Not long ago, a business trip meant a quick flight, a few meetings, a hotel with breakfast, and then back home. Everything was dictated by work—time was planned, and the hotel space was dedicated to a single function: accommodation. Today, this approach is becoming a thing of the past. More and more people combine professional travel with leisure and personal life. This is how the bleisure trend— business + leisure— was born. It's not only a new way of traveling, but also entirely new expectations for hotel spaces and their functions.
Bleisure – what exactly is it?
Bleisure is a travel model in which an employee travels for business but also explores, relaxes, or extends their stay for personal reasons. Sometimes they arrive early to work remotely before meetings. Other times, they stay longer to explore with family or a partner. According to a report by the Global Business Travel Association, over 60% of business travelers say they combine travel with leisure whenever possible.
This trend is particularly strong among millennials and Generation Z , who are more likely than previous generations to work remotely, value work-life balance, and embrace a "work-from-anywhere" lifestyle. According to Expedia, as many as 80% of these groups consider local attractions, quality of life, and climate when planning a trip—even if their primary purpose is work.
This isn't a passing fad. Bleisure is transforming guest expectations—from the design of hotel rooms to the way they use common spaces.
The bleisure phenomenon is not only a noticeable cultural trend – it is also a direction confirmed by hard data, which is increasingly influencing the decisions of hoteliers, investors and interior designers.
Bleisure guests leave more
Spending data is equally interesting. Industry reports (including those from Expedia and Deloitte) show that guests who travel bleisure —those who extend their stay, bring a partner or family, visit local attractions, and utilize hotel amenities— spend on average 20-25% more than typical corporate guests who limit their stays to a minimum.
A longer stay means greater use of hotel services: restaurants, spas, coworking spaces, extra nights, and often the organization of mini-events or on-site meetings. From the hotel's perspective, this is a higher-value customer.
Flexibility pays off – even for employers
It's not just guests and hotels who benefit from bleisure. According to EY analyses, companies that offer flexible work models (including hybrid and remote work options, workation, and team-building and employee retreats) observe higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention .
For the hotel industry, this means a growing demand for facilities that can accommodate not only traditional conferences and events, but also individual stays on a semi-business basis. As a result, a completely new market segment is emerging: "work & stay" hotels – a combination of hotel, office, and recreational space.
How is bleisure changing the approach to hotel design?
The available data leaves no doubt: bleisure is not a temporary effect of the post-pandemic remote work boom , but a lasting change in the way the hotel market operates. Guests today expect much more than just a place to sleep—they're looking for a space that allows for work, relaxation, and social integration all in one.
The impact of this trend is clearly visible in several key areas:
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Hotel room design – increasingly, ergonomic workstations, adequate lighting, high-speed internet and video conferencing space are being included.
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Lobby and common spaces – gain new functions: coworking, quiet zones, soft lounges with the possibility of individual and team work.
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Service offer – flexible check-in/check-out hours, workation packages, wellness zones, events and activities to integrate guests.
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Selection of furnishings – furniture must be durable, mobile, aesthetic and multifunctional – ready to change function depending on the time of day and the user’s needs.
For the entire hotel industry, this is a signal that the future belongs to hybrid spaces – designed so that work, leisure and social life can coexist, without conflict, in one place.
Hybrid hotels – a space that works together with the guest
To meet these new expectations, many hotels are undergoing a transformation – they are becoming hybrid facilities that combine accommodation with coworking, a space for meetings, creative work and social life.
In a traditional hotel, we have a division: sleeping quarters, conference rooms, and lobby. In a hybrid hotel, the boundaries blur. Guests want access to spaces for working with a laptop , but also to relaxation areas, a gym, a kitchen, and social events.
The distinguishing feature of hybrid hotels is the flexibility of space and functions , supported by modern equipment: mobile furniture, quiet zones, work islands, videoconferencing capsules.
Bleisure in numbers: what is really changing in the hotel industry?
The bleisure trend isn't just a market observation – it's strongly supported by hard data and research. More and more studies confirm that guests traveling in a "business + leisure" model are now one of the most valuable customer groups in the hotel industry.
Flexible spaces increase occupancy
A report by JLL and Accor shows that hotels offering coworking spaces , rooms adapted to remote work and other flexible solutions for mobile employees record up to 30% higher occupancy on weekdays compared to traditional properties.
