How To Start A Hotel

The essential infrastructure for how to start a hotel can apply toward a number of situations. These situations consist of new construction, purchase, remodel, renovation, reopening, and reorganization. While each situation has its unique nuances in foundation, figuratively, the common denominator is found within how a hotel starts. An advantageous start up point for all situations begins with the property and facility that will become a hotel.

To start a hotel, you will need:

• Site—commercial property, to include parking provisions
• Structure—suitable or adaptable building
• Utilities—electricity, water, sewage, garbage, recycling, telephone, Internet, and cable (possible gas)
• Financial access or support—minimum six months to a full year’s coverage
• Fixtures—guest room bath and vanity areas, amenity and lobby rest rooms
• Lighting—interior and exterior, all areas
• Decor—interior and exterior decorative treatments, all areas and aspects
• Flooring—carpet, and tile or linoleum
• Furniture—guest rooms and lobby
• Electronics—televisions, phones, and clocks, along with office equipment
• Textiles—bedspreads, blankets, pillows, linen, and towels
• Product—paper, glasses, ice containers, toiletry, and optional conveniences
• Supplies—housekeeping, office, and maintenance
• Standard conveniences—ice, beverage and snack machines (stocked and supplied by internal or distribution sources)
• Area business licenses and necessary permits—health, room tax, and amenity-based
• Administration—insurance, banking, accounting, transaction accouterments, and staff
• Marketing—advertising, affiliation, and promotion
• Signage
• Amenities—optional—recreational, food, lounge, room, and personal services

Create a plan that will address all areas of hotel operations. Develop categories that will serve to establish the hotel as a serviceable business. In a progressive order, prioritize and coordinate an order of needs that can enable the hotel to start accommodating guests.

1. Research and act upon any local licensing or permit requirements. Contacts for this nature of bureaucracy can be found through city hall, the county courthouse, or a chamber of commerce. Complete any relevant forms, as well as to provide necessary documentation, along with the remittance of listed fees. Submit these necessities, as directed, in a timely manner that will process in accordance to the hotel’s projected start date.
2. Arrange for utility service. Determine, through city, county resources, or online, the providers for electrical, gas, water, sewage, garbage, recycling, telephone, and Internet, along with cable or satellite television. Phone each provider, and schedule the appropriate appointments for services. Remit any required deposits to activate the hotel’s utilities, along with regular payment and billing arrangements.
3. Establish an administrative base. Develop and equip the hotel’s office to initially conduct preparatory business from. Install all necessary office equipment, electronics, communications, furnishings and fixtures. Once the hotel starts to serve guests, the office will evolve into its role of operational service.
4. Set up administration to facilitate operations. Secure and retain an accountant for all practices of accountability, to include taxes. Open relevant business bank accounts. Develop and maintain an accounting system. Contact credit card companies, register, and arrange for transaction processing, along with point of sale electronic system. Obtain appropriate types and levels of insurance coverage for the hotel. Acquire suitable benefits for staff. Calculate what will be adequate hotel staffing, then prepare to advertise, interview and hire accordingly. Investigate for and secure all provisional resources. Initiate and engage marketing plan.
5. Install, refurbish or service all bath, commode, and basin facilities. Whether it is new or existing, ensure that the hotel’s guest rooms, as well as its lobby and recreational areas, are equipped with appropriate bathing, toilet and vanity areas that provide user function, along with visual appeal.   
6. Conceive the hotel’s decor. Decide upon concept, motif, style and colors.  
7. Choose and implement all hotel flooring. Linoleum or tile for the bath, commode and vanity areas. Guest rooms, lobby, halls and offices benefit from the acoustics and comfort of carpet. Recreational areas require floors that are appropriate to such use.
8. Apply decorative treatments. Paint, appliques or textures are conducive for walls and ceilings, while blinds or drapery completes the windows. Add wall artifacts to accent.
9. Furnish the hotel. Select, order, receive, and install or place all guest room and lobby lighting, furnishings, electronics, and textiles.
10. Secure and stock. Impart the hotel with conveniences, products and supplies.

Reference:

Hospitality Net