Walk into the lobby of any hip urban hotel, and there will be more than a few people typing away on their laptops. Over at the lobby bar, someone may be conducting a conference call, while at the restaurant table there’s an impromptu business meeting. Boutique hotels are the new place for coworking.
In today’s digitally-driven and globalized world, work is no longer confined to cubicles or 9-5 shifts. Hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and other public spaces, have often found themselves serving as ad hoc offices for travelers and locals, and hospitality companies have recognized and started to embrace this shift. But will guests pay to use space that has been free until now?
With this new trend, comes a new opportunity for hotels to stay afloat during a time when the travel industry is taking a huge hit. Hotels that reinvent their space for coworking are trying to offset revenues that I conclude have likely dropped as much as 50% since shutdowns began in March, due to the Coronavirus.
Traditionally, this isn’t something you would expect to find, but more and more hotels are ditching the traditional business model, as they evolve to accommodate a new wave of mobile workers. Not only do these spaces open up to new audiences and the local community, but when charged with a fee, they turn into revenue-generating spaces, and hotels capitalizing on existing unused spaces. By default, having someone working at the hotel for a half or full-day, additionally helps revenues filter to other areas such as restaurants, gift shops, and cafes.
With international travel currently on hold, and many of us barely allowed to leave our homes, many hotels have found themselves struggling to stay afloat, and tapped into the solo remote working trend by renting out guest rooms as private offices. In fact, according to a recent study by Fitch, European hotel occupancy will fall by 60% this year and won’t recover until 2023.
Personally speaking, as an entrepreneur in the hospitality business that isn't tied to a coworking space (yet) and travels often, hotels have become a second home for me. I work, meet friends, take client meetings, and more from these trendy lounge-type lobbies. Plenty of times, I started my morning workday with breakfast, moved to the restaurant for lunch with a client — whom I unintentionally met while working in these spaces, and closed off the night at the bar, to grab a drink with friends.
While coworking spaces in hotels may not be a one-size-fits-all, a sense of community is achieved through opening up communal areas and encouraging local residents to use facilities as a central meeting point, blending in with the overnight guests. Many workers had no choice but to adapt to working from home in recent months since offices shut down due to COVID-19. And for many, the lack of structure and boundaries is taking an emotional toll.
Boutique hotels are the first to adopt this new trend, but big chains are not too far behind embracing the idea. People are still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that businesses won't be able to go back to traditional office spaces for a while. The hotel industry, being one of the greatly affected by the pandemic, aside from serving the community, are also exposing themselves in other ways that will allow them to get people inside and some money in other ways, that doesn’t involve an overnight stay.
5 Boutique hotels in Amsterdam for your next coworking session
Stylish and relaxed environments with lively meeting places; a new generation of hotels has arrived offering coworking spaces as part of their facilities. Here are our top 5 spaces in Amsterdam worth checking out:
1. The Hoxton
The Hoxton, a go-to for traveling professionals, has mastered the combination of hospitality roots with great amenities to keep people coming back.
Its Amsterdam location has plenty of seats in the lobby and mezzanine, occupied all day by creatives, freelancers, and business people. It’s event space, “The Apartment” has been transformed into coworking space. You can book a hot desk for €25 a day which includes unlimited filter coffee, tea, and 20% off on Lotti’s (its restaurant and bar).
The addition of coworking spaces also attracts the “digital nomads,” which represents the growing group of people who, thanks to the Internet, work remotely at any time anywhere in the world. With the number of coworking members expected to jump to 3.8 million in 2020, it is only natural for hotels to capitalize on this. Coworking spaces in hotels provide an area for hotel guests and locals to gather for work or leisure. The hotel room is no longer the primary product. The workplace is as important as the room, as it offers a central place where the guests have the opportunity to work alone or together.
