How to prepare before working remotely from a hotel

Have you ever thought about getting away from the same day to day work routine and combining work with travel? Many remote workers find they can mix work with a holiday (just see our feature in volume 5). There may be a little planning required before working remotely from a hotel room, however.

According to a recent report by EHL insights on hospitality trends, there is a growing desire among professionals to combine work and leisure. This trend is evident by the rise of the ‘bleisure’ market as more business trips are extended for leisure purposes, and employees increasingly strive for better work-life balance.

Exploring practical productivity hacks within hotel environments is a more relevant topic than ever. When you’re on the road, your hotel room often becomes your workspace — its setup can make or break your work trip. Yet, many of us are unaware of how to optimise these spaces for productivity.

Transforming a hotel stay into a productive ‘workation’ just needs simple planning. From room selection and creative use of hotel amenities to tech tools and routine-building strategies, we can take practical steps to function and perform optimally, even while traveling. This guide explores practical hacks to help you stay on top of your game.

Optimising room selection

While it’s easy to prioritize luxury or location when booking a hotel, many travelers overlook a critical factor: workspace functionality. In reality, hotels are generally not designed with productivity in mind, even upscale ones.

While a basic dining table and chair might seem sufficient, bad ergonomics can quietly erode your productivity over days or weeks. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting workspace factors or overestimating your adaptability.

How to check listings effectively

When booking a hotel (or an Airbnb), review the property descriptions and photos. Look for mentions of: 

• A dedicated workspace
• High-speed internet 
• Good natural or artificial lighting

As a traveling professional, even if I really liked a property, I tend to err on the side of caution. If the workspace amenities aren’t clearly detailed or shown in the listing photos, I’d rather pass on it than risk ending up in a setup that compromises my productivity. 

Airbnb property listings generally detail workspace amenities better than hotels, with descriptions and photos of desks, chairs, wifi, and other amenities in a home. Mid-range or higher-end business hotels typically do a better job of describing their workspace options, often emphasising features like spacious desks, ergonomic chairs, dedicated business centres, and reliable internet.

Beyond the description and photos, it helps to browse guest reviews on the hotel’s listing and on platforms like TripAdvisor and Google. Pay attention to recurring themes in the reviews. Multiple guests praising the business amenities of a hotel is a good sign, but negative reviews shouldn’t be overlooked as similar issues raised by guests can signal red flags.

If reviews are inconclusive or concerns remain, it’s worth reaching out to the property to confirm specific details before booking. If budget is not a concern, consider modern business hotels, which often cater to
professionals with productivity-enhancing features.

Workspace essentials

An ergonomically poor workspace might be fine for a while, but spending days or weeks sitting in an uncomfortable chair or hunching over a coffee table will take a toll on your productivity and well-being. Think of the difference in output compared to someone sitting in an ergonomic chair.

If you’re staying beyond a few days and working primarily from your hotel room, select a room equipped with:

• A dedicated desk (avoid dining tables for work) 
• An ergonomic chair with lumbar support
• Reliable fast Wi-Fi: Aim for speeds of at least 25 Mbps for multitasking, multiple devices, or handling large files.
• Good lighting: Look for cool-white or natural daylight for productivity, and consider rooms with desk lamps or adjustable floor lamps for added flexibility.

To remove distractions, you could request a room further from the lifts. Many mid-range and larger hotel chains allow guests to pre-select their rooms 24-48 hours before arrival through their mobile app or online check-in — take advantage of that if you’re staying in such hotels.

Ergonomic workspace setup

When you step into your hotel room, you might assume you’re stuck with whatever setup is there; you must put up with suboptimal working conditions. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

With some creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform even the most basic room into a functional workspace — often by simply leveraging existing tools in your hotel room. These practical hacks can make an immediate difference in maintaining good posture and comfort while working:

• Improvised footrest: Use a sturdy suitcase, or flip a bin (upside down) to support your legs at a 90-degree angle.
• Chair support: Use a rolled-up towel or pillow for lumbar support to maintain proper posture.
• Stable desk: Stabilise a wobbly desk with folded paper or a towel under the legs.
• Proper chair height: Stack cushions on a low chair to raise your seating position.
• Makeshift desk: Use an ironing board as a height-adjustable standing desk or an extension of your current desk setup. 

