you is the best option. Don’t put unnecessary stress on yourself in the name of taking a break.
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Serviced Apartments Vs Airbnb
With the new trend of shared economy, budget airline and internet, the travel industry has been shaken up and evolved tremendously in the last decade.
In the past, the natural choice of accommodation were motels or hotels, often booked through travel agencies or direct international calls. Bed and Breakfast (B and B) was an option too. However, BnB was expensive and limited in number. Serviced apartments were unheard of then.
Who would have known that the Bed & Breakfast and serviced apartments would be the stay of choice now?
Serviced apartments are favoured by large families and long-stay corporate clients or expats. Airbnb, the simplified Bed and Breakfast (often comes with no breakfast in contrary to its name), is the favourite choice among independent holiday travelers, budget and shoe-string travelers. Combined, both are higher demanded than hotel bookings!
What are the key considerations to decide between the two then? There are 3 factors to consider:
Consistency and Standardization of services
Most serviced apartments are corporatized and managed by experienced hospitality professionals. Formal Standard Operational Procedures are in place that define the layout, furnishing and services provided. If you are one that feels disorientated with different housing style each time you travel or you irk at the housekeeping standard of home-run Bed and Breakfast, you will feel more confident in staying with the serviced apartment over Air BnB, where quality control and reputation are paramount to the former.
Customer Service
Serviced apartments specialize in serving business professionals. Due to this nature of business, the customer service standard is typically extremely high. Services usually include concierge, guest services and extended hours support. With Airbnb, you will not be able to know what to expect. Will you be received by the homeowner himself, or would it be a key drop arrangement? Is he staying in the same house with you, providing ‘local advices and directions’ or is he running the facility as an additional income and staying in a separate home? If you have an issue with your stay, where could you file a complaint? If you aren’t happy, can you change the room? The answer is ‘No’. The only recourse is that you leave a bad review on Airbnb portal to warn other travelers against it.
With serviced stays, on the other hand, you will have customer service and quality control staff who will dedicate their services to ensure that your stay is delightful. The professionals will find ways to remediate your unhappiness, such as a change of rooms or eradicating the source of discomfort.
Costs & Fees
With Air BNB, there are hidden fees, such as booking and cleaning fees. Usage of internet, phone, and laundry are often not included. If you do not read the fine-print, you can end up paying more than what you have bargained for. However, with the serviced route, the apartment price is usually all-inclusive of whatever you need during your stay, including utilities, WIFI, laundry services and even soap detergent.
In conclusion, Air BNB is the obvious sub-par option to travelling. In terms of comfort, flexibility, cost, quality and consistency, the serviced apartment route is the natural winner. There are no surprises, no hidden cost. Hence, for your next business trip or extended stay, consider these factors and choose the serviced apartment stay. After all, you should settle down quickly and enjoy the experience of your stay without having to be upset over unnecessary distractions and discomfort that should be a given.
10 Tips for Effective Business Travel
You’re a pro. You use travel apps we haven’t even heard of to get the best deals on flights and hotel rooms. You are platinum diamond elite listed everywhere. But still, you feel like there is more you could do to maximize your next business trip (and manage to come home refreshed). Here are 9 things the savvy business traveler should do for every trip.
1. Pack Smart
There are so many reasons to fit everything you need into one carry-on. You’ll breeze through security and you don’t have to wait around at the baggage claim. Make sure you’re bringing only what you need and that you’ve packed it well. Even if you check luggage, you should have a change of clothes and a toothbrush right at hand (just in case).
2. Mail Ahead
With the outrageous checked luggage fees that airlines are charging these days, it no longer makes sense to pack an extra bag filled with whatever you might need. Instead, entrust those items to FedEx or Amazon and have them sent directly to your hotel. Be sure to tell the hotel to expect the box and have your date of arrival included on the outside label.
3. Manage Your Information
Your business trip paperwork includes at least the following: travel tickets, travel itinerary, hotel information, transfers, and meeting itinerary. You might also have a batch of contact information to manage for prospects and coworkers who are on the trip with you. Do yourself a favor and consolidate all that information in one email-specific folder or use an app like Evernote which syncs with your computer and your phone.
