Freehand Hotels has launched the Freehand Club, which gives frequent travellers unlimited stays from US$2,499 per month. Olivia Palamountain reports
Boutique hotel group Freehand Hotels has launched a subscription scheme called the Freehand Club that is ideal for digital nomads who are frequently moving from city-to-city in the US, or are looking for an extended-stay base that’s an alternative to Airbnb.
The Freehand Club gives members access to one private room at any Freehand hotel (some rooms are for groups) on any given night within the month, plus unlimited access to open hotel amenities, a dedicated member concierge for bookings, waived daily facility fees and a Freehand Club welcome package.Fixed-price monthly membership starts at US$2,499 (plus tax) and is renewable for up to three months. The initiative is further proof that Globetrender’s prediction that the “Elite Subscriptions” trend (highlighted in our 2020-2025 Future of Luxury Travel Forecast) was correct.
Further hotel benefits such as free wifi, daily housekeeping, 24-hour reception, and 24-hour access to the hotel fitness centre are also part of the deal.With Freehand Hotel locations in Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles, there’s plenty of scope for US-wide travel. However, Freehand Club members will also enjoy access to Generator sister properties in Washington DC and Miami.
“Over the past several months, we’ve seen a shift in travel behaviours, showing greater demand for extended stay offers and a desire for as much flexibility as possible during a time of uncertainty,” says Alastair Thomann, chief executive officer of Freehand Hotels.“Now more than ever, it’s our pleasure to provide our guests with a solution to their needs. The Freehand Club has been born out of listening to what our community was asking for; exceptional value, quality experiences and flexibility to make Freehand locations their home away from home.”Amplifying the “home away from home” experience, Freehand Club members will receive a 10 per cent discount at food and beverage outlets across the group, with offerings ranging from the award-winning Broken Shaker bars to groovy dining venues and hip cafés.
Members can also look to fitness marketplace JETSWEAT for exclusive offerings of live-stream and on demand content from boutique studios and fitness disciplines.
With a new focus on personalisation, flexibility and value, membership schemes – especially within the remote working sector – are blossoming in the hospitality industry.Chateau Marmont in LA is becoming a members-only hotel, the first property in what owner Andre Balazs hopes will become a network of private members’ hotels. It joins the likes of Birch, which offers members access to its stately retreat facilities and co-working space outside London.
Don’t need to be tied to your desk? Selina and Remote Year are joining forces to combine a global portfolio of co-working hotels with a network of thousands of digital nomads, while members of US “workspace collective” NeueHouse can now work from select Design Hotels, as well as gain access to cultural and wellness events.