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From idea to execution: 10 sections to include in your hotel business plan

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By Lana Cook

Do you love connecting with people from all over the world who share your passion for travel? Don’t want to work a typical 9-5 job and instead want to build a business where every day is different, and you own your schedule?

Starting a hotel business is a dream many entrepreneurs have, but it can be a daunting venture to start. A hotel business plan is a critical first step for business owners to turn their dreams into reality. A strategic plan allows one to study the hotel industry, identify their hotel’s unique point of view, and outline how exactly they will reach their goals.

Read on to learn more about the ten sections to include in your hotel business plan, tips for creating an effective plan, and key things you need to start your new hotel business.

Ready to get started creating your plan? Download our hotel business plan template.

What is a hotel business plan?

A hotel business plan is a detailed document that identifies your business’s goals, objectives, and strategies for success. It includes market research and a roadmap for building and operating your business.

Why do you need a hotel business plan?

Studies show that entrepreneurs who finished their business plan were twice as likely to succeed in growing their business than those with no plan. A hotel business plan:

• Helps you identify whether you have a viable business idea
• Provides a detailed roadmap on what you need to accomplish and why
• Gives potential investors insight into your business idea and confidence that you can be successful
• Keeps you on track as you start to execute the different tactics outlined in your plan
• Identifies critical milestones for you and your team to reach

Your plan does not have to be static and should change over time as your business grows and evolves. Your first draft is a starting point to help guide your strategy and instill confidence in potential investors.

10 sections to include in your hotel business plan

Whether you’re starting a small boutique hotel, a cozy B&B, or a 5-star resort, you will need to address the following sections in your hotel business plan.

1. Executive summary

An executive summary is the most essential part of your business plan. It should concisely explain the purpose of your business and why it will be a success.

Include your mission statement explaining why your hotel exists and its overall goal. For example, Capella Hotels & Resorts ’ mission is to combine tradition, discovery, individuality, and twist of the unexpected to create the perfect stay for each guest.

You should also include your vision statement that clearly describes your hotel’s purpose for being in a single sentence. For Capella Hotels, its vision is to embody excellence in the craft of hospitality.

We recommend writing your executive summary as the final stage, as it should summarize the goals and objectives laid out in your plan.

2. Company analysis

Your company analysis is where you can dive into your hotel’s competitive advantage. Ask yourself what makes your hotel unique . Why would guests want to stay with you instead of your competitors?

In this section, identify your brand’s identity and the goals and objectives you want to accomplish. Outline how many rooms and room categories your property will have. For example, will you offer a hybrid hospitality model with dorms, single rooms, and suites? Explain what ancillary revenue sources you’ll offer, like in-room food and beverage options, welcome drinks, or airport shuttles.

Use storytelling to communicate your excitement and passion and make it clear what your hotel will bring to the hospitality industry that hasn’t been done before.

3. Industry analysis

As a business owner, you must be prepared for forces outside your control. You will need to conduct a market analysis that looks at the hospitality industry to identify micro and macro trends that may impact your business. Look at:

• Economic trends
• Environmental trends
• Political trends
• Global health trends
• Technology trends

For each trend, identify how it will impact your business and ways to mitigate risk or take advantage of opportunities.

For example, digital check-in technology has increased across the hotel industry with the rise of tech-savvy guests, new innovative software providers, and labor challenges. Therefore, consider what guest experience solution you’ll include at your hotel.

In addition to trends, look at the history of the hospitality industry, its current size, and how it’s expected to grow in the short and long term. This research will impact the rest of your plan, especially your marketing and financials.

4. Customer analysis

What type of hotel guests do you want to attract? It’s impossible to please every kind of guest, which is why it’s important to identify your target market . Once you know who you want to stay at your property, you can develop amenities, services, and marketing materials to attract these guests and deliver exceptional experiences .

Ask yourself:

• What type of guests do I want? Business or leisure travelers? Retirees or Gen-Z?
• What demographics? Age, gender, marital status, etc.
• What are my target market’s interests? Water sports, hiking, relaxation, museums, etc.
• What does my target market value? Sustainability, contactless technology, personalized service, localized experiences, etc.

This section will help you formulate the guest experience to ensure that expectations meet reality .

5. Competitive analysis

The competition you face will vary depending on where your hotel is located. In this section, you should conduct in-depth competitor research to understand how your hotel will compare. Identify your five major competitors — ideally, three direct competitors you will be competing with upon opening and two aspirational competitors you can emulate as you grow your business.

Conduct a SWOT analysis based on your competitors to look at:

• Strengths . Where does your property excel in comparison to competitors? Why would travelers pick you? Price, amenities, location, technology, etc.
• Weaknesses . Where does your property fall short in comparison to competitors? Price, amenities, location, technology, etc.
• Opportunities . What industry trends can you take advantage of? What local events or partnerships can you capitalize on?
• Threats . What are the biggest threats facing your property? War, travel restrictions, recession, etc.

A thorough analysis can help solidify your competitive advantage and develop a contingency plan for how you will deal with your weaknesses and threats.

6. Marketing plan

Without demand, there is no business. A hotel marketing plan outlines the channels you’ll use to reach your target audience to drive bookings. Your marketing strategy should include three key channels:

1) Paid media . Paid advertising to promote your property and drive bookings. This includes online travel agencies (OTAs) , search engine marketing (SEM), retargeting, and metasearch advertising.

2) Owned media. The content  you create, like your hotel website , social media channels, blog posts, and SEO.

3) Earned media. User-generated content created by third parties like media coverage or online reviews.

7. Operations plan

How do you plan to run your day-to-day operations? This section of your plan will outline all of the key tasks and responsibilities of your team and what exactly your hotel will offer. Consider:

• The number of staff and supervisors required
• Job descriptions and responsibilities
• Your service standards (check out our downloadable SOPs for some inspiration)
• How you’ll manage your inventory
• What hotel technology solutions will you need? PMS, channel manager, booking engine, payment terminal, revenue management tools, guest engagement software, etc.
• What services and amenities do you want to offer? Room service, bar, restaurant, pool, spa, wellness center, etc. 

Detail your short and long-term operational plans and the stakeholders involved for each area.

8. Management team

Whether or not you’ve hired your team yet, this is one of the most important sections potential investors will look at. Make sure to outline the key personnel you will require and their roles. 

In general, these are the following roles you’ll want to outline:

• Hotel management (general manager, front office manager, housekeeping manager, maintenance manager, revenue manager)
• Hotel sales team
• Housekeeping staff
• Front office staff
• Maintenance

Depending on the size of your hotel, your team will vary. Identify the team members you need to open and your hiring plans over the next five years.

