How workplace trends are influencing hotel design

With more and more businesses offering flexible working for their staff, there has been a rise in the need for remote working spaces. While coffee shops and libraries are common choices for hot-desking, hotel lobbies have become increasingly popular and it’s easy to see why. Hotel lobbies generally don’t tend to be as busy or as loud as coffee shops, the internet connection is good and the atmosphere sophisticated, elegant and warm – a no brainer for any digital nomad or remote worker. Here at Richmond Hill Hotel we are currently undergoing a major refurbishment which, an incredibly exciting project that has prompted lots of thought about our identity and the design of the hotel moving forward. Wanting to embrace the trend for fluid working we’re keen to create an all-day destination where self-employed entrepreneurs can come to do work in the day, enjoy cocktails or dinner in the evening and stay overnight in one of our newly refurbished, well appointed, Georgian bedrooms. It has been evident in recent months the evolution of the hotel lobby, from one dimensional check-in office to an all-day destination where guest and non-guests alike can eat, meet and dine. With more workers choosing to leave the confines of the traditional office space behind, what are hotels doing to adapt? Creating all-day destinations Hotels today are looking to create spaces that cultivate communities and one of the ways they are doing this is by getting remote workers through their doors and utilising their spaces to create all-day destinations. Remote workers are often looking for atmosphere, comfortability and good technology and hotels that offer this as well as versatile, stylish spaces are much more likely to get people through their doors. Remote workers may utilise the space during the day for work but become customers in the evening as they meet friends or colleagues in the hotel’s restaurants or bars. Rethinking package options Attracting remote workers is a great marketing opportunity for hotels and savvy marketers are using the opportunity to win new customers. At Richmond Hill Hotel, for example, bookable meeting rooms offer privacy for meetings and small conferences and no longer necessarily require a full DDR package. Private dry hire room rates are on offer which can be booked for as little or as long as needed, perfect for a one-off presentation, meeting or last minute re-group. Fuelling productivity Productivity needs feeding so a key draw for remote workers is always food and drink. Offering barista style coffee certainly helps to lure in busy workers, as does offering simple and delicious menus that change throughout the day. Hotels are creating all-day dining destinations where people can kick back, to brunch, lunch or dine, with a smooth transition to the evening for delicious cocktails or craft beers without fear of getting tired of the offering. Hotels that work seasonal and sustainable produce into their menus will also likely pull in those, particularly millennials, with a socially conscious mind set. It’s clear to see through new openings and refurbishments that hotels are taking note of the growing need for flexible working spaces. Gone are the days of utilitarian reception areas, hotel lobbies are becoming creative hubs for freelancers, small start-ups and office workers that need a change of scenery. This is a great opportunity for us as an independent hotel and by bringing together great food and drink, beautiful décor, comfortable furnishings, hi-spec facilities and a great atmosphere, Richmond Hill Hotel will be the place to be next spring. By Diane Tapner-Evans, GM at Richmond Hill Hotel