Additionally, hotels are capitalizing on food & beverage revenues that arise from having these guests half or full days in the hotel. Consumption goes anywhere from a morning coffee to lunch, and sometimes dinner. In fact, some hotels have even created specially discounted menus for day guests, or even offer a flat fee for an all-day buffet-style setup. Hotels see the business case for doing so, by encouraging more traffic to currently defunct food & beverage outposts, while simultaneously encouraging brand awareness.
2. Zoku Amsterdam
Zoku Amsterdam opened in 2016 with an ambitious goal: to be a home-office hybrid that also incorporates the service of a hotel. Unlike typical workspaces you often find in hotels, its Private WorkLofts are your ideal home-office away from home. For €55 per day, you get free wifi, lunch and hot drinks available, plus plenty of office amenities.
If you’d prefer to stick with the more traditional coworking set up, try WorkZoku, its monthly coworking membership (€175). You’ll join a curated community of international like-minded people, get speedy Wi-Fi, access to the space seven days a week, and enjoy the perks of having a dedicated community manager who will keep you informed about events and other updates.
3. Werkplaats at Volkshotel
Werkplaats at Volkshotel recently announced their coworking areas reopened. They target artists, entrepreneurs, and business suits. You are allowed to work in the communal areas and use their tables, chairs, and wifi complimentary. If you need a private space, they have work cabins for a daily fee. Rental periods are flexible, with no long-term commitments. If workers want to stay for the night, it would cost them an additional €75.
The industry has found a new way to advertise their functional and not always used spaces, such as unused rooms, business centers, patios, terraces and meeting spaces that if large enough, can be arranged as one big space with communal tables or set up as individual work stations with plenty of small round tables and chairs.
4. TSH Collab
TSH Collab is the friendly and focused coworking concept of The Student Hotel: a global community of ambitious creatives, entrepreneurs, and start-ups changing the world. The Student Hotel in Amsterdam is more than a hotel, it’s a hub for co-living and coworking where travelers, locals, and students get together to learn, stay, work and play. You can choose from flex and dedicated desks, your own office space or meeting rooms for more privacy. They merge student accommodations, hotel rooms, coworking, meetings and events, and an inspiring hospitality concept. All of their hotels are buzzing hubs where people from all walks of life rub shoulders and change ideas — from entrepreneurs, students to guests.
5. Sir Adam at Sir Hotels
On the first eight floors of Amsterdam Noord’s A’DAM Toren building, sits Sir Adam. The creative locals and visitors are who make The Hub, one of Amsterdam’s favorite destinations. The Hub replaces the traditional lobby, a space for guests to mingle in a coworking concept. Directly below, is The Butcher Social Club, one of the city’s hotspot that also invites guests and locals to work in this cool unconventional space. According to Sir Hotels, boardrooms are bored. Having one of the best city views and plenty of natural light with floor to ceiling windows, you can plug for the day at The Studios or The Deck.
Hotels as social hubs
The days of the vacant hotel lobby are long gone. Today’s travelers demand more than just a place to sleep, they look for a place to socialize, relax, grab a bite and comfortably work from.
Modern travelers demand more from the hotel lobby; in fact, many spend more time in the lobby than in their rooms, and with a combination of guests and locals, lobby’s feel more like a neighborhood coffee shop than an entry to the building. Spaces must be a vibrant, 24/7 revenue-generating space designed for a mix of different uses that can transition from day to night.
Hotel’s are the new public square. Gone are the times when hotels could afford empty lobbies; it now needs to be vibrant all the time.
FAQs
What is the main area in Amsterdam? ›
The best known and busiest part of Amsterdam is Amsterdam Center (or Centre, if you're British) — known locally as Centrum, or Binnenstad (literally: Inner city). Many, though certainly not all, of the city's most popular tourist attractions are located within the Center.
What is the best area to stay in Amsterdam for tourists? ›The best area to stay in Amsterdam, especially if you're a first-time visitor, is Centrum. Surrounded by the city's “canal belt,” Amsterdam Centrum, is home to most of the city's attractions including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Anne Frank's House Museum, The Oude Church and the Red Light District.