9. Strategic plan

Hoteliers must be strategic in optimizing occupancy rates across seasons to maintain revenue. As part of your strategic plan, identify how you will manage:

• Pricing – what room types will you offer, and how will the pricing vary?
• How will you maintain consistent occupancy throughout the high and low seasons? Will you adapt your pricing and marketing strategies?
• How will you conduct revenue management ? What type of rules/alerts will you use to adjust rates? Will you use technology to help with revenue management?
• What will your online reputation management strategy be? How will you collect and respond to online reviews?
• What will your distribution mix look like? How will you drive reservations across a variety of channels?

10. Financial plan

Your financial projections are the most challenging but arguably the most crucial part of your hotel business plan. In this section, you should include the following:

• Start-up costs. How much money will you need from lenders to operate your hotel? Consider business licenses, furniture, down payments, etc.
• Operating costs . How much money will you need to keep your business running? Consider staffing costs, guest acquisition costs, mortgage payments, utilities, SaaS payments, etc.
• Income statement . What will your revenue, expenses, and profit be over the first 3-5 years of business?
• Cash flow projections . How will cash flow in and out of your business? Show what capital investment you’ll need to start.
• Balance sheet . Identify your assets, liabilities, and equity.

If you’re looking for a potential investor, your financial plan will be the section they care about most. Here, you must prove how your business will provide a return on investment. Don’t forget to include an Appendix that shows more detailed reporting and financial figures.

8 tips for creating an effective plan

1. Start with the section that excites you the most! Covering all the topics outlined above can feel overwhelming, so don’t feel pressured to go in order.

2. Reach out to a business owner you admire. No matter what type of business you’re starting, getting advice from another business owner is always helpful. Reach out to a successful local business owner to see if they’d be willing to share some insights they learned along the way.

3. Be concise. While there’s a lot to cover, you must be concise in each section of your plan. Include any additional research or documentation in the appendix to keep your business plan clean.

4. Try to avoid industry jargon. Depending on what type of investor is reading your plan, they may find jargon irrelevant and distracting.

5. Ensure you have a clear competitive advantage. You should be able to state in one sentence what makes your property unique. This unique selling point (USP) will be prominent in all of your marketing materials.

6. Set SMART goals. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals is important to stay organized and on track to reach milestones.

7. Don’t forget about your plan. You will have spent hours developing your plan, so make sure you use it! Reference your plan as you build and grow your business , and remember that it’s ok if things change.

8. Illustrate your passion. Communicate why you want to be a part of the hospitality industry. Passion is contagious and gives investors more confidence that you will work hard to achieve your dreams.

What do you need to start a hotel business?

Ok, so you’ve read through this article and are now wondering — what’s next? Ensure you have the following items on your radar to start your business.

• A vision. Know exactly what kind of business you want to build (a quaint bed and breakfast is very different from a large-scale resort).
• A business plan. Stay on track with a well-developed business plan.
• A location. Decide if you want to build a new property or renovate an existing hotel.
• Capital. Do you need to raise an upfront capital investment? Remember that new businesses usually aren’t profitable for the first few years and will need cash flow to pay for expenses.
• Business licenses & permits. Depending on the type of property and its services, you’ll need an occupancy permit, alcohol license, food service license, sales tax license, etc.
• Technology. Choose technology to help streamline operations and earn more revenue.
• Furniture & equipment. You must furnish your property with the proper furniture, electronics, appliances, etc.
• Staff. Take time hiring staff you can trust and who understand your hotel’s brand and vision.

Final thoughts

Your business plan provides the foundation for your new business and outlines the next steps in the journey. Ensure you fully understand the market and competitive landscape to enter the industry prepared for the future. Start slow and invest in the right people and technology to support the growth of your business.

Looking to start a hotel? Download the technology guide. Download now

About Lana Cook

Lana Cook is a Content Writer at Cloudbeds where she is able to combine her love of writing and passion for travel. She has spent the last few years writing about all things technology and the ways in which it can be used to help businesses thrive. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her checking out the latest movie or searching for a new TV show to binge.

Hotel business plan

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Hotel Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Hotel Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your hotel business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their hotel companies.

Sample Hotel Business Plan Template

Below is a template to help you create each of the key elements of your own hotel business plan:

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Pegasus Hotel is a startup full-service independent luxury hotel in Austin, Texas. Owned by two local businessmen, Frank Girard and Miles Butler, it will serve the new up and coming district of the outskirts of Austin and cater to the locals and travelers who crave a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere. Pegasus Hotel will be a 10-story, 360-room hotel with a five-star restaurant and bar, relaxing pool and spa, 20,00 square feet of meeting and event space, a spacious and fully-equipped fitness center, and a view of scenic Austin. Pegasus Hotel will hold weddings and events, meetings, retreats, and those looking to unwind and be pampered while staying at the hotel. The service and amenities will be first class and the concierge will treat guests with extreme care and ensure guest satisfaction is held at an exceptional standard..

Service Offering

The following are the services and amenities that Pegasus Hotel will provide:

• 354 luxury rooms, two presidential suites, and four parlor suites
• Olympic size pool with adjacent hot tubs and surrounding cabanas
• First-class full-service spa
• First-class restaurant and bar
• Spacious fitness center
• Over 20,000 square feet of attractive meeting space for events
• Concierge and butler service
• Complimentary wifi
• Valet service
• Laundry service
• Business center

Customer Focus

Pegasus Hotel will target the population of Austin, Texas, its surrounding communities, and travelers visiting Austin for work or play. Guests will be mid to high level income, enjoy traveling, enjoy visiting spas and high-end restaurants, and work in the corporate or government sector.

Management Team

Pegasus Hotel will be owned by Frank Girard and Miles Butler. They will act in an Owner capacity, and will not be involved in the day to day operations of the hotel. Frank and Miles will hire the appropriate staff to ensure Pegasus Hotel is a profitable and successful business.

Lorenzo Falucci, General Manager, has over twenty years of experience in the hotel industry. He has most recently managed another independent boutique hotel in New York and was excited to be recruited by Frank and Miles to operate the Pegasus Hotel.

Lorenzo will hire Lisa Montgomery as the Director of Sales and David Jimenez as the Assistant General Manager. Lorenzo, Lisa, and David will be the senior management team of Pegasus Hotel. They will oversee all other department managers – Maintenance, Housekeeping, Front Desk/Guest Relations, and Food and Beverage. Each department manager will oversee various employees in their respective department and role. The Pegasus Hotel will have a large and sophisticated operation as each department is integral in the success of the hotel.

Success Factors

Pegasus Hotel will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, attentive, and highly responsive staff that caters to each guest and will be able to provide the best guest experience possible.
• Luxurious amenities throughout the hotel that will make each guest feel pampered.
• Modern and contemporary designed hotel tucked against a beautiful Texas landscape perfectly suited to host any event.
• Competitive rates and frequent guest discounts.

