Will 2021 Be The Year Of The Workcation?

Digital nomads the world over are likely to be collectively rolling their eyes while the rest of us catch on to a trend they’ve been practicing for years – that of maximising your working situation.

While working from the kitchen table and wearing PJs to remote work meetings was novel for a (brief) moment, our desires have since shifted. These days, we want to plot a great escape to somewhere farther flung than our guest bedroom.

Like a vacation, but with work involved, workcations offer working professionals, keen for a change of scene, a compelling compromise. Allowing you to travel without dipping into your vacation days (or forcing you to use up all your annual leave at once) the workcation seems a welcome halfway house for the majority of today’s work force.

In 2020, as remote working became mainstream, ‘Work From Hotel’ packages started to appear globally. Now, with more and more companies implementing long-term remote working, holiday rentals, hotels, and members’ clubs are teaming up to help us work from anywhere in style. Those looking to temporarily relocate in 2021 should keep these key players in mind…

The Yôn Living mission is simple: “find unique spaces in beautiful places and transform them into a co-working paradise”. Set up by entrepreneurs Tom Brooks and Ant Steele, the idea for Yôn Living followed a lockdown stay in a French chateau after the pair had grown tired of working from their bedrooms/ kitchen table in London. They decided to change up their daily routine and make the most of remote working by finding an inspiring house in a beautiful location. Relishing in the productivity and freedom of remote work, but missing a sense of community, they soon invited friends along to their temporary pied-à-terre and so, Yôn was born. Now, the company offers a variety of overseas residencies to destinations such as Lisbon, Berlin, and Marrakech. In addition to providing professionals a sun-drenched location to work from, Yôn Living also offers a sense of community (something we’ve been missing these past months). Each property comes with a host who stays throughout and bookings are available for varying durations – from one week to three months.

NeueHouse, “the private workspace and cultural home for creators, innovators, and thought leaders” has joined forces with Design Hotels, a global collection of independent, design-driven hotels, to offer its members a wider variety of spaces for both work and leisure. Recognising that sometimes the best work takes place far from the confines of a desk, the collaboration allows NeueHouse members to receive complimentary use of common areas at multiple Design Hotel properties and also gain access to a comprehensive events programme. Opening up the east and west coast, New York City NeueHouse members can enjoy day-use rooms at the Crosby Street Hotel, The Ludlow, and The Whitby Hotel for a special rate, while on the opposite coast, the Avalon Palm Springs, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, and The Hotel June prove equally tempting. Entry-level membership (‘Salon’) starts from $233 per month and offers great flexibility to roving professionals.

Bvlgari Hotel London has readily embraced the staycation, the daycation, and now they’re championing the workcation. Posed as “the ideal solution for out-of-towners, or those who no longer have offices in London” B.Business gives professionals the opportunity to work, meet, and conduct business in a secure and sophisticated setting. Riding the WFH (Work From Hotel) trend, Bvlgari’s new day suites offer business guests a 12-hour workcation experience, which includes day-time use of a spacious suite, use of the hotel’s pool and gym (to enjoy outside of your nine-to-five duties), complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a two-course lunch. Post-work, enjoy aperitivos in your suite, or head down to the Sette Bar if you prefer. Though the package is not currently available at the group’s other international properties – such as those located in Milan and Shanghai – we’re keen to learn how this scheme might be adopted elsewhere over time. Rates start from £1448 per person.

Soho House and Soho Works laid the foundations for remote and flexi-working long before the pandemic shifted traditional office working habits. Largely aimed at Soho House members, Soho Works spaces are a similar vibe to the Houses, but with some added bonuses – like being able to print or make a phone call without getting side-eyed from the neighbouring table, for example. With Soho Houses plotted internationally, choosing where you might set up camp is made easier and harder all at once. Complimenting an international network of workspaces by Soho House, Soho Works offers three membership types – ‘Lounge’ (a hot-desk membership that offers complete flexibility is likely to be the most useful to workcationers), ‘Desk’ (a dedicated desk to suit your style of working), and ‘Office’ (private spaces where teams can work and collaborate). With global relocation agent Perchpeek citing Amsterdam as one of the top 10 destinations for Brits to work internationally from (based on various criteria such as fewest COVID cases, the easiest tax and visa processes, and most affordable rents), why not set your sites on the Single canal (where Soho House Amsterdam is plotted) before considering your next move to LA, NYC, London or Hong Kong, where Soho Works operate.

With a series of international packages to choose from across Europe, Asia, and the US, Rosewood’s workcation offering is tempting with a capital T. Take Rosewood Bermuda, for example, which offers guests spacious accommodations with residential touches, such as a remote office fitted with monitors and printers. With tropical views encouraging you to finish at 5PM sharp, we’re big fans of the WFP (Work From Paradise) trend/ concept. It’s worth noting that “the government of Bermuda is currently offering one-year long temporary work residency certificates to welcome island visitors looking to make Bermuda their island remote office destination.” (*Please check official sites for latest details.) At Rosewood London, their drawing in a white-collared crowd with a workcation package that offers in-room work station set up and complimentary daily breakfast (to fuel those early morning meetings), as well as access to your very own on-call Business Butler (ready to assist you with all your work-related needs).