The differential between crappy hotels and nice ones is maybe a factor of 4-8, and often around 2x
With discounted coach vs full fare coach, often 10x, and for coach vs first, another 10x (maybe 5x if negotiated).
I have a fondness for nice Starwood hotels (since I get a suite for the lowest rate), or luxury rentals via airbnb, but still stick to upgradable coach and then pay for SWUs, even if a client offers business class. Marginal luxury dollars can go to better meals (even a great meal, without alcohol, is 20-100), then renting luxury cars (50-150 per day vs 25-50), then hotels (200-300 outside NYC), then upgrading flights (500 or so to go business internationally) and choice of hotel/airline for points.
Little things like having an exec or ops person personally spend time with you vs fending for yourself cost little and seem like the first dollars you should spend, especially at a startup, when dealing with clients, investors, potential hires, etc.
With discounted coach vs full fare coach, often 10x, and for coach vs first, another 10x (maybe 5x if negotiated).
I have a fondness for nice Starwood hotels (since I get a suite for the lowest rate), or luxury rentals via airbnb, but still stick to upgradable coach and then pay for SWUs, even if a client offers business class. Marginal luxury dollars can go to better meals (even a great meal, without alcohol, is 20-100), then renting luxury cars (50-150 per day vs 25-50), then hotels (200-300 outside NYC), then upgrading flights (500 or so to go business internationally) and choice of hotel/airline for points.
Little things like having an exec or ops person personally spend time with you vs fending for yourself cost little and seem like the first dollars you should spend, especially at a startup, when dealing with clients, investors, potential hires, etc.