Hyatt finds business travelers value hotel
A Hyatt-commissioned survey reveals 90% of business travelers feel 'off the clock' only in their hotel room, with many prioritizing room relaxation over
Ninety percent of business travelers say their hotel room is the only place they feel truly 'off the clock' during a work trip. This is according to new research commissioned by Hyatt, which also found that 47% would rather relax alone in their room than attend optional networking events.
Some travelers go to creative lengths to protect this personal time. The source report states they block fake meetings on calendars or invent excuses to skip events. Reported excuses range from caring for a pet anaconda to needing to take video calls with family.
The essentials that matter most
Comfort and consistency are paramount for business travelers recharging on the road. Forty-six percent of respondents say consistency across stays is a top indicator of a high-quality hotel. Seventy-nine percent believe staying at such a hotel directly improves their work performance.
When prioritizing amenities, travelers focused on features supporting productivity and rest. Hyatt's research lists comfortable beds, reliable in-room Wi-Fi, 24-hour food options, complimentary breakfast, and early check-in as key. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed say they typically work in their hotel room after the formal workday ends.
Jason Ballard, Hyatt's Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader for Essentials, commented on the findings. "I travel frequently myself, and I know firsthand how much the little things can make a trip," he said. The company states its Essentials portfolio, including Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, and Hyatt Studios, is designed to deliver these everyday comforts.
Rewards for the road
Hotel loyalty programs significantly influence booking decisions for work travel. Eighty percent of business travelers say these programs affect where they choose to stay.
World of Hyatt, the company's loyalty program, allows members to earn points on qualifying stays. These points can be redeemed for future vacations. The program also offers tier status with benefits like early check-in, late checkout, milestone rewards, and free night awards.
Hyatt is currently promoting two limited-time bonus point offers at participating Essentials hotels. The details are presented in the table below.
| Brand(s) | Offer Details | Maximum Bonus | Offer End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Place & Hyatt Select | Earn bonus points on eligible stays of 3+ consecutive nights. | 30,000 points | September 30, 2026 |
| Hyatt House & Hyatt Studios | Earn 5,000 bonus points on each qualifying stay of 5+ nights. | 50,000 points | December 31, 2026 |
Members must register for these offers to be eligible.
Portfolio expansion continues
Hyatt is expanding its Essentials portfolio globally. The collection now includes more than 700 hotels across seven brands. During the first half of 2026, the portfolio grew by nearly 70 hotels.
Several new openings are planned or have recently occurred. The source lists expected openings for Hyatt Place JFK Airport, Hyatt Select Wooster, and Hyatt Studios Tallahassee in December 2026. Hyatt Place Asheville Airport is expected in September 2026. Recent openings include Hyatt House Portland Airport in August 2026 and Hyatt Place Ontario Airport in July 2026.
