Honestly, if you travel a lot, I’d skip anything with cushions, untreated wood, wrought iron, or natural woven rattan. Those are the pieces that punish you for being away. The most low-maintenance urban outdoor furniture is usually powder-coated aluminum with a sling or mesh seat, or commercial-grade HDPE resin furniture.
Powder-coated aluminum is my top pick for balconies, patios, and rooftops. It won’t rust like steel, it’s light enough to move or stack, and the finish handles sun and rain without needing paint. A sling chair or mesh chair dries fast and doesn’t hold mildew the way cushions do. Just hose it down, wipe it once in a while, and it’s ready.
If you want zero fuss and don’t mind heavier pieces, HDPE resin is excellent. It’s basically weatherproof, won’t rot, splinter, or fade easily, and it never needs staining. The trade-off is weight, but that can be a bonus on a windy roof deck. Look for stainless steel hardware either way.
Teak can work if you like the look, but it will weather to gray and may need occasional cleaning. It’s low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. For a frequent traveler, I’d choose a stackable powder-coated aluminum bistro set or a couple of HDPE chairs with a small side table. Add a breathable cover only if you’ll be gone for months, not because the furniture can’t handle a normal trip.
The less fabric, the less mold; the less metal that can rust, the less worry. That’s the setup that stays ready even when you’re not.