There are many reasons why people work from a hotel (or ‘WFH’), especially travellers. Working from the right hotel can offer a well-equipped workspace, high-speed Wi-Fi, and access to other hotel amenities like room service, gyms, and even co-working spaces.
However, not all hotels are equal. When selecting a hotel for work, consider factors such as location, connectivity, and noise levels. Reading reviews and contacting the hotel in advance can help ensure a work-friendly environment that allows you to maximise productivity while enjoying the comforts of a good hotel.
As an experienced business traveller, I’ll run you through all you need to know about finding a successful WFH (Work From Hotel).
Benefits of working from hotels
In addition to being able to focus on your work in a comfortable environment, working from a hotel offers a range of other benefits.
Hotels often have well-designed and aesthetically pleasing spaces that can provide a refreshing backdrop for your work.
You also have the freedom to work while you explore new places and connect with people. Instead of being tied to one location, you can bring your work with you. Once you close your laptop, you can go and explore (or order room service).
Amenities and access to beverages like coffee and tea in your room, as well as on-site food and leisure facilities, are some other perks.
Choosing the right destination to work from a hotel
Several countries offer remote work visas for digital nomads, a move that led many to relocate to countries or regions that offer relaxation – the Caribbean, for example.
When I travel (and I travel a lot), one of my pet peeves is bad internet. After all, you are in a new place to work, so the Wi-Fi connectivity needs to be strong. Make sure you check this before you decide to work from a hotel in a different city or country.
You’ll also need to feel comfortable in that destination or country, so be sure to read about the environment your hotel is located in and whether there are places nearby for you to take a quick break to walk or recharge.
Lastly, take different time zones into account so that you can plan and organise your work and any calls without disruption. The last thing you want is to need to get up for a meeting at 5 am.
Choosing the right hotel
Not all hotels are created equally for business and leisure. Business travellers require different and specific amenities.
Good Wi-Fi is a must – aim for a speed of at least 25 Mbps. It can also be helpful to check reviews to see if others praise or complain about the Wi-Fi.
Make sure the hotel has a desk and chair. An ergonomically friendly workspace with a comfortable chair that allows proper back support and is kind to your posture is ideal – but hard to come by in most hotels.
Good lighting is another thing to check, especially if your job involves frequent video calls. I prefer working from boutique hotels, known for their curated decor and excellent lighting –this provides a good background for my work calls.
If you enjoy working among others, book a hotel that has conference rooms or co-working spaces – this will often be listed on their website, or you can call ahead to check. Hotels with an onsite restaurant or café can be convenient too.
Finally, the location of the hotel is crucial. Check for nearby restaurants, clubs, or construction work that could potentially disrupt your sleep and concentration.
Hotel loyalty programmes and deals
There are several hotels and chains that offer discounts for extended stays and repeat bookings if you join their loyalty programmes.
Many of these hotel loyalty points will offer branded credit cards that will give you free nights and awards after you spend a certain amount or on your card anniversary.
Some hotels offer remote work packages that go above and beyond the simple hotel room. For instance, Hyatt Hotels offers an “Office for the Day” package that simply allows you to book a room from 7 am to 7 pm, including premium Wi-Fi, dining discounts, four complimentary bottles of water, and access to a hotel gym, pool, and spa for a fraction of the cost compared to staying overnight.
There’s also an option for longer stays of 29 or more days for the business traveller.
Marriott Bonvoy offers a day pass option for the worker bee, offering 12-hour access to a room with a desk and private bathroom, complimentary coffee, and bottled water. You also have access to the business centre for tasks like printing, scanning, faxing, etc.
Kimpton has a WFH package that includes free bike rentals, Wi-Fi, and a yoga mat in your room. Each Kimpton location offers different WFH packages – some even have wine tastings and gatherings.
Why embrace the Work from Hotel (WFH) trend?
If you do your research and choose the right one, hotels can be the ideal places for working – not to mention the opportunity to travel and experience new places.
Remember to take advantage of the right tools, like the KAYAK Price Alert, to narrow down your search and find hotels that are most appropriate for work activities.
FAQs
Is it safe to work on hotel Wi-Fi?
Hotel Wi-Fi is typically password-protected, and therefore safer than using an unsecured, public Wi-Fi. However, it still carries risks. The best way you can protect yourself using hotel Wi-Fi is to ensure that your connection is associated with your last name and hotel room number, as opposed to a generic password that can be obtained by anyone. Also, using a virtual private network (VPN) ensures greater security. Ensuring your computer has a software scanner, like McAfee, is also a good idea when working from hotels.
What are the negative aspects of a workcation?
If you’re a social person, workcations can be lonely because you don’t have the stimulus and the constant chatter or white noise that some people crave – and that is typically found at home or in an office. The good news is that most good hotels these days have Bluetooth connectivity to a television screen or speaker, so you can play your Spotify playlist or anything that you need in the background to stimulate productivity. Workcations can also be expensive, as hotel rooms can be pricey, especially if you want quality, so make sure you choose hotels that will give you discounted rates or loyalty perks.
