Booking a hotel for a few nights is one thing. Booking one as your temporary office for a week or a month is quite another. A room that looks perfectly pleasant for a weekend break can become a daily grind if the chair is wrong, the Wi-Fi drops, or the corridor outside your door turns into a thoroughfare at 6am. The trick is to assess a hotel through a remote worker's eyes before you commit to a longer stay. Here's what to look for.

Look beyond the desk

Most hotels will show you a desk in the photos. What they won't always show you is whether that desk is usable. Is it wide enough for a laptop and a notebook? Is there a plug socket within reach, or will you be crawling under the bed to charge your phone? Is the desk facing a wall, a window, or a mirror? A mirror can be surprisingly distracting when you're trying to concentrate.

• Measure the desk space mentally: if you use a mouse, you need at least 80cm of width.
• Check for sockets: look for a socket near the desk, not just across the room.
• Consider the height: a desk that's too low will have you hunched over by day three.
• Ask if you can move the desk. Some rooms have a table that works better than the designated workspace.

Light: the make-or-break factor

Lighting is the most common complaint among remote workers in hotels. UK hotels, especially older ones, often have heavy curtains and low-wattage bulbs that make you feel like you're working in a cave. Natural light is wonderful, but it can also cause glare on your screen. Look for a room with a desk near a window but with blinds or curtains you can adjust through the day.

• A dedicated desk lamp is a bonus. If the room doesn't have one, ask at reception.
• Test the lighting at different times of day if you can, or ask about the room's aspect.
• Bring a small travel lamp if you're staying somewhere dim. It takes up little space and saves your eyes.
• Avoid rooms with only overhead downlights that cast shadows on your keyboard.

The chair test: sit before you commit

The chair is the most overlooked piece of furniture in any hotel room. Hotel chairs are often chosen for looks, not for lumbar support. If you're staying more than two nights, ask to sit in the chair before you book, or request a room with an ergonomic chair. Some hotels have them; many don't. A bad chair will make you stiff, distracted, and less productive.

• Look for adjustable height and a back that supports your lower spine.
• A cushion from home can help, but it won't fix a fundamentally bad chair.
• If the chair is fixed, consider a standing desk setup using an ironing board. It's a classic remote worker hack, and it works surprisingly well.
• Ask if the hotel can swap the chair for a different one from another room.

Internet speed: don't take their word for it

"Free Wi-Fi" can mean anything from fibre broadband to a feeble signal that dies at 9pm when everyone else streams a film. Before you commit to a longer stay, ask for a speed test result. If the hotel can't provide one, use your phone to run a test from the room you're considering. Upload speed matters as much as download speed if you take video calls.

• Ask about the upload speed specifically. A 100Mbps download with 2Mbps upload will ruin your video calls.
• Check if there's a wired connection in the room. It's often more stable than Wi-Fi.
• Test the signal in the exact spot you'll work, not just in the lobby.
• Have a backup plan: a mobile hotspot or a local SIM with plenty of data.

Quiet hours and the rhythm of the building

Noise is the enemy of focus. A room near the lift, the ice machine, or a busy road can ruin your concentration. Ask for a room at the end of a corridor, away from stairwells and service doors. In the UK, many older hotels have sash windows that rattle in the wind, so check if the room is double-glazed if you're sensitive to sound.

• Ask about housekeeping times and whether they can work around your calls.
• Check if there's a bar or restaurant below your window. Ask for a room on the other side.
• Bring earplugs, but also ask to move if the noise is persistent. Most hotels will accommodate you.
• Find out if there are any events or weddings during your stay. They can change the atmosphere completely.

Little extras that make a long stay work

Once the basics are covered, think about the details that turn a hotel room into a workable home. Storage matters: a wardrobe you can actually hang clothes in, and a drawer for socks and underwear. A fridge for milk and snacks saves money and time. A kettle is standard, but a microwave or kitchenette is a game-changer for longer stays.

• Ask about laundry facilities or a nearby laundrette. You don't want to pack for a month.
• Blackout curtains help if you're working across time zones or just need a lie-in.
• Check the mobile signal in the room. It's easy to forget until you need to make a call.
• Ask about weekly rates and whether they include breakfast. It can save a surprising amount.
• Find out if there's a quiet lounge or coworking space you can use when you need a change of scene.

Choosing the right hotel for remote work is about being honest with yourself about how you work best. If you need silence, prioritise it. If you need natural light, don't settle for a north-facing box. A few extra questions before you book can save you from a miserable week of hunching over a tiny desk in a dark corner. Take your time, ask for what you need, and don't be afraid to move rooms if the first one doesn't work out. Your productivity, and your back, will thank you.