- Optimises the use of space in its properties to extend service offerings and strengthen Ascott’s dominant lodging position in the new normal
- Launches ‘Work in Residence’ with on-demand services at participating properties worldwide
- Introduces ‘ASR Corporate’ for business travelers under its loyalty programme, and ‘Long Stay Residential’ promotion across its 11 properties within the Middle East & Turkey
Dubai – CapitaLand’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has launched its ‘Work in Residence’ initiative at participating properties worldwide, leveraging its design strengths to transform selected apartments into conducive work suites which guests can now book on its website.
With the ‘Work in Residence’ initiative, guests, corporates and students seeking an alternative location to work-from-home or study can easily book its spacious and self-contained work suites across over 60 participating properties in more than 30 cities, and over 10 countries. This includes Ascott’s 11 operational properties across the Middle East and Turkey.
Mr. Kevin Goh, CapitaLand’s Chief Executive Officer for Lodging and Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ascott’s strengths in the long-stay segment have bolstered our resilience against headwinds from the COVID-19 situation. Our record of securing 25 new properties in the first five months of 2020 as well as the addition of six new lyf properties in July are testament to the strong demand for our expertise and products. To ensure that Ascott remains a dominant lodging player in the new normal, we must be agile, continually adapt and develop new business strategies to future-ready our company. We are evolving our lodging products and services to cater to new customer segments, uncover alternative revenue streams as well as deliver greater value for our guests and business partners.”
Ascott’s ‘Work in Residence’ offers flexibility, convenience and value through its fully-furnished and well-equipped work suites that enable guests to just check-in and start work with minimal disruptions, enabling them to stay productive and connected. Larger apartments with separate living and dining areas, kitchen and individual bedrooms are ideal for project groups.
Guests have the flexibility to choose either daily, weekly or monthly packages. Depending on the length of use and location, the work suites come with a dedicated workstation, regular housekeeping, complimentary coffee and tea or complimentary parking at selected serviced residences. Nespresso coffee machines are also available in selected apartments.
Telecommuting essentials such as high-speed WiFi, wide-screen monitor, webcam for videoconferencing and Bluetooth speakers with microphones are available on demand. To enhance the work-stay experience, task lights, wireless charging stand for tablets and mobile phones, adequate power plugs and USB charging ports, as well as a stationery kit, are provided for guests. They can also choose from a range of services which include food delivery, grocery shopping, printing, concierge or book-a-chef for in-room dining.
Mr. Leong Teng Wui, Ascott’s Chief Development Officer, said: “With the launch of Ascott’s ‘Work in Residence’, we are seizing opportunities on the rising telecommuting trend to offer comprehensive solutions for guests to live and work in a safe and private space. Ascott’s award-winning interior design service team will work with the properties and owners to leverage our deep design capabilities to reconfigure and customise Ascott’s spacious apartments, to not only provide a home away from home, but also create a conducive, productive and well-designed workspace for our guests.”
Guests can enjoy a special rate when they book the ‘Work in Residence’ package with the promotional code ‘WORKSPACE’. For corporate bookings, please contact: enquiry@the-ascott.com. For more information, please visit: www.the-ascott.com/work-in-residence.
Concurrently, to extend its service offerings to guests, Ascott is also providing its ‘Space-as-a-Service’, by identifying different possibilities to optimise the use of space across select global properties, for multinational corporations (MNCs), entrepreneurs and small-medium enterprises (SMEs). These range from hosting cloud kitchens and Starbucks coffee kiosks, to organising live streaming or fitness activities in its apartments, and serving as parcel collection hubs for convenient pick-up of online orders.
“Through Ascott’s ‘Space-as-a-Service’, we are exploring ways to offer more services to guests while further optimising the use of space and capitalising on our properties’ adaptability and central locations to further grow Ascott’s business. This adaptive use of space and menu of new services will create an even more productive, conducive and stimulating environment for our guests to live, work, play and innovate in our properties,” added Mr Leong.
Parallelly, The Ascott Limited is also offering Business Travellers added benefits, through its loyalty programme Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), with its recent initiative ‘ASR Corporate’. Those travelling for business within the Middle East & Turkey can enjoy extended global benefits, earnings and flexible redemption on bookings at any Ascott property in the region or globally by registering for complimentary membership at the-ascott.com/asr
Within the Middle East & Turkey, The Ascott Limited has additionally launched a ‘Long Stay Residential’ promotion to support expatriates and those looking to shift from hotels to serviced apartments. This promotion has already yielded impressive results, as it caters to the comfort and safety of the long stay guests. Ascott’s 11 operational properties include: Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, Ascott Sari Jeddah, Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah, Spectrums Residence Jeddah, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh and Ascott Corniche Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); Ascott Park Place Dubai and Citadines Metro Central Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); Somerset Panorama Muscat in Oman; Somerset Al Fateh Bahrain; and Somerset Maslak Istanbul in Turkey are participating in this offer.