EXPERIENTIAL LOYALTY

Pack Your Bags – and Your Plus One: Crowne Plaza launches new ‘Bring Your Bestie’ promotion, offering travelers a unique blend of work and play

Crowne Plaza by IHG, one of the world’s largest premium hotel brands and a leader in the blended travel space, today unveiled a new Bring Your Bestie package in response to evolving travel and workplace behaviors, available at select hotels across the U.S

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IHG® Hotels & Resorts

Crowne Plaza by IHG, one of the world’s largest premium hotel brands and a leader in the blended travel space, today unveiled a new Bring Your Bestie package in response to evolving travel and workplace behaviors, available at select hotels across the U.S.

Crowne Plaza’s recently released white paper, Leading the Charge in Blended Travel, explores how the rise of hybrid working has amplified the flexibility between work and leisure, resulting in the increased ability to achieve meaningful in-person connections – at home or on the road.

The increased convenience of blended travel has placed a renewed emphasis on togetherness and prioritizing quality relationships – cherishing the people who matter most and dedicating time to nurture those bonds. This shift has given rise to a new trend – “Bring Your Bestie” travel, where travelers invite friends and loved ones to accompany them on work trips, blending business with leisure and creating opportunities to deepen personal relationships.

The Rise of “Bring Your Bestie” Travel

According to recent data from Crowne Plaza’s global YouGov survey of over 12,000 people, 74% of U.S. travelers noted they would invite a friend or family member on a work trip – with Gen Z and Millennials as the generations most likely to do so. In fact, nearly 40% of U.S. travelers combine work and leisure travel specifically to spend quality time with family and friends.

Traveling for business with a companion offers clear benefits: it is not only more enjoyable, but it also supports a healthier balance between work and relaxation, reducing stress and boosting overall well-being. Sharing downtime with someone can lead to a greater sense of rejuvenation and focus, which may enhance productivity during work hours. Additionally, having a companion allows for a fuller exploration of the destination, with opportunities to enjoy local sights and cultural experiences together, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.

While there are many advantages to bringing a plus one on a blended travel trip, there are still opportunities to enhance the experience for both travelers and their guests. Key findings include:

• Creating a Welcoming Environment for Plus Ones Is Key: Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. respondents have invited a family member or friend to join them on a work trip without disclosing it to their employer, and 34% of respondents noted that company policies or guidelines influenced their decision to bring a guest on their trip.
• Streamlining Costs Makes Traveling with a Companion More Accessible: Over a third of U.S. respondents mentioned they may hesitate to invite friends or family on work trips because of the added costs.
• Travelers are Looking for Ways to Keep Their Guests Entertained While They Work: 1 in 4 people noted that itineraries or activities for the person they are traveling with to keep them occupied while they are working would be a valuable amenity to encourage blended travel.

Crowne Plaza Introduces New Bring Your Bestie Package

Inspired by these findings, Crowne Plaza has launched the Bring Your Bestie package to encourage travelers to bring a plus one on their next work trip.

This offering lets your plus one enjoy all the perks of a business traveler during their leisure stay – while you get to turn your work trip into a more memorable, shared experience:

• Complimentary breakfast to kickstart the day
• A signature drink per night of stay to relax at the end of the day and signal the transition from work to leisure
• 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points, which can be used toward future Reward Nights, exclusive experiences, and more
• Curated itineraries designed to enhance solo time and foster meaningful interactions during downtime

The package can also be used to tag on an extra personal day before or after a work trip, to spend more time together and make the most of travel time.

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“Today’s professionals are embracing blended travel and the perks it offers. Bringing a plus one on a work trip was once kept under the radar, but times have changed,” said Ginger Taggart, Vice President of Brand Management – Global Premium Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “Connectivity is at the heart of the Crowne Plaza brand, guiding how we deliver service and spaces across our hotels. The Bring Your Bestie offer delivers upon guests’ needs for shared experiences and meaningful relationships.”

The limited time offering is available to book at select Crowne Plaza properties featuring the brand’s New Modern design, from now through May 12, for stays until July 10, including:

• Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square
• Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast
• Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Downtown-Union Station
• Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center
• Crowne Plaza Orlando – Downtown
• Crowne Plaza Seattle – Downtown
• Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach Town Center

*Terms apply.

When booking the Bring Your Bestie package, guests will enjoy new spaces and inventive guest experiences designed to support both professional and personal growth, such as:

• Reimagined guest rooms designed with three distinct zones – work, relaxation, and sleep – promoting focus and calm.
• Social spaces, envisioned as lively plazas, create the perfect setting for morning coffee, informal meetings or evening cocktails.
• Launching soon, Crowne Plaza Socials will offer weekly activities such as wine tastings and local delicacy sampling – fostering conversation and connection.
• In addition, upcoming Crowne Plaza programming will provide complimentary access to FIIT, a world-class fitness and movement platform, and BBC Maestro, offering expert-led masterclasses on topics ranging from wine appreciation to finding happiness.

To learn more or to book a stay, visit https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/reservation or download the IHG One Rewards mobile app.

Terms & Conditions

This offer is available only at participating properties in the US. Booking is open from April 14, 2025, through May 12, 2025, and stays must be completed between April 14, 2025, and July 10, 2025. Guests will receive 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points, which will be automatically deposited along with base earning points after checkout. Complimentary breakfast is provided for up to two guests each day of the stay, along with one complimentary drink per night subject to the discretion of the property. Property will apply surcharge for additional person. Blackout dates may apply, and the offer is subject to availability.

Methodology
The consumer research was conducted by YouGov between 17th December 2024 – 13th January 2025 with a sample of 12,184 adults in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the U.A.E. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+), respective of their countries.

The Crowne Plaza white paper includes a survey of 296 IHG business and leisure travelers from the U.S. and U.K. conducted with Material via the IHG One Rewards online community between August 28 and September 5, 2024.

Travel trends were identified by Stylus, the expert source of trend and insights, using its proprietary six-stage qualitative trend methodology, consolidating new, emerging consumer and traveler trends from its global tracking of consumer lifestyle, product, service, and engagement signals.

The data presented in this one statement is based on surveys conducted in countries other than the U.S. & U.K.

Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts