The Hotel Business Center Resurrected for the Modern Traveler

Gone are the days of large hotel business centers with rows of computers and printers in a windowless room tucked somewhere on the third floor or in the basement. Today’s travelers are tech savvy and no longer need to hole up for hours in a dank cave to get work done, however, they still need some of the essentials a business center offers. That is why, at Boston East India Hotels property The Daniel, the business center was brought out of the dark and into the lobby, with a large window looking outside.

With natural light streaming in, the business center features simple modern décor, with a sleek dark desktop and a minimalist approach with just two computers and three workstations.

The business center is open 24/7 and offers computer access and free printing, as well as, a great location for those that need to work and want a quiet place to do so, but don’t want to be stuck in an interior room hidden away from civilization. Plus, it is adjacent to the 24-hour guest pantry. Late night hot pocket, anyone?

Our approach to the new business center at The Daniel is in line with the demand from today’s travelers.

There has been widespread reporting that the modern traveler prefers a scaled-down business center with two to four work stations, one printer and more immediate access to the lobby and other open spaces for meetings or phone calls. Trends have also shown that guests who use business centers at hotels are now typically getting in and out quickly, and no longer spend hours working there.

Rapid changes in technology have provided travelers with so many tablets, smartphones, travel-friendly laptops and other hi-tech devices that access to a computer in the business center is no longer a necessity just to stay in touch, but the need for a hotel to have a business center remains.

Currently, despite almost universal access to Wi-Fi at hotels, almost 90 percent of hotels still have business centers — though many, like The Daniel, have adapted their business centers to reflect the true needs of travelers.

For example, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has introduced a concept at some properties called “Technology Lounges,” which are adjacent to the lobby and feature wireless access, individual workstations, communal space and a four-paneled video wall.

Sheraton launched its “Link@Sheraton” at some properties for another spin on the technology lounge concept, though with more computers similar to the traditional business center. Sheraton does put its “Link@Sheraton” near the lobby and has included flat screen TVs.

While most hotels are still sticking to some sort of business center concept, there are some that have eliminated the business center all together. These typically choose to go with some sort of ramped up lobby environment that is described as replacing the functions of a business center. These computer-centric lobbies may include recharge stations and wireless access to a printer.

Some other examples of what different brands have done in recent times include:

• Wyndham Hotel Group launched a prototype that moves the business center into the lobby with computers available in open spaces with free Wi-Fi and typical lobby furniture.

• Westin Hotels and Resorts launched a flexible work space concept last year called “Tangent,” which has furniture that can be organized and moved to accommodate meetings and also has technology for videoconferencing.

• Kimpton Hotels has re-adapted old pay-phone banks into small partitioned workstations.

• InterContinental Hotels’ new EVEN hotels will have a “Hot Desk” rather than traditional business center, with two laptops and guests will be able to print wirelessly from the laptops or their own devices.

While approaches vary across the industry, many brands are figuring out what we, at Boston East India Hotels, already know about how the changing needs of today’s travelers. At The Daniel, we have answered our guests’ call for a new-style of business center that gives them all that they desire to keep up with work and does so in a comfortable environment that is central to the lobby hub of a hotel, with the most up-to-date technology products and services. Let’s hope work doesn’t take up all your travel time, but when it is necessary we have you covered!