I paid $160 to work from a 4-star luxury hotel in LA for the day, and the free coffee and rooftop pool made me feel surprisingly productive

Brittany ChangApr 25, 2021, 19:18 IST

The Work Perks program at Hotel Figueroa.Brittany Chang/Insider

I tested the "Work Perks" remote work program at Los Angeles' luxury Hotel Figueroa.
The Work Perks program costs $140, about $162 after tax, for a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. stay.
The program was a great way to break my work from home routine and offered amenities not found in any office.

Los Angeles - the home of movie stars and sunshine - has a hidden secret: a luxury downtown hotel with a robust remote work program.

A view of Downtown Los Angeles from Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

Remote work has been a hot topic since the start of COVID-19, and more companies are now offering full-time remote or flexible work options.

My workstation at Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

To cash in on this trend, Los Angeles-based Hotel Figueroa launched its "work perks" program in early June, and about two to three guests use the program every week, Connie Wang, the hotel's managing director, told Insider in an email statement.

Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

To cash in on this trend, Los Angeles-based Hotel Figueroa launched its "work perks" program in early June, and about two to three guests use the program every week, Connie Wang, the hotel's managing director, told Insider in an email statement.

The hotel received a "very positive response" last summer when the program was first unveiled, and its popularity only continued into the fall, according to Wang.

My room key holder at Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

The hotel has also been in discussions with "larger companies" interested in booking its team spaces for remote work.

Common spaces at Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

The majority of the hotel's work perk guests live close-by, but want a workspace away from the confines of their homes, according to Wang. I'm sure many can relate to this.

Downtown Los Angeles. Brittany Chang/Insider

The majority of the hotel's work perk guests live close-by, but want a workspace away from the confines of their homes, according to Wang. I'm sure many can relate to this.

After over a year of working from home, I decided it was time to try out Hotel Figueroa's program.

The Work Perks program at Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

A Work Perks session costs $140, about $162 after tax, per day, and guests have the option to book an overnight stay as well.

The classic suite in Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

The hotel is located in Downtown Los Angeles, just a few blocks away from the Staples Center. I rarely frequent the downtown area, but decided the drive through the traffic would be worth the opportunity to work by a pool under the sun (more to come on that).

The pool at Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

The hotel is located in Downtown Los Angeles, just a few blocks away from the Staples Center. I rarely frequent the downtown area, but decided the drive through the traffic would be worth the opportunity to work by a pool under the sun (more to come on that).

After an hour of navigating the streets of downtown, I finally found the valet parking lot that was pre-reserved ahead of my arrival.

The valet parking sign at Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

I handed my car keys to the lot attendant and walked right around the corner to check into the hotel.

Hotel Figueroa. Brittany Chang/Insider

After getting a rundown of the amenities, I waddled over to the elevator with my tote bag full of work gear, tapped my card in the elevator, and headed up to the fifth floor to my temporary office.

Tapping my hotel room key to use the elevator. Brittany Chang/Insider

After getting a rundown of the amenities, I waddled over to the elevator with my tote bag full of work gear, tapped my card in the elevator, and headed up to the fifth floor to my temporary office.