What’s in store for our future working lives? 7 out of 10 employees[1] want and believe that the global pandemic will profoundly change work habits—the remote working revolution has begun.
At Accor, we saw this movement coming, which gave our brands and hotels time to adapt by creating spaces that are lively, flexible, community-based and creative, while also accessible and practical, filling the increasingly present need for a more harmonious work-life balance. While working remotely was a revelation for some during lockdown, many have adapted to new ways of working long before this period of reassessment. Whether at home, in a cafe or even a hotel, it’s getting easier to work!
With Wojo since the beginning of 2019 and the Group’s hotel brands around the world, Accor has been one step ahead of this booming, dynamic trendand intends to keep the momentum going by gradually integrating modular workspaces throughout its hotels.
Looking for an alternative to your office? A key player in “workspitality”, Wojo is specifically responding to the emerging expectations of remote workers in search of flexibility and well-being by providing them with dedicated, quality workspaces less than 10 minutes from their homes.
From luxury to low-cost sectors, Wojo Spots (300 spots throughout 70 French cities) and Wojo Corners are ideal solutions at the Group’s hotels for tackling work routines, as they combine living spaces (bars, lounges, etc.) and areas reserved for work—enough to stay productive all day long!
However, Europe’s largest coworking network did not stop there. It now provides global work-related solutions by targeting the B2B sector to further expand headquarters or working remotely from home. The objective is to recreate remote offices for companies of all sizes with the creation of offices for 1 to 3 people and the transformation of meeting rooms into offices for several dozen people.
Faced with new societal behaviors and other challenges arising from coronavirus pandemic, the classic hotel industry is evolving by launching new initiatives. Work freely—this is the challenge that our Group is undertaking by adapting its hotels to new trends and work practices, all around the globe. But also work in safety thanks to its ALLSAFE cleanliness and prevention label, which integrates some of the most stringent cleaning standards & operational protocols in the world of hospitality.
For example, some hotel rooms in Brazil are being converted into private office spaces for all kinds of professionals. From 8am to 8pm, a maximum of two people per “office” are now able to use the quiet, secure space provided for their work activities. In keeping with the Accor loyalty program, these offers allow guests to accumulate ALL-Accor Live Limitless points and benefit from on-property services.
Ten hotels in Bangkok, including the Pullman Bangkok King Power, Grand Mercure Asoke Residence, VIE Hotel Bangkok – MGallery, ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 50, and Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, are also taking up the gauntlet and making life easier for local residents, by providing daily co-working room packages from 8am to 8pm.
Pullman Bangkok King Power (Thailand)
Meanwhile, Raffles Singapore is opening its luxurious suites to guests from 7am to 7pm as part of its new “Work from Home” initiative so that guests can work in stylish spaces, with butler service included. It also provides a great opportunity for users to snag 15% off on purchases made in the hotel’s restaurants, bars, shops and spa.
Raffles Singapore (Singapore)
In India, ibis hotels are offering shared work areas under the Work@ibis label, in accordance with ALLSAFE protocols and protection measures. This convenient service includes ready-to-use workspaces, meeting rooms, conference rooms, and lounges with high-speed Internet access, essential work supplies, an area for coffee breaks and personalized F&B offers.
Finally, “work from home/remote working” experiences have multiplied across Europe hotels and in the United Kingdom since reopening. In fact, some of these hotels are converting their rooms into offices on a daily basis for people who no longer wish to work from home. Since early August, guests can benefit from this new ‘Hotel Office’ concept throughout 320 hotels in Northern Europe.
For example, Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland has launched a ‘home office’ concept that allows people to book their own hotel room, at a discounted rate, for an uninterrupted, premium remote working experience. People booking the service can reserve their “office” for nine hours with a check in from 9am and check out time of 6pm. Guests can also enjoy all the in-room amenities and comforts, including room service, as well as the hotel’s public spaces, bars and restaurants.
Fairmont St Andrews (Scotland)
[1] France Inter, June 25, 2020, Study conducted by Malakoff Humanis © AFP/ARNAUD FINISTRE/Hans Lucas.