Financial Highlights

Pegasus Hotel is seeking $10,000,000 in debt financing to begin constructing the hotel and commence operations of the business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the land lease and the hotel build-out and design. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, initial inventory, and working capital. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Secure the land lot, architecture, build-out, and design: $6,000,000
• Hotel furniture, fixtures, and equipment: $2,000,000
• Initial inventory: $750,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $1,000,000
• Marketing & advertising: $150,000
• Working capital: $100,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Pegasus Hotel.

Company Overview

Who is pegasus hotel.

Pegasus Hotel is a startup full-service independent luxury hotel in Austin, Texas. Owned by two local businessmen, Frank Girard and Miles Butler, it will serve the new up and coming district of the outskirts of Austin and cater to the locals and travelers who crave a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere. Pegasus Hotel will be a 10-story, 360-room hotel with a five-star restaurant and bar, relaxing pool and spa, 20,00 square feet of meeting and event space, and a view of scenic Austin. Pegasus Hotel will hold weddings and events, meetings, retreats, and those looking to unwind and be pampered while staying at the hotel. The mission statement of the hotel is to provide first class service and amenities.

The guests rooms will include luxury beds and bedding with best-in-class furniture and bathroom fixtures. Pegasus Hotel will also have a full-service spa that will be able to provide massages, facials, makeup and/or hair service, steam rooms, and a sauna. The Olympic-sized pool will have adjacent hot tubs with a swim-up bar and surrounding cabanas. Pegasus Hotel will be equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment in its spacious gym. The restaurant will be a high-end steakhouse that will feature entrees from a world-renowned chef and a wine list cultivated by the area’s most respected sommelier. There will also be over 20,000 square feet of meeting space that will hold weddings, bat mitzvahs, reunions, galas, and any special event.

Pegasus Hotel will be independently owned and operated and will feature its own reservation system and operational software. Each employee will be expertly trained and vetted to pass luxury industry guest service standards. Pegasus Hotel is committed to providing the best guest experience possible while maintaining a profitable hotel. Pegasus Hotel aims to be a step above the rest and be an unforgettable experience for all who step foot into the hotel.

Pegasus Hotel History

Pegasus Hotel is owned by two local businessmen, Frank Girard and Miles Butler. Frank and Miles have been friends and business associates for over thirty years. They became friends in college while attending The University of Texas at Austin. Frank is a real estate developer specializing in commercial real estate and multi-use land projects. Miles is a software engineer who has built multitudes of software programs for various companies. They have both been extremely successful in their careers and want to divest their investments in a large-scale full-service hotel in Austin, Texas.

Since incorporation, Pegasus Hotel has achieved the following milestones:

• Acquired a 40-acre lot on the outskirts of Austin, Texas.
• Registered Pegasus Hotel, LLC to do business in the State of Texas.
• Hired a consultant to conduct a feasibility study for a full-service hotel in Austin.
• Began developing reservation and operational management software for use at the hotel.
• Began the branding image, logo, website, and social media accounts for the staffing agency.
• Applied for a liquor and mixed beverage permit with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
• Hired an architect to begin the design phase of the hotel.

Pegasus Hotel Services

The following will be the services and amenities Pegasus Hotel will provide:

Industry Analysis

The hotel industry is expected to increase to a $133 billion in the next five years. The hospitality industry will benefit from increases in travel spending, corporate profit and general consumer spending.

As consumers earn higher incomes and businesses replenish their budgets, travel spending is projected to increase over the next five years. Inbound trips by non-US residents are anticipated to rise 22% over next the five years, while domestic travel is expected to grow 9% during the same period.

The industry will see particularly strong future growth in extended-stay hotels, boutique hotels, spa and health retreats and resorts segments. As demand for these auxiliary services picks up, industry employment is anticipated to recover and increase over the next five years. Industry players are also expected to continue expanding abroad into emerging economies, such as Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. These foreign markets are expected to somewhat detract from domestic capital investment, as they offer higher growth prospects for industry operators.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Austin, Texas are:

Customer Segmentation

Pegasus Hotel will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals and families who have disposable income (mid to high level)
• Frequent travelers
• Individuals who dine out and visit spas frequently
• White collar workers (corporate or government office)

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Pegasus Hotel will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of our direct competitors is below.

Hotel Ella is a historic boutique hotel located in Austin, Texas. Located in downtown Austin and walking distance to the University of Texas campus, Hotel Ella is a stylish boutique hotel housed in the historic Goodall Wooten House, one of Austin’s original landmark estates. Constructed in 1900, the Greek revival-style mansion underwent an extensive renovation in 2013, and now offers the perfect balance between modernity and a rich history rooted in the fabric of the neighborhood and the university. Hotel Ella has 47 guest rooms, a cabana-lined pool, and a wrap-around veranda overlooking the front lawn. Hotel Ella features beautifully designed outdoor and indoor spaces perfectly suited for a vacation, wedding, or corporate event. The hotel also features a diverse collection of Texas Modernist works around the hotel grounds.

All guests of Hotel Ella are treated to warm southern hospitality and superior personalized service during their stay. The historic property is appointed with a variety of elegant 21st century amenities. Hotel Ella also offers the following amenities and guest services:

• Complimentary 24-hour guest services
• Complimentary high-speed wi-fi access
• Complimentary electric car charging station
• Complimentary morning newspapers available in the historic mansion
• Complimentary coffee stations from 5am – 11am
• Twice-daily housekeeping service
• Cabana-lined outdoor pool
• Fitness center
• Same-day valet laundry services
• In-room dining by Goodall’s
• Business services: photocopying, printing, postal services, and supplies

Hotel Ella also welcomes dogs of all sizes at no additional fee.

Kimber Modern

Kimber Modern is located in the hip SoCo district of Austin and is intended to draw in the independent urban traveler seeking a unique escape. It is architecturally designed with clean lines and abundant light filtered through canopies of oaks in an artfully landscaped Courtyard. The hotel also encompasses absolute comfort and attention to detail while providing technologically sophisticated rooms in their boutique guest rooms. Guests booking at Kimber Modern will receive complimentary beverages, parking, and WiFi.

Kimber Modern offers the following hotel amenities to its guests:

• Off street covered parking
• Electric car charging station
• Keyless entry
• Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
• Multi-level courtyard with a 25-foot glass water feature with multiple areas to lounge
• Jura self-serve coffee system featuring a variety of coffee drinks 24/7
• Beverage bar 24/7
• Gourmet teas
• Virtual concierge – computer, printer, and copier
• Meeting space available for groups
• 3pm check-in and noon check-out

Guests are also available to book the entire hotel for their group.

