Marriott Work Anywhere

Marriott Bonvoy is offering a new program called: Work Anywhere. The program offers several different packages that will be explained below.

These packages are designed to encourage people who happen to be working from home, to work out of hotels and resorts instead. So Marriott is offering enhanced benefits for staying at a hotel that will combine working and vacationing together.

A quick Canadian shout out to Toronto, Ontario for making being featured on the Day Pass and Stay Pass!

Day Pass

Below are the key highlights of the Day Passes:

• Locations: Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, New York, Toronto, London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong
• Check-in: 6am
• Check-out: 6pm
• Earn Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible hotel charges
• Receive a guest room with functional desk, private bathroom, exposure to natural light and premium Wi-Fi
• Receive free to access the on-property business facilities (e.g. printing, fax and scanning equipment)
• Receive a complimentary welcome amenity (e.g. water bottle, snacks, 10% gift shop discount)
• Receive lounge access (for elite members: Platinum, Titanium or Ambassador Elite)

Basically, it’s like spending a day at work, but in a hotel instead of a commercial space.

Stay Pass

Below are the highlights of Stay Passes:

• Locations: Available at nearly 2,000 hotels worldwide
• Check-in: 6am
• Check-out: 6pm (day of depature)
• Receive all the benefits of a regular hotel stay
• Earn Elite night credits and points on eligible hotel charges
• Receive a room with functional work space, private bathroom, exposure to natural light and premium Wi-Fi
• Receive free breakfast and complimentary evening cocktails (where available)
• Receive unlimited access to hotel amenities and fitness facilities (where available)
• Receive a welcome amenity kit (e.g. bottle of water, gift shop discounts, $10 USD food and beverage voucher)
• Receive lounge access (for elite members: Platinum, Titanium or Ambassador Elite)

Basically, in addition to a regular stay, you can expect to receive additional free food and beverages.

Play Pass

Below are the highlights of Play Passes:

• Locations: available in participating luxury and resort locations worldwide
• Receive all the benefits of a regular stay
• Earn Elite night credits and points on eligible charges
• Access to a business concierge to assist with work needs (including: preferred office/study spaces)
• Access to supervised kids’ activities
• Access to booking semi-private workspaces and meeting rooms (where available)
• Access to business facilities (e.g. printing, fax and scanning equipment)

What’s valuable at resorts are the business concierge and supervised kids activities.

Notable places with resorts include: Bali, Venice, Hawaii, Florida, California, Arizona, Cancun, Rio de Janeiro, Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), Limassol (Cyprus), Koh Samui (Thailand), and Marabella and Tenerife (Spain).

Thoughts

Even though it may not seem like a lot of additional benefits compared to a regular stay, I am still very impressed with this move by Marriott. I think that if this is a successful campaign, they will find ways to enhance the benefits as time goes on.

What makes this move impressive to me is the foresight that Marriott has. With so many social distancing measures in place, people may not return to commercial offices in the short term. This is a great way to combine a vacation with work.

From a financial standpoint, this could benefit people who may have been paying rent for commercial space, gym memberships, office supplies, etc. can now shift spending that money towards a hotel stay. All the while being able to earn points and elite night credits as the same time.

I really do hope that Marriott runs a successful program and continues to expand their benefits over time.