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.