Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

Remote work programs at resorts and hotels offer perks such as daily food and beverage credits, free or discounted laundry and property-specific benefits.
Selecting the right property involves considering location, weather, available amenities and workspace setup to suit both work and family needs.
Dining options, childcare arrangements and access to reliable Wi-Fi and office facilities are essential factors for a successful workcation.
Preplanning and confirming the availability of desired amenities and activities is crucial, as operations may vary due to ongoing health concerns.

What to consider

Some amenities or activities may have limited hours or be unavailable depending on the property's current policies.
Childcare and kids club services may be restricted or closed, requiring alternative arrangements for families.
Workspace configurations and included perks can differ by property, so it's important to clarify details before booking.

What you'll miss from the article

A step-by-step guide to evaluating and selecting the best resort or hotel for your remote work needs, including real-world examples and tips for families.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Ready to trade in your home office for a luxurious resort or hotel?

Perhaps you want to relocate to a new city, or spend a month answering emails from the beach. Or, maybe, you're ready to spend winter working from a ski resort.

With the Work From Hyatt program, for example, travelers can choose from 90 properties across the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean — all of which include standard perks such as a daily food and beverage credit and free or discounted laundry, along with property-specific benefits (think: complimentary golf and discounted spa treatments).

So, understandably, there are lots of options to sort through when finding the perfect place for a temporary relocation.

When I recently decided to try the Work From Hyatt program with my wife and kids (4 and 5 years of age, respectively), I created a system for choosing the ideal place to work that ultimately led me to pick the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, just outside Austin, Texas.

If you're thinking of taking your work on the road, here's how to select the right resort or hotel every time.

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Get the location right

There's a lot to consider when it comes to choosing a resort for your “workcation,” depending on the type of remote work you do, where you live and how far you're willing to travel.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines lobby. (Photo courtesy Richard Kerr/The Points Guy)

Planes, trains or automobiles

If you want to travel to a resort or hotel, you need to consider your comfort with flying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if you’re ready to fly, is the airline that services the closest airport to your desired hotel taking all the necessary precautions?

Travelers who fly will also need to arrange ground transportation to the hotel. Luckily, if you’re booking a Work From Hyatt package, your stay will include free parking. Many participating properties have even added a complimentary lift to and from the airport.

Watch the weather

My 4- and 5-year-old children need to burn off energy, and that meant my destination needed a bit of warmth so they could play outside. Fall in Texas is warm, but not overly hot, so there was plenty of fun to be had outdoors. We also don’t ski (yet) so the oasis outside of Austin fit the bill.

Are you hoping to enjoy the brisk, autumnal air, or do you want the tropical breeze of the Caribbean? Consider the weather and pull up that 10-day forecast to see exactly what you should expect if you’re relocating to a new destination to work (and play).

Set the scene

Sprawling urban jungle, beach retreat, secluded desert oasis … chances are, you can set up shop pretty much anywhere, especially if you choose a comprehensive program such as Work From Hyatt, which has participating properties all over North America.

Want to work from Music City? Consider relocating your office to the Thompson Nashville. Hoping to sneak in some early-morning turns before signing on for your first meeting? Maybe you should spend a week at The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Vermont. Need an office that comes with a private plunge pool? Splash out at the Andaz Mayakoba in Mexico.

I chose the secluded Hyatt Regency Lost Pines because it gave me the most peace of mind. I knew we would have plenty of space away from other travelers and not have to deal with the crowds of a large city

Work up an appetite

Dining should also be a part of your property consideration. If you're going to be somewhere for a week, you want to make sure you have a good assortment of dining choices on the property or within walking distance. You also need to know they are all operating during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines had a large selection of restaurants that could provide the flexibility I needed for long work and school days, as well as enough variety that I was confident every member of the family would be satisfied.

Plus, because the property is participating in the Work From Hyatt program, I knew I could count on the daily food and beverage credit to offset the cost of my workcation.

Office space

Just another day at "school." (Photo courtesy Richard Kerr/The Points Guy)

Sick of working from your kitchen table, or answering emails from your sofa? Moving to a resort or hotel that’s catering to remote workers can really improve your office space.

Every participating Hyatt property has a designated workspace, for example. Some properties will give you a second room, others a private boardroom and a few may even have socially distant coworking desks arranged in a large ballroom.

Give the property you’re considering a call and ask exactly how they’re creating comfortable workspaces for guests — and if you can request the specific setup you’d prefer.

Also, many remote workers enjoy, or absolutely require, access to unlimited coffee, water and high-speed Wi-Fi. Some remote workers may have additional needs such as printing, faxing (it’s still occasionally necessary in 2020, believe it or not) and scanning.

At the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, I had the ability to leave my computer and personal belongings locked in a dedicated workspace so I didn’t have to lug my stuff back and forth between my room every time I wanted to go meet my family.

School's in session

The work setup may also need to be compatible with two working parents who need childcare, or for children who have virtual learning needs.

Because most kids clubs in hotels around the world remain closed, you’ll need to have a plan for how childcare is going to affect your daily schedule. You also want to know if there's a space available where older kids can complete any required virtual distance learning. My kids, for example, completed their homeschooling tasks at a table we had in our room.

Activities and amenities

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Pool. (Photo courtesy Richard Kerr/The Points Guy)

If you’re going to travel to work from a hotel or resort, you want to make sure the property has all the perks and amenities you need to not only get your business done, but also have fun during your stay.

The range and variation of activities is where a lot of the Work From Hyatt properties really shine — and what made it so difficult to choose a single hotel. Did I want a chef to assemble picnics for my family at Carmel Valley Ranch? Or end a busy workday with a complimentary facial at a Hyatt Ziva beach resort?

In my mind, the ability to escape the house and have a week of equal work and play is what makes remote work so attractive.

With that said, I needed a plethora of activities that would appeal to kids, adults and the entire family together.

Sure, a beachfront property with a pool may very well be the only amenity some remote workers need to be content. But with the incredible variety of outdoor activities, including horseback riding, golf, fishing, hiking, biking and wildlife encounters at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, I knew my family would be set for a week.

Check the schedule

No matter what property you’re considering or where, just be sure to call ahead and make certain the amenities and activities you want will be available. Most activities were operating at my resort despite the ongoing health crisis, though many had limited hours during the middle of the week. A bit of preplanning and communicating made everything go off without a hitch.

Bottom line

There's a lot to consider when picking a location where you can work remotely for an extended period of time. Given the dynamics of travel right now and how the pandemic has affected many hotels and resorts, you really need to do your homework to ensure you'll be happy with your selection.

At the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, I had everything I needed to shake up my remote work situation: And I knew my wife and kids would enjoy the change of scenery, too. After all, sometimes the best part of working remotely is simply getting a new perspective after being stuck at home.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
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No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.