These London hotels will be your new favourite remote working destinations
London hotels are the new destinations for remote workers. Bonus: you can use the amenities…
Coworking spaces and members' clubs have reopened, and London's hotels have also turned into remote working spaces, offering special packages and access to gourmet meals and amenities.
You may have already come across websites like dayuse.co.uk, which will give you access to a range of hotel rooms and amenities last minute, but with hotels hugely impacted by lockdown closures and limits on travel (London hotel occupancy was down 77.8% in July – compared with 22.8% last year – the lowest of any month on record, according to STR data), hotels across the city are now opening their doors as safe, socially distanced office spaces.
With all of the creature comforts and stunning views, this hotel-as-workspace trend might just be one we're embracing long beyond the pandemic.
'This is definitely a lasting trend, as this kind of "liquid office" structure stands to benefit businesses and employees hugely. Commutes are reduced and office spaces become plush, comfortable and convenient. People can walk down the road to a hotel, rather than travelling an hour or more on expensive public transport; and businesses can save lots of money on rent and office maintenance,' DayBreak Hotels CEO, Simon Botto, tells Culture Whisper.
'This is a really logical solution; and in terms of the hotel business, it's also a much needed lifeline for an industry that needs to innovate. We see a combination of working from home, working from hotel and traditional office working as the future – so this is a big new market for us. It’s growing quickly as businesses look to remodel and cut costs.'
Here's where to book to make the office space of your dreams tomorrow's reality...
Photo: The Stafford London
For the luxury townhouse experience: The Stafford London, SW1
The Mews Suites in The Stafford London will luxuriously upgrade your working setup from paper-strewn home desk to five-star Mayfair townhouse. Get comfortable in one of the hotel's ample-sized suites, with a spacious desk to work on and a two-course lunch you can enjoy in the room or at the hotel's restaurant, The Game Bird. Rooms start from £395 for an 8am-6pm workday.
For solo workers or groups: The Athenaeum, W1
Mayfair's Athenaeum is a well-oiled machine when it comes to catering to remote workers; there are several day or monthly packages to choose from, whether you're looking to work solo or need a space to host socially distanced meetings for the day (from £80 a person).
For a solo working hub from 9am-5pm, with high-speed Wi-Fi and unlimited hot drinks and water, you can park yourself in one of the hotel's shared spaces, like the lobby or first-floor balcony, from just £40 a day (£300 for a month), and enjoy 15% off hotel dining.
Or spend £175 a day for a private bedroom, or £199 for a 'private office' – a bedroom with lunch and snacks included.
Photo: Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard
For the perks: Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard, SE1
If you're looking for a work-away-from-home situation that combines work with play, Shangri-La at The Shard delivers more than stunning panoramas of the city. Remote workers can book the Meeting in the Sky package for up to six people for £390 a day, which includes room hire from 7:30am to 5pm, high-speed internet and complimentary local phone calls, printouts and unlimited Nespressos.
Or book a guest room (from £250), which gives you a 10am to 5pm slot and will motivate you to work quickly... since you'll have access to the hotel's Skypool, gym, sauna and TING restaurant.
Photo: Sofitel St James, Accor
For flexibility: Accor's "Hotel Office," locations around London
Accor's recently launched Hotel Office gives workers the opportunity to optimise their productivity thanks to a change of scene, whether they want to check in to the Sofitel St James or the Pullman London St Pancras for the day – there are 265 Accor hotels across the UK to choose from.
The package includes access to room service, hotel amenities like gyms, restaurants and bars, as well as a spacious room of your own, where you can take your calls for the day and prepare for your big client presentation with no distractions. You can find rooms from just £35 a day.
Photo: The Standard, Tim Charles
For meetings and networking: The Standard, WC1H
The stylish Standard in King's Cross launched its new meetings and events space, The Standard Townhouse, in October. Situated on the eighth and ninth floors of the hotel, it caters to networking events – just look at that wraparound terrace! and the view! – and it's also a meeting-optimised space, with office and desk chairs, integrated tech, projectors and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Need a less formal change of scene from home sweet home? You can also opt to work in the lobby lounge for a stylish co-working vibe.
Photo: YOTEL
For something modern: YOTEL Clerkenwell, EC1
Book into YOTEL for the day through 9 October for just £30 on the hotel's Commuter Rate scheme, which costs less than a daily commute from a range of close-to-London locations (from Friday, it'll cost you the standard rate of £75 again).
Stay the day or night and enjoy the communal area known as Komyuniti, which has colourful tables and booths, food and drink and ultra-fast Wi-Fi for an inspiring co-working style space.
Photo: Rosewood London
For getting an extra hand: Rosewood London, WC1V
Rosewood London hotel in Holborn has launched a Work from Hotel package, where guests can book into suites that have been transformed into sumptuous office spaces. Better still, there's childcare – thanks to The Rosewood Family Concierge, who acts as a tutor for the day, reading stories to the kids, hosting a pie masterclass and taking them on a landmark tour of Holborn.
If you need some admin help, the Rosewood's Business Butler service helps out with printing and scanning, ironing and shoe shining and unlimited coffee runs. WFH won't be same after a day with this kind of pampering...
For convenience wherever you are: DayBreak Hotels, locations around London
Botto says he has over 400 DayBreak Hotels in the UK – which includes the city's Crowne Plazas – and Italy signed up to the new 'smart working' scheme which launched in the UK in mid-September, with hundreds of bookings each week already. There's flexibility for workers: you can book in for one or two days a week, or head to a DayBreak destination every weekday like it's your (upgraded) office space.
If you're looking for a 'bleisure' experience - one which combines work and relaxation, DayBreak has plenty of options to book into with gyms, pools and spas.
Photo: Fancy a dip in The Langham's pool? We do...
For your favourite room every time: The Langham, W1
With its fabulous location and sumptuous decor, The Langham is one of London's best establishments for turning your workday into a five-star experience. The hotel is offering superior rooms from £245 a day until March 2021, with the chance to book into the same room every time so you get that 'office, but way nicer' feel when you're working from there.
Remote workers can clock in from 10am-6pm and have access to all of the hotel amenities: room service, spa, gym, Langham bikes for a neighbourhood cycle adventure and a cocktail at the end of a hard day's work at Artesian, the Langham's bar. Cheers.
Photo: The Treehouse
For an escape from the city – without going anywhere: The Treehouse, W1
The Treehouse Hotel in London is inviting workers to set up their workspace in the hotel's biophilic-haven restaurant, Madera, Monday through Friday, from 8am-4pm, for £25. There are plenty of perks for guests to enjoy, like breakfast with two teas or coffees, a salad for lunch and office luxuries like strong WiFi and charging points.
Photo: Ham Yard Hotel
