Corporate housing in 2024 enters a new era

Here’s how the pandemic changed business travel forever.

Kevin Crain

By Kevin Crain

Business traveler sitting on the bed and looking at his phone

Corporate housing in 2024 is far different from a couple of years or decades ago. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the main objective of corporate housing was functional. Companies prioritized a home’s proximity to the job site and a basic comfort level for the guest. 

The goal was to secure a home that minimized the commute time or was close to an office, favoring logistics over living experience. This one-size-fits-all methodology placed less emphasis on individual preferences overall.

In this article, we’ll look at how the relationship between work and home life has evolved for corporate travelers.

Enhanced corporate housing solution

pace university apartment tribeca tower blueground living room sunny solarium

Guest-centric corporate housing solutions have become essential for businesses. Why? Because people now spend more time in and around their homes than ever before.

That’s also caused companies to seek housing located in the best neighborhoods of major cities. This provides employees with both convenience and a better quality of life. 

In addition to prime locations, corporate housing in 2024 prioritizes flexibility and support. Flexible lease terms accommodate varying lengths of stay while reliable guest support provides confidence that any issues will be promptly addressed. 

Beyond basic amenities, these housing solutions aim to elevate the guests’ stay with features such as home office set-ups and access to fitness centers or social spaces. By offering a holistic living experience, corporate housing providers help employees maintain work-life balance and feel valued by their employers.

Quality & comfort are now critical 

NYC midtown ritz plaza bedroom with gorgeous city views

In a recent Blueground survey, corporate travelers ranked the most important factors in their choice of housing. “Overall quality and comfort of the apartment” topped our survey’s list, with 57% of respondents ranking it as the first or second most important factor.

In other words, housing for business travelers is no longer simply about the business side of things. Guests want to be able to easily take brain breaks from work during the day and feel at ease after work.

Record stress levels are another element adding to the desire for comfort. According to Gallup, 44% of the global workforce experienced stress “a lot of the day” in 2022, an increase of 13% from 2010. This makes it even more important for business travelers to have a comfortable place to decompress in their downtime.  

“People don’t want to be near the office anymore. People want to feel at home. We have a difference between home and office now. There wasn’t a strict line beforehand.”

–María Beatriz Albernaz Cioglia | ESG and Facilities Manager, Altamar Capital Partners

What else matters to business travelers?

Roof top swimming in a Dubai apartment building

Just like how employee perks have changed, corporate travelers look for those extra touches in their corporate housing experience, too. For instance, Blueground offers exclusive discounts and offers to guests. This lets employees staying with us save on grocery deliveries, car rentals, meal kits, and more.

Apartment amenities also play a part in giving corporate travelers the best stay possible. These are some of the top apartment amenities that guests want:

  • 🏊  Swimming pools
  • 🏋️  Fitness centers
  • ☀️  Outdoor spaces
  • 🐶 Pet areas

“On-site parking is important because we’re all from out of town, so we’re renting cars. The last thing you want to do after a long day at work is drive around and look for parking.”

–Alexander Moon | Line Producer, Truly Original

Back view of young man wearing a chequered blue and white shirt, sitting down next to a wooden table and working on his laptop with two notebooks and a pen on his left hand side and holding a cup of coffee with his right hand

Technology is another crucial factor. Whether the guest or mobility manager is booking the home, a user-friendly, tech-enabled experience makes a big difference. According to our survey, 80% of mobility managers felt that technology plays an important role in their booking experience with corporate providers. 

“You can look to see that for these two months, it’s this price, but this three-month period is that price. It’s the ease of self-service. I didn’t think it would be so easy to figure out, but it was.”

–Michelle Thompson-Dolberry | EVP, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at MFS Investment

The future of corporate housing

Furnished apartment by Blueground in Seattle

The post-pandemic landscape of corporate housing in 2024 is all about the guest. People are spending more time at home, causing them to demand a higher level of comfort and quality. 

Because of this, companies like Blueground are adapting what we offer. A personalized, top-notch experience that feels like home is essential.

Ready to experience the Blueground difference? See how we’re delivering corporate housing in 2024 with all the comfort of home. 

 

Kevin Crain

Kevin Crain

Kevin Crain is a writer from Dallas, Texas. He’s dedicated to helping every Blueground guest live like a local and make their apartment feel like home. His favorite topics include active experiences, bucket list essentials, and hidden gems in cities around the world.