In an increasingly digital world, the need for business centers in most hotels has diminished. However, rather than eliminate business centers completely, many hotels are updating them for the 21st century traveler.
IHG's Crowne Plaza hotels let guests wirelessly print to the business center from anywhere in the hotel - making it easy to print a boarding pass or handouts for a meeting. The hotel also automatically logs previous guests back onto their Wi-Fi network when they arrive, saving guests the trouble of logging in and out.
InterContinental’s new brand EVEN Hotels, which open this year, features a "hot desk" instead of a traditional business center. The hot desk will have two laptops and guests can print wirelessly from their own devices or from the two laptops offered.
Wyndham hotel group launched a new prototype, which combines the business center with the lobby. Computers are available with comfortable chairs and Wi-Fi making it feel more like home.
In 2014 business centers are more about making people's lives easier than providing a necessity. Hotels that can have a business center that stays relevant and makes their guests' stays better will be ahead of the game.
For more information please visit http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/hotels/2014/01/27/hotels-business-center-traveler/4777791/