Is Your Business Center Ready to Compete With Alternative Workspaces in Hotels?

Published on July 8, 2013 - By Mike Sullivan

The business center industry has seen some interesting twists on competitive threats recently. We told you about executive office suites in self-storage facilities. Now, hotels are getting more creative with their alternative office options.

Indeed, beyond Wi-Fi hookups in your hotel room or business centers with a computer and a printer, some hotels are pushing the high-tech workspace envelope – and you need to know about it.

One example is The Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali. The hotel just introduced an innovative new workspace concept designed to offer business travelers a place to work efficiently and comfortably on the road. In fact, the company has done a stellar job of keeping the mobile worker in mind.

Dubbed Tangent at Westin, the solution was modeled to support the modern road warrior. Tangent at Westin is essentially an interconnected workspace that features media:scape by Steelcase Technology, video conferencing, seamless connectivity and collaboration areas. After testing the concept last year, Westin is rolling out this alternative office space to more than 40 hotels around the world.

“Given our strong conference business base, this is the perfect initiative to support the urgent last minute meetings that often arise during our MICE events that we host here at the resort and convention center,” says Bipan Kapur, managing director of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali. “Many of our function rooms are booked months in advance so Tangent provides a convenient alternative where travelers can meet in a thoughtfully designed environment that is conducive to business.”

Westin is using all the business center buzzwords, like mobile worker and flexible workspace. The alternative workspace solution promises to reinvent the small meetings model in 300 square feet or less. Here’s what’s included in the solution (pay attention, it may give you some ideas for your business center):

First, there’s media:scape by Steelcase technology. It offers an interactive space for participants to access and share digital information. Video conferencing is also available at a four-person seated workspace. The suite includes HD LCD televisions, printer, sound system, and Xbox 360 for games or DVDs. (Who says you can’t mix play with work?)

There are also floor-to-ceiling white boards and fully stocked office supplies. Wired and wireless Internet come with no additional fee. Flexible outlets are also located throughout the space allowing devices to power up, regardless of location. Westin offers privacy for groups of up to four to conduct small group meetings or hold conference calls and teleconferences. Finally, there are refreshments and light snacks.

Image: Tangent at Westin