Which area to stay in Amsterdam for first-time visitors? ›The best areas to stay in Amsterdam for first-timer are Old Centrum, Canal Belt, Leidseplein, Jordaan, Oud-West, Museum Quarter, De Pijp, Plantage, and Jewish Quarter. These are popular and beautiful neighborhood for tourists that offer a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
What is the most central area to stay in Amsterdam? ›If you choose to stay in the Old Centre, you'll be a short walk from the main sights and the principal shopping and nightlife areas. Many first-time visitors consider this area as the best place to stay in Amsterdam, due to its central location and abundance of budget accommodation options.
Where to avoid staying in Amsterdam? ›As always, the poorest neighborhoods in a city are usually the most unsafe. This is also true in Amsterdam. Most crimes are recorded in the West: Bos & Lommer and Nieuw-West. These are areas with a lot of social housing, low-income families, immigrants, poverty, and social problems.
How many days is best for Amsterdam? ›It is generally sufficient to spend three to four days in Amsterdam to fully experience the city's main attractions and landmarks. However, if you want to take your time and explore more of the city's neighborhoods and cultural offerings, you may want to consider staying longer.
What is the safest part of Amsterdam to stay? ›Amsterdam's safest neighborhoods tend to be the more upmarket ones, such as the Western and Southern Canal Belts, Oud-Zuid (Museum Quarter), and De Plantage, though the vast majority are safe to walk around at any time of day.
Where are the 3 red light districts in Amsterdam? ›Amsterdam has three red light districts: the most famous one is called De Wallen, a smaller one is located at the Oude Nieuwstraat and a minor one at Ruysdaelkade.
What time is best for Red Light District Amsterdam? ›When you're walking down the narrow streets of the RLD (also known as De Wallen), you will already notice women appearing behind their windows in the early afternoon, but the busiest and most interesting time to go “window shopping” is from around 11 pm onward.
Can you walk through the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›Amsterdam's Red Light District is famous for the line of windows and doors surrounded in red lights - red lights that signify legal prostitution. You can walk down the street and see barely-dressed women sitting behind the windows and waiting for customers.
How many nights in Amsterdam is enough? ›
How many nights should I stay in Amsterdam? As a general rule, most travelers can plan on spending between 2-4 days in Amsterdam, depending on whether or not they take any day trips, and how long they plan to spend in the Netherlands overall.
What is the poshest part of Amsterdam? ›Amsterdam Zuid/Museum Quarter
Expect to find the most expensive houses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and shopping in town here. Amsterdam Zuid is also home to the Museum Quarter, where most of Amsterdam's major museums, including the world-renowned Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum have stood for centuries.
Red Light District is situated right in the centre of Amsterdam. It's a five to ten-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station, while walking in the direction of Dam Square, take a left halfway. Most of the district is situated between the Zeedijk and the Warmoesstraat.
Is Amsterdam a walkable city? ›Comfy footwear and a good sense of direction will get you far and wide in Amsterdam. It's one of the easiest European cities to get around. The Dutch capital's center is easily walkable since it's so compact – perhaps a little too so as it tends to get very crowded.
What are the do's and don'ts in Amsterdam? ›- Don't expect wild parties during weekdays.
- Don't get on public transport without an OV-Chip card.
- Don't take cash or credit cards for granted.
- Don't hire a bike if you can't ride one.
- Don't walk in cycle paths.
- Don't buy a bike from an unofficial source.
Is it safe to walk around Amsterdam at night? No, it's generally not safe to wander the streets late at night. Some areas, like the Red Light District, are dangerous after dark.
What is the most Instagrammable street in Amsterdam? ›The Damrak is a picturesque street in the heart of Amsterdam. This cobblestone street is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, thanks to its charming architecture and Instagrammable spots. Whether you're looking for a place to snap a selfie or just take in the views, the Damrak is definitely worth a visit.
