Following a pandemic where in-person work was often impossible and remote was the only way, many industries are keeping remote or hybrid options for their employees. In fact, the workforce is demanding that remote work remain an option. 

Hotels can take advantage of this industry trend by providing accommodating work spaces and personalized service for those who are blending work with travel.

Rise of remote work

Working remotely wasn’t new to everyone when it became the only option for many in 2020, but it definitely wasn’t the norm. Now, more than three years later, it’s less of a trend and more of an industry standard. 

According to a nationwide survey, 4.7 million people currently work remotely at least half of the work week. And that number probably isn’t going down any time soon—98% of employees surveyed reported that they wanted to work from home at least once a week for the rest of their careers.

Additionally, 33% of employees surveyed would leave their positions or retire if remote was no longer an option.

So remote work is here to stay—what does that mean for the hospitality industry?

Well, since people can work from anywhere now, this is increasing “bleisure”: a mixture of business and leisure travel. It’s also causing an increase in staycations and general travel. Hotels can benefit from an uptick in travelers working remotely by accommodating for these guests—from Wi-Fi to free coffee, little touches will go a long way.

Hotels: the new office 

Traveling for work and traveling for pleasure has now been blurred—so much so, that those traveling are more often than not also working.

As hospitality venues are increasingly being used for make-shift workspaces, whether it’s for bleisure travelers or just those looking to switch up their environment, it’s a great opportunity for hotels to adapt their offerings and benefit from the trend. 

A key part of understanding how to provide the best service to these workers is to understand why they’re choosing to work from hotels. From lots of multi-use space, to round-the-clock service, hotels are great for those looking for all the advantages of a coworking space without the extra cost. Don’t forget about additional amenities such as gyms, pools, and onsite restaurants—what more could remote workers want?

Now hotels just have to make sure they’re offering all of these things (and more) to really capitalize on these rising numbers—think personalized service, flexibility, and a steady Wi-Fi connection, no matter what.

How to accommodate 

In addition to individualized service (think guest messaging to communicate with the guest on what they’re looking for) and a strong signal, hotels can add a few more things to take advantage of the rise of remote work.

First is designated spaces for the remote workforce, similar to what Hilton has started doing.

Whether it’s private day-use spaces with comfortable chairs and Wi-Fi, or just a welcoming common area with plenty of coffee and tea, hotels will benefit from making clear areas for remote professionals. 

Consider adding these features to your hotel workspaces and as offerings for those working from their hotel room:

• Lots of outlets that are easily accessible
• Plenty of lighting near any tables, desks, or counter space
• Information on printing services if there are any—think info cards placed at each work area
• Pads of paper and pens at each desk or table
• Lost and found computer and phone chargers for guests who forgot theirs
• Headphones with microphones for sale in grab-and-go shops
• Unlimited coffee and tea in the lobby
• Desks in any common areas with outlets, lighting, and a small collection of office supplies

A variety of hotel room set-ups, entertaining amenities such as an on-site spa or bar, and special touches like chocolate chip cookies are sure to make those working remotely come back again.

Learn more about hospitality industry trends on the Kipsu blog!

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