Co-Working: How Hotels Are Reinventing Themselves

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.

An all-in-one vision

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.

Work where you want

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 8 am to 8 pm, 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 8 am to 8 pm.

Meanwhile, Raffles Singapore is opening its luxurious suites to guests from 7 am to 7 pm 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.

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 Nothern 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.

Try out these new areas in the Group's hotels now!

[1]France Inter, June 25, 2020, Study conducted by Malakoff Humanis© AFP/ARNAUD FINISTRE/Hans Lucas

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry's most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor's unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 260,000 team members worldwide. Members benefit from the company's comprehensive loyalty program – ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com, or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.