By the time I arrived in Aruba to test the One Happy Workation experience, I was bubbling. Not like a glass of champagne from a freshly popped bottle, but a tea kettle that was close to boiling over and whistling to high heavens for someone to take it off the stove already. Some people can only work from home for so many weeks and months before a change of scenery becomes necessary for both productivity and mental health, so I headed to my favorite Dutch Caribbean island.
But it’s not always that easy to move your office hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Remote work programs quickly became a popular trend over the last six months or so, as resorts throughout the Caribbean and U.S. reopened and sought to offer travelers something different, yet still incorporating all the best elements of paradise and, most importantly, new health and safety protocols that will keep guests and staff protected. For several days or even six months, guests could establish a new home office away from home, and yet as great as that sounds, it’s risky.
What if you arrive and it’s just not what you expected? What if you were wrong about yourself and can’t deny the allure of the beaches and tropical surroundings? What if you forgot to tell your boss that you’re going to Bermuda and you arrive to find he’s at the same resort? Awkward! But seriously, there’s a very simple solution that will help answer these and many more questions—start basic and stay local-ish.
Our friend Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon recently put the Kimpton Surfcomber’s Work From Hotel package to the test, and it proved that Miami might just be the best possible destination for tempted professionals to dip their toes in the water. And if you’re still on the fence, here are three more Miami Beach hotels that will serve as perfect settings for determining whether or not a bigger experience awaits.
The Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Back in November, this iconic South Beach hotel unveiled the fruits of a $90 million renovation that took place over the last few years. Playing off the original 1950s style and design, this amazing Ritz-Carlton hotel debuted, among other new elements, the Club Lounge for the VIPs among us, and The Spa, which offers guests the only “Timeless Capsule” in the country. There’s also the new Lapidus Bar, named for the hotel’s original designer, and Fuego y Mar, a stylish restaurant that blends Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Colombian cuisines.
See how easy it is to get distracted from work?
Both the South Beach and Bal Harbour Ritz-Carlton properties offer guests the “Work and Learn” experience, which, among the aforementioned perks, allows them to turn a poolside cabana into arguably the best workspace in the Sunshine State. For those traveling professionals in need of the real deal, though, don’t sweat it—a one- or two-bedroom suite easily serves as an incredible workspace with the kitchen sink and then some. Supplies, printer, flip chart, remote presenter kit, and a turnkey professional remote presentation solution with camera, light, microphone and laptop. Even the cables will be handled.
Let’s see your interns pull that off.
Shelborne South Beach
One aspect that undoubtedly causes hesitation among working professionals with families is, well, someone has to watch the kids. Some resorts offering workation packages caught on to that dilemma, and they wisely expanded the concept to include virtual classrooms for children who can be inspired to finish assignments by big, awesome pools and even more time on the beach.
The Shelborne South Beach is offering a spin on a popular package with the “Family Fun and Getting School Work Done” experience that not only allows parents to use private cabanas as remote workstations, but also turns them into an afterschool hangout for the kids. Of course, that’s after they spend the day learning and completing work in the hotel’s makeshift classroom.
It’ll give the whole squad plenty to celebrate while enjoying a meal from the Oasis Pool Bar and Grill.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Maybe you’re ready for a longer workation getaway, but you’re just not sold on the idea of leaving the country for several weeks or longer. One of the most popular hotels in the area, Fontainebleau Miami Beach offers a variety of extended stay packages that begin at 15 days and can last longer than three months.
Not only will your new “office” have all the perks you need to remain productive, as well as those rewards that will keep you motivated (have you seen the Bowtie and Oasis pools?), but the longer the stay, the more resort credits you’ll enjoy to put toward a variety of activities that will undoubtedly make you want to tack another zero onto your 90-day stay.