This is no coincidence – it's a direct response to the changing needs of guests. Today, more and more people travel in a hybrid mode, combining work with personal or business trips. In such circumstances, a well-designed workspace becomes not just an add-on, but one of the key criteria when choosing a hotel.
A place to sit comfortably, a solid desk, fast and reliable internet, the ability to work in silence or participate in an online meeting without interruptions – all this translates directly into the guest experience and loyalty .
Moreover, guests working remotely often spend more time at the hotel, taking advantage of additional services—restaurants, wellness areas, cafés, and common areas. From the hotel's perspective, this translates into a more engaged and profitable customer , who not only stays longer but also leaves a larger bill.
That's why flexible, multifunctional spaces—supporting various modes of work and relaxation—are becoming a strategic asset , not just an aesthetic addition. Designing them with the real needs of users in mind is no longer a trend, but a necessity.
Guests want to work from anywhere
One of the key factors driving the growth of bleisure and hybrid hotels is the shift in work models . Remote and hybrid work, which have become a permanent fixture in many industries since the pandemic, have radically changed the way people think about mobility and the organization of daily tasks.
According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index report, a staggering 77% of remote workers say they would be happy to work from other cities, regions, or even countries— if they had the right conditions . This isn't just about internet access and power outlets. A comfortable, focused workspace, quiet, good lighting, ergonomic furniture, and the ability to switch between work and rest modes without leaving the building are also essential.
This new expectation is creating a growing demand for spaces that allow for a seamless blend of travel and productive work —without a sense of compromise or makeshift solutions. Guests no longer want to "adapt" to a space; they expect the space to adapt to their lifestyle and work rhythm.
This presents a huge opportunity for hotels. Properties that offer well-thought-out, modern infrastructure supporting remote and hybrid work models—from ergonomic workstations to coworking spaces— are becoming a natural choice for a new generation of guests who aren't tied to the office but expect quality, flexibility, and comfort.
A flexible work model is a benefit for companies and hotels
The rise in popularity of remote and hybrid work has not only changed the way employees operate but also influenced company strategies and expectations for the spaces they work in. EY research shows that employers offering flexible work models —including the ability to work from anywhere in the world—enjoy higher levels of employee satisfaction and engagement , and, equally importantly, better talent retention .
This not only improves the atmosphere within the company—it also has a real impact on the hotel market . More and more companies are supporting employees through "workations," flexible business trips, and "remote anywhere" programs. This results in a growing demand for hotels that combine the comfort of a stay with the full functionality of a workspace .
New challenges for designers and equipment suppliers
With the development of hybrid hotels, not only are guest needs changing, but also the way we design interiors and think about furnishings. For architects, furniture manufacturers, and spatial systems manufacturers, this presents a completely new set of challenges—and a huge opportunity to redefine the role of hotel space.
The classic divisions into "bedroom," "conference room," and "lobby" are slowly disappearing. In their place are multi-purpose zones that must seamlessly transform in function depending on needs—from a space for focused work to a relaxation zone, from a meeting space to a podcast studio, from a hotel room to a full-fledged office.
To make this possible, the right choice of solutions is crucial:
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Ergonomic armchairs and chairs that allow you to work comfortably for many hours
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Mobile tables and modular systems , easy to rearrange without interfering with the space
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Lounge with acoustic function , ensuring privacy even in open interiors
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Durable, easy-to-maintain and aesthetic materials that fit into a sustainable approach to design
In this context, brands that design furniture with a flexible work environment, ergonomics, and durability in mind are particularly well-suited. Their solutions perfectly support the emerging needs of hotels, which must simultaneously ensure comfort, functionality, and aesthetics in spaces where work and leisure intertwine every day.
Why is bleisure the future?
In a world of remote work, digital nomads, and the growing need for work-life balance, bleisure is no longer a trend —it's becoming the new standard. This phenomenon is changing the way people travel, stay in hotels, and define their daily lives on the go.
This sends a clear message to modern hotels: spaces must be flexible, designed for both work and leisure. Those who can understand and implement this will gain not only loyal guests but also a real competitive advantage.
Designing interiors that are ready for a "work-from-anywhere" model is one of the fastest-growing areas in the commercial furnishings industry today. Leisure isn't a passing fad. It's a trend that's redefining travel, work, and the way we design spaces where it all comes together.
