Ramel Kelly
Favorite Travel Bags
It’s a journey in itself to discover that perfect
bag to help you maneuver in today’s world of
business travel. With the number of electronic
devices, paperwork and other items that travelers must carry with them, a place for everything
is crucial. Here are several of the best bags available for business travelers that don’t sacrifice
fashion for function.
Will Leather Goods’
Washed Italian Leather
duffle fits into overhead
compartments on all
standard planes, $595 at
willleathergoods.com.
The Victorinox Werks
Traveler 5.0 East/
West garment bag
will get clothes to
their destination
wrinkle-free, $399.99
at victorinox.com.
TOP PHOTO BY NOAH FECKS
Hotel Helper
Although she’s a frequent traveler
herself, Ramel Kelly has a different
perspective on travel as the executive
director of national accounts for Loews
Hotels & Resorts. She has seen firsthand the interactions between travelers
and hotels, and understands
the importance of the little
things when hosting people
on business trips.
Free Wi-Fi is always
available not only in guest
rooms at Loews Hotels &
Resorts, but also in common
areas and even by the pools,
so that guests don’t miss out
on some sunshine while catching up on
emails or putting the finishing touches
on a report. She advises business travelers to always take full advantage of all
hotel amenities and reminds them that
the hotel staff is there for them.
“While at Loews Philadelphia Hotel,
an event’s speaker realized he had forgotten to pack a tie,” she recalls. “With
no place to buy a tie at 7 o’clock in the
morning, one of the Loews employees
quickly took off his tie and handed it to
the speaker.” Many guests may think of
this as quite a gesture, but Kelly notes
that “it’s instinct” for hotel employees.
The Loews staff makes every effort
to bring guests anything they may
have forgotten to pack, from cufflinks
to electronic adapters, so that travelers don’t have to waste valuable time
shopping for replacements.
And whether you’re trying to find the
best restaurant to impress a client or fit
some leisure time into your workday,
Kelly says that hotel staff is, again, your
best bet. “The concierge is the backbone
to any hotel,” she says. “At Loews, we
have some of the best in the business.
It’s great when business travelers are able
to bring along their family members to
make the most of their travel, and our
concierges are accustomed to planning
events for the spouses or family members
throughout the day, but are also familiar
with accommodating for business schedules so they always aim to find times each
day that the couple or family can meet for
meals or activities together.”
In addition to their willingness to
please, concierges and other hotel staff
members are also locals with valuable
insight that you cannot buy. “I can’t
stress enough the absolute wealth of
information available with our staff,”
Kelly says. “They can do everything
possible to find that must-have ticket
or simply create a unique experience
where guests can live like a local for
a day.” L
Filson’s rolling
carry-on is made with
lightweight, waterresistant nylon and is
outfitted with interior
cotton elastic straps to
secure items, $495
at filson.com.
Killspencer’s
Weekender 3.0 in
black nylon features
a leather strap that
conforms to your
body’s shape, $425
at killspencer.com.
Muji’s small hard
carry travel suitcase
is made of durable
yet lightweight
polycarbonate and
comes with a useful
wheel lock, $175.50
at muji.us.
LOEWS MAGAZINE
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