The Cat Noir Hotel

The Cat Noir Hotel is an award-winning 14-room boutique hotel located in the heart of Austin’s east side. The European-styled boutique hotel includes a restaurant and bar partner, Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties. Uncle Nicky’s offers a relaxed all-day dining experience that is themed after cafes in northern Italy. The Cat Noir Hotel opened in 2016 and has been ranked #2 by Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and Top 20 Best Hotels in Texas by Conde Nast Traveler.

The Cat Noir Hotel’s contemporary design maintains a sense of warmth and a unique aesthetic that is felt through the lobby, outdoor spaces, and each of the unique guest rooms. In addition to the design elements, The Cat Noir Hotel boasts the following features:

• Private roof deck for guests to enjoy the stunning views of downtown, the Texas Capitol, and the University of Texas
• Outdoor patio and courtyard areas on all levels
• Artwork from local artists

Each of the guest rooms include Juliet balconies with neighborhood views, fine linens, and Simmons luxury plush mattresses.

Competitive Advantage

Pegasus Hotel will be able to offer the following advantages over their local competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Pegasus Hotel will offer the unique value proposition to its target local market:

• Professional and attentive staff dedicated to ensure complete guest satisfaction.
• Various amenities throughout the hotel for any guest to enjoy.
• Modern and contemporary design with beautiful Texas views throughout the entire hotel.
• Competitive rates.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Pegasus Hotel is as follows:

Social Media

Pegasus Hotel will invest in advertising the hotel on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. By using targeted social media marketing, Pegasus Hotel will be able to reach those who frequent nice restaurants and spas and travel frequently.

Website/SEO Marketing

Pegasus Hotel will invest in a strong SEO presence so that when someone enters “Austin boutique hotel” or “first class hotel near me” in their Google or Bing search bar, Pegasus Hotel is at the top of the list. Their website will feature photos of the guest rooms, meeting areas, pool, spa, fitness center, and restaurant/bar. Future guests will be able to make a reservation to book their future stay on the website and access contact information for either a Director of Sales or General Manager of the property.

Pegasus Hotel will request all requests for news stories regarding the development of the hotel, owner/developer information, opening dates, etc. By accommodating the press’ requests for stories, it will also be free advertising for the public to learn about the new up and coming luxury hotel.

Frank and Miles will invest in a billboard in downtown Austin where the mid to upper class of residents frequent. The hotel will be minimalistic but eye-catching. It will feature an attractive rendering of the hotel along with the website. Curious passersby will be directed to visit the hotel’s website for detailed information.

Third Party Booking Websites

Once the hotel is nearing 60 days towards opening, all of the third-party websites will feature Pegasus Hotel so that travelers visiting Austin will be able to see it listed as an option for Austin hotels.

Bridal Shows and Wedding Industry Events

Pegasus Hotel will have a table at all of Austin’s bridal shows and wedding industry events. It will attract those couples searching for a venue to accommodate their special day.

The pricing of Pegasus Hotel will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing its guest rooms and services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Pegasus Hotel.

Operation Functions:

• Frank and Miles will be the owners of the hotel and hire the appropriate staff to manage the hotel. Frank will act as CFO of the hotel and Miles will be in charge of the reservation system and hotel operations software. Miles developed the software and will focus on making sure it’s always functional and efficient.
• General Manager will be hired to oversee the entire staff and hotel operations to include guest satisfaction, oversee vendor contracts, events, and making sure that each department is running effectively and efficiently.
• Assistant General Manager to assist the General Manager with overseeing the staff, with particular attention to guest satisfaction and front desk operations.
• Director of Sales will be hired to sell events, corporate accounts, and group bookings for the hotel.
• Maintenance Engineer will be hired to attend to all mechanical and plumbing issues that may arise.
• Executive Housekeeper will be hired to lead the team of housekeepers to make sure all areas of the hotel are being cleaned to Pegasus Hotel standards and that each guest is receiving all accommodations to their requested schedule.

Milestones:

Pegasus Hotel will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

8/1/202X – Purchase land lot and break ground on new hotel business.

8/15/202X – Finalize architectural renderings and hire a General Contractor to build the hotel.

9/1/202X – Finalize contract with advertising company for them to design the branding image of the hotel, logo, website, billboard, and social media accounts.

9/15/202X – Begin social media and website advertising campaign. Billboard with a teaser of ‘Coming Soon’ will go up in downtown Austin.

10/5/202X – Hire General Manager and Director of Sales.

10/15/202X – Attend annual Wedding Industry Event with a table to begin advertising Pegasus Hotel.

11/1/202X – Pegasus Hotel will go live on third party booking websites.

11/15/202X – Remainder of staff will be hired to begin training program.

11/30/202X – Final walk-thru of newly constructed Pegasus Hotel.

12/15/202X – Begin furnishing and interior design of the hotel.

1/1/202X – Grand Opening of Pegasus Hotel.

Lorenzo will hire Lisa Montgomery as the Director of Sales and David Jimenez as the Assistant General Manager. After an exhaustive search, Lorenzo believes has found the next two senior management positions to ensure the success of the hotel. Each comes with an impressive resume of prior hotel sales and operational experience.

Lorenzo, Lisa, and David will be the senior management team of Pegasus Hotel. They will oversee all other department managers – Maintenance, Housekeeping, Front Desk/Guest Relations, and Food and Beverage. Each department manager will oversee various employees in their respective department and role. The Pegasus Hotel will have a large and sophisticated operation as each department is integral in the success of the hotel.

Lorenzo, Lisa, and David will meet with Frank and Miles monthly to update them on progress and overall operations and sales efforts of the Pegasus Hotel.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Pegasus Hotel are the revenues it will collect when guests book a reservation at the hotel. The hotel will also collect revenues from its restaurant and bar, spa, and events it will host.

The cost drivers will be the payroll and overhead costs to staff the hotel. Other costs will involve the land lease, utilities, marketing costs, and technology fees. There will also be costs associated with the maintenance of the hotel, food and beverage inventory, spa inventory, and hotel guest room supplies.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Initial Number of Room Nights Sold per Month: 8,000
• Number of Events per Month: 30
• Land Lease per Year: $1,500,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, hotel business plan faqs, what is a hotel business plan.

A hotel business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your hotel business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your hotel marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your hotel business plan using our Hotel Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Hotel Companies?

There are many types of hotel companies. Most hotels are affiliated with a hotel franchise company. Other hotel companies distinguish themselves by star level-  4 to 5-star hotels are on the higher end of rate and amenity offerings, whereas 2 to 3-star hotels cater more towards the everyday business travelers and families.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Expenses for a Hotel Business?

