The Covid-19 pandemic and workforce flexibility demands have drawn the attention of the Hospitality sector to a new trend. The focus is no longer on just renovating or rebuilding structures, but to shift or share the cost burden for property among outside third parties.

Coworking has become increasingly common in recent years as more and more people seek to work remotely. This trend follows the rise of coworking and is largely driven by corporations, so it's called Corpoworking.

It allows companies to take less space within their contracted footprint and enjoy flexible arrangements for their teams. Besides being cost-effective, Corpoworking layouts are also hubs of collaboration and productivity.

Meeting Today's Workforce Expectations

As more companies adopt flexible working policies, demand is growing for places that allow people to get their work done in a social setting and create a sense of community.

Growing numbers of hotels are now looking to get involved in the flexible space boom, transforming underused spaces in communal areas into modern, vibrant coworking spaces.

These spaces are designed to appeal to a broader group of workers, not solely high-flying international business executives looking for a quiet spot to answer emails.

Ultimately, the hospitality industry is all about providing high-quality service and amenities to create a good user experience. And that’s what today’s workforce expects from the spaces they work in, whether that’s a traditional office or a hotel lobby.

Corpoworking: More Than a Trend, an Opportunity

Corpoworking is an opportunity for hotels to get extra revenue during traditionally quiet weekday morning and afternoon periods. Hotel groups can revamp common spaces like the lobby, a prime area to transform into a coworking space for rent.

All the mandatory work-related assets must be available in these spaces. From private meeting areas to a strong Wi-Fi connection, printers, power outlets, USB ports, and comfortable furniture.

Don't forget to keep everyone on the same page about the coworking rules. While important in traditional office spaces, they play an even more significant role in shared spaces, ensuring a productive, friendly, and safe working environment.

Set up poster displays with this information on accessible locations, You can also announce the exclusive perks provided for Corpoworkers, like readily free breakfast, access to the gym, and menu discounts.

Hotels Should Still Be... Hotels

Corpoworking is becoming quite popular but not every hotel should offer this kind of service. The ideal coworking area must feature a productive yet comfortable environment that caters to the needs of its users while fitting well within the hotel brand.

There is also the challenging task of creating a lively atmosphere for regular guests and a peaceful one for those who are working.

It’s crucial that Corpoworking doesn't prevent people from interacting with the hotel in a more traditional way, so there is still enough focus on room management and operation.

As long as the essential functions of a hotel are not neglected, hotel owners and operators can only stand to gain in the long term. So this shouldn't exclude further innovation by looking to differentiate themselves as coworking service providers.

Nonetheless, someone who works in a hotel lobby and has a positive experience may be more likely to one day book a stay there or at a hotel of the same chain.

Corpoworking is an opportunity for you to get people to engage and spend more time in your hotel, and eventually generate more revenue.