All posts by Marjorie Waldman

A successful hotel renovation or new hotel construction project requires careful planning and execution in order to stay on time and on budget. In this blog post, we’ll reveal some of the top secrets for achieving success with your hotel renovation or new construction project, including how to manage supply chain and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) and operating supplies and equipment (OS&E) procurement costs. By following these tips, you can be sure that your project will run smoothly and be completed on schedule.

Manage Your Supply Chain Costs Carefully

One of the most important aspects of any hotel renovation or new construction project is managing the costs of your supply chain carefully. Hotel procurement firms should stay up to date on pricing and maintain excellent vendor relationships to get the FF&E and OS&E products every hotel needs. By carefully monitoring your costs and working with reputable vendors, you can be sure that your project stays within budget.

Plan the Timing of Your FF&E and OS&E Orders Accurately

Another important tip for success is to plan the timing of your orders accurately. This includes both ordering materials in a timely manner and avoiding rush charges whenever possible.  Stroud Group has longstanding relationships with vendors that enable us to get the materials you need without incurring last-minute rush charges. We also carefully track the progress of your project so that we can place orders for materials well in advance, ensuring that everything arrives on time.  This not only ensures a successful project but also means you stay within budget.

Maintain a Detailed Project Schedule

Procuring the right FF&E and OS&E products and keeping a tight schedule doesn’t just magically happen. One of the keys to success for any hotel renovation or new construction project is maintaining a detailed project schedule. This schedule should include not only when different tasks need to be completed but also who is responsible for each task. The best hotel procurement teams will have detailed specialists that are aligned to take care of every detail, no matter how small, to keep every project moving forward.

Communicate Regularly With All Stakeholders

Another important tip for success is to communicate regularly with all stakeholders throughout the duration of your project. This includes not only keeping hotel owners and hotel owner groups updated on the status of their project, but also communicating with contractors, architects, engineers, and other members of the hotel project.

At Stroud Group, we believe that effective communication is essential for any successful construction project. We use a variety of methods to keep our clients informed about their projects, including weekly conference calls, progress reports, and video updates when needed.

When it comes time to choose a hotel FF&E and OS&E procurement company for your next project, keep these four things in mind. And if you’re still not sure where to start, we recommend checking out Stroud Group. With more than 50+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, our team is well-equipped to handle even the most complex renovation or construction projects. Plus, we’re always transparent and communicative with our clients, so you’ll always know what’s going on with your project—and we’re not afraid to offer creative solutions when needed! Contact us today for a free consultation at stroudgroup.com

In the hotel industry, it’s essential always to be ahead of the competition. One way to do that is to ensure your hotel is updated and in excellent condition. Savvy guests today will not tolerate tired lodging locations.

Typically, minor renovations should occur approximately every seven years with updates to drapes, furniture, rugs, and other furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E). But how do you know when it’s time for a more significant renovation? Here are some top signs that your hotel may be ready for a facelift.

1. Your Lobby is Outdated or Not Inviting

   First impressions are everything in the hotel business. If your lobby seems dated or uninviting, it may be time for a change. A fresh, updated lobby will make an excellent first impression on guests and make them want to stay at your hotel again and give it a great five-star review.

2. Your Guest Rooms Look Worn

   Similar to your lobby, if your guest rooms seem shabby, it’s probably time for a renovation. Outdated furniture, carpeting, decorative items, and other FF&E make guests feel like they are not getting the modern experience they crave when staying at a hotel.

3. You Receive Complaints, Bad Ratings, and Reviews

   Complaints are bad. If you receive one, a guest may never return to your hospitality venue. Bad ratings and reviews are worse. They could prevent people from making reservations. If you have been getting more complaints than usual about your hotel or more one-, two-, and three-star reviews, it could be because it needs some updating. Guests today expect a high level of quality and comfort when staying at a hotel. If your establishment does not meet those expectations, they will not hesitate to let you know while taking their business elsewhere.

4. Your Competitors Have Recently Renovated Their Hotels

   Another sign that it may be time to renovate your hotel is if your competitors have recently gone through renovations themselves. Not only do their hotels look better in online images, yours looks relatively worse. To keep up with the competition and attract guests, it is essential to ensure your hotel is on par with — or better than — the competition. If they have updated their lobbies, guest rooms, and amenities, you should, too!

5. You are Losing Business to Newer Hotels

   Finally, if you have noticed that you are losing business to newer hotels in town, it may be because they offer a more updated experience than your hotel does. To attract guests and keep them coming back, you must deliver an experience that rivals or surpasses that of newer hotels.

Has it been seven years or more since you last updated your lobby or guest rooms? Have you been receiving more complaints than usual about the condition of your hotel? If so, it may be time for a renovation! Keeping up with the competition is essential in the hotel industry today, and ensuring that your lobby and guest rooms are up-to-date is one way to do that.

The key to a successful hotel renovation project is to choose a hotel FF&E and OS&E procurement company to manage the infinite details that go into a hospitality property improvement plan.  With more than 50+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, The Stroud Group team is well-equipped to handle even the most complex renovation or construction projects. Plus, we’re always transparent and communicative with our clients, so you’ll always know what’s going on with your project—and we’re not afraid to offer creative solutions when needed! Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more at stroudgroup.com.

1.  Look For Solid Industry Experience

   When it comes to something as important as your hotel project, you want to partner with a company that has experience in the hospitality industry. Look for a company that has worked on similar projects to yours and can provide references from satisfied clients.  A solid work catalog and previous projects will be instrumental in your selection process.

2. Transparency and Communication Is A Must

   You should always feel confident and comfortable communicating with your hotel procurement company. They should be open and honest with you about every aspect of the project, from budget to timeline to potential challenges. A good procurement company will also keep you updated throughout the process so that you’re never left in the dark.  Ask questions upfront about their process, how they manage time, what happens if/when there are issues, and what types of reporting are available.

3. Cost-Effective Solutions

   You definitely want solutions that are budget-friendly.  And of course, you want to save money wherever possible on your hotel project. But beware of companies that cut corners or only source the cheapest furnishings just to save a few bucks.  A good procurement company will have an extensive database of FF&E and OS&E vendors and contractors that will work for you, not against you.  Your procurement team should help you find cost-effective solutions that don’t sacrifice quality or the safety of your future guests.

4. Flexibility and Creativity

   The best hotel procurement companies are flexible and have the ability to think outside the box. Because no two projects are alike, they should be able to tailor their services to meet your specific needs. So if you want 500 zebra lamps, you should be able to get 500 zebra lamps!  They should also be open to your ideas and input, and willing to offer creative solutions when problems arise.

   When it comes time to choose a hotel procurement company for your next project, keep these four things in mind. And if you’re still not sure where to start, we recommend checking out Stroud Group. With more than 50+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, our team is well-equipped to handle even the most complex renovation or construction projects. Plus, we’re always transparent and communicative with our clients, so you’ll always know what’s going on with your project—and we’re not afraid to offer creative solutions when needed! Contact us today for a free consultation at stroudgroup.com