Tired of Your Home Office? Five of the UK’s Best Hotels for Remote Workers

We’ve selected a handful of the best hotels in the UK for work and play – chic hotels where freelancers and remote workers can tap away on laptops during the day before letting loose in the evening (subject to social-distancing restrictions, of course).

12 October, 2020

Words by
Robbie Hodges

So, we're in the midst of a pandemic. You want a break from the home office, but you're neck-deep in deadlines and taking some timeout simply isn't an option. Our solution? Head for a holiday on home shores and bring your laptop along for the ride.

While some will bemoan the ever-diminishing boundaries between work and play, we choose to see the current situation as an opportunity to exercise newfound freedoms by checking into a workation-ready hotel. We've selected a handful of places where freelancers and remote workers can tap away during the day before letting loose in the evening (subject to social distancing restrictions, of course). Whether you're looking to fill a long weekend or checking in for the month, these are the best hotels for work and play in the UK.

The best hotels for work and play in the UK

hotel

The Hoxton

Southwark, London

In brief: A co-working space with a luxurious member's club feel for £30 per day

Hotels around the world might be scrabbling to accommodate the new hoards of freelance workers, but The Hoxton were there first. In February, they somewhat hubristically launched their six-floor coworking space Working From_ in Southwark. Long story short: it's now open again, and day visitors can get access for just £30. It has all the humdrum office amenities you could need - photocopiers, soundproof booths and coffee/tea stations, being three - but the vibe is more luxury member's club than co-working space. Kitchen counters are rippled with marble, work spaces (day beds, sofas, streams of desks) are segmented by towering fronds or curated bookshelves and barista-made coffee can be ordered via an app and served to your desk.

Address

40 Blackfriars Road South Bank London SE1 8PB

+44 20 7903 3000

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hotel

Dormy House

Broadway, Cotswolds

In brief: Escape to the country, Scandi-style

What could be better than escaping to a cosy, country house hotel? How about escaping to Dormy House? It might sit in the framework of a 17th-century coaching inn, but inside Dormy House is a riot of mid-century furniture, jewel tone colour blocks and industrial-style light fixtures. After slogging away in the hotel's cushty lounge or at the desk in your bedroom, make tracks for the hotel's whopping great spa. Due to social distancing restrictions you'll need to book a spot in advance, but prepare to have lavender and juniper-scented saunas, a salt-infusion therapy room and swimming pool almost entirely to yourself. Just the ticket after a long day at the office.

Address

Willersey Hill Broadway Worcestershire WR12 7LF

+44 8685 2711 Go to website

hotel

Artist Residence

Brighton, East Sussex

In brief: Affordable escapism. 20% off two-night stays and complimentary coffee

If you haven't stayed at an Artist Residence property yet already, hop to it. Each of its artist-designed hotels are hodge-podge examples of old-fashioned British eccentricity, - live-in galleries, teeming with original fixtures, characterful canvases and freestanding bathtubs. We're heading to their Brighton outpost, where they've implemented a 20% discount on two-night stays, specifically designed to attract laptop-toting freelancers. The offer only applies to midweek bookings from now until Christmas. Still, it's a neat deal. Kick off your mornings with jogs along Brighton seafront, grab lunch from the vegan cafés staggered along The Lanes, and settle into a pub sofa after work, before curfew kicks in. Check out our guide for Brighton's best bits.

Address

34 Regency Square, BN1 2FJ

+44 1273 324 302 Go to website

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hotel

Birch

Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

In brief: Work hard, create hard at this artsy country retreat

Birch Community is made for those hustle hounds who constantly proclaim how much they need a break but can't handle the separation anxiety that comes from leaving their laptops home alone. If you're visiting for a workation, you'll spend a fair amount of time in their designated co-working space, The Hub. It's primped with desks, breakout areas, phone booths and comfy sofas surrounded by plug sockets. Thought work was tough? Try picking from Birch's encyclopedic offer of evening activities. Head to their "interactive bakery" for a sourdough lesson, or their art studio for a spot of Bauhaus pottery painting, or their spa for a massage or simply sweat out the day's stresses in their sprawling, underground gym. P.S. You get 10% off your first stay if you sign up to their newsletter.

Address

Lieutenant Ellis Way, Cheshunt, Goff's Oak, Waltham Cross EN7 5HW

+44 1992 633 375 Go to website

hotel

University Arms

Cambridge

In brief: A private library in the UK's most studious city (sorry Oxford)

Productivity levels aren't guaranteed to sky-rocket while working from this lavish hotel in the heart of Britain's most studious city (sorry Oxford), but we'd like to think that work ethics are somewhat improved through sheer, full-body immersion. The University Arms is hands down Cambridge's smartest outfit. Set up your office in the hotel's private library, replace water-cooler chit-chat with strolls along the River Cam and take coffee breaks in the Botanical Gardens next door. When Zoom calls stop for the day, resist the temptation to languish in your homely, but oh-so-stylish bedroom. Instead, we suggest straddling one of the hotel's bikes and exploring the city on two wheels like a true local.

Address

Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1AD

+44 1223 606 066 Go to website

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