Navigating accommodation for film and TV productions requires a unique skillset. Unlike standard travel, productions have specific and unconventional needs—from flexible check-in times and discreet VIP services to accommodating large trucks or 12-seater vans.
When choosing the best hotel for your production, vetting the quality of service and the hotel’s ability to meet your production’s unique requirements is crucial. That’s why partnering with an entertainment travel management company (TMC) is invaluable.
In this article, Show Group explores the accommodation essentials for production travel and how a TMC’s expertise and robust supplier relationships are key to meeting these specialised needs, creating a seamless experience for cast and crew.
Customisation is essential for production travel
The key to identifying the ideal accommodation for your production goes well beyond price. It’s about how well a hotel can adapt its services to meet the niche needs of your production. While amenities like laundry facilities and kitchenettes or proximity to filming locations are important, the true value lies in a hotel’s ability to understand your requirements and customise its offerings accordingly. This could involve adding amenities such as microwaves to rooms, accommodating VVIP requests, or rostering additional reception staff outside conventional working hours to ensure 24/7 support for the talent and crew.
Tailored room offerings improve the experience for cast and crew
Productions require a variety of accommodation types to suit different roles. For example, while talent may require luxurious rooms with private entrances for discretion, the crew might prioritise practical features like ample parking for large vehicles or apartment-hotel rooms with home comforts such as kitchens and laundrettes for extended stays. A hotel’s ability to customise its offerings— such as rearranging room layouts to include extra space or providing blackout curtains for crew working on night shoots—makes all the difference.
The impact of hotel location on your production
The right location is critical for production. Hotels close to filming sites reduce travel time, minimise transportation costs, and help maintain a low carbon footprint. But it’s not just about proximity—the environment matters, too. For example, properties in quiet areas, away from noise pollution, allow cast and crew to rest better between shoots.
Why enhanced security measures are crucial
Crew safety, comfort, and productivity is a priority. Aside from standard hotel security features such as secure floor access with swipe cards, it’s necessary to consider whether a property can offer enhanced security measures for the duration of your stay. This might include separate entrances and discreet accommodation for VVIP talent, ensuring high privacy and safety.
Simplify your hotel selection process with the support of a TMC
Partnering with a TMC that has established long-term relationships with hotels and understands production travel can make a world of difference in ensuring a seamless stay. Whether it’s accommodating last-minute changes or guaranteeing fast response times, a TMC’s partnerships can secure properties that deliver exceptional, tailored service. Hotels that go above and beyond—like installing climbing walls or providing gym equipment for high-profile talent—stand out in a competitive market. An entertainment-focused TMC with industry expertise and strong supplier relationships will enable you to secure these properties and make and manage niche requests on your behalf.
Changes to filming schedules are often unpredictable, making it essential for your hotel to be flexible and accommodating. An experienced entertainment TMC can negotiate with the hotel to secure competitive long-term stay rates and favourable terms for cancellations and room allocation holds. This ensures that booking details and dates can be adjusted with minimal to no penalties, providing the production with much-needed flexibility.
By partnering with entertainment travel experts like Show Group, productions can tap into a network of hotel suppliers who understand the industry’s nuances, delivering value far beyond the booking.
