The process of construction of a small hotel does not differ much from creating a regular large inn.
In order to make a decision about construction of a standard hotel certain market research should to be carried out. The results of the analysis will help to design the concept of the hotel, in other words, to offer right product in right place and right time.
Nevertheless, in case of a mini-hotel the concept is formed vise versa: there is a real estate – a property, there is a deadline - today, and the aim is to make a product - bring profit.
If you are a fortunate owner of a building or a plot suitable for hotel, follow standard plan. The algorithm from planning to construction is quite well-known. Call us! We are ready to consult you.
But let’s view this popular undertaking of starting a new mini-hotel in an apartment house.
To create a mini-hotel is the best way to make profit of a large apartment. The property will not be profitable if you rent it (the number of potential tenants is usually very limited); lease is too troublesome due to highly competitive business-centers.
Developing the concept of the hotel begin with assessment of the building condition: its operational cycle, which varies from 20 to 40 years; its overall condition (entrance, staircases, water pipes, possibilities and perspectives of power supply). After evaluation specialists often conclude that the second step will be through repairs.
What is more, as the hotel concept heavily depends on the architectural planning of the building many other challenges appear:
• no possibility of making many double rooms
• two-room suite is unprofitable
• private facilities cannot be built in compliance with standards
• little space for onsite café
• no separate room for a conference-hall and rest room
• not enough room for staff facilities
They make specialists look out for most incredible engineering and design solutions. Any part of the hotel (whether it is lobby, reception or suite) is designed considering many factors: functionality, comfort, commercial use of space, security.
Taking into account apartment planning, specialists should follow the requirements of normative documents (those of SES (Sanitary and Epidemiological Station), fire inspection, several security standards, hotels classification system and so forth).
An image of the future client is also very important. Hotel guests are people who value comfort, coziness and hospitality. A hotel is created for them. It means that guest’s assessment is a determinant of all solutions.
Despite all the difficulties launching a mini-hotel is not as hard as it may seem.
Let us view some possible functional solutions.
A guest starts acquaintance with a hotel from the lobby.
Design of lobby depends on its functional purpose. Guests check in here or wait for excursions. Some factors influence lobby’s size. On the one hand it should be spacious enough to accommodate all the guests who will arrive simultaneously, but on the other hand huge proportions may lead to loss of income – every square meter of the hotel out of commercial use reduces its profitability.
Though guest rooms are the main source of profit, it is sometimes reasonable to create a little conference hall. This service is in demand and increases hotel profitability.
If there is no enough space for the conference hall, but you have a separate room suitable for café, create cafe in universal style to use it for different purposes. Choose optimal design, neutral colour palette. Make it possible to turn the café into business hall by simple furniture rearrangement.
A suite positively influences hotel image and increase its client base. As suite is usually a two-room accommodation its occupancy is lower than that of standard rooms. Though well-equipped suite adorns any hotel, the owner can end up losing if it stays empty.
Connect two rooms of a suite with a small hall or a corridor. Thus you will get two single rooms and will be able to transform them into one suite when needed.
A real concealed life of a hotel happens in its personnel premises: kitchen, rooms for equipment and linen, rest rooms for maids and security, WC for staff. It is impossible to make a hotel comfortable without fully equipped rooms for personnel. The better they are organized, the higher staff efficiency and service quality are. Personnel premises should be fully operational.
If possible make separate entrances for the personnel and for the guests. The fewer guests run into cleaners, cooks and loaders the better. The same is for corridors inside the building. The guests will not see maids dragging a bundle of linen through the main staircase or loaders carrying the products to the café.
To economize space linen and equipment are sometimes placed in the corridors to the special built-in wardrobes. Then the staff will work quickly and accurately, and what is more important, without being noticed.
Do not hesitate to install air conditioner system or any other ventilation system in the rooms. Though such a convenience apart from being quite costly may require higher power consumption and constant maintenance. Do not forget that in most cases it’s officially prohibited to hang split-systems on façades in St. Petersburg.
In the great variety of hotels tourists often prefer small ones. Considerable savings and convenient locations are the main factors that influence their choice. Moreover, instead of luxury and space, mini-hotels offer homelike atmosphere and individual approach to every customer. This idea is very important. Follow it even in the very little details.
Modest bathroom equipment impresses the guest not only if it functions properly but also if it shines clean. Usual but spotless and fresh towel is just as nice as an expensive terry one. The key is not to economize on customer’s comfort. People appreciate true hospitality and will sure visit you again.