Hotel rooms are increasingly becoming a place to escape work rather than simply sleep during business trips, according to new research commissioned by Hyatt.
The survey found that 90% of U.S. business travelers consider their hotel room the only place where they can truly feel “off the clock” during a work trip.
Nearly half, 47%, said they would rather spend their free time relaxing alone in their room than attend optional networking events.
The research was conducted by Talker Research for Hyatt between May 29 and June 11, 2026, surveying 2,000 U.S. business travelers, split evenly between extended-stay and transient business travelers.
Business Travelers Prioritize Comfort and Reliable Wi-Fi
The survey examined which hotel features matter most to travelers balancing work with downtime.
Comfortable beds and reliable in-room Wi-Fi were among the most important amenities, alongside 24-hour food options, complimentary breakfast and early check-in.
Consistency also emerged as an important consideration. Some 46% of respondents identified consistency between stays as one of the main indicators of a high-quality hotel.
Meanwhile, 79% said staying at a high-quality hotel directly improves their work performance.
“Business travel has evolved and so have travelers’ expectations,” said Jason Ballard, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Leader, Essentials at Hyatt.
“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.”
Nearly Three-Quarters Continue Working from Their Hotel Room
The distinction between working and relaxing in hotel rooms is not always clear.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they typically continue working in their hotel room after the formal workday has ended.
At the same time, some business travelers are actively trying to protect their downtime. According to Hyatt’s research, respondents reported blocking fake meetings in their calendars or inventing excuses to avoid optional work events.
Hyatt is using the findings to highlight its Essentials portfolio, where guestrooms are designed to accommodate both work and downtime through features such as dedicated workspaces.
The portfolio includes brands such as Hyatt Place, Hyatt House and Hyatt Studios, alongside other select-service and extended-stay concepts.
80% Say Hotel Loyalty Programs Influence Booking Decisions
Hotel loyalty programs also play a significant role in business travel decisions.
According to the survey, 80% of respondents said loyalty programs influence where they choose to stay when travelling for work.
Hyatt is currently running two World of Hyatt promotions covering participating properties in its Essentials portfolio.
Members who register can earn up to 30,000 Bonus Points on eligible stays of at least three consecutive nights at participating Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select hotels. The promotion runs through September 30, 2026.
A separate extended-stay promotion offers 5,000 Bonus Points on qualifying stays of five nights or longer at participating Hyatt House and Hyatt Studios properties, with members able to earn up to 50,000 Bonus Points through December 31, 2026.
Hyatt Essentials Portfolio Grows Beyond 700 Hotels
Hyatt’s Essentials portfolio now includes more than 700 hotels across seven brands worldwide.
The portfolio expanded by nearly 70 hotels during the first half of 2026, with additional openings planned through the remainder of the year.
Recent openings include Hyatt House Portland Airport in August, Hyatt Place Ontario Airport and Hyatt Studios Texarkana in July, and Hyatt Studios Chesapeake in June.
Other additions earlier in the year included Hyatt Select Galveston – Beachfront, Hyatt Place Vancouver / Metrotown and Hyatt Studios Jacksonville / St. Johns Town Center.
Several further openings are planned before the end of 2026.
Hyatt Place Asheville Airport is expected to open in September, while Hyatt Place JFK Airport, Hyatt Select Wooster and Hyatt Studios Tallahassee / I-10 are all scheduled for December.
The expansion reflects continued hotel industry investment in select-service and extended-stay accommodation, particularly products aimed at travelers seeking predictable amenities and practical workspaces without the broader facilities of full-service hotels.
For Hyatt, its latest research suggests that those practical features are increasingly important not only for productivity but also for giving business travelers somewhere to disconnect once the workday is over.
