So, you want to start your own hotel business? Or learn more it? Or read just about anything to avoid calls and emails? I hear you loud and clear, let’s get this show on the road.
Hotels are great! Good food, nicely designed rooms, comfy beds- it’s like winning a fluffy robed lottery. But it isn’t all easy breezy on the other side of this amazingness. So, here are some things you should consider before starting your very own hotel business!
Do Your Research
It helps if you have worked in a hotel prior to opening. This would help you to understand what goes into the daily life of a hotelier. However, if you don’t have the experience don’t fret – everyone loves a good chat. Get to know people in the industry. Whether in person or through platforms like LinkedIn, connect with experienced hotel business employees and learn what goes into each department. Talk to owners and hotel staff. Stay at various hotels and see what you like or don’t like. Take some ideas you've found inspiring and make your own spin on things!
Look at what people are talking about online. Do they have strong opinions on amenities? How sustainable the hotel products are? Keep a watch on trends so you can hit the ground running with some great ideas and movements!
Figure out Who You Want to Market to
Once you know who your audience are, you’ll know how to best cater for them. Is it a tired traveller or a businessman looking for a room to stay in for a work trip? Usually, people will stay for one or two nights. Now that you have that information is to start thinking what you can do with it. For example, you could prepare day trips and attraction information for the area and work on a good breakfast menu.
Do you want to cater for solo travellers? Couples? Families? Once you know these things, you’ll be able to figure out room layouts and make every feature of your guests experience completely personal. And we all love personal! (Just don’t get too personal. There’s a difference between presenting guests with food and going on trips and eating said food with said guests…but each to their own)
Find Your Type (on paper)
The best thing about having your own hotel is being able to start everything from scratch! Every successful business starts with a plan. So, develop your business plan, the management you’ll need, the roles and characters to match them. Create a happy hotel family before opening to the public. Make it feel like a place you can't wait to come back to!
Get the hiring and hotel staff training sorted out as soon as you can. You need to make sure everyone is prepared to launch and get this party started! It’s best to get through the onboarding so that everyone has the necessary skills for business. Maybe find a chance for a cheeky drink night too. Guests can really tell when the hotel staff love what they do and get along with each other. Especially in a smaller hotel!
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And lastly, throwing this one in for good measure, but...
Have fun!
Enjoy the process and growth and don’t be too scared of getting right into it!
Of course, if you open a hotel, you'll need hotel staff. It's a good thing we offer numerous hotel job vacancies, so go and check them out!