4. Exercise
Business travel can wreak havoc on your fitness routine and eating habits. Don’t let it. Whether you use the hotel gym or just go for a twenty-minute walk or jog, exercise is a great way to clear your head and to make sure those meals out don’t stick with you for the long term.
5. Use Your Time Wisely
Consider your flight part of your business day. Use that time to read up on new innovations in your field or, when you are free to use your electrical devices, write that report you haven’t had time for or proofread your presentation. Even if you don’t have Internet while in the air, you can always draft emails and have them ready to send when you land.
6. Stay (Somewhat) Connected
Cell service and Wi-Fi are modern conveniences most of us take for granted these days. But between airports with pay-to-play Internet, airplanes where you’re completely disconnected, and international trips where roaming charges still abound, you need to plan ahead. Most of the cell and Internet connectivity information for your destination (and all points in between) can be found online. Make sure you have the right types of devices and that your cell plan has you covered.
7. Schedule Some “You” Time
You are an efficient business travel machine. The temptation is to make every second of your trip count. You can meet clients at any hour and still be at your best. Except that you’re human too. Give yourself the benefit of a recharge. Whether you take an hour in the evening to Skype with your kids or plug in the pay-per-view, make sure you get the rest and relaxation you have earned. You’ll be better off tomorrow for it.
8. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is as important as relaxation. Cat naps on the plane (in between emails) will help you stay bright and professional for your meetings. But the best thing you can do for yourself, no matter where you are in the world, is get a good night of sleep.
9. Bring Your Smile
Now that you have your needs taken care of, think about the people around you. It’s easy to feel harried and frazzled and all kinds of other unpleasant adjectives when you’re away from your routine. Remember that every person you meet presents an opportunity to build a relationship. Being pleasant with your client is a given, but saying please or thank you to flight attendants, waiters, and hotel staff will brighten their day (and they’ll do their best to return the favor).
What business travel tips do you swear by?
How to Have a Smooth, Stress-Free Business Trip
Do you have an upcoming business trip? Whether you are traveling across the country to showcase your product to a potential supplier or meeting with manufacturers in a different continent, it is paramount to do a bit of pre-planning for your trip. This will help ensure that your travel experience is well-organized, streamlined and, most importantly, enjoyable. The last thing you want to do is take a business trip that causes you nothing but stress and aggravation.
Here are some of my own tried-and-true tips for a smooth and stress-free business trip:
Less Time, More Structure
To make the most of your valuable time, plan a short but highly efficient business trip. To make this work, organize your days strategically, such as by scheduling meetings for each meal (for example, a breakfast or coffee meeting, a lunch meeting and a dinner networking session). This makes business trips extremely productive, and you should still have some time in between to rest, exercise or catch up on other work.
Book Comfortable Accommodations
As a business owner, you are likely always thinking about your enterprise’s bottom line and may therefore be tempted to just book a cheap hotel. After all, you won’t be spending much time there. However, staying in uncomfortable accommodations can make your trip a lot less enjoyable and prevent you from getting the deep, rejuvenating sleep you need to be on top of your game for the next day’s business activities.
Because of this, spend a bit extra to ensure you’ll have a truly restful place to recuperate, whether it’s a hotel or Airbnb. This way it’s also a treat to head back to your accommodations to recharge in between meetings. Obviously, location is essential too, to save time and energy shuffling back and forth.
Book Pleasant Flights
What’s the point in exhausting yourself with various connections and stopovers if you’ll not only lose time but also be less fresh for your business trip? Even though it’s pricier, always go for nonstop flights when possible. Maximizing your own time and energy (and minimizing travel time) is a worthwhile investment.
Organize a Thorough Itinerary
There’s a time and a place for just winging it, and a business trip is not it. You don’t have to make a spreadsheet if that’s not your thing, but at the very least write out your schedule for each day in your phone’s notes app or even on paper. Think about your day in chunks: on certain days, it may make sense to plan down to the minute, while on others you may just schedule fewer, longer meetings.
