Start thinking of your hotel's curb appeal
The values of hotel curb appeal
It’s as true of hotels as it is of houses: You only get one chance to make a strong first impression. The exterior of your hotel is the first way you communicate with drive-by visitors or local would-be guests. It can either wow them or turn them away, so ignoring outdoor renovations and upkeep is not smart. How often do you have walk-in guests? And how often, on the flip side, do you see guests cancel reservations after arriving? Both of these clues give you an idea of whether you’ve got a curb appeal problem.
Typical outdoor renovations for hotel improvement
So let’s say you want to give your hotel a facelift. Where do you start? While the specific renovations needed at your location depends on your current levels of upkeep, repair needs, etc., it helps to have a few key areas you know to evaluate. For improving your hotel’s exterior features, renovations usually fall under the following categories: the building and its entrance; outdoor lighting and landscaping; parking lots; and outdoor patios or pools.
Hotel building and entrance
One of the first and most important ways a hotel creates a distinct feel and a pleasing atmosphere is through its exterior and front entrance. The building must be in mint condition, with repairs quickly attended to, siding intact and windows shiny and so on. Likewise, the front entrance, which is where guests will step inside your hotel, must be welcoming, attractive and meticulously maintained.
Outdoor lighting and landscaping
The average homeowner knows manicured landscaping and attractive lighting make a home more desirable to sellers, so he or she also knows a well-maintained hotel should take care of its flowers, lawn, trees, lighting and so on. So how do you evaluate your lighting and landscaping? Identify any problem areas and tackle those right away, whether that means trimming hedges, watering flowers, replacing light bulbs or something else. Next, determine what upgrades you might make. Once new features are implemented, set a specific maintenance plan for regular upkeep.
Parking lots
To improve the value of your parking lot, repair any damages, implement a clear plan for regular maintenance and keep all signage looking new. While these details might seem small, they contribute to a guest’s first impressions of your hotel, usually before he or she has ever stepped inside—so they are important.
Patios and pools
Amenities that surround the pool, from patio areas to lounge chairs, add value in the minds of guests. To make the most of these outdoor spaces, keep everything in pristine condition, using a detailed maintenance plan to ensure everything is clean and in good shape. Additionally, be sure to provide plenty of clean towels near the pool, offer shade structures such as umbrellas and canopies, and post clear safety guidelines to protect your guests.
Is it time for your hotel to undergo exterior renovations? If you see the need for change but wonder if the time is right, don’t wait. In a society of frequent travel and ever-increasing hotel options, falling behind the times is not an option for hoteliers who want to stay successful. Evaluate and do something about your property’s outdoor spaces soon.
Brent Derbecker |
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It’s not just the interior of the hotel that’s important to guest perception; hoteliers need to ensure their properties’ outdoor spaces are up to par. Every hotelier knows the interior of a hotel is important. Guests want luxurious accommodations, impressive lobbies and amenities such as exercise rooms and meeting areas. But is the inside all that matters? When it comes to hotels, answer is no. “Just like meeting a person for the first time, it takes hotel travelers less than 60 seconds to form an initial impression of a hotel or resort,” according to mobile data solutions company Mintek. “Travelers may first take notice of (things like) parking, signage, décor … or even the smell.” So even though online rating sites are filled with interior photos of rooms, that doesn’t mean outside upkeep is irrelevant. It is a big mistake for hoteliers to overlook their property’s curb appeal.