Is the Future of the Office A Hotel?

The global pandemic forced us to develop new norms when it comes to the way we work, leading to innovation that may not have come without a push. Hoteling is a prime example. In a hoteling office space, employees can reserve the desk or workspace they need ahead of getting to the office. Once they arrive, they can head straight to their requested workspace and settle in. This gives them more flexibility to choose where they work while helping business leaders improve space utilization and reduce costs.

Hoteling has become a more literal option recently, with top hotel brands offering special packages for employees who want to use their facilities as coworking spaces. The concept of a “workcation” became one of the hottest travel trends of the past two years. Marriott reported that 42% of people it surveyed said they would consider booking a work-from-hotel package, whether to escape insufficient Wi-Fi or just to experience a change of scenery to break up the monotony of working from home. Domestic and international options abound, ranging from exotic locales such as Hawaii and Mexico to anywhere you can find a Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott.

Here are just a few examples of how the hospitality industry has embraced a new model of hoteling, and why your workplace should be next.

Embrace office hoteling with this free guide.

The best hoteling workspace examples

Work from Hyatt

One of the earliest adopters to the idea of hoteling, Hyatt created the Work from Hyatt package in early 2020. The three packages include one day, more than five days, and entire month packages.

The Office for the Day Package starts at $65 per day for 12 hours of uninterrupted, focused work (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and includes use of a guest room, premium Wi-Fi, dining and parking discounts, and access to the hotel gym, pool, and spa.

The Extended Stays Package is for five or more nights, available at more than 115 Hyatt hotels and resorts domestically and internationally. Starting at $139 per night, this package includes a dedicated workspace, food and beverage credit, spa and other amenities access, and waived resort fees among the perks.

The most robust package, The Great Relocate, is for 29 nights or more.

“Gather your work, your pets, and your people, and enjoy a month-or-more stay where you can be both pampered and productive,” it says.

This gives employees the option to live somewhere new without the commitment of uprooting their lives permanently — a true “workcation.”

The package is offered in Asia, Europe, India, and the Middle East, and prices vary.

Workspaces by Hilton

Hilton has created an entire new division of their brand to focus on meeting the needs of remote workers. Their day-use rooms include an office set up with an ergonomic chair, large desk and workspace, enhanced Wi-Fi, and coffee and tea to keep you fortified throughout the day. Hilton Honors members also get additional perks, such as earning extra points, access to the Hilton Executive Lounge, and a Hilton Stay credit. Food options are also available as add-ons.

Prices and availability vary by location, but a quick search for reservations in New York City showed day-options starting at $125 per day.

Marriott Bonvoy

As with its competitors, Marriott is offering several different hoteling options. Their good, better, best options for the traveling remote worker are the Day Pass, the Stay Pass, and the Play Pass. 

The Day Pass offers 12-hour access to a guest room (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), while the Stay Pass adds on an overnight stay with a 6 p.m. checkout the following day. The Play Pass is available at resort and luxury locations, and includes perks such as childcare, dedicated office spaces, and a business concierge. Prices vary based on location and availability.

The Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street Boston

The Four Seasons in Boston offers multiple packages, called their “Conference Calls to Cocktails” options, which include a dedicated luxury workcation package designed with the digital nomad in mind. Two of the three packages include overnight stay options, and the third is a one-day pass. The Deluxe Room Package and Executive Suite Package include overnight stays, as well as the One Dalton Luxury Office Setup, which includes premium Wi-Fi, early check-in and late check-out, and personalized healthy snacks designed to boost memory, focus, and productivity. There’s also a complimentary cocktail after the workday. Guests staying overnight in the dedicated Executive Suites can also enjoy an in-suite Peloton bike for workouts on demand.

Just for the Day options includes a private guest room or suite for 12 hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This includes the One Dalton Luxury Office Setup, premium Wi-Fi, and healthy snacks.

With Deluxe Rooms costing $300 for 12 hours and Executive Suites running $600 for 12 hours, the added amenities and added focus of getting away from the regular grind to a fresh environment may be worth it.

Why your company should consider hoteling

As companies look to reduce their square footage and real estate costs while giving employees the option to work remotely more often, hoteling is becoming a popular choice.

Hotels are ideal to use as coworking spaces because they offer 24-hour access, a wide range of amenities and services, and offer the flexibility of leasing space by the day, rather than requiring longer-term commitments. They also tend to be centrally located in areas close to convention centers, restaurants, and activities. For employees who may live far from your corporate office but need a dedicated workspace outside their home, they can be a more accessible option.

While renting office space from a national hotel chain may not be a cost-effective option to use every day, your workplace can benefit from incorporating elements of hoteling in your own office space. Employees are looking for workplaces that offer more flexibility and amenities while giving them a quiet place to work or supporting in-person collaboration.  

Propmodo predicts the idea of hoteling will eventually evolve from a strict business model revolving around pre-booking a cubicle, office, or desk into one that includes on-demand services into a technology rich, full-service hospitality business model.

Corporate real estate landlords who refuse to move away from basic hoteling desks or uninspiring workspaces are missing opportunities that hotels are capitalizing on when it comes to employees’ need for comfort. Hotels are thoughtfully designed with soft seating, ample natural lighting, and a variety of spaces where people can work in private or with others.

As the corporate real estate market shifts and the long-term effects of the pandemic on the industry linger, innovation is key. Though total leasing transactions are up 1.7% compared to this time in 2020, they still are 43.8% below 2019 levels, according to JLL.

Hoteling offers the best of both the hospitality industry and the workplace. There are many benefits of office hoteling for both employees and facilities managers, including:

• Improving the employee experience
• Ensuring fair access to office resources
• Encouraging collaboration and teamwork
• improving space utilization
• Reducing overhead costs
• Easier cleaning

Just as hotels require reservations, hoteling requires the right technology to manage space and resources. That includes a desk hoteling system that makes it easy for employees to find and reserve workspaces in advance or when they arrive.

To mirror the convenience of a hotel, employees should be able to access this system and other amenities your workplace offers through a mobile app they can use anywhere. If they’re heading into your office for the day, they can easily find where one of their colleagues is sitting and reserve a space next to them. They can complete a quick wellness screening using the same app and be reassured that everyone around them has done the same. And if they need to order catering for a meeting, request cleaning, or get help fixing a printer, they can use the app as easily as they would call for room service.

As a workplace leader, office hoteling also gives you real-time insight into space utilization. You can see what percentage of spaces and meeting rooms are occupied, identify peak times, and use space management software to forecast future demand.

Whether you choose to lease workspace in a hotel to supplement your existing office space or use hoteling as part of a flexible workplace strategy, it can help you make the most of your real estate while making your workplace feel more like a destination.  

Learn more about iOFFICE’s desk hoteling solutions with a free demo today.