Hybrids are dynamic, multifunctional spaces where people can stay, work, eat and drink, and socialise all under one roof. In the past few years, we have seen a growing number of hospitality brands pivoting to the hybrid model in order to maximise revenue and cater to changing guest needs.
In this series, we’re travelling around the world to highlight the brands that are leading the way in this exciting space. Next up in the spotlight, we’re heading around the UK to see which brands are making waves in the industry.
Here are 14 of the best hybrid hospitality brands in the UK…
1. LOCKE HOTELS
Design-focused brand Locke Hotels ‘blends the traditional aparthotel format with the design, F&B and programming of a boutique lifestyle hotel’.
As a hybrid brand, Locke Hotels’ spaces go far beyond the typical hotel lobby. Some on-site highlights include flexible co-working spaces, microbreweries, yoga studios and rooftop cocktail bars. Each site also boasts a locally-inspired cultural programme of events and a team of in-the-know ‘House Hosts’ who are on hand to share their top tips for exploring the local area.
Owned by the edyn group, the pioneering hospitality brand currently has 9 UK properties across London, Cambridge, Manchester and Edinburgh. By the end of 2024, the Locke portfolio will represent 18 hotels across Europe, with plans already announced to open sites in cities including Lisbon, Copenhagen and Paris.
2. THE HOXTON
The Hoxton is a series of open-house hotels with infamous lobbies that are loved by locals and guests alike.
Back in 2006, they converted a car park into their flagship hotel in London’s Shoreditch. They haven’t looked back since and now boast several locations across Europe and in the USA. The brand has become so distinctive, we think you could walk through their doors anywhere in the world and know you’re in a Hoxton (without checking the sign above the door).
From the rooms themselves to the shared social spaces, the decor is vibrant, cosy and welcoming. When it comes to F&B, The Hoxton’s bars and restaurants are destinations in themselves, covering everything from a panoramic seafood spot to discrete speakeasies.
And if you’re a remote worker who lives in a city with a Hoxton, chances are you have set up shop in one of their lobbies to work for the day (we know we certainly have!). Here in London, you can go one step further and join Working From, their coworking space in Southwark.
Ennismore – which merged with Accor in 2022 – has announced there are multiple projects in the pipeline for The Hoxton, with the latest property confirmed to open in Vienna in March 2024.
3. GENERATOR
Generator is a key hospitality player, known for shaking up the traditional hostel model and creating innovative hybrid spaces across Europe and the USA.
With properties in 14 top cities, Generator combines the social culture of a hostel with the high-end hotel characteristics of design-centric décor, exciting public spaces, and high-quality food and beverages to provide visitors with the ultimate luxury on a budget.
As well as stylish and affordable accommodation, Generator London offers both guests and locals a variety of social spaces, and opportunities to relax, meet others and work. There is also a shuffleboard bar, cafe, restaurant and many more chill-out areas to kick back in.
In October 2023, the hybrid brand announced they are on track for a 50% jump in earnings this year compared to 2019 – a huge indication of the strength of their concept.
Oh and p.s… they’re also our client!
4. THE OTHER HOUSE
The Other House is blurring the lines between a traditional hotel, a serviced apartment and a private rental to create a residents club – otherwise known as ‘a house for as long as you are in town’.
Launching their first House in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 2022, guests are welcome to stay for the weekend or the year and can enjoy access to a private coworking space, weekly programming, high-quality F&B, a well-being studio and pool, 24/7 gym and more.
After launching their flagship South Kensington space last year, the lifestyle brand has announced that their second property in Covent Garden will open in winter 2024.
5. NHOW
Dubbed as one of the ‘artiest’ lifestyle hotels in the city, nHow London – their first UK property – offers a place (in Shoreditch) where city explorers and local neighbours can come together to socialise, work, discover and stay.
Owned by the NHotel Group, the property’s fluid lobby space has been designed as a vibrant hub for remote workers to work from. Whether guests want to work from one of the brand’s comfy chairs, their dedicated coworking spaces or need to book a private lab for calls or focussed work, nHow have it all ready and waiting under one roof.
The lobby blends dedicated work spaces with a bar and restaurant so if guests fancy a bite to eat or a drink of something stronger to end the day, they’ve got it covered too.
Looking to the future, nHow is thinking big with plans to open three more locations in Rome, Chile and Lima. We also hope to see them open more spaces in the UK too…
6. NATIVE PLACES
Native Places is a lifestyle aparthotels brand which provides guests with the fun and freedom of a local apartment as well as the comfort and convenience of a boutique hotel.
Dedicated to connecting guests with the local communities they are situated in through original experiences and clever usage of communal space, Native creates vibrant hubs that are truly immersed in the neighbourhoods they are located in.
Native’s current portfolio includes seven properties across London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh and offers both guests and locals the ultimate spot to stay, work, work out, eat and play. Each apartment has been designed as a home away from home for guests, with a living room space, fully-equipped kitchen and place to work.
The brand has announced ambitious growth plans, aiming to open five new hotels within the next two years as part of its 2025 vision.
7. LEVEN
Opening its doors in late 2021 in the heart of Manchester, Leven is a design-led lifestyle hotel created for guests to stay, rest, work and socialise for as little or as long as they wish.
Born through a partnership between Wellbrook Hospitality and Branco Capital, the hotel has freedom at its heart, with both the modern traveller and local crowd welcome to use the space to suit their needs.
