The idea of a hotel having a work-friendly space adjacent to the main lobby is far from novel.
Free Wi-Fi, a sofa and a table or two is kind of a bare minimum situation for us most. Not having it would be weird. The odd time when I do happen to walk by that small table with a desktop computer, printer and a phone (or was it a fax?!), I stare at it in bewilderment as if it was some kind of pre-historic musem vignette reminding me of times past. “Who would actually use that?” I wonder, as I ogle that sad lonely desk in a dimly lit corner of some far-off, forgotten room.
As a fellow digital nomad, mixing work with living space has become the norm not only just at home, but also in the places where I want to stay when I kick into full nomadic mode. Especially when I intend on spending more than just a weekend, it’s important that the space is not only conducive to work — it’s almost equally as important that the space be a gathering place for like-minded folk who are trying to change the world, how we work together, and how we connect to one another.
While renting an apartment on AirBnB is a great way to experience the local environment in a more authentic way, it doesn’t exactly facilitate networking. Enter the Community Hotel — or Cooop Hotel, as it’s sometimes also called — a suitable alternative to digital nomads who want something more than just a local apartment. These “co-living” developments foster community building while offering a variety of rooming options ranging from shared bunk-beds to luxurious penthouse suites. Typically the main floors are fully equipped with all of the modern technologies including flat screen TVs and projectors, in order to encourage group meetings and seminars.
The other bonus? Despite their usually central location, the price ends up being 50-70% less than the average cost of staying at a hotel in a similar ‘hood.
Here are some of the best-in-class Community Hotels from around the world.
San Francisco, CA — The Red Victorian Hotel
Dating from 1904, this bohemian community hotel and hostel with a striking red facade is two blocks from Golden Gate Bridge. Today it houses an intentional community that supports creatives to connect and be in action around impactful projects, with 22 residents working to build a rich commons, and a gathering place for revolutionaries, artists and travelers. embassynetwork.com/locations/redvic/
