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, and why.
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 — at Lyall Bay WorkHub it’s 2,000 Mbps fibre, 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.
3. Free, easy parking
Especially outside the CBD, parking is the amenity people underrate until they’re paying $30 a day for it. On-site, free parking removes daily friction and cost. It’s one of the clearest advantages a suburban space has over a city-centre one.
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. It’s a small thing that shapes the whole day.
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.
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.
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.
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, the brewery downstairs and gyms next door, all part of the work-life balance that keeps people coming back.
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.