Whether it’s checking emails and cracking through a to-do list with a cappuccino in the work-friendly communal space by day or kicking back and enjoying the local resident DJ with mates by night, the hotel has been consciously designed to make guests feel instantly at home and part of a community.
For those wanting to tap into the Leven community but can’t make a trip to Manchester any time soon, the future-facing brand can be found in the metaverse – in an architect-designed building in the Fashion District in Decentraland to be specific.
Speaking of the future, the brand has recently revealed a wish list of key destinations that it is proactively looking to expand into. These include other cities in the UK as well as Ireland, France and Spain.
8. CITIZENM
Hybrid hospitality leader citizenM has become well known over the past decade for serving guests who are looking to work, stay and play all under one roof.
The brand has five properties across the UK (and 30 across three continents in total), each offering remote workers the ability to mix business and pleasure – whether they’re staying over or catching up on emails in the lobby for a few hours.
Their relaxed open living rooms – open to both guests and the general public – are ideal for cracking on with work alone, connecting with colleagues over coffee or anything in between.
For 2024 and beyond, citizenM is adding a number of impressive properties and locations to its portfolio including a debut in Rome and Dublin, its fifth hotel in London (a fifth location), second in Boston and its third in both Miami and Washington DC.
9. SELINA
Selina is a hugely successful global chain which originated in Latin America back in 2014. Their model broke new ground in the industry and rapid expansion followed – you can now find a Selina in more than 70 destinations worldwide.
From buzzing global cities to remote jungle locations, their sites are created to cater to today’s nomadic travellers who are always on the move. They are a true hybrid brand – combining beautifully designed accommodation with coworking spaces, wellness experiences and local adventures.
The global hybrid hospitality brand secured $50 million investment earlier this year to continue its rapid expansion around the world.
10. GOOD HOTEL
Good Hotel is a global lifestyle brand that creates a unique and premium hospitality experience with a cause. Founded in 2013, Good Hotel opened its first floating hotel in Amsterdam before travelling across the North Sea to London’s Victoria Docks in 2016.
With interiors inspired by Dutch design using repurposed materials, Good Hotel London is designed to maximise space, style and sleep. With 148 rooms, an open-plan living room for socialising and working and a rooftop bar, Good House is a truly unique hotel.
Their motto is, “sleep good, do good,” and they live by this by donating 100% of their profits to education and training projects both locally and internationally. It’s really amazing to see hospitality brands focusing on their global impact and committing to making a difference in the world.
Currently based in London, Antigua and Guatemala City, Good Hotel has plans to open a permanent site in their original location of Amsterdam.
11. MAMA SHELTER
Born in 2008 in Paris, Mama Shelter – which Accor bought a 35% stake in in 2014 – is known for its affordable hospitality, edgy style and mixed-use spaces.
More than simply a place to stay, Mama Shelter offers a range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of remote workers, making it an ideal spot for those looking to work away from their home (or office). With comfortable seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a range of amenities on offer, Mama Shelter Hotel provides everything their guests need to stay productive and focused while working remotely.
The hybrid brand has 1 property in the UK – in Shoreditch, London – and a total of 18 properties across Europe and the US. In 2024, it is set to make its debut in the Middle East – opening a 197-room in Dubai – as well as Colombia, Nice and Zurich.
12. BIRCH
Hybrid hospitality isn’t just restricted to the city. With two locations in the British countryside just outside London, Birch is a great example of how the hybrid model can work anywhere.
Offering accommodation, co-working, F&B, on-site activities and a members club, this brand takes the best out of hospitality and fuses it together. Positioning themselves as more than just a countryside retreat has helped them to stand out from the usual options to escape the city, leading them to be named ‘Hotel of the Year 2020’ by The Times.
After the success of their first location in Cheshunt, Birch Selsdon was born in Spring 2023. Although Birch is still fairly new to the game, their rural hybrid concept is a game changer and we’re excited to see their next moves.
13. TRIBE HOTELS
TRIBE Hotels – part of the lifestyle hospitality group, Ennismore – is a series of contemporary hotels for a new breed of tech-savvy, luxury-loving travellers seeking affordability.
Creating design-led, budget-friendly accommodation (leaving behind the stuffy extras their guests don’t want), TRIBE opened its first UK property in London’s Canary Wharf in August 2022, bringing its portfolio to 8 properties across the world.
Targeting the modern citizen in a world where boundaries between work and play continue to blur, it is no surprise that their space at TRIBE London Canary Wharf is ideally set up for remote workers.
The ground floor is home to the hotel’s 24-hour ‘Social Hub’ with spaces to suit everyone, whether people are there to work, play, eat, meet or simply relax.
TRIBE plans to open 45 properties worldwide within the next five years including Budapest, Belo Horizonte, Warsaw, Manchester, Riga, Lyon, Bangkok, Singapore and Milano.
14. CITYSPACE
Blending tailored workspaces with sleek accommodation, CitySpace is offering guests flexibility, efficiency and affordability in central London locations.
Ideal for those who are working on the move while feeling at home, CitySpace has five locations across the capital where guests can work, eat and stay – and for as little or long as they wish.
The company – operated by Monday Hospitality Group – has short and long-stay options and dedicated coworking spaces which can also be used by both guests and locals. So far, their lips are sealed on future expansion plans but we’re intrigued to see what they do next.
Thanks for reading – we hope you enjoyed learning more about 14 of the best hybrid hospitality brands in the UK!
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