24 May Hotels Are Stepping Up For The “Work From Anywhere” Era May 24, 2023 By sma Commercial Real Estate News, Property Investment, Property Management business tips, hotel, office space, real estate trends 0 HOTELS ARE STEPPING UP FOR THE "WORK FROM ANYWHERE" ERA May 24, 2023 | Commercial Real Estate News, Property Investment, Property Management | real estate trends, business tips, hotel, office space It’s no secret that the hospitality industry has battled through a tough season in recent years. With economic strain right on the back of lockdowns, hotels have made their long climb back to stability as people slowly became comfortable with traveling again, then looked to make up for lost time. Despite an expected downturn this year, Forbes points toward a recent study where 49% of Americans still plan to travel even more in 2023. Things are looking up in hospitality. Still, hotels are finding that experimenting and innovating are a necessity - and a foothold for future success just might be found in taking advantage of another commercial property sector that’s been rocked by recent CRE shifts. As workers are moving out of the office and into their homes (or anywhere else), the hospitality industry has discovered an opportunity. How Are People Working Today? Companies everywhere have had to adapt quickly in order to operate virtually. Now, changing preferences and demands from workers mean that the traditional full-time, in-office working experience isn’t a reasonable expectation anymore. As office property managers fight for a return to in-person work (along with many company managers and owners), other properties are coming up with flexible workspace alternatives. Coworking spaces that remote workers can utilize if they want to get out of the house offer a professional atmosphere and similar amenities to a traditional office. With these types of options to choose from, some workers have become “digital nomads,” without any singular, consistent workspace. Millennials prioritize experiential lifestyles in their spending, and for many, their ability to travel while working is a powerful motivator. Though it is unclear whether these attitudes are a passing trend, some hoteliers are thinking that catering to remote and hybrid workers is a competitive option. How Hotels Can Meet Remote Workers’ Needs Many hotels already have a leg up on the competition since many amenities that draw in traditional hotel guests are similar to what coworking spaces implement to attract remote workers. Chief of their modern standards, hotel guests demand high-end internet that is reliable and powerful enough to fit their entertainment needs while on vacation. Maintenance issues related to this should be resolved quickly, and communication needs to be smooth. For remote workers, the robust internet networks that hotels have invested in makes working in these locations a safer prospect compared to some of the spotty service experienced in random coffee shops. Hotels are also often outfitted with private office spaces and conference rooms, as well as coffee and snack bars, allowing for all of the necessary features of a traditional workspace while on the road. How Hotels Are Adapting With that said, hotels aren’t relying only on their pre-existing features to market to workers who want to take advantage of travel opportunities. Marriott’s “Work Anywhere” initiative offers special day rate passes to remote workers, as well as printers, fax machines, and scanner access. Considering the success of coworking spaces, hoteliers are replicating features that are drawing workers into that industry as well. Remote work can be isolating, and many are drawn to more lively environments (at least occasionally) to accelerate their productivity. In this way, hotels with office space options closer to the action might have an even larger draw for some looking for a sense of community. Workers can lead a more flexible, fulfilling lifestyle today - and hotels are ready to provide. Contact our national accounts department to schedule with the nation’s leading name in commercial property inspections. To stay in tune with the latest news and trends in CRE, stick right here. Comments are closed.