Walk yourself through each day and think about logistics, too. Will you need a rental car? Make sure to rent one well in advance. If you’re driving from place to place, will traffic be an issue? Check Google Maps at different times of the day, and give yourself some buffer time. If you’re scheduling meetings at restaurants or coffee shops, don’t leave it to chance: make reservations when possible.
Enjoy Yourself
Business trips should also be enjoyable: meeting guides and local experts, checking out hotels and restaurants and exploring cities, etc. Break up meetings with other fun activities to make the most of your trip and keep you relaxed. For example, see friends where possible, splurge on a massage, go kayaking after your trade show, check out a local street fair or do something else to take a break from pure business. You will leave your trip much more fulfilled!
TAKEAWAY
Pre-planning is absolutely essential for a smooth and stress-free business trip. To make the most of your business travels, plan for less time and more structure, book comfortable accommodations and select pleasant flights. Also, put together a thorough itinerary and bring along helpful travel gear. Finally, add in some leisurely activities so that you can enjoy yourself! Following these tips should help you have a relaxing, hassle-free and delightful travel experience.
How to stay motivated as a hospitality worker
When working in hospitality you can have productive days where you’re keen and on a roll, other times you just have bad, ugly days. However, the key thing that gets you to show up on either occasion, is your level of motivation.
As motivation is a limited resource, it’s important to make the most of it, and importantly, understand how you can find your own drive to keep you going at work. This applies to any role you have in hospitality – whether that’s a front of house staff member, or the Chief of Operations.
In the long term, strong motivation can help with your personal growth and success. Here are seven ways to stay motivated when working in the hospitality industry.
1. Focus on the now
With hospitality being so fast-paced, it can be easy to lose track, particularly when there’s often an expectation to multitask. However, if you focus your attention on what’s going on right now, your work won’t feel so overwhelming, and it’s likely you’ll be too motivated to complete tasks.
It helps if you break your day up, focus on priority tasks. For example, handle your dinner customers one at a time, even if there are another three customers who are trying to get your attention. If you’re a manager perhaps delegate tasks to other team members who aren’t as busy.
Unless your future work responsibilities need to be completed now, take things day by day. This will help boost your productivity and to stay motivated to come into work.
2. Work on self-development
As Michael Gold, Head Manager at Essay Geeks, comments,
“It doesn’t matter what job you’re working on right now. What matters is that you keep developing yourself. Build knowledge and skills in different areas of your life.
By doing so, you will create a lifestyle balance that will keep you motivated no matter the circumstances you’re in. Individuals who are enrolled in a consistent self-development process will always do more and better in life and at work.”
For example, if you’re a server, you can always improve your skills by learning how to upsell cleverly or improve your customer service skills to increase your tips. If you’re a hotel manager, you can do your best to develop a great team of employees that’ll heighten the reputation of your hotel.
3. Learn from others
One of the most significant benefits you’ll get when working in hospitality is the opportunity to meet and learn from many people. In fact, you’ll be surrounded by people on a consistent basis, and that can be a great advantage.
For example you can get great mentoring from people on your team. You could learn how your restaurant manager moved up from being a waiter, how your bartender learned how to make speciality cocktails, or what your CEO did to get into their position.
Surround yourself with people who are positive and like-minded, their influence on you can make a difference on your motivation. Learning from others mindsets and behaviors can not only help with your self-development, but will also encourage you to be motivated and strive for success.
4. Develop healthy relationships
Use this opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships and friendships at work, these will serve you well in the future. Some of your workmates might become useful connections later down the track, or just someone you can turn to when you’re having a rough day.
They could even be someone who encourages you to go to work, and be a face to look forward to when you’re there. It’s also possible to meet your love interest, so be grateful for meeting new individuals each day. Instead of thinking how you can be more motivated, focus on learning and building relationships with the people around you.
5. Don’t take things personally
If your customers are rude or they disrespect you, try your best to avoid taking it personally. It’s really not worth it. When someone puts you down because they had a bad day – that includes your boss or colleagues – you should understand that their behavior is not a result of something that you did.
