Bleisure trips: How to turn your business trip into a city break
A meeting in the morning, a sightseeing tour in the afternoon and a visit to a trendy rooftop bar in the evening. When you combine business with leisure, a business trip can easily turn into a mini city break. If you plan your appointments, hotel and free time cleverly, you can experience a great deal even on business trips and combine work with culture, cuisine and city life.
Whether it’s a boat trip along Amsterdam’s canals, a visit to the theatre in London or a night-time detour to New York’s Times Square. Even just a few spare hours are enough to discover the exciting side of a city. The centrally located Motel One hotels offer you a convenient base for this. Our bleisure guides for Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, New York, Berlin and Munich show you how best to plan your business trip, find suitable leisure activities and combine work commitments with sightseeing and after-work socialising.
What is bleisure – and when is it worth doing on a business trip?
‘Bleisure’ is a portmanteau of the English terms ‘business’ and ‘leisure’ and refers to combining a business trip with private leisure activities. Unlike a ‘workation’, where you temporarily relocate your workplace to a holiday destination, with bleisure the business trip remains the primary purpose. Naturally, your meetings, conferences or client appointments take centre stage, but are enriched by sightseeing, cultural activities, sport or culinary experiences.
Bleisure works particularly well if you arrive the evening before a business appointment, fly back the following day, or have a few hours to spare between two meetings. Good planning and short distances between your hotel, appointments and leisure activities are key.
Bleisure is particularly worthwhile when...
... you have at least 60 to 90 minutes free between or after your appointments to do things.
... your hotel is centrally located and you can reach many destinations on foot or by public transport.
... whether you arrive early, leave late or can extend your stay by one or two days.
... even if you only have a little time, you’d like to explore a bit of the city.
How do you plan a business trip that also feels like a city break?
A successful bleisure trip starts with the right planning: first, finalise your work commitments, then you can make the most of any free time for sightseeing, cultural activities, sport or culinary experiences. The key is not to take on too much and to choose activities that can be easily integrated into your working day.
With this checklist, your next business trip will turn into an exciting city break:
1. Set your business appointments: First, get an overview of your travel days, meetings and work commitments.
2. Find free time slots: Check when you have time for personal activities. Even just an hour’s lunch break or 90 minutes after work is enough for a bit of sightseeing.
3. Choose the right hotel: Look for a central location, good links to public transport and short distances to your business appointments.
4. Select highlights carefully: Don’t plan too many activities. One main highlight per half-day within a quarter is usually enough.
5. Make bookings in good time: Check the opening times of museums, shows or restaurants in advance and book tickets or tables if necessary.
6. Allow for a time buffer: Things don’t always go to plan. So make sure you allow plenty of time for travel, luggage and any last-minute changes.
| Time | Working period | Free time slot | Suitable activity | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 – 9 am | Breakfast and planning the day | 30 minutes | Breakfast at the hotel or a nearby café, followed by a short walk to the first appointment | Check the day’s route and transport links |
| 9 am – 12 noon | Meetings and client appointments | - | Focus on business | Group appointments in one neighbourhood where possible |
| 12 – 1 pm | Lunch break | 60 minutes | Lunch in a local café, deli or at a market, followed by a short walk through the neighbourhood or to the next appointment | Choose a restaurant close to the appointment |
| 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm | Further meetings and work commitments | - | Focus on business | Allow for a buffer between appointments |
| 5 pm – 6.30 pm | End of the working day | 90 minutes | A walk through an interesting neighbourhood, along a river or a visit to a place of interest | Choose one highlight, ideally on the way back to the hotel |
| 6.30 pm – 8 pm | End of the day | 90 minutes | Dinner at a traditional local restaurant | Choose a restaurant near the hotel or along the route; make a reservation if necessary |
| From 8.00 pm | End of the day | Flexible | A drink in the One Lounge or the hotel bar | - |
What sort of after-work activities suit your time, energy levels and the weather?
Whether you want to work up a sweat doing sport, explore a new city or round off the evening in a relaxed way with a drink: the best after-work activity is the one that suits your time, your energy levels and the weather. Here are ten ideas for your evenings off whilst on a business trip.
The top 10 after-work ideas for your business trip
1. Rooftop bar or hotel bar
A drink at a rooftop bar with a view of the skyline is one of the best ways to round off the working day and offers you a new perspective on the city.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: a covered bar or hotel bar
2. Local dinner
Whether it’s traditional specialities, a trendy restaurant or a little-known gem: Dinner at a local restaurant gives you an insight into the city’s way of life. Time
required: 60–120 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: -
3. Sunset or architectural walk
An evening stroll along a waterfront promenade, through the historic old town or past impressive architecture costs nothing and can easily be combined with a quick stop at a bar.
Time required: 30–90 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: visit a covered market hall or a bar/café
4. A quick visit to a museum
A bit of art or culture can also fit into a busy working day. Many museums offer compact exhibitions that you can see in an hour. Check opening times and any evening openings in advance. Time
required: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues interested in culture
Plan B in case of bad weather: -
5. A run in the countryside or by the water
A run in the city park or along a river gets you out into the fresh air whilst also giving you a new perspective on your destination. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, simply go for a long walk. Time
required: 30–60 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with sporty colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: indoor gym
6. Fitness, swimming pool or spa
Fancy unwinding after a long day at work? Then swim a few lengths in the pool, pop to the gym or treat yourself to a little spa break. Check in advance what facilities are available near your hotel and whether a booking is required.
