Maria Hamilton, Director at CUSTARD, discusses the 'Bleisure' trend and whether it's a nice to have for guests, or preventing them from truly switching off. 

Welcome to the age of convenience, where the world is at our fingertips, and with a strong Wi-Fi signal, work can happen from just about anywhere. But as technology gives us this constant accessibility, it also brings with it a growing concern: are we blurring the lines between business and leisure so much that we’re losing sight of where one ends and the other begins?

Enter: the bleisure bloom.

First, a quick distinction. In the traditional sense, bleisure refers to the practice of combining business travel with leisure time—typically by extending a business trip to include personal activities or days off. It differs from a workcation, where individuals intentionally take their work on holiday with them, or choose to work remotely from a desired location for an extended period. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they carry different implications for both wellbeing and workplace culture.

Once seen as a business trip with a cheeky weekend tacked on, bleisure travel has become something altogether more complex. In a culture where we're always connected, and "out of office" often just means "working in a nicer setting," we have to ask: is bleisure still a perk—or is it becoming part of the problem?

A recent survey found that 42% of the UK workforce continues to check in on work while on holiday, and for high earners, that number rises to 66%. Another report showed 48% of employees respond to work messages during annual leave, while a staggering 39% even do so when they’re off sick. This raises serious questions about mental health and our ability to truly switch off.

Convenience: Cost, Climate and Culture

Bleisure offers an appealing triangle: cost-efficiency (since the company often covers the travel), climate-consciousness (fewer flights for combined travel), and culture (more meaningful, experience-driven stays). There’s an argument to be made that when done right, bleisure is good for the planet and the people. But it also demands responsibility.

The risk? That we forget which hat we’re wearing. That we dilute the quality of both work and leisure by never quite being fully in either mode.

So what does bleisure mean now?

Is it the silver lining of the convenience crisis—a way to add balance back into our overworked lives? Or is it just another symptom of an always-on culture that never lets us fully disconnect? Arguably, it’s both. And that’s what makes it worth unpacking.

Bleisure has evolved. It’s no longer just about solo travellers grabbing some sightseeing after meetings. Today it encompasses everything from digital nomads setting up office on the coast of Portugal to corporate travellers inviting family along and extending the stay. And with 82% of bleisure travellers now staying at the same hotel for both work and play, hoteliers are uniquely positioned to lead this conversation.

Client Voices: Meeting the Moment

In London, where many guests extend work trips to explore the capital, Clermont Hotel Group has partnered with Obvlo to offer personalised recommendations through AI tools that adapt to whether guests are visiting for business, leisure or both. Stuart Yeates, chief commercial officer of the hotel group, said: “We know that what makes a stay memorable is the experience, particularly for corporate travellers looking to make the most of their limited leisure time while away from home. By offering personalised AI itinerary recommendations through tools like Obvlo we’re helping our guests discover what experiences London has to offer however long their length of stay.”

Meanwhile, at Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey, their managing director Tej Walia MI, has been monitoring and responding to changes in business and leisure behaviour, especially for business meetings and events: “While we are fortunate enough to be able to offer a range of meetings and events spaces, we’re great advocates that those attending a business meeting or away day need balance and that business can actually benefit if combined with leisure activities and extended stays. In a recent survey we found that 72.1% of respondents said that a full-day meeting that included an afternoon activity such as padel or pickleball, croquet, a driving range lesson, and holistic sessions like yoga or pilates is the most effective format for providing both productivity and balance.”

And it’s not just London calling. While the capital has earned its place as the world’s No. 2 bleisure destination for 2025, demand for experience-rich business travel is growing nationwide. Victoria Poole, director of sales at The Milner York said: “York continues to establish itself as one of the UK’s key destination cities. It’s rich in history and culture, and we’re finding it’s increasingly popular for business travel thanks to its central location in the North of England and being just two hours from London by train. It’s also ideal for international visitors looking to extend their stay and experience more of the UK outside of London. We’re a city that blends business and leisure effortlessly.”

What’s more, it’s not just seasoned execs leading the charge. According to London Loves Business, 68% of UK workers say they find business trips more appealing when they can incorporate a holiday—with younger age groups particularly motivated by the chance to blend career and adventure.

Leaning In Without Losing Ourselves

As developers pivot to experience-led design, and operators rethink corporate packages to encourage extended stays, there’s clearly opportunity in embracing bleisure. But we must also redefine it. It's not just about blending business and leisure—it's about creating the conditions for people to be fully present in both.

Emma Jones, PR Manager at Custard, said: “Hotels can no longer afford to see business and leisure as separate markets—they’re merging fast, and your strategy needs to reflect that. If you’re not already on the accommodation list, the question becomes: how do you stay relevant and extend your appeal to this changing bleisure audience? That means thinking beyond the meeting room. Are you offering flexible check-outs to support late travel? Curated family-friendly add-ons for partners and kids? Mental wellness resources that go beyond the brochure? And crucially, are employers and hotel teams alike supporting genuine disconnection after hours—not just in policy, but in practice? The hotels that get this right won’t just meet expectations—they’ll earn lasting loyalty.”

Boundaries Make It Better

The world of work has changed, and with it, so has the way we travel. Bleisure is no longer the fringe benefit—it’s fast becoming the norm. And while that presents new challenges, it also opens the door to a healthier, more balanced way of working and living.

If we embrace the perks of flexibility while setting clearer personal boundaries, we can redefine what bleisure really means. Not a blurring of lines, but a smarter, more intentional approach to work-life balance that allows us to truly enjoy the best of both worlds.