You are not the cause, so you should not take anything personally. If you manage to do that, nobody will be able to distract you from working at your highest levels, and nobody’s going to take your motivation down.
But if you do get caught up, it helps to try and take a step back from the situation and try to get perspective, have a clear head before reacting.
6. Pay attention to your sleep and nutrition
Pay very close attention to your sleeping habits. If you don’t get enough sleep, your motivation levels are proven to decrease.
Small changes such as naps or determining your sleep schedule can help make sure that you get enough snooze time. Additionally, ensure that you’re eating and drinking the right things – it plays a big part in maintaining your overall health and wellbeing.
7. Find interests outside of work
Having interests outside of work helps you with your life balance. It means that you’re not constantly doing work or thinking about it. It could be anything from hitting the gym regularly, or having a side project that you’re passionate about.
Activities that keep you stimulated outside of work will help with your self-development (see point 2) and could even be a good outlet for destressing and re-energizing. Overall, hobbies will contribute to your motivation because you have something to look forward to that’s not related to your work.
7 Reasons Why Small Business Owners Need Serviced Apartments
The serviced apartment industry is continuously booming with more and more business people opting for this choice of long-term and short-term accommodation during corporate duties. Unlike the convention accommodation hotels, serviced apartments give you the home away from home vibe, and this makes the environment convenient and motivating when handling business tasks or when relaxing. The services are also super beneficial for small businesses looking for corporate spaces such as studios at a much affordable cost. They are life-savers for startups that are yet to afford to buy a space investing in furniture and everything else required for running a business.
More and more business owners now realize the benefits that come with corporate spaces, and this has led to a constant rise in demand for the services. Take your time and look for a reliable space that will meet both your needs and budget to enjoy all the benefits that come with the services. If you are considering serviced apartments, but you are not sure if this is the right idea, here are some reasons and benefits why you should go for it.
Enjoy more space and comfort
One of the reasons why business owners prefer corporate spaces over conventional hotels is because the serviced apartments are about 30 percent bigger than the hotels. This means that you will have enough space to carry out your errands, sleep, and even dine while enjoying maximum comfort. With this, it is much easier for you to entertain clients without intruding on your personal living space. If you are looking to enjoy space, comfort, and more functionality, you should consider serviced apartments.
Convenience
Other than comfort and functionality, these spaces have been designed to provide you with total satisfaction as you go about your day. They have everything you need so that you will feel more at home, and doing business gets easier. Serviced apartments are equipped with laundry facilities and office spaces where you can do everything you need without the need to go out. They are more like an all-in-one stop. This eliminates the need for extra services that could cost you more or even harm your business finances.
Maximum flexibility
In this case, you will love the fact that serviced apartments allow you to do whatever you want at your schedule. The apartments are equipped with all sorts of facilities meaning that you can cook whenever you want, sleep when you feel like, and work when the time is right for you. There is also enough space to entertain your guests without feeling like you are disturbing the rest of the tenants.
Suitable location
Corporate apartments are found in great locations for convenience and easy maneuverability. You can select one that meets your needs and preference depending on the kind of environment that you are looking for. For example, you can choose one in the city or busy areas based on your type of business or go to a quiet space if you are looking to enjoy some peace and calmness. All you have to do is determine your preferences, and you will find something that matches precisely that. Serviced apartments come in handy when you are on a business trip and looking for an ideal space to relax and work, and you can also rent one purely for work until you feel you are in a position to rent or buy an office. Whichever the reason, select one that is located at an ideal place to make running your business easier.
Provide privacy
Serviced apartments provide you with maximum privacy compared to traditional accommodation. The goal is to make you feel at home and as comfortable as possible. They also offer discrete cleaning services meaning that you will always have the space clean, but you still get to retain your privacy and enjoy minimum interruptions. This is a plus since you can entirely focus on working or even hold a meeting without having to deal with disturbances from service providers.
