If you are thinking of opening a hotel, or you have decided that this is the right path for you but you’ve not gotten started on it just yet, you’re in the right place. It’s a scary and daunting task to open something as incredible as a hotel, in the same way that it is for any business really, but some may argue that hotels are harder to see success with seeing as there are so many of them.
You have to go up against the big names in the hospitality industry, and that alone can be a tough thing to do, but we know that as long as you are dedicated to seeing success, then you can do it. You just have to ensure that you are putting your best foot forward, and that you are doing everything in your power to make a success out of your hotel. If you’re not entirely sure how you can do this, then we’re glad you’ve found us because that’s exactly what we’re about to be discussing. Read on if you would like to find out more.
Strong Marketing Efforts
We’re going to start off by looking into the marketing efforts for your hotel. They have got to be strong, you have got to think outside of the box so that you can entice as many people as possible, and you’ve generally got to do whatever you can to get your hotel name out there. It’s imperative that you are tracking your efforts, understanding which of your marketing methods are bringing you success, and which ones are letting you down.
Once you’ve got an idea of what is what, you can then start adjusting your strategy to ensure that the ones that are bringing in the most money are getting the most funding. You then need to work on developing other marketing strategies to broaden the number of people you are appealing to.
It might be the case that like so many others, you are struggling to make this happen. The good news is that you can look into a marketing agency for hotels so that you are getting professional help from those who specifically work with hotel owners. This means that you get the benefit of expert knowledge, and people who have worked with other hotel owners previously, meaning that they understand the market they are catering for. What could be better for your hotel than this?
A Good Location For Foot Traffic
You also want to ensure that you set your hotel up in a location that is good for foot traffic. The absolute last thing that you want to be is somewhere remote, meaning that you have to rely on the online world to give you all of your clients. Now, if you get your marketing right then this might not be so much of a problem, but if it’s an area that you know you are going to struggle with, you need to ensure that you have foot traffic also.
We understand that there are some hotels out there that don’t accept walk-in customers, but when you’re new to the game you don’t really get the option for this. Not only that, but accepting these guests means that you are catering to an audience that other hotels are not catering for, allowing you to grab those people who haven’t thought ahead and need somewhere to stay. We guarantee you that there are more of them than you think there are, and as such you really want to be that hotel they choose.
A Solid Social Media Presence
While some people may argue that this should be under the marketing bracket, we know that it’s a separate matter. Of course it’s part of a marketing strategy, but it takes so much to run successful social media accounts these days that it’s a job all on its own. For example, you need to have a page on all of the main social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and even TikTok if you think that you can come up with ideas for content.
The last thing that you want is a dead social media page. A dead social media page leads to a dead business because users will assume that you have gone under and that’s why you’re not posting. So, you should be focusing on engagement, content that is relevant and interesting, as well as informative posts. If you can do all of this, you’re onto a winner.
A Focus On Positive Service
Your customers want nothing short of excellence from you, and that includes the service that you provide them. It’s not just about the actual hotel itself, it’s about the way that it is delivered. Are your employees speaking to people nicely? Are they listening to their concerns and taking them seriously? Are they trying to provide the best that they can, ensuring that the guest is happy with what is being offered to them? Are they doing their best to help sort out any issues when they arise?
These are all questions that you’re going to have to ask yourself when you start your hotel and get yourself up and running. You need to be constantly evaluating your employee performance to make sure that guests are getting the high quality service they should be getting. You will quickly find that if this is not the case, then your hotel is going to struggle.
High-Quality Linens
Would you want to sleep in a bed that was uncomfortable and on sheets that felt scratchy or super cheap? No, we don’t imagine that you would, so why would you expect your guests to pay for the privilege of doing this? It’s not right, and there are a lot of hotels that haven’t received this memo clearly because they’re still trying to purchase their linens on the cheap, thinking that this is okay.
Now, depending on the price that you’re charging for using your hotel, you don’t have to be forking out thousands per sheet, but you do need to ensure quality. Take the time to check any linens you’re going to purchase, ensuring that they are up to the standard you would expect. Of course, if you’re starting up a budget hotel that anyone can afford, Egyptian cotton is not going to be on the table, but even still, quality is everything.
Employees Who Are Dedicated
When you’re going through the hiring process, you need to ensure that you are hiring the right people and not just trying to fill the roles of your business. What we mean by this is that you should be focused on hiring those who seem like they genuinely want to do a good job and help your business to see success, rather than just people who need a job. The last thing that you need is for your guests to feel as though they are being spoken to in a rude manner, or as though they are dealing with someone who couldn’t care less.
We also recommend having a uniform for all of your staff to keep the business looking good, because while you might not think that’s a huge deal, having presentable staff is very much important. Anyone who seems like they may have an issue with this is likely not the right choice for your hotel, as they’re not thinking about what is best for the business overall.
Fantastic Facilities
Have you thought about the facilities and amenities that you want to offer? Are you going to have a pool or a spa? Are you going to have a bar or restaurant in the lobby or attached to the hotel? It’s things like this that people are going to look for, and to be able to appeal to the largest number of people, you have to have something to draw them in.
Don’t forget about the basics such as Wi-Fi as well, because who wants to stay in a hotel where they are not offered this basic luxury? If this isn’t on your list of things to offer, you at least need to be somewhere with good reception so people can use their data plan.
The Right Software
Finally, there are pieces of software that are dedicated to hotel owners, so it’s important that you look through those and decide which ones your hotel is going to need. Keeping the place running efficiently is paramount to success, and software will help you achieve this goal. Of course, there are also other general pieces of software you’re going to need to use, so don’t forget about those also.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the most important things that your hotel is going to need if it has any hopes of becoming a success. We know that it’s tough to turn your hotel into a success, but all you can do is your best, and hope that people will see how much work you’ve put into creating this place. We wish you all of the success in the world!