The primary source of revenue for a hotel business are the room fees it charges each guest to stay at the hotel. Revenues are also collected for different amenity offerings, such as room service,  restaurant and bar revenue, spa revenues, and guest shop revenue.

The key expenses for a hotel business are the costs for inventory, maintenance, supplies, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, technology, and payroll of the staff. Other expenses will be the rent, utilities, and overhead costs, if applicable.

How Do You Secure Funding For Your Hotel?

Hotel businesses are most likely to receive funding from banks. Typically you will find a local bank and present your business plan to them. Angel investors and other types of capital-raising such as crowdfunding  are other common funding sources. This is true for a business plan for a hotel, a resort or a boutique hotel.

What are the Steps To Start a Hotel Business?

Starting a hotel business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a detailed roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your business goals and get started faster.

• Develop A Hotel Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a comprehensive business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This includes market research to identify the potential market size and target audience , the hotel’s services, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  
• Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your hotel business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your hotel business is in compliance with local laws.
• Register Your Hotel Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your hotel business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 
• Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your hotel business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 
• Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 
• Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 
• Acquire Necessary Hotel Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your hotel business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 
• Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your own hotel business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective digital marketing strategy including SEO and paid advertising . You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a new hotel business:

• How to Start a Hotel Business

Where Can I Get an Example Hotel Business Plan PDF?

You can download our example hotel business plan PDF template here . This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Other Helpful Business Plan Templates

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Hotel Business Plan

OK, so you have decided to realize your dream and open your own hotel . You have thought out an amazing concept delivering unparalleled guest service. The next step would be to write a hotel business plan. It’s like a road map to the opening. However, as a seasoned hotel management company , we have seen that this is where most entrepreneurs get stuck.

Why? Many do not have the time and don’t know what to write or how to do the financials. But until you finish your business plan, you will not be able to get the financing either. So you end up with ideas sitting in your head not realizing your dream.

Really it is not that difficult to make a good hotel business plan. It is merely a structured summary of your idea. Most people try to include everything about their hotel concept in the plan. This leads to an indigestible super novel-like bookwork, aka a mess.

The key is, knowing what to include, and what not to include in your hotel business plan. Create a clear road map for success. Excite investors rather than bore them to death like most business plans full of redundant information do. And you need to lead readers down the exact path you want.

One of the main challenges for example is that after reading the first page most businesses often don’t fully understand what the hotel is all about. For investors and lenders, it is crucial they can quickly comprehend your plan, without reading the whole document.

Hotels 101: The Basics of Business Planning

We have put together a hotel business plan template to help you on your way. Check out our approach based on 10 critical points, being:

• Executive Summary
• Company Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• Customer Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Strategic Plan
• Operations Plan
• Management Team
• Financial Plan
• Key Milestones

Steps of your Hotel Business Plan

Let’s dive into the step-by-step checklist of what your hotel business plan should look like.

Infographic by Xotels

1. Executive Summary

This first part should consist of two main parts, being:

• Mission Statement (Introduction): a 1 line company description only the essence of your hotel (not 2 lines or a paragraph). It explains why you are in business or which huge need you are solving, that currently is not being met. For example in the case of Qbic Hotels “Moving modular hotels into under-utilized real-estate to reduce build-out cost and time.” 
• Objectives : What do you hope to accomplish (i.e. “Reach an annual occupancy of 90%”).

 2. Company Analysis

More detailed information on the USPs (unique selling points) of your hotel concept.

3. Industry Analysis

Information on the current industry trends and the current state of the market and how this will impact your hotel. This is needed as investors want to be sure you really understand the hotel industry. This acts as the foundation on which decisions such as trends and developments to follow will be based.  

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4. Customer Analysis

In-depth information on your target market, including geographic, demographic, socioeconomic, psychographic, and behavioural segmentation details. It can also help you to keep up to date with the latest hotel marketing trends to understand which are the types of guests who will be staying at your hotel. Explain which features will be meeting the needs and wants of these main segments when thinking of:

Basically, how will consumers answer this question ‘Why my hotel?’

Aim to break it up to the point value can be easily communicated (do not make it too overcomplicated). Think of the following examples:

• Psychographics: interests, lifestyles, personality, values, opinions, and attitudes
• Behavioural segmentation: purchasing behaviour, level of engagement, customer loyalty
• Demographics: gender, age, marital status and education
• Geographics: location (country, state, region, city)
• Socio-economics

Any of the above examples of hotel segmentation can, if described well, be of great value to your business plan. An example of this could be a hotel located in a beach town, where you should be able to describe how demographics and psychographics differ from summer to winter time. Especially, since this example is typically known for lower demand in winter which you could be compensating for with the right hotel marketing strategies on hand.

5. Competitive Analysis

A study of your local competition or global concept competitors, with each of their strengths, weaknesses, occupancy rates and market share ( SWOT analysis ). And don’t forget the most important part; what differentiates you from them. What makes you stand out?

Ask yourself: “can I add value to a specific area”, especially when it comes to hotel-dense areas like city centres or major destinations.

6. Strategic Plan

This exists of 3 parts:

• Marketing : How exactly will you attract customers/guests? How will you position yourself? What will your message be to the different segments of your business mix? How will your direct marketing work? What will be the plan for your hotel website, SEO, SEM and SMM? Will you do offline promotion? In short, your hotel marketing strategy should cover everything there is to know about how to market your hotel.
• Distribution : Which 3rd party channels will you use and how will you manage availability? What technology will you need?
• Revenue management : What pricing and yield techniques will you use? What will your payment and cancellation policies be? Which room types will you be selling, and how will they be individually marketed? How many revenue scenarios will I create? Where can I compensate income/demand streams when necessary?

Make sure you have the capabilities to plan out a strong marketing, distribution and revenue management strategy. 

Things get complicated rather fast, and choosing to outsource hotel and revenue management is likely to give you a strategic advantage, during the planning phase, and the execution of your business plans.

7. Operations Plan

How will you run your hotel? Think of the following elements:

• How many staff and supervisors will you need? 
• What are their job descriptions/responsibilities? 
• What background and experience should they have? 
• When should they start? 
• What are your service standards?
• Will you develop manuals?
• Which supplier will you use?
• How will you manage inventory?

8. Management Team

Include the bios of your team. Focus on what uniquely qualifies you to make your hotel such a success. Having a great team is the key to success , and stakeholders will be impressed with a thorough explanation of the added value everyone brings to the table.

9. Financial Plan

Provide the start-up costs of the hotel (capital investment), the ongoing business costs, operational expenses and revenue projections for the next five years. These figures should be always based on your Hotel Feasibility Study . The KPIs to look at include expected occupancy, ADR (Average Daily Rate) and RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room).