Value for money
One of the reasons why business owners chose serviced apartments is to help them save money. They are a great deal if you are looking for a conducive working environment and also a place to relax and plan for your business. They are also a solution for small business owners that feel like they cannot rent or buy an office. They can rent a studio at a much lower price and have as much work done as possible. The best part about serviced apartments is that you get to pay a flat fee for all the services you will enjoy while there. This includes parking space, entertainment, and internet services. This is unlike conventional hotels that charge hidden costs for any extra service that you use while there. The fact that the apartments are equipped with essential facilities is a plus as you do not have to spend more than you can afford. You can cook and do laundry in your room, which will significantly help you save.
Additional services and facilities
It should not be all about work without play. You need to work out and have fun to increase your productivity. That is what serviced apartments are all about. If gyms, restaurants, bars, or pools are a part of your needs, then serviced apartments are an excellent choice for you. You can always go out and have fun while still within the facility and then get back to work after re-energizing.
From these benefits, it is evident that serviced apartments are the best choice for business owners to look for suitable working spaces and also have some fun. They are convenient and cost-friendly, not to forget that they offer maximum flexibility. Take your time and look for one that meets your needs and preference and get to enjoy these and more.
6 Fun Ways to Entertain Your Houseguests
Are you expecting houseguests soon? If you’re like most people, you love having people over to your house. But sometimes it can be tough to come up with ideas to keep them entertained. Whether you’re looking for something low-key or something a little more adventurous, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of six fun ways to amuse your guests.
Play Poker
Playing poker is a great way to beat the heat or chill. Not only will it occupy your guests’ time, but it’s also a great way to socialize. You can start by investing in a poker table and some chips. For instance, a circular poker table will allow everyone to sit around and face each other while playing. If you don’t have a lot of space, you can also buy a folding poker table that can be easily stored away when not in use.
Besides a poker table, you will need other supplies such as cards, chips, and maybe even a poker clock if you want to keep things organized. Of course, you can always play without these things, but they will definitely add to the experience. Ensure that you have enough chairs for everyone to sit comfortably too.
Listen to Music
This is a no-brainer but often overlooked. When you have people over, put on some tunes in the background to set the mood. It doesn’t have to be anything too heavy – just something that will create a nice ambiance. If you’re unsure what to play, try making a playlist of your guests’ favorite songs. This way, everyone can enjoy the music and sing along if they like it.
Hiring a live band or DJ could also take things up a notch. This is perfect for larger gatherings or if you want to throw a party. Just make sure that you have the space to accommodate them. Also, ensure that the playlist is appropriate for your guests. You don’t want to play songs that are too loud or offensive.
Watch a Movie
Watching a movie is always a fun option if you have a big screen TV or projector. You can either pop a DVD of everyone’s favorite film or stream something on Netflix. If you go with the latter, ensure you have a good internet connection. No one wants to watch a movie that keeps buffering every few minutes.
You can also make it a themed movie night. For instance, you could choose a particular genre or director and watch all their films. This is a great way to bond with your guests and learn more about their taste in movies. Ensure that you add some snacks and drinks to make it a complete experience.
Organize a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great way to get everyone moving and exploring. You can either do this indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference. If you want to keep things simple, hide some objects around the house and give your guests a list of things to find. You can make it more challenging by setting a time limit or adding clues.
If you’re feeling creative, you can organize a themed scavenger hunt. For example, you could hide objects that are related to a particular topic or subject. This is a great way to get everyone thinking and having fun at the same time. Ensure that everyone is in the mood for the game before starting. No one should feel left out or pressured to participate.
Have a BBQ
If you have the space, fire up the grill and cook some burgers or hot dogs.
Of course, a BBQ isn’t complete without some cold drinks. Make sure you have plenty of water and soda for everyone to stay hydrated. You can also set up a bar if you want to serve alcoholic beverages. Just be sure not to overdo it, as you don’t want your guests to get too drunk. If possible, have some music in the background to create a party atmosphere.
