Hotels’ efforts to embrace coworking are likely to dwindle after the pandemic has passed, according to JLL.
Jessica Jahns, head of hotels & hospitality research, EMEA, JLL, said: “There’s a strong probability that day-usage may dwindle as offices gradually welcome back greater numbers of employees.
“It will very much depend on demand, with much of that coming right now, for example, from flat sharers who find working from their home a challenge, as well as those on a freelance or contract basis.”
Jahns added: “Across all real estate sectors, more cross-sector collaboration is needed and is now emerging. That’s particularly true for the hospitality industry as it seeks new ways of operating after a long period of closure and low occupancy. It’s about turning redundant areas into much-needed revenue.”
It’s also about more than just the room rate alone. “It opens up new possibilities for the hospitality sector, offering a range of services, from breakfasts to coffee, lunch or even dinner,” said Jahns. “Some hotels are throwing in other freebies such as access to leisure facilities although of course that depends on local Covid-19 restrictions.”
The appeal of the work-from-hotel model was strongest in cities, Jahns said – especially with the shift back to living in high rise apartments in urban centres over the past decade.
“Large cities where people face pressures such as smaller living spaces or busy commutes are where hotels can most likely step in,” she said.
Oliver Hoath, senior project manager, Tétris EMEA Hotels, added: “We’ve seen more hotel clients looking to optimise the space they already have, in terms of front-of-house and business centre offerings that can be adapted to suit flexible working.
“They’re a good fit because cost of conversion is generally low as the space often already caters to conferencing or face-to-face meetings.”