Photo courtesy of www.thesmartbusinesstraveler.com
Over the past few years, you’ve likely heard or read about the pop-up movement that has made its way across America. From restaurants to retail shops, pop-ups are temporary installations or shops used to activate vacant or unused spaces in cities and neighborhoods both large and small. Often saddled with unused rooms or space, hotels are the latest industry to test the pop-up concept.
According to a recent article in USA Today, “pop-up offices” are becoming more common in the hospitality industry as hotels look to capitalize on the changing habits of today’s workers, most notably Millennials and Gen-Xers who “have a unique style of working” and are at their best in non-traditional work environments. In fact, according to a recent study by Hilton Worldwide, 63% of surveyed meeting planners said that meetings outside the office are more productive and 87% said meetings at hotels versus other locations had the benefit of a “relaxed” environment.
Here are a few hotels noted by USA Today that have rolled out pop-up workspace programs:
- Marriott (Nationwide) – Featured at more than 200 of its properties, the Marriott’s Workspace on Demand program allows workers to book spaces thanks to its collaboration with mobile/Web app LiquidSpace. Many spaces the Marriott offers are free if they are located in the lobby. The average rate for a private room is $75 an hour and includes free Wi-Fi.
- Hotel 1000 (Seattle) – This hotel offers travelers and telecommuters pop-up offices and meeting rooms or private-function spaces that would otherwise be vacant. The hotel posts which spaces are available and the rate for each space on its Facebook and Twitter pages Monday through Friday. Rates range from $15 to $35 per day and packages include free Wi-Fi and 15% off spa treatments and meals at the hotel.
- Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort (Florida) – Offers workers a tiki hut to use to conduct business or hold meetings.
- Marriott Marquis (Atlanta) – This hotel’s 49th floor space features “an expansive view of the city” for companies and their staffs or guests to enjoy.
- Delano Hotel South Beach/Mondarian South Beach (Miami) – These hotels offer poolside cabanas for rent outfitted with Wi-Fi, wireless printing, and flat-screen televisions.
