All cards are on the table. What's your pick?
All cards are on the table. What's your pick?
Business travel has fundamentally changed. Gone are the days of rigid schedules and swift returns. Increasingly, travellers are recognising the value of extending their stays, tagging leisure time onto business commitments and turning standard work trips into a blend of business and pleasure.
Business travellers are not just checking in and out for meetings anymore. They are exploring, relaxing, and making the most of their time away, all while ticking off their work agendas. This shift has created real opportunities for any hotel aiming to position itself as a true bleisure hotel, meeting the evolving preferences of business travellers and adapting to the new pace of work travel.
This shift has a name: bleisure travel. The term fuses ‘business’ and ‘leisure’ and describes a trend that’s changing the hotel industry for good. The numbers speak for themselves: 83% of business travellers took at least one bleisure trip last year. Of these, 71% were within the UK, while 29% opted for international destinations.
For hotels, this shift brings fresh opportunities and new expectations. Bleisure travellers aren’t just searching for somewhere to sleep; they want a partner who supports their wider travel experience. They expect flexibility, smart services, and the ideal balance between productivity and relaxation.
| Classic Business Traveller | Bleisure Traveller |
|---|---|
| Short stays (1-2 nights) | Extended stays (3-7 nights) |
| Purely business appointments | Blend of work and leisure |
| Standard business hotel | Bleisure hotel with leisure offers |
| Early check-in and check-out | Flexible timings |
| Focused on cost | Focused on experience |
| Minimal extra spending | Higher spend on additional services |
These differences make it clear why hotels need to rethink their approach. Bleisure travellers stay longer, spend more, and have different needs compared to traditional business guests.
Bleisure travellers have specific expectations when choosing a hotel. They want practical workspaces with reliable Wi-Fi, but also access to areas for winding down and leisure. This mix makes them valuable guests for any hotel that recognises and responds to their needs.
Longer stays, higher revenue
The most obvious benefit for any bleisure hotel is in the extended length of stay. While classic business travellers often check in for just one night, bleisure travellers typically spend 3 to 5 nights at the hotel. These extra nights don’t just mean increased room revenue; they also translate to greater spend on dining, wellness, and other hotel services.
Better occupancy during quieter periods
Many bleisure trips take place outside of traditional business dates. Guests extend their stays over weekends or use quieter business periods for longer trips. This helps any bleisure hotel smooth out occupancy rates and generate revenue during times that would otherwise be less profitable.
Positive reviews and recommendations
Happy bleisure travellers often become loyal regulars and enthusiastic ambassadors. They don’t just rate a bleisure hotel on its business facilities; they look at the full experience. A hotel that offers both productive workspaces and appealing leisure options will naturally receive more positive reviews.
Typical offers from successful bleisure hotels
Leading hotels have developed specific offers for this audience:
The bleisure movement continues to evolve, shaping guest expectations and giving hotels fresh opportunities to develop their services. Several current trends are defining what bleisure travellers want and offer every bleisure hotel valuable pointers for adapting to these shifts.
Blending work and leisure
Modern bleisure travellers no longer expect a strict divide between work and downtime. They might spend the morning working by the pool, join a virtual meeting at lunchtime, and head out to explore the city in the afternoon. Hotels need to provide flexible spaces and services that support these fluid transitions, the kind of approach that defines a true bleisure hotel.
Technology as an enabler
Digital services are fast becoming a key differentiator for every bleisure hotel. Today’s guests expect fast, automated communication and self-service options covering everything from booking and check-in to room features. Technology should simplify their experience, not complicate it.
Automated chatbots handle queries around the clock, mobile apps let guests control their room settings with ease, and digital concierge services recommend local activities, giving bleisure travellers the flexibility they value. These solutions don’t just reduce staffing costs for any bleisure hotel; they also make life simpler for guests, blending convenience with a smarter bleisure travel experience.
Understanding new guest types
Each of these guest types brings their own requirements that every bleisure hotel should factor into its service strategy. For hoteliers aiming to keep up with changing bleisure travel trends, understanding and catering to these needs is key. This new segment of travellers expects practical solutions, clear communication, and amenities that allow them to get work done without missing out on local experiences. Tailoring your approach to these preferences isn’t just good service; it makes your hotel stand out for bleisure travel.
Local authenticity is valued
Modern business travellers are more interested in local culture and genuine experiences than classic business guests. Hotels that foster real local partnerships and can offer insider recommendations have a clear advantage in the growing business travel market. For any aspiring bleisure hotel, being able to provide personalised insights and access to local highlights is a smart way to stand out.
The rising expectations of bleisure travellers demand clear communication and top-notch service. This is where HiJiffy’s AI guest communication platform steps in, supporting hotels in meeting the high standards set by today’s business hotel guests and ensuring every aspect of their travel both efficient and enjoyable.
Automated communication that stands out
For bleisure travellers, who are often working across time zones or need answers on the spot, having instant, round-the-clock communication is essential.
The AI doesn’t just respond to standard questions about check-in times or Wi-Fi passwords; it can also handle complex enquiries about local attractions, workspace options within the hotel, or leisure activities available nearby.
Bleisure travel reflects a fundamental shift in the way we work. The lines between business and personal life have blurred, and travellers now look for ways to combine both conveniently. Hotels that recognise this change and adapt their services accordingly deliver genuine value for their guests.
The key is balance: productive work conditions, relaxing leisure opportunities, and exceptional hospitality all need to work in harmony. Technological solutions like HiJiffy enable any bleisure hotel to manage these complex requirements efficiently, helping you meet operational goals while catering to the unique expectations of business travellers. With the right tools, your hotel can offer a standout bleisure travel experience that benefits guests and teams alike.
Bleisure travel combines business and leisure in a single trip. Instead of returning home immediately after work commitments, travellers extend their stay to relax, explore the destination, or enjoy leisure activities. This trend is rapidly growing, with modern travellers seeking more flexible, experience-based stays.
Bleisure travel boosts hotel performance in several ways:
– Longer stays (typically 3–5 nights instead of 1–2)
– Higher spending on dining, wellness, and local experiences
– Better weekend and shoulder-period occupancy
– More positive reviews, as guests value both business and leisure amenities
For hotels, this makes bleisure guests one of the most profitable and loyal groups.
To satisfy the needs of bleisure guests, hotels should offer:
– Reliable Wi-Fi and modern co-working spaces
– Flexible timings for check-in and check-out
– Wellness and leisure facilities such as spas or fitness areas
– Local experience packages, including cultural activities, tours, or dining
– Digital services like mobile check-in, chatbots, and automated concierge tools
Bleisure travellers:
– Stay longer
– Spend more on experiences
– Want a blend of productive workspaces and relaxing leisure areas
– Look for flexible check-in/check-out
– Expect personalised recommendations for local activities
With flexible booking options, modern workspaces, and leisure packages tailored for business travellers extending their stay, your bleisure hotel can stand out from the crowd. Communication is crucial here; bleisure travellers want quick, straightforward answers to their individual questions, so providing accessible and clear information makes a real difference.
It is absolutely vital. Digital communication, automated services, and multi-language support ensure that bleisure travellers always feel taken care of, whether their trip is for business, leisure, or both. These features help your bleisure hotel deliver top-quality service throughout the entire bleisure travel journey.
HiJiffy automates guest communication, spots upselling opportunities, and provides personalised recommendations, whether it’s workspace options or leisure activities. This delivers a service experience that delights bleisure travellers and takes the pressure off your hotel team, helping your bleisure hotel make the most of the growing bleisure travel trend.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive free resources and updates on impactful AI applications in hospitality.
Funding:
This project received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Contract No. 782509.
