Not Working from Home but Jatel Work... "Commuting to a Hotel"

Increased Users Due to Extended Remote Work
Expansion of 'Workation' Products for Hotel Weekday Working Hours

Affordable Services at Gyms and Restaurants
Comfortable Work in Pleasant Environments... Popularity of One Week to One Month Stays

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] #After nearly a year of working from home, A, a worker in his 30s who needed ventilation, spent 120,000 won to buy a comfortable work environment and a relaxing rest for a day. A, who booked a 12-hour 'workation (work+vacation)' package at a luxury hotel in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, checked in at 8 a.m., stopped by the hotel's fitness club for light exercise, then returned to the room to shower and finish setting up for work. Lunch was simply handled with room service, and he enjoyed a sweet nap on the soft bedding during the remaining lunch break. The usually noisy home environment, which was uncomfortable for afternoon video meetings, was completed in a quiet setting. After work, he headed straight to the swimming pool. After swimming until he was out of breath, he felt more energized. After returning to the room and showering, he checked out at 8 p.m. It felt like a day fully packed with both work and rest.

◆"Commuting to the hotel"

As the COVID-19 situation continues for a year as of the 17th, workers' workspaces are expanding from offices and homes to hotels. In response, the hotel industry is expanding workation promotions that allow the use of hotel rooms during weekday working hours, and is also introducing long-term stay programs that enable comfortable work while using hotel services at lower prices than usual for periods ranging from a week to a month.

The workation package, where you commute to the hotel in the morning and return home in the evening, is becoming common this year from luxury hotels to business hotels. InterContinental Seoul COEX is offering a new product this year under new names ("Palpalhan Haru," 8 to 8 Workation) following last year. The usage rate in January for this product more than doubled compared to the previous month, gaining popularity. A hotel official said, "About 50% of reservations are made in advance through Naver Reservation," adding, "There are a significant number of single guests staying for actual work."

Park Hyatt Busan continues its 'Hyatt Daily Office Package,' which allows the use of rooms equipped with office space from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at about 60% of the daily room rate, until May 31. Glad Hotels also offers the 'Commuting to the Hotel' package in Yeouido, Mapo, and Gangnam, Seoul, until the end of this month. This product was first launched in May last year and relaunched earlier this year as remote work extended. The package includes a commuting stay, signature drip bags from the coffee brand 'Dalkom,' and Ottogi snack boxes for 75,000 won (plus 10% tax).

◆Long-term hotel stays also popular

In line with the trend of expanding workspaces, long-term hotel stay programs are also diversifying. Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong is attracting business customers through its long-term stay 'Bangman Village Package,' priced at 1.5 million won per month (including VAT) for a standard room. This month, a separate promotion is also underway with weekly room rates starting from 330,000 won. A hotel official said, "There is high demand from customers who want to work comfortably while receiving hotel services, such as bedding changes and room cleaning twice a week, 20% discounts at restaurants and bars, 30% discounts on dry cleaning, free detergent use in coin laundries, and free use of the gym and large bathhouse."

Kensington Hotel Yeouido is also targeting these demands with its 'One Month Living at the Hotel Package' available until the end of this year. Prices start from 1.59 million won (including tax). The hotel stated, "Reflecting customer feedback, we introduced a laundry lounge," adding, "The weekday-only 'Save Me Office Package,' which was well received until last month, will also launch Season 2 in the first half of this year."

Meanwhile, near the academy district in Daechi-dong, hotels are seeing a surge in 'studycation' demand from students and parents trying to combine study and vacation during the school break season. Last month, long-term stay demand from students and parents at Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam accounted for about 30-40% of total reservations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.