Working from home was an exciting change for many to begin with, but the novelty can quickly wear off. Those same four walls staring back at you each day can really de-motivate, leaving so many remote workers desperate for a change of scene.

This is where the workation comes in…

The concept has been around for a while, but it really took off during the Covid-19 pandemic, when striking a good work/life balance became so much more challenging. Vacations quickly became a thing of the past, and home became a place of work rather than relaxation.

A workation gives you the opportunity to enjoy a stunning new destination, but with a strong focus still being placed on work. Whether you’d like to type away on a tropical beach or set up a temporary office in a luxury hotel suite, places all over the world are now catering to this popular trend by offering up special workation packages.

The Maldives

The Maldives may be a popular honeymoon spot, but it’s also an exquisite location to spend a workation. Sandy white beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and peaceful seclusion – what more could you want?

The Maldives actually consists of 1192 islands that are sprinkled across the Indian Ocean. With each island having its own unique charm, many visitors spend their free time island hopping to truly immerse themselves in this tropical paradise.

Where to Stay

There are now quite a few hotels in the Maldives offering workation packages. However, one of the most popular is The Nautilus Maldives.

Why?

Well, for starters, they’re based in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so you can only imagine how spectacular your surroundings will be. They offer week-long workation packages, but you can book for as many weeks as you want. Each package includes:

• A personal assistant
• A complimentary laundry service
• Unlimited refreshments

If you would prefer to work outdoors, they’ll set up a special workstation just for you, complete with private WiFi, printers and scanners, and even a portable projector with its own screen.

The Soneva Fushi is another good option, with this resort offering a 50% discount when you book a stay for over 30 days. Their unique amenities are perfect for when you have some downtime, from speedboat trips to nearby islands to a night under the stars in a luxury Bedouin-style glamping tent.

Singapore

Although Singapore is pretty built up, they have dealt with the Covid-19 crisis well, making it a great city in which to spend some time isolating away.

Just about every single one of the island nation’s attractions have adapted well to new restrictions, meaning that visitors are still able to enjoy the classics, all while staying safe. Plus, many of the country’s top attractions are outdoor-based anyway, such as:

• The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
• Fort Canning Park
• Sentosa
• MacRitchie Reservoir
• Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Pulau Ubin
• Jurong Bird Park

One of the highlights for many visitors to Singapore is the shopping, which many consider to be a national pastime. If your skin could do with a pick-me-up, drop in at one of the OROGOLD boutiques in Singapore, which are conveniently located around the island. You’ll be able to enjoy free product demonstrations, VIP facials, and so much more.

Where to Stay

Heard of the Singapore Sling cocktail?

It has made a name for itself around the world, and was invented at the Raffles Hotel, which also happens to be one of the best hotels in Singapore for a workation retreat.

Why?

Because they are offering “Work from Suite” packages, available on a daily rate. Each package includes access to the Raffles Butler Service, complete with secretarial support.

The InterContinental offers similar, but even has luxury pet amenities for those who want to workation with their pooch.

Florida

Famous for its amusement parks, beaches, and national parks, Florida offers workation visitors plenty of diversity. Covid-19 restrictions are starting to lift, meaning that its most popular attractions are once again open to the general public, although they will all still be following certain guidelines.

While the amusement parks may offer up a day of distractions, the relaxing beaches are usually the state’s biggest draw, with hundreds of miles of sandy stretches to choose from.

Some of the best beaches in the state to visit are:

• Clearwater Beach – with shallow and clear waters, this one is perfect for families with young children
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – relatively undeveloped, making it great for getting away from the crowds
• Caladesi Island State Park – another untouched stretch of white sand, which is also abundant in different bird species
• Siesta Key – the sand here is made up of pure quartz, keeping it cool even in the hottest temperatures
• Garden Key – one of the most remote and difficult to access beaches in the state, making it great for self-isolation

Where to Stay

Florida is large, and there are numerous hotels and resorts across the state offering up special workation packages. However, the Grande Lakes Orlando not only enjoys a prime location, but really does provide everything you could need for the ultimate workation.

In addition to being able to make the most of the hotel’s usual amenities, which include golf courses, several pools, and spas, the Work From Resort package comes with a Business Butler. Their job will be to help with admin tasks such as scanning and printing, while also helping you to find the best spots around the property with the strongest WiFi signal.

Parents with children can take a workation at this hotel too, thanks to the Grande Lakes Rangers. These can be hired by the hour or the day, and they will keep children occupied while their parents are busy working.

Barbados

When the Covid-19 crisis hit, Barbados was quick to respond, not only in terms of taking care of its people, but also continuing to remain appealing to visitors.

How did they do this?

