Travel tip #145: Where to work when traveling that's not a coworking space or cafe

Hi Reader,

How has the week been for you?

I am still in Vietnam, this week in the capital, Hanoi, with a side trip to Ninh Bin for the stunning landscapes and nature before heading off to Cambodia.

If you aren't following us up on Instagram, go do so now to see what I am up to in stories. Or join our waitlist of you're keen to visit these two countries with us next year.

This week I wanted to share a tip on a great place to work when traveling that is not a cafe or a coworking space: hotel lobbies and lobby bars.

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Where to work when traveling that is not a cafe or a co-working space

I travel about half of the year but I can rarely disconnect from work.

This means that my laptop always comes with me and that I need to do some work at some point every day. Sometimes, I have to work all day and have planned the trip for that.

In those cases, I always look for hotel rooms that have desks and work spaces, but this is not always possible and some boutique hotels like the ones we select for our trips, are not designed for work but for leisure travel, so there may not be any space in the room to work.

Most digital nomads will pick cafes to work out from, and many cafes are properly designed for this, with power outlets, strong WiFi and comfy tables and chairs, especially in Vietnam.

When this is not an option, my best bet for working is a 4 or 5-star hotel lobby or lobby bar.

I have worked in countless lobby bars through the years, in fact, I prefer them to hip cafes designed for digital nomads.

• They rarely have time limits, they may not even require you to consume, as they wouldn't require their guests to do so and they will most likely assume you are one.
• They internet tends to be strong, and stable, and will not be shared with as many people as in a cafe. Lobby bars / areas typically have Guest WiFi access that does not require a room or booking to use. If you need a code, ask a member of the staff.
• Power plugs are usually available. If you don't obviously see them, look for what may be a cover of a plug. Power supply is needed for vacuum cleaners, so there are always plugs that may be hidden for aesthetic reasons.
• They are comfortable, many have tables and chairs designed for guests to have informal meetings in.
• You won't stand out, even if you have a bag with you, especially if it's a larger hotel with guests arriving early and waiting for check in, or leaving late and having already checked out.
• There are always toilets nearby, and if you need to go, you can ask the staff to keep an eye on your valuables, or even store them for you for a few minutes.

I have done this in countless hotels I stayed at, in fact, I enjoy going down to the lobby for dinner with my laptop and ordering a glass of wine and food while I get work done.

I could have also done it at a hotel I was not a guest at, and order a consumption, a water or a coffee, so I am a paying guest.

Tips for picking a hotel lobby

• Select larger hotels rather than smaller ones so you are more invisible and the general traffic of the place means nobody is paying attention to you. International chains like Marriott, Sheraton, Intercontinental, Hilton, etc. are full of business travelers so you will be just one of many and staff will assume you're a guest or meeting someone who is.
• Order a drink if staff comes to offer. It is likely they'll not expect further consumption. Lobby bars are generally open to the public, so you are just another customer, they are just less strict with consumption or less focused on it like a regular cafe may be as they are a service offered to guests more than a stand alone business.

Have you got any other tips for working spaces when traveling? Have you worked from hotel lobbies before?

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I hope you have an amazing weekend ahead!

Solo Female Travelers Co-Founders