Hyatt study finds 90% of business travelers use hotel rooms to disconnect

A study commissioned by Hyatt reveals that 90% of business travelers view their hotel rooms as the only space where they can truly disconnect from work during business trips. The research indicates a shift in traveler priorities, with 47% of professionals preferring to spend their free time relaxing alone in their rooms rather than attending optional networking events.

To protect this downtime, some travelers reported using tactics such as blocking fake meetings on their calendars or inventing excuses to skip work functions. The findings highlight an evolving demand for high-quality essential services. Key priorities for corporate travelers include comfortable beds, high-speed Wi-Fi, 24-hour dining options, complimentary breakfast, and flexible check-in times.

According to Jason Ballard, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader for Hyatt’s Essentials portfolio, these expectations emphasize the need for consistency and reliability. The study also noted that 79% of respondents believe staying in a high-quality hotel directly improves their work performance, while 80% state that loyalty programs are a deciding factor in their booking choices.