There are many reasons why people work from a hotel or ‘WFH’. The right hotel can offer a well-equipped workspace, high-speed Wi-Fi, and access to other hotel amenities like room service, fitness centers, and co-working spaces.
However, not all hotels are equal. When you’re on the move and trying to pick 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 conducive environment, allowing you to maximize productivity while enjoying the comforts of a good hotel.
As an experienced business traveler, in this guide, 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, like 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 if there are places you could take a quick break to walk or recharge.
Lastly, take different time zones into account so you can plan and organize 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 travelers require different and specific amenities. Here’s what to keep in mind:
| Good Wi-Fi | Aim for a speed of at least 25 Mbps and check reviews to see if others praise or complain about the Wi-Fi. |
| A desk and chair in your room | An ergonomically friendly workspace with a comfortable chair that allows proper back support and is kind to your posture is ideal. |
| Good lighting | Useful if you have lots of video calls. I like working from boutique hotels as they often have excellent lighting and provide a nice background for my work calls. |
| Conference rooms or co-working spaces | If you enjoy working around others, book a hotel with co-working facilities. A hotel café or comfy lobby can also be convenient. |
| Location | Check for nearby restaurants, clubs, or roadwork that could potentially disrupt your sleep and concentration. |
Hotel loyalty programs and WFH deals
Some hotels and chains offer discounts for extended stays and repeat bookings if you join their loyalty programs. Many of these hotel loyalty points will offer branded credit cards, which will give you free nights and awards after you spend a certain amount. Some hotels offer remote work packages that go above and beyond the simple hotel room.
- Hyatt Hotels “Office for the Day” package: that lets you book a room from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 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.
- Marriott Bonvoy day pass in some locations: offering a 12-hour access to a room with a desk and private bathroom, complimentary coffee, and bottled water. You also have access to the business center for tasks like printing, scanning, faxing, etc.
- Work from Wyndham: access to a private workspace between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., plus access to the pool and wellness facilities.
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.
FAQs
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) connecting to Wi-Fi, ensures greater security. Ensuring your computer has a software scanner, like McAfee, is also a good idea when working from hotels.
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 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.
