From Meetings to Me-Time: The Bleisure Way to Travel

We have all been there. You’re sitting in a sleek, climate-controlled conference room, discussing Q4 projections or the latest software patch. Your laptop lid is open, your coffee is lukewarm, and your view is a PowerPoint Slide. Outside the glass-walled room is a city: Chennai, Bengaluru, or perhaps Madurai, vibrant, pulsing with life, smelling of filter coffee and jasmine, yet you’re seeing it only through the window of a moving cab.

But then 5 PM hits. You close that laptop lid. And in that precise moment, something magical happens. The “Business Traveller” in you evaporates, and the “Explorer” takes over.

Welcome to the era of Bleisure.

It is the portmanteau the world can’t stop talking about, but at GRT Hotels & Resorts, we prefer to think of it as the Art of the Un-Business Trip. It’s the intentional choice to turn a 48-hour corporate grind into a 72-hour soulful escape. It is the realisation that you don’t have to choose between a paycheck and a passport stamp.

In 2026, the boundaries between “working” and “living” haven’t just blurred; they have vanished. And if you are still flying into a city just to see the inside of a clone boardroom, you’re doing it wrong.

Let’s talk about how to do it right.

The Suitcase Split: Packing for Two Worlds

The first sign of a successful bleisure traveller is their suitcase. It’s a study in dual identities. On one side, tailored power suits, sophisticated formal co-ords, silk sarees, crisp blazers, formal pumps, and polished Oxfords. On the other? Flowy dresses, linen shirts, chic sandals, running shoes, and maybe a swimsuit that hasn’t seen the sun in six months.

Bleisure isn’t just a trend; it’s a mental health revolution. Studies show that adding leisure time to business trips significantly reduces burnout and increases productivity. Why? Because the human brain isn’t a machine. It needs the sensory shift from the hum of a server room to the crash of the waves at Marina Beach or the spiritual chant of a Madurai evening.

The GRT Bleisure Map: 8 Destinations, One Philosophy

At GRT Hotels & Resorts, we’ve strategically placed our properties where the “Business Buzz” meets “Cultural Charm.” Whether you’re a high-flying CEO or a freelance digital nomad, here is how you turn your corporate itinerary into a mini-vacation across South India.

The Tech & Trendsetters: Bengaluru & Hyderabad

• The Vibe: High-octane, fast-paced, and futuristic.
• The Stays: Radisson Bengaluru City Center and Zibe Luxe Hyderabad.
• The Business: You’re here for the tech summits, the startups, and the “Silicon Valley of India” energy.
• The Un-Business Twist: In Bengaluru, after your meetings at the IT parks, walk over to Cubbon Park for a green reset or explore the city’s nightlife. In Hyderabad, let the Zibe vibe keep you energised. Once the emails are sent, head to the Charminar for a dose of history or lose yourself in the pearl markets of Laad Bazaar.
• The Moment: Taking a 5G-enabled call from our rooftop pool while the Bengaluru skyline glitters behind you.

Coastal Commerce: Chennai & Kakinada

• The Vibe: Salty air, sea breezes, and serious industrial power.
• The Stays: Grand Chennai, Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai, Grand Kakinada, and Zibe Luxe Kakinada.
• The Business: Ports, manufacturing, and the headquarters of some of the biggest conglomerates.
• The Un-Business Twist: Chennai is the soul of South India. Stay at Grand Chennai in T. Nagar, the heart of the city’s shopping district. Close your laptop and walk into the colourful chaos of Pondy Bazaar. In Kakinada, the “Pensioner’s Paradise” turned industrial hub, take a detour to the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. There is nothing like a boat ride through mangroves to make you forget about a stressful spreadsheet.
• The Moment: Trading your formal shoes for flip-flops and walking along the ECR coast after a successful deal.

Read more: The ECR Diaries

Heritage & High-Stakes: Madurai & Vijayawada

• The Vibe: Ancient, grand, and rapidly evolving.
• The Stays: Grand Madurai, Regency Madurai & Grand Vijayawada.
• The Business: Regional trade hubs and emerging corporate centers.
• The Un-Business Twist: In Madurai, business usually wraps up early. This is your chance to witness the evening Aarti at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a spiritual experience that puts “corporate stress” into perspective. In Vijayawada, the Kanaka Durga Temple and the Undavalli Caves offer a majestic backdrop to your visit.
• The Moment: Savouring a traditional Madurai Jigarthanda after a day of site inspections.

Industrial Chic: Coimbatore & Salem

• The Vibe: Hardworking, grounded, and surrounded by nature.
• The Stays: Zibe Coimbatore & Zibe Salem
• The Business: Textiles, manufacturing, and heavy industry.
• The Un-Business Twist: These cities are gateways. Use the weekend to drive up to the Nilgiris from Coimbatore or enjoy the cool breezes of Yercaud from Salem. Our Zibe properties are designed for the young-at-heart traveller, with bright colours, social spaces, and a “chilled-out” philosophy that makes work feel less like work.
• The Moment: A quick morning trek in the foothills before your 11 AM factory visit.

What is our Secret?

We know that business travellers need: blazing-fast Wi-Fi, ergonomic desks, and coffee that actually tastes like coffee. But we also know what humans need.

Our signature wellness sanctuary. Nothing says Bleisure like a deep-tissue massage at the Bodhi Prana to work out the knots from an 8-hour flight. We believe that a relaxed body leads to a sharper mind.

Why eat a boring club sandwich in your room when you can experience J. Hind at Grand Chennai? We turn dining into an interactive performance, blending molecular gastronomy with traditional Indian flavours. It’s a conversation starter for your clients and a treat for your soul.

Your Time is the Ultimate Luxury

Bleisure travel is about reclaiming your time. It’s a rebellion against the idea that travel should be “all work and no play.”

The next time your boss says, “We need you in Vijayawada next week,” don’t just think about the flight times and the hotel's proximity to the office. Think about the sunset over the Krishna River. Think about the spice of a local Andhra meal. Think about the quiet luxury of a Bodhi Prana Spa treatment.

At GRT Hotels & Resorts, we don’t just give a room; we give you a reason to stay an extra day.

So, where is your next boardroom? Let’s make it GReaT.

The Hustle Map