--- title: How The Workation Revolution Is Reshaping What We Expect From Our Workspaces description: Workations reshape travel as hotels become coworking hubs for digital nomads in Europe – blending wellbeing and flexibility to make work feel like leisure. author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2025-08-24T10:20:14.000Z updated: 2026-03-31T11:23:39.096Z canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/how-the-workation-revolution-is-reshaping-what-we-expect-from-our-workspaces image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/lsdjyd50wlc.jpg categories: Culture & Society content_type: Feature region: Netherlands publication: Rich Woman Magazine --- Picture this: you’re answering emails from a rooftop terrace overlooking Amsterdam’s canals, or taking a video call from a sun-drenched lobby in Barcelona. Hotels around the world are reinventing themselves as part-office, part-retreat as remote workers transform holidays into ‘workations.’ With [more than 40 million digital nomads](https://www.demandsage.com/digital-nomads-statistics/) now working globally, the traditional boundaries between workspace and leisure space are dissolving completely. Many are discovering that [Europe offers some of the most inspiring destinations](https://richwoman.co/article/i-ve-been-a-digital-nomad-for-2-000-days-but-my-favorite-destinations-are-in-europe) for combining work with wanderlust. ## The Workation Experience Takes Hold Nearly [half of UK office workers have taken a workation](https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/business/remote-work-statistics/) in the past year, whilst 45% would consider making the leap to full digital nomad life. Over a third of UK workers plan to take a workation in the next 12 months. Major hotel chains have taken notice. [Hyatt and Hilton are launching extended-stay concepts](https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article137744.html) specifically tailored for remote workers, recognising that these guests need more than just a comfortable bed. Meanwhile, lifestyle-driven operators like CitizenM and Zoku have completely reimagined what a hotel can be. At CitizenM, the [societyM coworking spaces](https://www.citizenm.com/coworking) come free to members and feature everything from barista coffee to writable walls and private meeting rooms with smart TVs. Some locations even offer rooftop coworking with city views. Zoku takes it further with bright creative spaces, rooftop terraces and flexible membership options that let you work by the day or month. ## When Hotels Become Your New Office These hotel-office hybrids are setting the bar incredibly high for what we expect from our work environments. Gone are the days when a desk and decent Wi-Fi were enough. Today’s workspaces need to offer experiences that make you actually want to show up. Traditional [office design](https://officeinsight.co.uk/) is being forced to compete with hotel-quality amenities. Would you rather spend your Tuesday afternoon in a sterile conference room or a hotel living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, designer furniture and a cocktail bar just steps away? Hotels are naturally ahead of the game when it comes to creating spaces that prioritise comfort and wellbeing. They understand that atmosphere matters, that natural light transforms productivity, and that having a beautiful space to retreat to can make all the difference in your day. Many properties are embracing [wellness-focused design principles](https://richwoman.co/article/nature-based-wellness-retreats-signal-rising-demand-for-mindful-luxury-escapes) that create environments where work feels more like a retreat. ## What Comes Next Workers who’ve experienced the freedom and flexibility of a hotel workspace don’t want to go back to the old way of doing things. Companies are realising they need to offer more than just a place to work – they need to create environments that compete with the best hotels and coworking spaces. The [hospitality sector is adapting quickly](https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article137772.html), using guest data to enhance these hybrid offerings and create more personalised experiences. We’re seeing the rise of subscription-based workspace models and flexible membership options that blur the lines between business and leisure even further. Some travellers are even seeking [extended cultural immersion experiences](https://richwoman.co/article/luxury-wellness-tourism-soars-as-travellers-seek-extended-cultural-immersion) that combine meaningful work with authentic local connections. Some hotels are even partnering with companies to offer corporate retreat packages that combine team meetings with leisure activities. Employees get a change of scenery and companies benefit from the creativity and energy that comes with working somewhere inspiring. ## Experience Over Everything As the line between work and life continues to blur, the most successful workspaces will be those that prioritise experience, flexibility and wellbeing over traditional desk-focused approaches. Whether that’s in a [boutique hotel with ocean views](https://richwoman.co/article/beyond-the-beach-finding-little-pockets-of-inner-peace-with-caribbean-flavour-at-sonesta-fort) or a reimagined corporate office, spaces that make work feel less like work will win. The workation revolution has shown us what’s possible when we stop thinking about work as something that happens in one specific place and start seeing it as something that can happen anywhere – as long as that anywhere is beautiful, comfortable and inspiring. It’s about [travelling with intention](https://richwoman.co/article/travel-with-pure-intention-how-to-align-your-frequency-with-the-soul-of-your-travel-destination) and creating meaningful experiences wherever you choose to set up your laptop. But even in the tiniest spaces, comfort and productivity can thrive with the right approach – a testament to how [tiny spaces into comfort zones](https://richwoman.co/article/turning-tiny-spaces-into-comfort-zones) is possible for modern workers and students. Many are discovering that [meaningful experiences](https://richwoman.co/article/why-not-how-women-are-re-imagining-travel-in-2026-to-nourish-the-soul-energize-the-body-and-a) wherever you choose to set up your laptop. But even in the tiniest spaces, comfort and productivity can thrive with the right approach – a testament to how tiny spaces into comfort zones is possible for modern workers and students.