Workplace hotelification is sweeping the corporate world, as more businesses choose flexible workspaces over traditional offices. The demand for flexible workspaces is consistently increasing, with 42 per cent of corporate occupiers planning to use a flexible space more within the next three years. Designing your office in line with the latest trend of hotelification involves creating a workspace that prioritises comfort, flexibility, wellbeing and personalised experiences for employees.
What is hotelification?
Hotelification is the repositioning of the more sterile, traditional office environment into a high-end workspace with hotel-like amenities. These amenities can include an onsite gym, coffee bars, lounge areas and a reception area. The interior design of workspaces is now beginning to be crafted with a hotelier’s mentality and inspired by the strengths of the hospitality industry to offer warmth and relaxation, ultimately transforming the office into a more inviting space.
As employers are looking to encourage staff back into the workplace after the exponential growth of working from home, changing workspaces to resemble a hotel-like environment could help to entice employees back to the office. The concept is about changing mindsets and repositioning employees to think about their workplace like they would a hotel – somewhere they would choose to spend their time. Although average office occupancy is rising, it is still only currently sitting at 35.9 per cent, which is significantly below pre-pandemic levels. By providing luxurious, engaging spaces that encourage socialising and collaboration, employees will enjoy coming into the office again and office occupancy will rise.
The benefits of hotelification
The more pampered guests feel at a hotel, the more likely they are to return. The same concept can be applied to employee satisfaction in the workplace. Employees now expect extra perks in the office if they are choosing it over working from home, particularly if they are investing more money into commuting.
Your new space shouldn’t just be a place for your staff to come, work and leave, it should be a comfortable setting that nurtures creativity and offers more than just a desk to work at. Employees want a positive, upbeat office which fosters social engagement, and a creative approach towards office design will enable this.
Happy employees are more productive and less likely to feel stressed or suffer burnout. Stress in the workplace affects a significant proportion of employees, with 67 per cent of professionals experiencing stress at moderate to high levels. Providing a relaxing, yet productive workspace inspired by the trend of hotelification could reduce stress levels and enhance wellbeing.
The benefits of hotelification in office spaces are numerous. Investing in your office refurbishment with the help of a commercial fitout expert will not only boost employee satisfaction, engagement and wellbeing but will also help to attract new talent. There is also a strong business case for curating a hotelification-inspired office, as this will enhance your business’ reputation. First impressions count. Your office interior is a visual reflection of your company’s values and ethos, which moulds employee’s and customer’s perceptions.
The EDB approach
Our future-focused office fit out expertise is shaped by a four-step approach; consult, translate, design, build.
The consultation phase is key before crafting a hotel-inspired office design. Before any physical works begin, we want to have a deep understanding of your business’ vision for its high-quality office fit out, so we can translate this into a reality. We create a design tailored to you and map out timescales that work for your business.
After translating your end goal into a plan for a functional space, we can then begin to design your perfect luxury workspace. We’ll create a plan, followed by a 3D concept of your new office. Together, we’ll make tweaks to ensure every inch of the space is optimised for high performance and engagement.
The final step is to build! Through implementing and managing the process-build and cost-management of your project, we can take the stress out of realising your new dream workspace. This fourth phase will transform your office from sterile to sophisticated and welcoming.
What are the considerations when designing in line with hotelification?
Your office reception area shapes the first impression of your business for any employee or client who enters. Your reception area should be designed to resemble a hotel lobby, with comfortable seating and stylish décor to make a welcoming ambience. Incorporate elements like a reception desk with a concierge-style approach, where employees and visitors are greeted warmly and offered assistance.
To emulate the comfort of a luxury hotel, high-quality and functional furniture should be used in your office. Ergonomic furniture will prioritise comfort as well as supporting various work styles. Incorporate lounge areas with plush sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables to provide spaces for relaxation, informal meetings, and collaboration.
Thoughtful amenities will separate your office from the rest and place it on an elevated level. Create amenities similar to those found in hotels, such as a well-stocked coffee point, hydration stations, and snack selections. Also consider adding wellness rooms for meditation and yoga, or a gym to promote employee wellbeing.
Cutting-edge technology is also key to crafting a flexible and collaborative workspace. Charging stations and wireless charging pads for mobile devices are ideal for keeping employees connected and productive. Technology can also be used to regulate air conditions in the office by using temperature and humidity sensors. Light sensors create a more natural lighting effect which can reduce eyestrain and improve overall wellbeing. Technology can assist in creating an environment that is comfortable and healthy for employees and ensures employers prioritise workers just as a hotel would with its guests.
If your office wants to take inspiration from the trend of hotelification, then your office refurbishment should be designed to accommodate various work styles and preferences. Offering a mix of collaborative office spaces and private areas for focused work will create the perfect balance to suit all employee’s needs. Your office’s interior design should allow employees to personalise their workstations with adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and personal decor.
By following these steps and incorporating elements of hotelification into your office design, you can create a workspace that inspires creativity, fosters collaboration, and enhances employee satisfaction and wellbeing.