If you are raising money , outline how much funding will be needed and when. Explain how you will generate a return on investment for investors, or when lenders will be paid back.

10. Key Milestones

These are the most important achievements which once they have been completed, will make your hotel more likely to succeed. Think off:

• Location selection
• Permits & Licenses
• Build-out / Construction of the Hotel
• Staffing and Training
• GOP Break-even
• NOI Break-even

Each time one of the key milestones is achieved, the risk of lenders or investors decreases . And once your last key milestone is reached, the chance of success is more or less guaranteed.

11. Appendix

Provide any other relevant information here. Don’t clutter the main sections of your hotel business plan with too many details. Rather support them with attachments in this part.

Putting Your Plan into Action

Many people have great business ideas. But that really doesn’t matter. The difference between dreamers and entrepreneurs is the action mindset. Are you ready to ship your idea to the market? 

The first step is to put your ideas on paper. I hope this free sample will help you write a persuasive hotel business plan. Because no investor or lender will be interested if you cannot present a clear plan.

Follow your dreams and go for it!

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Need help to Develop and Manage your Hotel Concept?

Our hotel consultants at XOTELS have helped hundreds of hotels to develop and optimize their businesses. 

With cost-effective implementations and best practices developed over years of experience, successful business as a boutique hotel , resort, B&B, aparthotel, hostel, or any other lodging concept for that matter, is guaranteed.

Hope this template has helped you get inspired to start your own hotel business .

Best of luck in your endeavours!

Patrick Landman

PS. Get in touch with us if you need help developing and managing your hotel concept.

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How to Write a Successful Hotel Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for hotel businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every hotel business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Hotel Business Plan Template

What is a Hotel Business Plan?

A hotel business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Hotel Business Plan?

A hotel business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Hotel Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful hotel business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a hotel business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your hotel company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your hotel business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your hotel firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen hotel business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a hotel business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the hotel industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, a hotel business’ customers may include:

• Business travelers
• Leisure travelers
• Groups and conventions
• Wedding parties
• Local residents

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or hotel services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Below are sample competitive advantages your hotel business may have:

• Location : if your hotel is located in an ideal spot for leisure or business travelers, this could be a key competitive advantage
• Amenities : if your hotel offers unique amenities that are appealing to your target market segments, this could give you a leg up on the competition
• Customer service : if you focus on delivering exceptional customer service, this could be a key selling point

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your hotel business via public relations (PR), speaking engagements, or other thought-leadership activities.

Operations Plan

This part of your hotel business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a hotel business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new locations, launching a new product/service, or hiring new employees.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific hotel industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue: how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold: These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss): Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Hotel Business

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Hotel Business

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup hotel business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Hotel Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your hotel company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into creating a successful hotel business plan. But with careful planning and execution, you can set your hotel business up for success.  

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Boutique Hotel Business Plan Blueprint: Complete Guide

• January 3, 2023
• Hospitality

Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your boutique hotel, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in the business plan of your boutique hotel . Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Boutique Hotel Executive Summary

Though the executive summary is the first and the most important section, it should normally be the last section you write because it will have the summary of different sections included in the entire plan.

Why do you need a business plan for a boutique hotel?

The purpose of a business plan is to secure funding through one of the following channels:

• Obtain bank financing or secure a loan from other lenders (such as a SBA loan )
• Obtain private investments from investment funds, angel investors, etc.
• Obtain a public or a private grant

How to write your boutique hotel’s executive summary?

Provide a precise and high-level summary of every section that you have included in your business plan. The information and the data you include in this segment should grab the attention of potential investors and lenders immediately.

Also make sure that the executive summary doesn’t exceed 2 pages in total: it’s supposed to be a summary for investors and lenders who don’t have time to scroll through 40-50 pages, so keep it short and brief.

The executive summary usually consists of 5 major sub-sections:

• Business overview : explain what is the concept of your hotel, whom it targets (business travelers vs. tourists), where it’s located, its size and any other amenities and services you offer
• Market & competitive overview : start by describing the state of the hotel industry in your area (the city or region where you plan to open yours). Also explain here the level of competition you expect from similar establishments. Finally, mention who are your target customers (your ideal customers) ie. their age, gender, disposable income as well as their preferences
• Sales & marketing strategy : describe how you plan to acquire new customers, outlining the exact marketing channels you intend to use and your overall budget
• Management & People : this section should provide information about the leadership hierarchy, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of every team member and their experience
• Financial plan : how much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach the break-even point and start making profits? You can include here a chart depicting your key financials such as revenue, gross profits, and net profit
• Funding ask : what loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much are you raising ? How long will this last?

Hotel Financial Model

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

2. Boutique Hotel Business Overview

This is the section where you will provide details about your boutique hotel and its concept. You must address some important questions that lenders and/or investors generally ask.

Here is a quick list of some of those questions you must address:

• What is the rationale behind you opening this type of hotel today?
• What’s the location of the hotel and why did you select that location?
• What hospitality services and products will you provide? Will you offer any special services (massage, gym, etc.)? 
• Will there be a restaurant?
• How many employees will you need to run the hotel?
•  How many rooms will you have to accommodate your guests?
• What types of rooms will you offer your customers? At what rates?
• What will be the legal structure of your company?

a) History of the Project

Any business must have two components:

• Passion & experience of the business owner
• Rationale behind starting this type of business today

Passion & experience

Starting a huge investment like a boutique hotel requires much more than just capital. It also needs the relevant background experience in the hospitality industry.

Typically, many individuals creating their own boutique hotel will have a long-standing passion and track record for the hospitality industry. Yet, if you lack the experience, it probably isn’t the right time to start your boutique hotel. Instead, you can choose a franchising option and work with an established hotel franchise.

What motivates you to start a boutique hotel in the region today? Unlike some other businesses, a boutique hotel requires a lot of financial and human capital investment.

So, before taking your first steps in this field, provide enough reasons to justify your decision to venture into the business. For instance, if there’s a scarcity of stylish boutique hotels targeting tourists in the region, you can use that to justify your reasons for starting one.

b) Hotel Concept

Describe your boutique hotel’s concept. Here are a few questions you may answer here:

• Will you target a specific market (all-inclusive vs. tourists, business travelers, etc.)? 
• What types of rooms will you have (midscale, upscale, luxury?)
• What amenities will you offer your guests? A restaurant, rooftop bar, a SPA, a conference/meeting room? See more on amenities in the next section
• What will be the hotel’s design, layout and surface?
• Where will the boutique hotel be located? Is this next to a busy street, an airport, a tourist attraction or a corporate center?

c) Services & Facilities 

Prioritize the most sought-after services in the region. While many boutique hotels offer the same services, you may want to differentiate yourself vs. competitors to attract guests.

