HotelsMag November 2017 | Page 14

TRENDING
A co-working space at a Selina hotel
By JEFF WEINSTEIN , EDITOR IN CHIEF

Are co-working spaces the next big hotel amenity ? It ’ s part of the lobby design of Hard Rock International ’ s Reverb concept ( currently in trademark litigation with RLH Corp .). Coworking spaces are integral to membership brands such as Soho House and emerging lifestyle concepts like Mob Hotels that play to “ digital nomads .”

Enter Selina . The affordable boutique hotel company based in Bogotá , Colombia , has 12 properties open , and more on the way , in South and Central American locations ranging from surf beaches and jungle retreats to city centers .
With co-work spaces playing an important
role , accommodations range from US $ 25 per night for a shared bunkroom to US $ 400 for a luxury private king suite . For the perpetual traveler , Selina plans to offer a flat US $ 250 monthly rate for access to its property network .
“ These co-work spaces are a big need of the modern-day traveler ,” says Selina ’ s co-work director , Dean Leibowitz , adding that the public ’ s understanding of the movement will grow as it gets more momentum . “ They don ’ t want to be stuck in a cube from 9 to 5 ; they ’ d rather work seven days a week on their own time and place . The idea of high-quality WiFi in a remote area with like-minded

CO ~ WORKING it OUT

people creates a great community environment .”
Selina CoWork spaces range from private offices to boardrooms and group spaces with updated technology and a focus on productivity . “ The ROI for co-work spaces is more quantifiable in city locations and more qualifiable in remote locations ,” Liebowitz adds . “ The experience brings a more aspirational
crowd on board .”
Founders Rafael Museri and Daniel Rudasevski plan to expand Selina to 37 hotels throughout Latin America by year-end 2017 , as well as the Caribbean and North America , including multiple flags in Jamaica , the Dominican Republic and Miami . In August , openings were planned for Jaco and La Fortuna , Costa Rica ; Medellin , Colombia ;
and Antigua , Guatemala . Services and amenities include a surf club , yoga , visual arts programs , language schools via Selina Academy and Selina Explore , an inter-property concierge and a travel and tour agency . It engages the local community through training programs , and its staff has handcrafted most of the furniture and fixtures through upcycling .
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