Opening a hotel: the keys to a successful launch
Opening a hotel is an exciting, but also complex project. It requires meticulous planning, a clear strategy, and impeccable execution. And it also requires the support of the best professionals in the sector, to guide you and help you through the process.
From market research to opening doors, each stage is crucial to ensuring the success of the business. But where to start? In this article, we will explore the essential steps to carry out the pre-opening phase of a hotel. The reason is that this phase is decisive, and lays the foundations for the future of your business.
Strategic Planning: The Start of Opening a Hotel
Let’s say you already know where your hotel will be located. Well, before building or renovating, it is essential to conduct a thorough market analysis. This includes studying the capacity of the sector, identifying the competition and understanding the needs of potential customers.
Based on the data you collect, before opening a hotel you should also define its concept and brand in advance. Only then will you be able to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. And you will also be able to give users what they are really looking for in a hotel.
At this point, the mini-hotel concept, with a capacity of 8 to 50 rooms, has positioned itself as an attractive option. So, if you don’t want to have a large hotel, you might consider it. Its small size allows for more agile management. But in addition, it is possible to have a return on investment in 6-8 years, as long as it is managed correctly.
Whatever the case, with strategic planning, opening a successful hotel will be more than possible. The important thing is that you consider all these points.
The pre-opening phase: a key period when opening a hotel
The pre-opening phase is the heart of any hotel project. For medium or large hotels, this process can last between 12 and 18 months. However, for smaller establishments, such as mini-hotels, the time is reduced to 6 or 9 months.
Even though the construction work is already underway, this period is when the foundations of the business are built. The goal is to ensure that, when opening the doors, the hotel is ready to welcome its first guests with confirmed reservations.
And what should you take into account for the pre-opening? Well, one of the first steps is to appoint a General Manager or a hotel consultant. This figure will lead the formation of the management team. And this will include professionals in sales, marketing, finance, rooms division, food and beverage, and a lawyer. Communication between these members must be constant, with regular visits to the construction site to monitor progress.
In addition, during the pre-opening phase for opening a hotel, a detailed budget is established. This covers everything from office rent and utilities to marketing materials and initial inventory.
But the financial part doesn’t end there. During the pre-opening phase, revenue projections are also started. Factors such as competition, hotel location and season are taken into account. A coherent and well-structured pricing policy is essential to avoid confusion in the market.
Pre-opening and other areas when opening a hotel
There are other areas that also play an important role in the pre-opening when opening a hotel. One of them is marketing. But to start marketing, the hotel’s philosophy, its pricing policy and distribution channels are first defined.
Of course, the pricing strategy must be realistic, considering the quality of the service offered and the competition’s rates. In addition, it is essential to promote the rooms and services through multiple platforms to maximize visibility.
Likewise, while the marketing team works on promotion, other areas are also in full development. For example, the rooms division is responsible for defining the categorization of the rooms. But it also defines what equipment each section of the hotel will have and the possibilities of adaptation according to the needs of the guests.
On the other hand, the food and beverage (F&B) division organizes the kitchens. Thus, this area is responsible for selecting the menu and equipping the restaurant and bar areas. Of course, always considering the diverse needs and tastes of potential customers.
Not to mention that the legal team also has a significant burden when opening a hotel. Their responsibilities include registering the company, drafting employment and supplier contracts, and preparing documentation for the hotel’s categorization. In addition, they must ensure that the establishment complies with all health and safety regulations.
Hiring and training staff when opening a hotel
Three months after the pre-opening begins, the hiring of operational staff begins. At this stage, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training programs are developed. This ensures that the team is prepared to offer exceptional service.
The selection of staff must be careful, as they are the face of the hotel to guests. Then, in the final stretch, the details that will give personality to the hotel are fine-tuned. This includes the selection of furniture, interior and exterior decoration, and even the design of the staff uniform.
Of course, do not forget that when opening a hotel, each decision must be aligned with the identity of the establishment and its value proposition.
Conclusion
Opening a hotel is not an easy task. It is a complex process that requires experience, planning and attention to detail. From market research to opening, each stage is crucial to the success of the project.
This is where IHCS becomes an invaluable ally. With a team of hospitality experts, IHCS offers strategic advice at all stages. Our expertise in marketing, pricing management and regulatory compliance ensures that the hotel is ready to compete in the market from day one.
