Workation Mode
Hotels with their own co-working spaces are rapidly popping up around the world
https://www.alexhotel.com.auGone are the days of depressing business centers with clinical interiors, retro computers and stale coffee. More and more, hotels are introducing their own take on co-working spaces, so business travelers can stay productive, inspired and well rested on the road. From Amsterdam to Hong Kong to Tel Aviv, this new crop of smart hotels make remote work more efficient and enjoyable than ever.
Hotel Jen Beijing, China
In booming Beijing, nomad favorite Hotel Jen introduced Prototype, a 3,400-square-foot co-working space, in 2017. Thanks in part to the hotel’s location within the China World Trade Centre, Prototype is a go-to for start-ups and entrepreneurs with location-independent roles. Unlike more conventional co-working spaces, Prototype provides extra-flexible plans, so you can stop by for just a few hours should you be racing through town.It’s hard to argue with the space’s thoughtful set-up, featuring charging stations, a coffee shop, interesting workshops, Scandi-style armchairs, communal tables and 13 private meeting rooms. “Prototype is not just a co-working space with a trendy design,” says Chief Prototyper Wang Chenhe. “It’s also a collaborative space where innovative thinkers can work alongside each other to spark great ideas and build networks.”
OPEN 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
ADDRESS 3/F, 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing, China
CONTACT +86 10 6505 2277; hoteljen.com/beijing
FEES Free for Club room and suite guests; RMB85 ($12) for five hours; RMB150 ($22) per day
PERKS Free-flow coffee and tea
Mojo Nomad Central, Hong Kong
Opened this year, Mojo Nomad Central and Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour have introduced a novel “homstel” – hotel, home and hostel – concept to Hong Kong. Targeting global nomads and entrepreneurs, the hotels aim to provide creative and collaborative community spaces where there’s always something happening, whether it be happy hour or insightful workshops.“People are now mixing business with leisure, preferring hotel spaces that offer a comfortable working environment with all the necessary facilities,” says director of marketing Stephen Howard. “Our vision is to allow residents to live, work and travel in an effortless, homey environment.”Beautifully designed by local architect and design firm ALT-254, the Central location brings together a trifecta of convivial Mexican food, competitive rates and a dedicated co-working space. Located on the second floor, the space has everything needed for a productive day, from wooden communal tables to work pods, ample outlets and abundant coffee.
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS 2/F, 286 Queen’s Road Central
CONTACT +852 3728 1000; mojonomad.com
FEES Free for hotel guests
PERKS Free self-service laundry, 24-hour gym
Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
Breathing new life into residential Hung Hom, Kerry Hotel makes the work-life balance extra achievable with on-site Kafnu co-working space. An international work-and-play community, Kafnu has locations in Taipei and Bangalore, with more to come.The design of the Hong Kong branch has been guided by feng shui principles and is outfitted with all the essentials: Stylish common areas, a shared pantry, hot desks, private meeting rooms, quirky artwork, bespoke “aquascapes,” tactile games, and harbor-framing windows all around. And after work? Head to the bar behind the meeting rooms, where you can relax with a glass of wine or craft beers during daily happy hour.
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS 2/F, 38 Hung Luen Rd, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon
CONTACT +852 3974 5125; kafnu.com/hong-kong
FEES HK$70/$9 per hour (HK$550/$70 per day) for hotel guests; membership starts from HK$1,080/ $137 per month
PERKS Free craft beer, snacks and coffee
Link Tel Aviv, Israel
Opened this summer, Link Tel Aviv is a vibrant hotel concept that brings together local artwork, fresh design and relaxed work spaces. After checking in using the LinkApp – which also serves as a room key, in-room remote control and virtual concierge – guests can get to work at The Hub.This communal work floor offers a mix of work tables and meeting rooms, as well as board games, throwback video games, a pool table, and a Kitchen & Bar concept that serves up meatless menus and cleverly named drinks like the “Fresh Prince of Jaffa.”
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS 39 Shaul Hamelech Av, Tel Aviv, 6492807, Israel
CONTACT +972 3 740 8966; link-tlv.com
FEES Free for hotel guests
PERKS 24-hour self-service laundry, lockers and vending machines
Tryp by Wyndham Dubai
A newcomer in Dubai, Tryp by Wyndham provides a contemporary, colorful and convivial home base in the entrepreneurial district of Barsha Heights. Aside from a popular tapas bar and cocktail club, the hotel is also home to a co-working space dubbed NEST. The full-service co-working facility covers all the bases with flexible work spaces, soundproof pods, a podcasting room, library, on-site restaurant and comfy couches.
