No man is an island unto himself, and no hotelier is either. When it comes to your next project – whether you need a refresh or are building a new hotel – you will need to assemble your hospitality design team for the job. This includes an architect, hotel designer and contractor who all have experience in the hospitality industry.
Choosing your team is one of the most significant decisions you will make during your project. Let’s outline each role and what criteria you should focus on.
Your Architect
Your architect’s role is to design the building and oversee the construction process. Your architect should be able to provide you with a preliminary design that meets your functional requirements while also being aesthetically pleasing. They will also be responsible for obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from the local authorities.
Your Hotel Designer
Your hotel designer’s role is to create the guest experience and aesthetic within the hotel. They’ll work with you to understand your vision for the project and create a design that meets your needs. They’ll select the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for your hotel and create a layout that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Your hotel designer will also make sure that their design is in line with brand requirements and meets any issues highlighted in your latest PIP (if applicable).
Your Contractor
Your contractor’s role is to manage the construction process. They’ll work with you to understand your vision for the project and ensure that the construction is completed on time and on budget. They will also organize other trades, such as electricians and plumbers, to work on the project.
When selecting a contractor, you’ll want to consider their experience, reputation, and ability to meet your project’s specific needs.
You also want your hotel project to be safe. Therefore, you also need to make sure your contractor is properly insured and have high safety standards for their team and any other trades they bring on-site.
How to Choose Your Hotel Renovation Team
Now that you understand the different roles of a hotel development team, you can start to assemble your hospitality design team for your next project. For each role on your project, you’ll want to consider three key factors: budget, experience, and personality fit.
Relevant Experience
Hospitality is a unique industry, so you’ll want to make sure that your team has experience working on hotel projects. Ask for referrals from friends or colleagues who have completed similar projects. You can also search online portfolios or websites to get a sense of a team’s experience.
Hospitality experience can go a long way. For example, at Lesley Wong Interiors, we have experience within the hotel industry and stay up to date on challenges facing you at your hotel. We speak to your cleaning staff about the design to make sure that it doesn’t just look good – it’s also going to contribute to a smoothly operating hotel.
Budget
Be sure to discuss your budget with each potential team member. They should be able to work within your budget to complete the project. However, you will also want to look at more than just the bottom line. What kind of value are they offering for the price? Are they using high-quality materials? Will they be able to complete the project on time and within your budget?
For example, a low-priced professional who delays your project will cost you much more in terms of brand reputation and lost bookings.
Personality Fit
You’ll be working closely with your team throughout the project, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them. Be sure to meet with each potential team member to get a sense of their personality and see if they’re a good fit for your project. Find out how they handle conflict or difficult situations. Do they have a positive attitude? Are they easy to work with?
You should also make sure that your team is compatible with each other. There’s nothing worse than working with a team that doesn’t get along!
Building a Project on the Right Foundation
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you can start to assemble your hospitality design team. The most important thing is to find a team that you can trust to bring your vision to life, and that values professionalism and excellent customer service as much as you do.
At Lesley Wong Interiors, we have a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible service.
We understand that every hotel is unique, so we take the time to get to know the area, the hotel, and your specific needs. We then create a custom design that is both stylish and functional.
We also understand the importance of staying within budget and on schedule. We’ll work with you to create a project timeline and budget that meets your needs.
Book a call today – we would love to hear about your next project!
