Personally, it was absolutely worth knowing that I’d have a clean, organized space, coffee, not need to fiddle with the Wi-Fi, not need to sign contracts in foreign languages, etc.
Most coworking places are clean, organized, have snacks, do not have Wi-fi issues. Most of them also have contracts in english or don't even ask you for a contract at all.
I keep not seeing the moat. The customer you describe "picky and willing to pay double normal rates when travelling to foreign countries" is quite of a niche use case.
Most people simply find the coworking that is closest to their hotel/train station.
It's also extremely unlikely that local coworking spaces in random countries around the world can be relied on to have robust contracts in English.
People with stuff to do don't want to waste time figuring out the nuances of a dozen different coworking spots. This is the entire use case for half of the hotel industry and why chains like Holiday Inn or Marriott exist.
Your cost argument also doesn't make much sense either, as if anything, using a service like Regus or WeWork is cheaper because you get both the travel benefits and the local space for the same price. You don't need to sign up for a separate coworking space and pay a separate fee for every place you visit. I get access to thousands of Regus locations around the world with my single flat fee.
In terms of actual monthly prices, I pay about 1/3 more than I would at a comparable local coworking space. Not double.
So yes, for a slightly larger fee (something like $150 more per month), that extra stuff is worth it.
You would think so, but this is incorrect. Every single WeWork you go to, across the globe, offers the same fantastic experience from "feel good vibes" to functional meeting rooms, wifi, and ad-hoc services.
But even if there are local gems, it becomes another chore to browse listings, read reviews, spend time deciding between Coworking Space A and B and C. With WeWork and Regus/Spaces, you save a lot of time and can just get there, and get busy.
> The customer you describe "picky and willing to pay double normal rates when travelling to foreign countries" is quite of a niche use case.
Not OP but just like luxury hotels are niche, WeWork is not your local coffeeshop and does cater to a different crowd. Whether that's profitable for them or not, looks like not for now.