Where are the Colourful houses in Amsterdam? ›The colorful narrow houses on the waterfront make for the most picturesque photos to take. The houses are located on a canal between Amsterdam Centraal Station and Dam Square. This place makes for an iconic photo opportunity as it is the most photographed and recognizable place.
What is the colorful street in Amsterdam? ›Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bricks painted bright with every colour you can imagine, from the walls to the street stones, Wijdesteeg Street will take your breath away with its beautifully detailed and meticulous artwork.
Generally, the cheapest time to visit Amsterdam is in the winter – usually between November and March.
What month is best for Amsterdam? ›
Generally, the best time to visit Amsterdam is either April or September (springtime or late summer). What is this? Throughout April, there are several national holidays, and rainfall is at its lowest point. But crowds are thinner during September, making for more affordable hotel stays and a more relaxing experience.
What is the coldest month in Amsterdam? ›July is the hottest month in Amsterdam with an average temperature of 16°C (61°F) and the coldest is January at 2°C (36°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 7 in June. The wettest month is November with an average of 90mm of rain..
Is Uber safe in Amsterdam? ›Ubers are reliable and a safe option for transportation in Amsterdam. Uber was released in the Netherlands in 2012 and now covers more than five cities.
Are there pickpockets in Amsterdam? ›Pickpockets have been known to target tourists on trams, buses and ferries in Amsterdam, taking advantage of the crowded situations and the fact that people are often distracted by their journey planning. So be extra vigilant while travelling by public transport. In fact, don't put anything in your back pocket.
Can you avoid the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›There aren't too many areas to avoid in Amsterdam, although sightseeing the Red Light District after dark can be risky. Steer clear of southeast Amsterdam's Bijlmer area as well.
What does a purple light mean in Amsterdam? ›While red lights are famously known as a beacon for sex work, blue and purple lights hold a slightly different meaning. If you pass by a brothel with a blue or purple light, that means the sex workers are transgender; red lights, meanwhile, indicate that the worker is biologically female.
What is a green light district? ›green light district in British English
noun. an area in which prostitution is officially tolerated.
Red Light District in Amsterdam: things to do
Today Amsterdam's Red Light District has 290 window brothels and 14 coffeeshops, including two of Amsterdam's oldest ones. The starting price for negotiations with Amsterdam window prostitutes is usually € 50 for 15 to 20 minutes.
'. This one is pretty simple to answer – the Dutch do not have a tipping culture as strongly-ingrained as much of the English-speaking world. In a bar, restaurant, or private boat tour in Amsterdam, provided the service was good, a tip of around 10% is appreciated but not automatically expected.
What does blue light district mean in Amsterdam? ›What Is The Blue Light District? The blue light district in Amsterdam is an area within the Red Light District with several transgender sex workers. Some transgender prostitutes use blue lights in their window brothels to indicate that they are different as the female sex workers.
What days are best for Red Light District? ›
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Red Light District? Not surprisingly, De Wallen really comes to life as the sun goes down. If you want to avoid the crowds, opt for a self-guided or guided tour between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., especially from Sunday–Thursday.
How late is Red Light District Amsterdam? ›The Red Light District is always open. The district can be visited 24/7. The window brothels are only closed for 2 hours a day between 6am and 8am. Most bars and clubs close at 3 or 4 am on weekends.
Is Amsterdam cashless? ›The Netherlands is one of the countries in Europe leading in the adoption of a cashless payment environment.
How much money do you need to spend a week in Amsterdam? ›Amsterdam trip cost
My research estimates approximately $2,255 per person for one week including flights, accommodation, food, transportation and attractions, and some extra spending money.
Trams. Amsterdam's distinctive white and blue trams are one of the best ways to get in and around the city centre. The reliable and frequent tram service criss crosses all around the city, and many of the tram routes terminate the the Central Station.
Is 7 days in Amsterdam too much? ›A lot of people speed through the Netherlands only stopping for one day in Amsterdam, but I'd recommend enjoying at least 7 days in the Netherlands if you have the chance. I'll be covering the highlights of the Netherlands and tips for getting around the Netherlands in this Dutch itinerary.