OPEN 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
ADDRESS 1/F, Al Saef 1 Street, Barsha Heights, Dubai
CONTACT +971 424 76699; trypwyndhamdubai.com
FEES Free for hotel guests; AED99 ($27) per day
PERKS Unlimited coffee and snacks
Zoku, Amsterdam
A pioneer of the home-office hybrid hotel, Zoku opened in the heart of Amsterdam’s Canal District in 2016. Backed by years of research, this sleek spot is a new breed of hotel – one that feels like a place you could live, work and socialize with like-minded entrepreneurs, creatives and consultants. Zoku offers an open-plan living room, kitchen, terrace and social spaces where residents can work and mingle.Each light-filled, green-fringed area provides communal tables and private seating, plus excellent coffee and fresh food made with ingredients from the hotel’s rooftop garden. “Business travel can often be lonely and uninspiring,” says Hans Meyer, managing director and co-founder of Zoku. “This is the place for residents to quickly get rooted in the city, join inspirational talks, connect with like-minded people, broaden horizons and share new ideas and insights with one another.”
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS Weesperstraat 105, 1018 VN, Amsterdam
CONTACT +31 20 811 2811; workzoku.com
FEES Free for hotel guests; €25 ($29) per day (including lunch)
PERKS 2D and 3D printing, virtual assistants, lockers, live music, art exhibitions, ping pong
Eaton, Hong Kong
In 2014, Hong Kong billionaire Lo Ka-shui tapped daughter Katherine Lo to reimagine the Langham Group’s Eaton Hotel in Hong Kong’s Jordan district. Following years of development, the 36-year-old has recently debuted a new concept that goes well beyond the call of a conventional hotel.All under one roof, there’s Eaton House, a co-working club; Eaton Media, an in-house production arm; Eaton Wellness, which focuses on yoga and meditation; and numerous dining options. In terms of co-working, members-only Eaton House supports social enterprises, innovators and creatives with a slew of imaginative touches – think retro-chic décor, local murals, recording studios and a 50-person screening room. “I foresee the future of work and travel to be centered around community,” says Katherine Lo, president and founder of global brand Eaton Workshop. “The lines between work and home have now been blurred and our physical Eaton properties aim to serve as a ‘third space’ where people can come together to celebrate and support each other in their endeavors.” Currently, Eaton Workshop has locations in Washington, DC, and Hong Kong, with more to come this year.
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS 1/F & 4/F, 380 Nathan Rd, Jordan
CONTACT +852 2710 1858; eatonworkshop.com
FEES Day passes start at HK$250 ($32); monthly from HK$2,500 ($318)
PERKS Free coffee, tea and snacks; use of hotel pool and gym
Roam Tokyo
A co-living and co-working concept, Roam Tokyo is tucked down a quiet side street in a residential district near the Roppongi business district. Local artists and set designers conceived the unique interiors, which sport an “American Wild West meets Japanese minimalism” aesthetic. Every detail tells a story, from reclaimed furniture sourced from abandoned buildings to a quirky circus-themed yoga room.Work-focused guests are invited to use the dedicated co-working space, meeting rooms, or simply plop down in the communal kitchen. With a minimum stay of five days, Roam offers an efficient and inspiring alternative to Airbnbs or serviced apartments. It has taken off in several in-demand global locations, including Bali, London, Miami and San Francisco, with New York City coming soon.
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS 9 Chome-2-13 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo-to 107-0052
CONTACT +1 800 853-ROAM; roam.co/places/tokyo
FEES Free for hotel guests
PERKS Free coffee, tea, laundry
Alex Hotel, Perth
Inspired by guesthouses of old, Alex Hotel brings a familial vibe to Perth’s CBD. On the ground floor, a welcoming espresso bar doubles as an informal co-working space by day, sporting a big wooden communal table and gorgeous natural light.Upstairs, there’s an artsy mezzanine with various seating arrangements reserved for in-house guests. Here, you’ll find a convenient pantry stocked with complimentary locally roasted coffee and high-quality tea, alongside a fridge full of craft beer and regional wines that you charge to your room.“Our communal spaces are places where one could sit with a glass of wine and read a book or pull open a laptop and do some work,” says general manager Alan Ford. “They’re particularly good for small teams traveling on business as a social hub to unwind at night or a place to get work done during the day.”
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS G-1/F, 50 James St, Perth, Australia
CONTACT +61 8 6430 4000; alexhotel.com.au
FEES Free for hotel guests
PERKS Free bikes to borrow, coffee, and continental breakfast for guests
Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, Sydney
Versatility is embedded in the DNA of the Ovolo brand, and Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour takes it to the next level. Built inside a beautifully converted wool store, this heritage address boasts a multifunctional hotel lobby and wine bar, Mister Percy, which sports exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood beams, recycled timber tables and comfy Chesterfields.The main common space doubles as an unofficial co-working space, where digital nomads are welcome to plug in and get to work. If you need a dedicated meeting room, ask about the Shaken room. The secret agent-inspired space provides a private entrance, sleek design and all your audio-visual needs.
OPEN 24 hours
ADDRESS 139 Murray St, Pyrmont, Sydney, NSW 2009
CONTACT +61 2 8586 1888; ovolohotels.com.au
FEES Free for hotel guests
PERKS Great design, free coffee, and free happy hour for guests who book direct.
