Key Takeaways:
- Data-driven insights on the cost, logistics, and cultural impact of different stay options.
- A clear comparison of hotels vs. serviced apartments for group stays.
- A practical HR checklist to simplify retreat accommodation planning.
- How TheSqua.re helps HR teams save 20–30% on group stays while improving employee experience.
Planning a company retreat for 10 staff members is more than a logistical exercise; it's a strategic move. The correct configuration can build company culture, foster collaboration, and provide quantifiable ROI. The incorrect choice? Ten isolated hotel rooms, increased expenses, and lost team-building opportunities.
As Deloitte noted, 79% of CEOs think a great company culture is a competitive strength. But a SHRM survey detected that 67% of HR directors say the largest obstacle to successful retreats is "logistical stress." Selecting the correct accommodation for 10 individuals can make or break your event, in terms of creating culture or crushing budgets.
The HR Challenge: 10 Individuals, One Retreat, 100 Logistics
For corporate travel managers and HR, reserving accommodations for a group of 10 is fraught with special challenges:
- Cost spread: Ten rooms equal ten bills, charges, and unexpected expenses.
- Fragmentation: Teams are typically dispersed across multiple floors or even different facilities.
- Responsibility of care: HR must address employee safety, comfort, and compliance, all while staying within budget.
➡️ With corporate travel costs rising 12% globally in 2023 (GBTA), HR leaders are under pressure to do more with less. That’s why many are rethinking group accommodation solutions to simplify planning.
Smarter Group Accommodation Solutions for 10
The optimal accommodation varies based on your retreat objectives. These are the smartest solutions:
1. Private Serviced Apartments & Homes
- Ideal for executive or leadership retreats.
- Shared dining and lounge areas foster collaboration.
- Single contract and invoice for easy management.
2. Townhouses & Boutique Residences
- Perfect for urban-based retreats close to HQs or conference centres.
- Professional yet residential in ambience.
- Combines togetherness with flexibility.
3. Aparthotel Clusters or Full-Floor Solutions
- Ideal for HR managers who need to balance privacy with unity.
- Private apartments for alone time, communal lounges for collaboration.
- Scalable: ideal for companies that conduct multiple retreats a year.
4. Country Estates & Lodges
- Ideal for strategy meetings and off-sites outside urban areas.
- Generous space for workshops and team-building activities.
- Private, exclusive setting that promotes connection.
Hotels vs. Serviced Apartments: The HR Cost-Saving Balance
➡️ Insight: Companies save up to 30% on group stays when choosing serviced apartments over hotels (GBTA, 2023). Unlike hotels, serviced apartments and corporate housing options can also be scaled for both short retreats and longer-term assignments.
HR's Checklist for 10-Person Retreats
Before booking accommodation for 10 individuals, HR can inquire:
- Is there a minimum of 10 private bedrooms?
- Are there common spaces to hold meetings and get to know each other?
- Is there Wi-Fi that can support 10+ devices?
- How close is the property to airports or offices?
- Can billing be run through one contract?
- Has accommodation been vetted for safety and compliance?
How TheSquare Makes Group Stays Seamless
At TheSquare, we make it easy for HR leaders to plan retreats using serviced apartments specifically for corporate purposes:
- Worldwide reach: 500,000+ apartments across 1,000+ cities.
- Personalized configurations: From townhouse groups to entire floor solutions.
- Personalized account management: One point of contact for reservations.
- Compliance with duty of care: Screened properties that satisfy compliance requirements.
- Simplified billing: Single invoice, no surprise charges.
FAQs: Large Group Accommodation
Q: What's the ideal accommodation solution for 10 corporate employees relocating?
Serviced apartments or villas offer privacy, budget-friendliness, and potential collaboration.
Q: How much will HR save by booking serviced apartments over hotels?
On average, businesses save 20–30% through lower F&B charges, fewer surprise charges, and easier contracts.
Q: Can 10 employees be accommodated under a single booking contract?
Yes. TheSquare offers single contracts for all employees in one place.
Q: Which cities are best for 10-person corporate retreats?
Top locations are London, Dublin, New York, and Singapore, where serviced apartments are easily found.
Last Minute HR Leader Takeaway
Company retreats are no longer a nicety; they're culture-forming investments. But accommodation can ruin them. By abandoning fractured hotel reservations for group and serviced apartment solutions, HR leaders can save money, streamline admin, and give employees more than a bed; they get a space that promotes collaboration and connection.
Booking a retreat for 10? TheSquare streamlines group stays, making them scalable, easy, and hassle-free.
