If your star rating is dropping, if you have not refurbished in the last 10 years or if you spend less than 5% of your gross revenue each year on capital refurbishments, it may be time to consider refurbishing your motel.
What should you refurbish?
Like anything in business, refurbishments cost money and it is important that for any money you invest in your business, you see a return on this investment.
Give your guests what they want
Deciding what you will refurbish requires considerable thought as there is no easy answer to this question. However, understanding what your guests want and what their requirements are is the first step in ensuring you are meeting their needs. For example, are your guests mostly business people who only stay for one night? If they are they will usually want more space and comfort in the room with free standing furniture and an easy chair. If your customers are groups who will stay longer than one night they will usually look for a more economical price and want a quality bathroom. Meeting your guest’s needs is important.
What do you want?
The second way to answer the question can be found by addressing your own needs as a business. You may want to increase your occupancy by improving the street appeal of the building. Are all your guests driving past because their first impressions are not as positive as you would like?
Alternatively, you get your guests into their room and it’s not up to the high standards set by their first impressions. Should you focus on the areas that may allow you to increase your tariffs?
You may also want to increase your star rating. Will updating your furnishings be enough to increase your star rating? Do you have to go further and replace your floor coverings?
Other changes to consider
There may also be changes you will be forced to make to ensure your motel is up to standard with current building and access codes. Technology changes quickly and this may also require updating. Other factors to consider include the security of the motel – is it adequate? Are there WH&S or insurances requisites to consider? Should you take advantage of the new energy efficient materials and equipment to save on running costs? Each of these factors needs to be considered as part of your plan when deciding where to invest your refurbishment funds.
How do you start the refurbishment process?
Once you have decided you need to invest in your business by undergoing a refurbishment, the first step is to seek help from consultants who have experience in looking for the most economical way to meet your needs. Discuss with your consultant what your needs are on site and understand all your options as this will help you to decide where you should spend your money. Have a clear understanding of what you will be able to achieve within in your budget and obtain a price for the work before you reach for the hammer.
The next steps
Employing experienced design consultants, that specialise in motels, will ensure you receive assistance with all of your building requirements. They can provide advice on the current building code requirements, meet you on site and discuss your needs, provide a realistic budget before they start and find the best way to keep your rooms online during the process.
ABOUT BLACKBURNE JACKSON
Blackburne Jackson provides a complete design service with our Architects, Interior Designers and Landscape Architects on staff who can answer all your questions. Blackburne Jackson has provided superior design services for over 80 years and been responsible for many quality Motels from Mackay in Queensland to the Yarra Valley in Victoria. Let us assist you with your motel improvements.