Tip: A standard ironing board is around 15 x 50 inches, offering more work surface area and room for desk essentials than you realise.

When you lack certain items you need, don’t be afraid to request specific items by calling the front desk (or using your hotel’s app). Many hotels are happy to accommodate your needs. These items can make a real difference:

• An extension cord to improve your accessibility to limited power outlets.
• Request extra towels from housekeeping to support your back when seated or
• stabilise your desk.
• Extra cushions to raise your chair’s seating height.
• Ask for a desk lamp for better workspace illumination.
• Report issues for maintenance fixes, such as unstable desks or lighting problems.

Maximising hotel amenities

Don’t overlook the amenities your hotel offers. Business centres, lounges, and even quiet corners of the lobby can serve as alternative workspaces (for free).  Look around for decent spots beyond your hotel room, so that you have options to call upon when productivity dips and you need to switch venues.

For productivity: Business centres/lounges are equipped with printers, scanners, meeting rooms, and high-speed internet.

For relaxation: Use the gym, pool, or yoga room during breaks to refresh your mind and body — exercise is proven to boost productivity and focus. Hotel spas can help with recharging and rejuvenation.

Some hotels offer remote work packages and coworking day passes, perfect for travellers needing a workspace for a few hours or a day. For example, Hyatt’s work-from-hotel packages start at $65 USD per day, providing access to a private guestroom from ​​7 a.m. to 7 p.m., food and beverage discounts, and access to hotel amenities such as the gym and pool.

Besides international chains, look for such remote work packages from local or independent hotels which may be much more affordable, especially in budget-friendly destinations.

Additionally, leverage technology for efficiency. Some hotels offer smart room tech, such as apps to control lighting and room temperature and set alarms/timers. Many mid-range hotels even offer room service and concierge requests through apps, enabling a seamless experience where you can focus more on work.

Tech and tools for remote work

When traveling as a remote working professional, carry the right tools with you. While several items are obtainable upon request from your hotel, there are some things you should bring that can make a world of difference. Here are three specific portable tech tools that enhance your productivity in hotel
rooms and transient spaces.

Universal travel adaptor

Universal travel adapters support different plug types worldwide (like UK, EU, US, AU), so they are useful when traveling between countries with different plug configurations.

Ideally, carry one with USB ports supporting multi-device charging – it’s especially useful if you travel with multiple gadgets such as a smartphone, tablet, and laptop. Look for adapters with higher power output for better charging efficiency.

A universal adaptor with a USB port allows you to charge both laptop and phone simultaneously, increasing convenience.

Portable monitor

A portable monitor can double your screen space, making multitasking easier. If you typically work on two screens at home, you can replicate that workspace to some degree while traveling with a portable monitor.
 
Most portable monitors offer 13.3-inch or 15.6-inch screens, balancing portability and productivity. Choose either a 13.3-inch screen which is lighter and more compact, making it ideal for travel, or a 15.6-inch version which provides more screen space and detail, which cold be useful for more visual projects.

Noise-cancelling headphones

A good pair of noise-canceling headphones drowns out ambient noise and lets you work from anywhere. It also helps you get more rest and sleep in noisy environments. They can help you become ultra-flexible while traveling, and potentially ultra-productive.

Other good-to-carry tools include foldable laptop stands and compact keyboards, which can help recreate your home office setup and improve ergonomics while traveling.

Routine building

Even when traveling, maintaining a consistent work routine is crucial. Replicate aspects of
your home office routine from your hotel room. This is because a sense of structure and familiarity helps you feel at home and at ease in unfamiliar spaces, thereby enhancing your productivity. Here are some simple tips for routine building from your hotel:

• Set specific work hours and stick to them, just as you would at home. 
• Use the “Do Not Disturb” sign to minimize housekeeping interruptions during these
• hours
• Breaks are equally important—step outside for a quick walk, or maximize the hotel’s
• amenities to clear your mind. 
• Plan your meals. Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated to sustain your energy levels
• while traveling and working remotely.

Final thoughts

Transforming a hotel room into a productive workspace requires a mix of planning, creativity,
and the right tools. By implementing some of the strategies we’ve covered in this article, you
can work efficiently and comfortably, no matter where your travels take you.