Organize a Tournament
Whether it’s board games or video games, everyone loves a good tournament. This is a great way to get everyone interacting and competing with each other. Depending on your preference, you can either have individual tournaments or team tournaments. Just make sure you have enough prizes for the winners.
If you’re unsure what games to play, try to choose something that everyone is familiar with. This way, no one feels left out or at a disadvantage. Adding some twists to the rules can also make it more interesting. For instance, you could reverse the order of play or add a time limit.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a little imagination, you can come up with many more ways to entertain your houseguests. Just make sure that everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves. After all, that’s what hosting is all about.
What to expect from a Longonot Place stay
Nairobi City is popularly referred to as the Green City in the Sun. It was founded in 1899 by the colonial authorities in British East Africa, as a rail depot on the Uganda Railway. The town quickly grew to replace Machakos as the capital of Kenya in 1907. After independence in 1963, Nairobi became the capital of the Republic of Kenya.
Nairobi is undeniably one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in Kenya, and if we were to list all of the reasons why it’s an amazing place to visit, we would be here for days. The only thing that can make your trip better is where you choose to stay.
At Longonot Place Serviced Apartments, we offer guests a sanctuary right in the heart of the city, close to distinguished bars, stunning restaurants and popular shopping spots – our luxury serviced apartments are the perfect place for work and play.
A warm welcome
Once you arrive at Longonot Place, you’ll be greeted by our helpful reception staff who are available 24-hours a day to answer your questions, fulfil your requests or recommend the very best things to do in Nairobi.
While your luggage is being transferred up to your apartment, feel free to kick back and relax after your journey in our plush lobby area and connect to our superfast Wi-Fi to start exploring what the city has to offer.
Your home away from home
Each luxurious apartment is designed with you in mind. Whether you’ve chosen to stay in our one-bedroom apartments, which are perfect for shorter visits, or a spacious two or three bedroom apartment, you’ll be provided with all of the luxuries you’re used to at home – and more.
We like to give our guests as much freedom as possible, which is why you will find a fully equipped, high specification kitchen and dedicated dining area in every apartment, so you can eat what you want, when you like.
A good night’s sleep is essential to get you ready for a full day of exploring the city. Our cosy king-sized beds come adorned with extravagant cotton sheets for maximum comfort.
And to make your stay that much sweeter, our bathrooms are complete with hot showers and a range of bath products waiting for you when you wake up.
Staying active
Longonot Place offers a range of exemplary facilities designed to elevate your stay, so everything you could possibly need during your visit is covered.
There’s no need to compromise on your exercise routine with our state-of-the-art gym, open day and night to suit even the busiest timetable.
Handle your business
Looking for a private space for a meeting or call? Explore our innovative, unique facility with flexible solutions to work for you. Our board rooms are sized and equipped with the latest technology discreetly incorporated into the design suitable for executive meetings.
Dine in style
Once you’ve worked up an appetite in our fitness facilities, order in breakfast or simply prepare your own meals in your own kitchen; fully equipped with modern cookware for your convenience.
Discover the world navigating at The World’s Finest Luxury Seafood Restaurant – Mawimbi Sea Food Restaurant & Café, located inside Longonot Place. Their culinary experience is a fusion of Latin, Asian, East African, Mediterranean, and the best selection from around the globe.
Whether you’re travelling to Nairobi for business or a weekend of leisure, you can be sure to have everything you could possibly want or need at Longonot Place Serviced Apartments.
Considering a trip to Nairobi? Then make your visit extraordinary by staying in one of our lavish city centre apartments. If you want to see the very best of the city, you need to spend more than 24 hours here. Nairobi is a place for adventurers, unpretentious and authentic with multicultural cuisine, plenty of art, amazing wildlife, and plentiful attractions. You will find beneath its picturesque look and quaint charm a scrupulously evolving city that will fascinate and make you visit again.
We are located near; the Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi Snake Park, Nairobi Botanic Garden, Nairobi National Museum, University of Nairobi, Museum Hill Centre, TransUnion Kenya Offices, Nakumatt Lifestyle Shopping Centre, City market, Central Park, Tatu Restaurant – Fairmont The Norfolk Restaurant, Naivas Supermarket, and the City Market.