Below are a few examples of the guest services you can provide depending on your target audience:

Boutique Hotel Services 

• Bar / Restaurant
• Event management (weddings, conferences, etc.)

Boutique Hotel Facilities 

• Swimming pool / Jacuzzi 
• Business center
• Summer terrace
• Smoking rooms
• Fitness room
• Conference room

d) Room Rates

Next, describe your pricing strategy . Indeed, designing a pricing list for a boutique hotel isn’t the easiest thing to do. So, you can rely on information from some of your biggest competitors in the region to help you set standard rates. 

Make sure to have a clear table with the different room categories and their daily rate. If you have off-peak vs. peak rates, make sure to include it too here. It doesn’t need to be exact (as the rates will likely change over time), so use price ranges instead.

e) Legal Structure

Finally, your business overview section should specify what type of business structure you want:

• Is this a corporation or a partnership (LLC)?
• Who are the investors? How much equity percentage do they own?
• Is there a Board of Directors? If so, whom? Do they have experience in the industry?

3. Boutique Hotel Market Overview

Provide comprehensive information about your market. You will want to tailor your services to suit the target audience. And that means you will need accurate information about the hospitality industry in your region:

• Industry size & growth : how big is the boutique hotel industry in your area? Is it growing / declining, and what are the factors contributing to its growth/decline?
• Competition overview : how many competitors are there? How do they compare vs. your hotel? Are they franchises or independent boutique hotels? Do they target the same guests as you do? How can you differentiate yourself from them? 
• Customer analysis : who is your target market ? Are they business travelers or tourists, single travelers, couples or families? How often do they travel and need an hotel? How much do they spend on average on hotel stays?

a) Boutique Hotel Industry Size & Growth

How big is the boutique hotel industry in the us.

The market size of boutique hotels in the US is estimated to be $16.9 billion in 2022.

Also, there are about 5,500 boutique hotel businesses in the country, meaning the annual turnover for each boutique hotel is around $3,000,000.

Another source estimated there were 4,600 boutique hotels in the US in 2021 and defines them as a high-end, independent hotel with less than 100 rooms and a unique design. The same source reported that boutique hotels accounted for 3.2% of total hotel rooms in the US in 2017, yet but 5.6% of the US hotel room revenue.

How big is the boutique hotel industry in your area?

After getting a clear picture of the boutique hotel industry in the US as a whole, narrow down to your location. Yet, you may not find this information anywhere (at least not for free). In that case, you can use our guide to estimate the TAM, SAM, and SOM for your business. Here is an example of how to do it:

We know the average annual turnover per boutique hotel is $3 million. Therefore, if the area where you want to open your hotel has 30 competitors (say, in a 30-mile radius), you can assume the boutique hotel industry in your area is worth $90 million .

How fast is the boutique hotel industry growing in your city?

The US boutique industry has suffered an unprecedented decline due to the pandemic. Indeed, it decreased from its peak at $20.6 billion in 2019 to $16.9 billion 2022, despite some recovery from its through.

But what about where you live? US national averages can be a great addition to your business plan, yet they don’t necessarily help to assess the boutique hotel industry where you want to open your own boutique hotel.

Instead, you can use the number of hotels as a proxy for market growth. For instance, if there were 28 boutique hotels in the region in 2020 and 30 in 2022, you can safely assume that the average annual growth rate is ~3% in your area.

The estimation above isn’t perfect as it disregard the occupancy rate. For example, if the 28 hotels had an occupancy rate of 20% in 2020, up to 50% in 2022, the market growth rate would actually be much higher i.e. 60% CAGR from 2020-22.

b) Competition Overview 

This sub-section focuses on crucial information about your main competitors. Take a closer look at the hospitality services and products offered by other boutique hotels in the region. And while at it, analyze their marketing strategies, pricing structure, and anything you can do to stand out from the competition.

Don’t forget to include a comparative table, highlighting every piece of information the lenders may need when analyzing your business. 

Here is a sample table that you can use:

c) Customer Analysis

Customer analysis is all about knowing your ideal guests: who exactly are you targeting?

You can narrow it down with the following questions:

• Demographics (age, gender, single vs. couples, etc.)
• Frequency of visits (how often do they need such services?)
• Average disposable income
• Average spend per stay (hotel, restaurant, other)
• Favorite services (e.g. gyms, spas, etc.)

4. Sales & Marketing Strategy

This section should highlight the strategies you have in place to attract potential clients. Try to answer the following questions:

• What are your unique selling points (USPs)?
• Which marketing strategies will you use to attract new clients? 
• How will you track the success of your marketing strategy? 
• What is your customer acquisition cost (CAC)? 
• What is your marketing budget? 
• Will you consider any offers or promotions to attract new clients? 

What marketing channels do boutique hotels use?

Like any new business, a boutique hotel requires comprehensive marketing during the first months to attract potential clients.

You can resort to the following channels to help you get new clients, even from your main competitors:

• Online local listing (Google reviews)
• Online booking platforms (Booking.com, Tripadvisor, etc.)
• Social media content & ads: for example encourage your guests to post on social media and / or hire a social media content manager who will create daily posts and manage your social media presence
• PPC ads ( Google Ads )
• Word of mouth, recommendations 

What are your Unique Selling Points (USPs)?

In other words, how do you differentiate yourself vs. competitors? This is very important as you might need to win customers from competitors. A few examples of USPs are; 

• Quality of services : you may offer high-quality services (e.g. luxury suites, fine dining restaurant, etc.)
• Pricing: your boutique hotel may be cheaper vs. competitors for the same quality of service
• Location : setting up your boutique hotel near your target market gives you the upper hand
• Amenities : you may be the only boutique hotel in the area offering a health SPA, a separate event center for weddings, etc.

5. Management & People

You must address 2 things here:

• The management team and their experience
• The organizational structure : different team members and who reports to whom

Small businesses often fail because of managerial weaknesses . Thus, having a strong management team is vital. Highlight the experience and education of senior managers that you intend to hire to oversee your hotel business.

First, describe their duties, responsibilities, and roles. Also, highlight their previous experience and explain how they succeeded in their previous roles.

Organization Structure

Even if you haven’t already hired a general manager, administrative staff, receptionists, chefs, and other relevant staff members, you must provide a chart of the organizational structure defining hierarchy and reporting lines.

6. Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any business plan for a boutique hotel.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your boutique hotel is an attractive investment.

There should be 2 sections to your financial plan section:

• The startup costs of your project (if you plan to start a new hotel, renovate your hotel, adding rooms, etc.)
• The 5-year financial projections of your boutique hotel

a) Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project. For a boutique hotel, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you open your hotel and receive your first guests. These expenses typically are:

• The leasing deposit (if you rent) or the cost to buy the building (if you buy)
• Renovations and improvements
• Equipment & appliances
• Furniture & tableware

Of course, the startup costs depend on a number of factors, like the size of your hotel, its location, the facilities, etc.