By coming up with the 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp. This initiative, which began in July 2020, is a new type of visa that allows people to spend up to a year in Barbados working remotely. You won’t need to pay income tax, and you can renew your visa after a year if you would like to stay longer.

Known for its sun, sand, and sea, along with its friendly and hospitable ambience, Barbados is an amazing destination for a workation. It’s home to colonial architecture, historic plantation houses, so much natural beauty, and some fascinating local traditions, giving you a truly incredible experience.

Where to Stay

The Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados is one of the best hotels to choose if you would like to go for pure luxury. The hotel recently completed a number of renovations to make themselves workation-friendly. Long-term workation stays come with:

• Free WiFi throughout the hotel, meaning that you can work by the pool and on the beach
• An ocean-view cabana room with a private balcony, a microwave, and a fridge
• Discounts on food and beverage across all of the hotel’s restaurants and bars

Another option would be the Waves Hotel, where you will find the Working from Waves package. This is available on a monthly basis, meaning you get to enjoy a 35% discount on usual room rates, and includes:

• An all-inclusive getaway
• High-speed WiFi
• Daily fitness classes
• Complimentary spa treatments

New York

New York may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a workation, but for those living in or near the city, a local workation may be exactly what’s needed to give yourself a little break, without having to take any official time off.

Spend your days off exploring some of New York’s most popular outdoor attractions, such as:

• Central Park
• Gowanus Canal
• East River State Park
• The Bronx River
• Hudson River Greenway
• East River Waterfront Esplanade
• Randalls Island
• Madison Avenue (where you’ll also find an OROGOLD store)

Hiking, mountain biking, running, sailing, canoeing, river cruising, bird watching – there are so many outdoor activities that you can do in New York, offering up the perfect respite after a long day’s work.

Where to Stay

Manhattan can feel a little crowded at times, so make your way to Brooklyn. Nestled in Williamsburg is the Wythe Hotel, a former factory that dates back to 1901. Although industrial at heart, the hotel has been updated with so many modern luxurious, from heated floors to floor-to-ceiling windows, to custom-designed wallpaper.

Even better, this boutique hotel has repurposed some of its rooms to create private workspaces that include:

• A private outdoor patio
• Digital access to the New York Times
• High-speed WiFi
• Complimentary beverages
• A smart TV

They offer special rates for extended stays, making this a popular choice.

If you would prefer to be further away from the city, the Hamptons is always a good option. The Roundtree, Amagansett has been trying to attract the WFH crowd by offering up luxurious workspaces, complete with desks, printers, and meeting rooms. Complimentary refreshments are included as well, along with a special wine and cheese happy hour each weekend.

Being located in the great outdoors means that the hotel can also offer their guests the opportunity to partake in a variety of outdoor activities, such as:

• Fishing
• Golfing
• Tennis
• Hiking

Mexico

Being such a diverse destination, Mexico has something to offer to every type of traveler. The part of Mexico you choose to visit should be based on what you are most interested in, such as:

• Pick Tulum for ancient ruins and archaeological sites, along with beautiful cenotes, nature reserves, and great watersport opportunities
• Visit Cozumel for untouched beaches, natural wilderness, and some of the best scuba diving in the country
• Head to Izamal for colonial architecture and Mayan ruins
• Make your way to Guadalajara for history and culture, as well as incredible skin care at the local OROGOLD store
• Stay in Mexico City for culture, historic museums, and a delicious foodie scene

Where to Stay

The Palace Resorts hotel group is offering up one of the best workation packages in Mexico, and they have numerous hotels to choose from, including:

• Cozumel Palace, where you can scuba dive and snorkel straight off of their dock
• Beach Palace in Cancun, which is an all-inclusive family-friendly resort, complete with two rooftop pools
• Isla Mujeres Palace, which is a luxurious, couples-only resort
• Moon Palace Cancun, which is famous for being home to 15 restaurants, 13 bars, a world-class spa, and a 27-hole golf course

Of course, you probably want to know more about their workation package…

Well, this one places a big focus on children. Parents get to enjoy the usual amenities, along with complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, while children can make the most of the Make Paradise Your Classroom initiative. This allows them to remote learn in a state-of-the-art remote learning center.

As an added bonus, the resort is also giving kids and teens under the age of 17 to stay for free, including complimentary meals.

The Conrad Punta de Mita is another option, which is a resort based near Puerto Vallarta. Their Work From Paradise package has been available since September, and includes:

• High-speed WiFi
• Daily resort credit
• Early check-in and late check-out
• Hefty discounts on spa treatments

If you’ve been really starting to feel the stress of working from home, a workation may be just what you need. You don’t have to go too far – simply taking yourself out of your usual surroundings can make a huge difference, not only to your mental health and happiness, but also to your productivity!