Google’s On-Campus Hotel 'Special': A Perk or a Push to Return to the Office?

​MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. — In a unique push to motivate employees to return to their office desks, Google is offering a "Summer Special" for its employees to stay at an on-campus hotel for a discount, charging only $99 a night.

The company, seeking to ease the transition to the hybrid workplace, has initiated this special, which will run through September 30.

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​The Google-owned hotel, part of a 42-acre campus adjacent to NASA's Ames Research Center, is situated in Mountain View, California, an area known for some of the highest real estate costs in the nation. The offer seeks to offer convenience to employees, allowing them to eliminate commute time and enjoy amenities like rooftop decks and local activities.
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According to materials viewed by CNBC, the promotion is for unapproved business travel, meaning employees will need to use personal credit cards and will not be reimbursed for their stays.

​Some Google employees, however, are not entirely convinced about the bargain.
"Imagine no commute to the office in the morning...you could have an extra hour of sleep and less friction," the promotion reads. However, the deal has sparked humorous reactions on internal discussion forums, with memes such as "Now I can give some of my pay back to Google," and comments about how living on campus could disrupt "work-life balance."

With the hotel special amounting to roughly $3,000 a month, some employees pointed out that the offer still seemed expensive. "If it was around $60 a night, that could be a fine-ish alternative to apartments, but $99? No thanks," one employee commented.
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Others were more optimistic, comparing the deal favorably to apartment costs. "I pay more and get a lot less in total for my apartment," wrote another.

​The move comes in light of Google's recent emphasis on office attendance. In June, the tech giant announced stricter enforcement of attendance, including tracking badge data and incorporating office presence into performance reviews. The company's HR chief even requested remote workers to reconsider their status.

As Google tries to lure workers back to physical offices after changes in return-to-office plans complicated by Covid infection rates, this latest step adds an intriguing twist to the ongoing dialogues about the future of work, employee benefits, and the balance between remote and on-site employment.
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While some workers might find the offer appealing, the reactions suggest that the larger question of work-life balance and housing affordability in tech hubs like Mountain View remain critical issues. The Summer Special seems to be both an incentive and a reflection of these broader challenges.

​A Google spokesperson mentioned that the company regularly runs specials for employees to enjoy the company's spaces and amenities. Whether the latest hotel offer is seen as an attractive perk or a gentle push toward the office will likely vary among Google's workforce. In a rapidly changing work environment, it's a creative move that's sure to fuel further discussions on the evolving nature of workplace culture.

Author

Charlie G. Peterson, IV