The best way to boost office occupancy? Create a workspace that is simply irresistible. While functionality has long been the focal point of workplace design—times are changing.

Today's offices must be worthy of the commute, and this means becoming more human, trading formality for community and the ordinary for the exceptional.

Hotels have been harnessing these principles for decades to make us feel special and keep us coming back for more. Offices are now following suit, taking lessons from an industry where experience trumps all. So, what elements of hospitality wisdom can we take into the workplace? Let’s find out.

A warm welcome 

They say never judge a book by its cover. But we all know our brains are often quick to make assumptions. First impressions make a lasting impact, setting the tone for future interactions. And in the workplace, this can be especially important to consider.

The reception area of an office plays a crucial role in providing a welcoming experience to visitors, just like hotel check-ins. That's why modern office designs have embraced the trend of creating reception areas that resemble hotel lounges. This open community-creating space can act as a coworking lounge, visitor welcome point or coffee station – the key is to evoke a sense of arrival for everyone who walks through your door.

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Arrival in action at Oliver Wyman 

We helped Oliver Wyman make an entrance, creating a welcome area that serves a dual purpose: functioning as a check-in point for guests and transforming into a dynamic working lounge for clients and staff. The new space elicits a five-star boutique experience with immersing and captivating décor, instinctively drawing employees and clients to spend more time in the office. 

The reception area features a welcome desk, coffee point, phone booths and a seating/coworking area, providing users with everything they need for a frictionless first experience.

Since the transformation, occupancy at the office has soared, resulting in a bubbly, community feel that flows from the reception area into the rest of the building.

The right tech 

The best hotels have embraced technology to provide seamless services, from touchscreen check-in and high-speed Wi-Fi to mobile apps and energy-saving devices. For hotels to remain at the forefront of the competition, they must integrate these tech trends and evolve their environments with customer experience at the core.

Workplaces, too, need to step up their game. According to research from Qualtrics, employee expectations are on the rise, and more are seeking employers who prioritise their needs. 

Tech is a powerful way of bringing this principle into practice. You can empower and elevate your teams by ensuring they have the tech they need to thrive.

This looks like:

• Upgrading hardware
• Fitting out your meeting rooms with high-quality audio-visual equipment

• Implementing a desk booking system
• Increasing charging stations and ports
• Ensuring every inch of your office has a high-speed Wi-Fi connection
• Invest in digital screens to upgrade your office experience

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In a hybrid world, these technologies allow your teams to connect easily on a local, national and global scale—a must for organisations looking to meet their teams' requirements. 

Tip: Certain technologies also provide a bonus in the form of feedback. Desk and meeting booking systems can give you insights into how employees use your workspace, allowing you to see the impact of any changes you make and improve your office space planning.

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A sensory delight 

Five-star hotels have a way of drawing us in that goes beyond what we see with our eyes. The best hospitality spaces provide a multi-sensory experience born of human-centric design that considers how we feel about a space. 

Hotels appeal to our senses by using fragrances, offering a variety of food and drink experiences, calming spa services, impressive views, and high-quality customer service. And while we might not adopt all these exact approaches in the workplace, we can take inspiration from how hotels create these experiences.  

A sensory approach to office design can help workplaces create a magnetic environment that attracts and retains the best talent. From the smell of fresh coffee as you walk through the door to the comfort of the furnishings you sit on and the background music you hear each element has an impact. 

When designing workplaces for the senses, it can help to break things down to a sense-by-sense approach. Here are some key considerations for each of the five senses:

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Tip: Keep in mind that you’ll need to balance diverse needs and perceptions. We all react to the same space in different ways. Neurodivergent people, in particular, may differ in their requirements, so ensure you reflect on designing for diversity principles.

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It’s the little things 

More often than not, we remember the little things ,personal touches and small gestures people do to make us feel good—like that bottle of wine in your hotel room, the friendly waiter or helping hand with your luggage. 

Yes, big workplace transformations create huge impacts. But we must not forget that the little things go a long way.

Take the kind of coffee you provide as an example. By upgrading to a coffee machine or broadening the variety of hot drink choices available to your teams, you signal your willingness to invest in them. This statement of generosity could also look like arranging more social activities, upgrading office equipment or hiring more facilities team members to ensure that every day in the office runs smoothly. 

A treat for Acacium colleagues 

We collaborated with Acacium Group to deliver their new Manchester office—a space that puts people first. One of the many thoughtful touches we added was an open kitchen area that offers a variety of snacks and drinks to staff members. This simple yet effective addition can brighten employees' days and encourage social interaction. 

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A cultural shift 

According to the latest Amex Trendex report, which reveals consumer trends and priorities for 2024:

“The majority of UK workers would choose better work-life balance over higher pay (61% vs. 39%) in both their current and future jobs.”

Attitudes towards work are changing, and because of this, we’ve seen wellbeing rise to the top of the agenda for many organisations. 

The physical environment is also changing to reflect this. Social and relaxation areas are increasingly taking up a higher percentage of the office spaces we create. From roof terraces to wellbeing rooms and cafes to quiet zones, we’re seeing those hospitality-inspired spaces continue to show up more and more in the office too.

Work hard, play hard at Flutter 

We partnered with Flutter to create an office where work and fun can coincide. Against the status quo, over 20% of the entire office is dedicated to non-working areas (for socialising, relaxing and recreation) to encourage a ‘one-team dynamic’ and connect people on a deeper level through social activities.

Exceeding expectations

Hotels are always trying to exceed our expectations. The best ones require you to book in advance because they’re high in demand. Workplaces, too, can become a sought-after attraction where people aspire to join the community. But to do so, they must also go above and beyond.

We've helped major brands such as Kellogg's, Direct Line Group, and GHD to create workspaces that their teams love and that empower them to succeed. Get in touch with us to learn how you can do the same.

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