Coworking spaces have come a long way from a room of desks and a shared router. The best ones are designed around how people actually work — focus, calls, collaboration and the breaks in between. If you’re comparing spaces, here are the eight amenities that genuinely matter, why they matter, and how to check each one on a tour instead of taking the website’s word for it.
1. Genuinely fast, reliable internet
This is non-negotiable. Video calls, large file transfers and cloud everything all depend on it. Look past “high-speed Wi-Fi” claims and ask for the actual number — and crucially, whether it’s symmetrical (upload as fast as download). Asymmetric connections choke the moment you push a big file, join a call, or back up to the cloud. Also ask whether the connection is shared with the rest of the building.
On a tour: run a speed test on your own laptop, on their Wi-Fi, at a normal working hour. At Lyall Bay WorkHub the line is symmetrical 2,000 Mbps fibre, not shared with the building — fast enough for a room full of people on calls at once.
2. Soundproof phone and video booths
Open-plan is great for energy, terrible for confidential calls. Dedicated soundproof booths let you take a client call or a stand-up without disturbing anyone — or being disturbed. A modern space should have at least one or two; check they’re genuinely soundproofed rather than just partitioned, and whether they need booking.
3. Free, easy parking
Especially outside the CBD, parking is the amenity people underrate until they’re paying $30 a day for it. Free, ample street parking removes daily friction and can be worth $400+/month in avoided fees — often more than the membership price difference between spaces. It’s one of the clearest advantages a suburban space has over a city-centre one; we’ve broken down the full cost picture in the Wellington coworking price guide.
4. Proper coffee and a real kitchen
Don’t underestimate this. Good barista-style coffee and a well-equipped kitchen keep people on-site, energised and talking to each other — the kitchen is where a coworking community actually forms. Check whether coffee is genuinely unlimited or coin-operated, and whether the kitchen can handle real lunches (fridge, dishwasher, microwave) or just a kettle.
5. A bookable meeting room
Even solo workers need somewhere professional to meet clients, run interviews or workshop ideas. A private meeting room with a screen, video conferencing and a whiteboard turns a coworking space into a place you can run a business from, not just sit in. Ask how booking works, whether member bookings cost extra (at Lyall Bay WorkHub the room is included for members), and what non-members pay.
6. 24/7 secure access
Work doesn’t always fit 9-to-5 — especially if you deal with overseas time zones. Round-the-clock key access, backed by CCTV security, means the space works around your schedule, not the other way around. Check which plans include it: casual passes are typically business-hours, while monthly memberships should come with your own key.
7. Ergonomic, flexible desks
Sit/stand desks, supportive chairs and external monitors aren’t luxuries — they’re the difference between finishing the day energised or sore. A good space treats ergonomics as standard, not an upgrade. If you’ll be in daily, consider a dedicated desk so your monitor setup stays exactly as you left it.
8. A real community (and lifestyle)
The best amenity is the one you can’t fake: people. Networking, casual collaboration and the simple energy of working alongside others is why many people choose coworking over home. The spaces that nail it build in reasons to connect — shared kitchens, events, and a location worth being at. At Lyall Bay that means the beach 30 seconds away, the brewery downstairs and gyms next door, all part of the work-life balance that keeps people coming back.
Essentials vs nice-to-haves
Plenty of spaces lead with amenities that look great on a tour but change little day-to-day. A rough sorting:
| Essential (daily impact) | Nice-to-have (occasional impact) |
|---|---|
| Fast symmetrical internet | Wellness/yoga rooms |
| Phone booths | Event spaces |
| Free parking | Rooftop terraces |
| Real coffee + kitchen | Desk-booking apps |
| Meeting room access | Mail merchandising walls |
| 24/7 access (monthly plans) | Games areas |
| Ergonomic desks + monitors | — |
Nice-to-haves are genuinely nice. But if a space is missing an essential, no rooftop terrace will compensate on a wet Tuesday with three client calls.
Frequently asked questions
What amenities are typically included with a coworking membership? At a good space: internet, desks, coffee, kitchen access, phone booths and cleaning are standard; meeting rooms, printing, monitors and 24/7 access vary by operator and plan. Always ask for the full inclusion list — some operators charge for items others bundle.
What internet speed should a coworking space have? Enough that you never think about it: symmetrical fibre in the hundreds of Mbps at minimum, not shared with the wider building. Test it yourself on a trial day rather than trusting the brochure.
What should I check on a coworking tour? Run a speed test, sit in a phone booth, look at the kitchen at lunchtime, ask about meeting-room booking and after-hours access, and check what parking really costs. A free trial day tells you more than any tour.
What to look for
When you tour a space, run down this list. The fundamentals — fast internet, booths, parking, coffee, a meeting room, 24/7 access, good desks and genuine community — matter far more than a flashy fit-out. If a space has all eight, you’ll actually want to work there.
Want to see them in action? Book a free one-day trial at Lyall Bay WorkHub and tick off the list yourself.