Workations: Make the most of working from anywhere
Travelling while working. Working while travelling. Sounds like the dream situation, right?
Although it isn’t a new concept, the “workation” has increased in popularity since the start of the pandemic, or at the very least, the idea of it has – see the Google search trend below. With so many of us continuing to work from home after lockdown has ended, it’s no surprise that the notion that we could be working anywhere with good WiFi has grown. But what exactly is the different between a workation and just working remotely?
What is a workation?
Work + vacation = workation. It’s the combination of business and leisure
When so much of our lives is tied up with work, the idea of being able to do our jobs in a buzzy new city or beautiful, tranquil beach resort sounds so much more appealing than regular 9-to-5 office life. But in practice, does the concept work?
If you’re thinking about taking a workation, it’s important to set boundaries to ensure you get the most out of it from all angles. Giving yourself a work schedule and planning activities around it will mean you can get the most out of the destination you’re visiting.
Tips on how to make the most of your workation
1. Make sure your accommodation is workation friendly
Is there free WiFi? How good is the WiFi? Is there a communal space you can work in? Is there a café or shop across the road where you can grab some lunch? Are the windows big enough so that you can see daylight or a nice view while you’re working so that you don’t feel stuck in a box?
These are some important questions you should ask yourself before booking your lodging for your workation. Our luxury apartments in Nairobi also have work-friendly areas where you can take your laptop and escape your room. Plus, being so close to the city centre means you won’t be far away from anything you need.
2. Find a room or apartment you can work in
Once you’ve settled on your destination, it’s time to find the perfect place to stay. As well as asking all the questions above, you might find it better to hit two birds with one stone and find an apartment you can work in with extra space, a table or desk, and a decent kitchen and/or coffee machine.
There is a growing trend and demand for aparthotels, which offer apartments with hotel service, including concierge and room cleaning. At Longonot Place, our luxury serviced apartments have room to live and work with a fully fitted kitchen and separate living area and bedroom. Every apartment also comes with free ultrafast WiFi.
Plus you will be able to enjoy other facilities in the compound, including a sea food restaurant, pool and 24hr gym, as part of your stay.
3. Plan around your work
To make the most of your workation, it would be wise to plan all your recreational stuff around your work so that you schedule is watertight. Start by creating a to-do list of your work with estimations of how long certain tasks should take. Then, you can think about what kind of fun activities you want to do, places to visit, restaurants to eat at, etc. Depending on opening times or when activities are available, you can schedule your work around pleasure, so that you have a nice balance of the two!
While doing this, it would be good to schedule in some “free time” where you have nothing planned, just in case one of your work tasks is particularly difficult or you come across a cool bar that you want to check out.
4. Put in the hours before your arrival
Saying that, even though it’s good to plan which work tasks you want to do and when, try and get as much done as possible before arriving. Your future self will appreciate any extra effort you can make before your trip, especially if it means a couple of extra hours in the city or being able to enjoy one more cocktail at that fancy bar.
5. Pack all your tools
The other bit of prep you should do before your trip is making sure you have everything that you need for your trip, like your laptop or tablet, notebook, pen, maybe a HDMI or ethernet cable, depending what you’ll be doing while away. If you’re going to be based in a city centre like Nairobi then anything forgotten won’t be too much of an issue. But if you’re heading somewhere more remote, then taking time to ensure you’ve got all your tools will help prevent any future headaches over forgotten items.
6. Establish a workspace
Armed with all the tools you need for your workation, upon arrival find a designated spot to be your workstation. Establishing the ritual of “going to work” by sitting in the same spot during your work hours will help you to focus and concentrate during your work hours. But while it’s good to create a workspace haven, take the time to close it all down when you’re finished to help your brain switch off from the working day.
7. Have fun!
Lastly, and most importantly, have fun! Your workation shouldn’t all be work and no vacation, so shake off the guilt and make the most of your new surroundings. Enjoy being in a different environment, especially if your accommodation feels like a home away from home.