What is the main street in Amsterdam called? ›Damrak is the street connecting the Amsterdam Centraal Station to Dam Square. It was originally a straight stretch (rak) of the river Amstel which had been dammed (at what is now the dam square) leading to the name. The river has since been filled in and converted into the street.
What is considered the city center of Amsterdam? ›the city centre of Amsterdam
The neighborhoods of De Wallen (Red Light District), Nieuwmarkt, Grachtengordel (Canal Belt) and Jordaan are the historical centre of Amsterdam. The Centrum district with 86,851 inhabitants (2018) is divided into smaller neighbourhoods, all with their own characteristics and history.
Amsterdam. No surprise here: Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the most populous city in the country, with more than one million inhabitants. Located in the province of North Holland, it shares the province with other major cities such as Haarlem and Zaanstad (best known as the city of Zaanse Schans).
What square is the center of nightlife in Amsterdam? ›Leidseplein. This square is located in the heart of Amsterdam's nightlife. In the streets around the square, you will find popular clubs like Jimmy Woo and De Kring. You can also visit the theater here, at the Stadsschouwburg or DeLaMar Theater.
What is the coolest shopping street in Amsterdam? ›
The two main shopping streets in Amsterdam's city centre are the Kalverstraat and the Leidsestraat. Of the two, the Leidsestraat has the more exclusive shops like Filippa K, Karen Millen, Paul Warmer and Shoebaloo.
What is the famous alley in Amsterdam? ›What is the Trompettersteeg? The Trompettersteeg the narrowest alley in Amsterdam. It is located in the Red Light District on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, and it is only 1 meter wide! It is a popular sight to visit and many guides like to take you to this alley.
What famous street in Amsterdam is red light? ›De Wallen, together with the prostitution areas Singelgebied and Ruysdaelkade, form the Rosse Buurt (red-light areas) of Amsterdam. Of these De Wallen is the oldest and largest area. It is one of the city's major tourist attractions and the government of Amsterdam is examining ways to limit tourist numbers.
What are the 3 X's in Amsterdam? ›The three Xs (XXX) are actually the three Saint Andrew's crosses. St. Andrew was a fisherman who was martyred on an X-shaped cross in the 1st century AD, which is relevant to Amsterdam as the city's symbol dates back to 1505 when it was a fishing town and all ships registered in Amsterdam flew this flag.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam? ›It is generally sufficient to spend three to four days in Amsterdam to fully experience the city's main attractions and landmarks. However, if you want to take your time and explore more of the city's neighborhoods and cultural offerings, you may want to consider staying longer.
Which is nicer Paris or Amsterdam? ›Both are affordable places to visit or live, but they both have completely different infrastructures. If you're the business type that loves ingenuity in engineering and the marks of technology, Paris is your spot. However, if you are more into history and heritage, Amsterdam is your spot.
Where is the posh area of Amsterdam? ›Amsterdam Zuid/Museum Quarter
Expect to find the most expensive houses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and shopping in town here. Amsterdam Zuid is also home to the Museum Quarter, where most of Amsterdam's major museums, including the world-renowned Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum have stood for centuries.
Prices, for prostitution can differ as the sex workers are free to set their prices. Window prostitution; prices range roughly between €50 – €100. Duration usually 15-30 minutes or less. Escort agencies; prices range roughly between €150 – €200.
What are red rooms in Amsterdam? ›Prostitution in Red Light District
Nowadays, prostitution is legal in the Netherlands but not on the streets. That's why prostitutes in Amsterdam stand up behind a window and have their own room. The name of "Red Light District" comes from the red neon lights that highlight the 300 windows where women are working.
So if you are in the city on a quest to party away in Amsterdam, guess what? You are in for a fully satisfying period. Each specific club in question have their own unique hours of operation but it will definitely be between the hours of 10.00PM to 4.00AM.