Companies that want to attract, support, and retain talent need to deliver on workplace experience. In fact, 80% of employees say a positive workplace experience is a key factor in job satisfaction, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers study. Companies with a strong employee experience see a 42% reduction in turnover rates and a 21% increase in profitability.
Key takeaways
- Facility and workplace leaders can elevate the office experience by providing personalized attention, like the service offered at 5-star hotels, ensuring every employee feels valued and supported
- Implementing modern technology like AI-backed workflows, service request apps, and smart booking systems can optimize resource utilization and reduce administrative burdens
- Advanced visitor management processes can create a safe and secure environment, giving employees peace of mind and confidence in their workplace
Improving the workplace experience starts with understanding how hybrid workers pick and plan in-office days.
What’s behind the move to a hospitality-driven workplace experience?
Many employees on the hybrid work model tie in-office days to tasks that are harder to accomplish remotely. The office provides access to specialized equipment, technology, and resources that may not be available at home,
In other cases, they come to the office for in-person training and development sessions. They also attend meetings in person to facilitate better communication and collaboration, or they’re in the office to connect and socialize with coworkers.
In the Workplace Innovator podcast episode “’Partnering for Excellence’ – Empowering People by Delivering Facility Management Hospitality Services,” Ashleigh Fiora, vice president and head of strategy and sales at Striden, explains the effects of this new trend. Because employees are planning in-office time around events, facility and workplace leaders can now think of themselves as in the hospitality business. “Receptionists now are elevated to a concierge role, setting up Wi-Fi, taking your jacket, maybe they are escorting you personally to your host, getting you set up in whatever conference room you have.”
So, facility and workplace leaders who want to set a higher standard for employee experience can look to 5-star destinations for ideas and inspiration.
What makes a 5-star destination special?
These hotels go above and beyond to ensure every aspect of a guest’s stay is exceptional. It’s not just about the facility. The exceptional service is what makes every guest feel valued.
5-star destinations that offices can look to include:
- Luxurious accommodations: Suite options, such as executive, penthouse, and presidential suites, offer additional space and amenities, making them ideal for extended stays or special occasions. For example, the Four Seasons Hotel in New York is renowned for its suites that provide a home-away-from-home experience, complete with stunning city views and personalized decor
- Exceptional service: Each guest receives personalized attention, with dedicated staff catering to individual needs and preferences. The extra layer of luxury helps make the stay as seamless and comfortable as possible. The Ritz-Carlton is famous for its exceptional butler service, which has been a hallmark of its 5-star experience, ensuring guests are pampered from the moment they arrive
- Business and meeting facilities: State-of-the-art conference rooms are designed to meet the needs of business travelers. The business center is fully equipped with printing and secretarial services, providing a range of options to help guests stay productive. The Mandarin Oriental in London is known for its business and meeting facilities, which are often used by high-profile corporate clients
- Safety and security: Comprehensive security and surveillance systems ensure peace of mind for all guests. Safety features, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and emergency protocols, are standard throughout the hotel. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai is celebrated for its stringent safety and security measures, which include state-of-the-art surveillance and a dedicated security team
These features ensure guests enjoy the highest possible level of personalized service. By borrowing standards and practices from hospitality, facility and workplace leaders can find new ways to update and improve the employee experience.
What intelligent worktech features help deliver a 5-star employee experience?
By implementing modern intelligent worktech, organizations can optimize resource utilization, ensuring a productive workplace experience that delivers the high standards of 5-star destinations.
Comfortable, flexible, task-focused workspaces
AI-backed workflows make it easier for employees to find the spaces that best match their tasks and preferences. Employees see suggests, from quiet, private areas for focused work to open, collaborative spaces for team meetings and brainstorming sessions, based on individual preferences and needs, ensuring every employee can choose the environment that best supports their time in the office, increasing productivity and improving the overall work experience.
Intuitive service request apps for employees
Employees can submit maintenance and support requests directly to the maintenance department. The app is user-friendly and accessible from any device, making it easy for employees to report issues such as broken equipment, HVAC problems, or IT support. With a comprehensive list of common request types, employees can quickly and accurately describe their needs.
Once a request is submitted, the maintenance team receives an immediate notification and can prioritize and address issues. The streamlined process reduces downtime and improves overall efficiency in the workplace.
Desk and room booking systems with embedded AI
Smart meeting room booking systems streamline the way employees schedule and manage conference rooms. With company calendar integration, employees can easily check room availability, book spaces, and manage reservations with just a few clicks. The system also sends automatic reminders and updates, ensuring that everyone is informed about meeting times and locations, helping employees avoid the frustration of double bookings and last-minute changes and allowing meetings to start on time and run smoothly.
The system also provides detailed analytics on how often and when each room is used, allowing management to identify underutilized spaces and high-demand areas. With the right data, it’s possible to make informed decisions about space allocation and resource distribution, ensuring that the office layout is as efficient as possible. By optimizing space and resources, the company can reduce costs and improve the overall work environment.
Visitor management and advanced security systems
Visitor management systems and advanced security measures help maintain a safe and secure office environment with digital check-in processes, badge access, and real-time monitoring. When visitors arrive, they sign in through a digital kiosk, which logs their entry. The process helps track who enters and leaves the building, ensuring only authorized individuals have access to sensitive areas.
Advanced security systems, such as CCTV cameras and alarm systems, provide an additional layer of protection. In case of any security issues, the system can send immediate alerts to the security team, so they can respond quickly.
Turning the office into a first-class destination
Creating a 5-star workplace experience isn’t just about aesthetics. Instead, there’s a focus on delivering comfort, convenience, and care at every touchpoint. Just as luxury hotels anticipate and exceed guest expectations, facility and workplace leaders can elevate the office by blending hospitality principles with intelligent worktech. From personalized service to smart space management and seamless support systems, the modern office can become a destination employees genuinely look forward to visiting.
Frequently asked questions
By Amanda Meade
Amanda Meade is a content creator at Eptura, specializing in workplace experience, meeting productivity, and emerging trends in workspace planning and visitor management. With a background in content marketing and SEO, she crafts clear, actionable content that helps teams work smarter through in-office collaboration. Throughout her career, Amanda has worked across industries, including home services, healthcare, real estate, and SaaS, developing a unique ability to distill complex topics into practical insights.