Time required: 60–120 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: -
7. Market or food hall
Street food, regional specialities and international cuisine: in a food hall, you can sample a city’s culinary offerings. This is a straightforward alternative to a traditional restaurant visit, especially with colleagues.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: a covered market
8. Concert, live music or local event
A small concert or a trip to the theatre can turn an ordinary business trip into a special experience. Do some research before your trip to find out what events are taking place and, if necessary, book tickets in good time. Time
required: 2–3 hours
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: choose an indoor event
9. Viewpoint or distinctive neighbourhood
Only got an hour to spare? Then it’s worth taking a trip to a viewpoint or a stroll through a distinctive neighbourhood. Discover small shops, street art, historic buildings and fascinating spots.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: a covered viewpoint or arcade
10. A quiet end to the day in the One Lounge
Sometimes the best way to round off the day is one where you don’t have to organise anything else. After a long day, make yourself comfortable in the One Lounge, enjoy a drink and reflect on the day’s experiences.
Time required: 30–60 minutes
Suitable for: on your own or with colleagues
Plan B in case of bad weather: -
Which cities are particularly well suited to a bleisure trip?
Whether it’s the canals in Amsterdam, the skyline in New York or a beer garden in Munich: every city offers its own unique opportunities to combine a business trip with leisure.
London: Between meetings, pubs and history
In the City or at Tower Hill, 60 to 90 minutes is enough time for a stroll to Tower Bridge, a view of the Thames or a pint in a pub. If you have more time, you could plan an evening at the theatre in the West End or dinner in Shoreditch.
Berlin: Neighbourhood culture and the history of the city
Around Berlin’s Mitte district, you can take a 60- to 90-minute stroll along the River Spree, explore the government district or wander through the Hackesche Höfe. For a longer evening out, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain beckon with their international cuisine, bars and a vibrant cultural scene.
Amsterdam: Business first, then the romance of the canals
If you have an appointment in the Zuidas business district or at the RAI Exhibition Centre, you can use your lunch break to take a stroll through Beatrix Park. If you’ve got time after your appointments, you can explore the canals, browse the little boutiques or pop into one of the typical ‘bruine cafés’.
New York: After-work drinks in the Big Apple
Hardly any other city offers such a spectacular backdrop for unwinding after work as New York. After a meeting in the Financial District, you can take a 60- to 90-minute stroll through Lower Manhattan. If you have a whole evening to spare, you can experience the city at a Broadway show, in a jazz bar or from a rooftop bar with a view of the glittering skyline.
Munich: From the meeting to the beer garden
After a meeting in the city centre or in Schwabing, you can spend 60 to 90 minutes strolling through the English Garden, visiting the Eisbach Wave or stopping off at a beer garden. If you’ve got more time, it’s well worth taking a stroll through the Old Town or enjoying a cosy evening in a traditional pub.
Frankfurt: The skyline and the Old Town are just a short walk away
After a meeting in the financial district, you can spend 60 to 90 minutes strolling along the banks of the Main, admiring the famous skyline or popping over to the Römerberg. If you fancy a longer evening out, the cider bars in Sachsenhausen or the restaurants in Ostend are ideal.
When there’s only one free evening left
Only have one evening to explore the city? Then focus on a typical experience that will give you a feel for your destination.
Amsterdam: An evening canal cruise through the historic city centre. From the water, you’ll discover the city’s famous canal-side houses, bridges and alleyways.
London: A stroll along the Thames to Tower Bridge. Here you’ll experience London amidst historic landmarks and a modern skyline.
Frankfurt: A walk along the banks of the Main with views of the illuminated skyscrapers. The south bank in particular offers an impressive panoramic view of the skyline.
New York: A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The view of Manhattan is a real highlight, especially at dusk.
Berlin: A stroll through the Hackesche Höfe and around the Hackescher Markt. Here, historic architecture, creative culture and vibrant city life come together.
Munich: A visit to the beer garden at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden. Weather permitting, you can enjoy the Bavarian way of life right in the heart of the city.
Why is Motel One a good choice for bleisure trips?
Motel One combines the advantages of a business hotel with those of a city hotel: many of its hotels are centrally located, well connected to public transport and offer everything you need for a business trip. This makes it easy to combine business appointments, spontaneous breaks and after-work activities.
- Central location:
If you want to explore the city a bit after work, you should spend as little time as possible travelling long distances. Many Motel One hotels are located close to major business districts, tourist attractions, restaurants and nightlife areas.
- Good transport links:
Whether it’s a client meeting, a conference or a spot of sightseeing – good connections to buses, trains and the metro make it easier to plan your day. That way, you can get to your business meetings and then dive straight into city life afterwards.
- Free Wi-Fi and places to work:
Free Wi-Fi makes working on the go easier. In selected Motel One hotels, you’ll also find work benches in the One Lounge or separate meeting rooms.
- One Lounge – from breakfast to after-work drinks:
Have breakfast in the morning, work on your laptop in between, and relax after work: the One Lounge offers space to suit a variety of needs. Depending on the hotel, you’ll have access to workspaces and a bar serving drinks and snacks.
- A cosy retreat:
The modern, well-appointed rooms offer you a comfortable retreat where you can unwind and recharge your batteries for the next day. If you’d rather round off the evening in good company, you can treat yourself to a drink in the hotel bar.