Photo Credit: Jennifer Graylock
Bill Rancic is a road warrior. The entrepreneur, restauranteur and New York Times bestselling author famous for becoming the first apprentice hired by The Trump Organization on the first season of Donald Trump‘s reality show, The Apprentice, travels around the world promoting his various books, including “You’re Hired: How To Succeed In Business And Life” as well as Cigars Around the World, a monthly online subscription-based retailer that became a multi-million dollar enterprise. He’s become such an authority on business travel that the Hyatt brand used his expertise to reveal the findings from its Hyatt Place and Hyatt House business traveler survey during a recent event in New York. We sat down with Rancic, who’s married to fellow TV personality Giuliana Rancic (they even had their own E! reality series, Giuliana and Bill) to talk about his tried-and-true travel tips, his favorite worldwide destinations and how he stays connected to his wife and son while on the road.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Graylock
How often do you travel for business?
At least three times a month.
Can you share any tips and tricks you’ve learned on the road?
To maximize space in bags, G taught me to roll all my clothes. Not only do I fit more, but it stays unwrinkled! I also like to drink alkaline water and I freeze it to get past TSA.
What are five travel essentials every man needs?
Good shoes, a suit, a mophie so I can charge on the go, laptop and notebook.
Why did you decide to partner with the Hyatt brand?
They are built around the business traveler, and as someone who’s logged over 3 million miles, it was a seamless fit. Their rooms and amenities are designed with the business traveler in mind, and always make me feel comfortable when I’m on the road.
What in particular sets the properties apart?
Each room makes you feel like you’re at a home away from home. Hyatt Place with its dedicated work spaces in each room, and Hyatt House, which provides me with an in-city apartment providing a literal home away from home.
What’s your secret to multitasking and remaining productive while on the road?
I try to unpack my bag and make my room feel like home as much as possible so it doesn’t necessarily feel like I’m on the road.
How do you stay connected with your family while traveling for business?
Thank god for FaceTime! I FaceTime G and Duke multiple times a day while on the road – communication is key.
After so much traveling, where would you say are your 5 favorite cities in the world?
I love my hometown Chicago, Idaho, Cabo, Capri Italy, and Denver.
Is there a particular city that is special to you and Giuliana? Where? Why? What is your special spot in that city, and how does it make you think of her?
We bought a house in Cabo Mexico, and that’s really the place where we get away and head to the beach together with Duke. It’s where we have the most downtime, and have a lot of great memories there.
