In response to the co-working space trend, more hotels are recognizing the opportunity to monetize its unused public and meeting spaces with Crain’s Chicago Business reporting that the Virgin Hotels Chicago is selling memberships with perks to access the hotel’s second floor lounge area.
For US$55 a month, consumers can access The Commons Co-Op, a 2,600 square feet mix of social spaces that include larger communal tables, couches, bar seating and more private spaces for meetings. Perks reportedly include access to a bar, private meeting areas, a kitchen with free coffee and tea, a “funny” library, high-speed Wi-Fi, HDTV monitors and wireless printing. Members also get a 10% discount at the hotel’s restaurants and bars and a discount on a larger third-floor meeting space.
The area remains open to the public and hotel guests, but only Co-Op members receive the perks.
Members get early notices about monthly networking workshops and invitations to Room 72, a quarterly professionally themed event the hotel hosts with other co-working firms and industry leaders.
Virgin’s Commons Co-op, which soft-launched in November, has 20 members, according to the Crain’s report.