As noted by such publications as Business Week, Entrepreneur and Selling Magazine, Barclay International Group (BIG) represents over 6,000 short-term apartments, cottages and villas abroad. These accommodations combine the convenience of hotel services with the comfort and space associated with a private residence. While BIG’s collection features a large selection of apartments in such business capitals as London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Rome, Florence, Madrid and Barcelona, travelers to Germany, Portugal, Israel, and even Russia will not be disappointed. Prices start as low as $950 per week off-season (including tax) to accommodate two persons. Stays can often be as short as three nights.

BIG’s apartments, for example, give small businesses the chance to compete with larger companies by helping them save on corporate travel. For example, several employees may opt to share a multi-bedroomed apartment, rather than taking several, more expensive single rooms at a comparable hotel. Such travelers can save on meal costs by using the kitchen in their apartment instead of patronizing local restaurants or paying overpriced room service charges (like $22 apiece for continental breakfast!). When meeting space is needed, the living room of a one- bedroom apartment will usually fit the bill, without incurring additional costs for renting meeting rooms. And most of the properties offer the secretarial services and business services (fax, photocopiers, etc.) that corporate travelers may require. Some properties even offer health club facilities for working off the stress associated with business travel.

Best of all, travelers will be able to enjoy all this while paying the same, or less, than they would at comparably-appointed upscale hotels. In fact, in many cases, they’ll be able to have a spouse or companion also stay in their flat at a less expensive rate than if they had reserved a single hotel room at the corporate rate! For even greater savings, Barclay can arrange long-term leases for companies whose employees travel to a particular destination several times a year. During slower periods, these companies can turn to Barclay, who will attempt to sublet the space on their behalf. This will help companies to potentially recoup an otherwise wasted portion of their investment.

Companies can also consider BIG’s properties when planning sweepstakes to bring in new business, or when structuring incentive programs! What could be a better reward than a week’s stay at a romantic villa in Italy’s Tuscany region or in Provence, France? Also, apartments, cottages and villas are perfect when planning small-to-midsize corporate meetings, or when searching for temporary residences for relocating employees.

To explore BarclayWeb for your corporate travel needs, start at our Destinations page, which will lead you to the countries and then cities in which Barclay International Group can reserve accommodations for you. You'll find information on specific properties (including prices) as well as details on supplemental services. And remember, your corporate travel planner can always book Barclay International Group properties on your behalf!