New Hyatt research finds hotel rooms have become one of the few places travelers can truly switch off.
Business travel doesn’t end when the workday does. New research commissioned by Hyatt finds that 90% of business travelers say their hotel room is the only place they truly feel “off the clock” during a work trip.
Nearly half (47%) would rather spend free time relaxing alone in their room than attending optional networking events. And some travelers are going to creative lengths to protect that time… including blocking fake meetings on their calendars or inventing excuses to skip optional work events, from caring for a pet anaconda to video calls with family.
The findings underscore the increasingly important role hotels play in supporting business travelers beyond providing a place to sleep. The tactics may be humorous, but the motivation is relatable: for many travelers, the hotel room is where the workday finally ends. Hyatt’s Essentials portfolio, including the Hyatt Place, Hyatt House and Hyatt Studios brands, is designed to deliver the everyday comforts and conveniences travelers value most, wherever their journeys take them.
“Business travel has evolved and so have travelers’ expectations,” says Jason Ballard, SVP, Global Brand Leader, Essentials, Hyatt. “I travel frequently myself, and I know firsthand how much the little things can make a trip. From a thoughtfully designed guestroom and comfortable bed to reliable Wi-Fi and breakfast before early meetings, every detail matters. We want guests to spend less time worrying about the basics and more time feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.”
The Essentials That Matter Most
After all that calendar maneuvering, travelers apparently have some very practical requirements for their hard-earned downtime. Nearly half of respondents (46%) say consistency across stays is one of the biggest indicators of a high-quality hotel, with 79% believing a high-quality hotel directly improves their work performance.
When asked, respondents prioritized amenities that help them stay productive and well rested, including:
- Comfortable beds
- Reliable in-room Wi-Fi
- 24-hour food options
- Complimentary breakfast
- Early check-in
The findings reinforce Hyatt’s focus on the everyday comforts business travelers value most through its growing Essentials Portfolio. Nearly three-quarters say they typically work in their hotel room after the workday ends, underscoring the need for spaces that support both productivity and rest.
Essentials guestrooms feature dedicated workspaces designed to help guests transition between work and downtime, along with complimentary breakfast at participating hotels and convenient 24-hour food and beverage options.
Rewards for the Road
For 80% of business travelers, hotel loyalty programs influence where they stay for work travel. Through World of Hyatt, members can earn points on qualifying stays and unlock benefits including early check-in and late checkout (where available), milestone rewards and free night awards.
Members can also earn extra points at participating Essentials hotels:
- Up to 30,000 Bonus Points at participating Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select hotels through Sept. 30, 2026, on eligible stays of three or more consecutive nights.
- Up to 50,000 Bonus Points at participating Hyatt House and Hyatt Studios hotels through Dec. 31, 2026, on qualifying stays of five or more nights.
Meeting Travelers Where They Are
Hyatt continues to expand its Essential brands globally, bringing more stay options to guests in more places. Today, the Essentials Portfolio includes more than 700 hotels across seven brands worldwide, offering dependable accommodations designed to meet the needs of travelers wherever their journeys take them.
During the first half of 2026, the Essentials Portfolio grew by nearly 29 hotels, with continued expansion planned across key business and leisure destinations. Recent and anticipated openings include:
- Hyatt Place JFK Airport (Expected December 2026)
- Hyatt Select Wooster (Expected December 2026)
- Hyatt Studios Tallahassee / I-10 (Expected December 2026)
- Hyatt Place Asheville Airport (Expected September 2026)
- Hyatt House Portland Airport (August 2026)
- Hyatt Place Ontario Airport (July 2026)
- Hyatt Studios Texarkana (July 2026)
- Hyatt Studios Chesapeake (June 2026)
- Hyatt Select Galveston – Beachfront (May 2026)
- Hyatt Place Vancouver / Metrotown (May 2026)
- Hyatt Studios Jacksonville / St. Johns Town Center (April 2026)
This continued growth reflects Hyatt’s commitment to meeting evolving traveler demand by offering thoughtfully designed accommodations and the everyday amenities guests value most. Whether traveling for business or leisure, guests can count on a reliable, comfortable stay across Hyatt’s Essentials Portfolio.