On average, it costs $8,400,000 to $10,800,000 to build and open a small boutique hotel with 20 rooms (assuming you decide to build the hotel from scratch).

Note that these costs are for illustrative purposes and may not be fully relevant for your business. For more information on how much it costs to open and run a boutique hotel, read our article here .

b) Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will also need to build a solid 5-year financial model for your boutique hotel business plan.

Note that your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in your business plan.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics , key assumptions used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

• How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
• When do you expect to break even ?
• How much cash will you burn until you get there?
• What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 15%) on your margins?
• What is your average customer acquisition cost ?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

• The number of nights booked over time ;
• Your expected revenue ;
• Operating costs to run the business ;
• The construction costs and FF&E expenses

When projecting your revenue, make sure to sensitize pricing, the expenses (salaries, utilities, supplies, etc.) and the number of stays (or booked nights). Indeed, a small change in these assumptions may have a significant impact on your revenues and profits .

7. Use of Funds

This is the last section of the business plan of your boutique hotel. Now that we have explained what your boutique hotel’s concept is, the amenities it offers, your marketing strategy, etc., this section must now answer the following questions:

• How much funding do you need?
• What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, both?
• How long will this funding last?
• Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

• What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
• What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

• What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
• What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any business plan for a boutique hotel should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment in paying for construction costs? Or will it cover mostly renovation and furniture costs?

For the use of funds, we also recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

Privacy Overview

How to write a stellar business plan for a hotel

Do you think life is best lived in the lap of luxury, comfort and convenience? If so, you may have decided to open a hotel. 

Whether you're already an experienced hotelier or not, starting up a new hotel business is a journey that's invigorating, but with lots of hurdles along the way. 

And that's why we're here - to help lead you through each step. In this guide, we'll take you through the process of writing a business plan for a hotel - from what it should contain, to practical solutions you can use to draft it up.

On the menu:

Business plan by hotel type

Start by envisioning the concept of your hotel.

• Define the type of guests you want to attract

Turn your dream into reality by writing a hotel business plan

Why the business plan for a hotel is essential, how to write the business plan for a hotel: the financial forecast, how might the editorial section of your hotel business plan look, feeling lost let our business plan software guide you.

• Three things you should know before creating a hotel business plan

Depending on your budget, location and skill set, you could choose to open one of several types of hotels.

The beauty is that regardless of which hotel concept you go for, the structure of your business plan will remain the same.

Below are the six key types of hotels that you could draw up a business plan for:

A hotel chain

A hotel chain includes multiple hotels that are part of a single brand.

As a small or medium business owner, this isn't practical in the short run but you can join an already-established brand by becoming a franchisee.

You'll receive training and advice but the start-up fee is likely to be significant.

This model usually caters for short stays and is a lot smaller in terms of the number of rooms it offers.

It offers a great option for tourists or motorists and a well-designed structure with a good location can bring in a constant stream of revenue.

A hotel resort

Depending on your location, you could choose to open up a hotel resort. 

These are generally situated near tourist attractions such as ski parks or historic sites.

It could be a viable option as a part-time business, during the peak ski season for example.

An extended-stay hotel

Unlike motels, these offer long-term accommodation to guests. This usually means seven or more days.

If you choose this model, you could attract a wide target audience. Businesspeople, families or even students who are holidaying are all potential marketing targets.

This means that you'll need to have a strong marketing plan that caters for multiple groups.

Eco-friendly hotel

A unique, new model that has become popular in recent times.

Guests stay in accommodations that are considered favourable to the environment.

This model may be costly to initially build but can bring in considerable revenue if there is demand for such hotels in the catchment area.

Business hotel suites

This model caters for businesspeople predominantly and offers reasonable prices to stay overnight.

Such hotels are usually located near event hubs or business districts.

If you choose to operate using this model, you'll likely need to invest in business equipment such as printing facilities, seminar seating and online access.

First things first, you need to have a clear vision of exactly the type of hotel you want to open. This is your dream project, so it's important to mould it in such a way that makes you feel proud and, most importantly, motivated to continue playing an active role in it.

Start by taking stock of your career background, your skills, your areas of expertise and your own desires when thinking about your hotel business plan - whilst listing everything you lack in terms of hospitality training and financial resources. By doing so, you'll be able to build a business that is suited to your ambitions and unique way of working. 

You could also opt to take over an existing hotel. To learn more about this process, check out our guide on how to take over a hotel .

Define the type of guests you want to attract 

To paint a more accurate picture of your hotel, you need to consider your clientele. A hotel should offer a break from reality and be indicative of its guest's aspirations (whether they're looking for a fun city break or a calming spa retreat) so set aside time to draw up their profile.

For this, you'll need to find out their age, where they come from, their average budget, job status and what they're looking for in a hotel. This will all go in your hotel's business plan as well. 

Once you've gotten to know a little more about your future customers, you can sharpen the vision for opening your hotel. For example, if a sizeable chunk of your target market is made up of parents, you're most likely going to include play facilities or a kids club. The idea is to mirror everything your guests are looking for in a weekend or holiday break. 

Dreams are all well and good, but to truly put your plan into motion, you'll need to get your head out of the clouds and focus on the planning stage. 

This is where the business plan for your hotel comes in. Whether you're launching a restaurant, clothes shop or hotel, writing a business plan is an integral step for any entrepreneur starting a new company.

Create your hotel business plan online!

Think your hotel could be profitable? Find out how with a business plan!

To put it simply, a business plan for a hotel is a document in which you lay out the details for your project, the objectives you have for your business, and the steps you'll need to take to ensure it's a success. 

Writing a business plan for your hotel also means having to carry out market research for a hotel to familiarise yourself with the hotel market in the town or city in which you'd like to base your business, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of nearby competitors. 

The prices you set will depend on your business model and where you're based. From there, you can draw up a financial forecast for a hotel to integrate into your business plan.

Writing a business plan for a hotel not only enables you to check whether your hotel is likely to be profitable but also plays an essential role in presenting it to potential investors in the hope they'll provide funding to help get it off the ground. 

It's therefore essential to have a solid, comprehensive business plan to prove your dedication and credibility as an entrepreneur. 

The hotel business plan is also useful if you plan to apply for a loan or other forms of financial aid to help you open your hotel. To find out more about the funding solutions available to entrepreneurs, read our practical guide to hotel funding .

The financial forecast of a hotel consists of four main tables. These tables are presented in more detail below.

The projected profit and loss statement

The P&L statement makes it possible to assess the company's sales growth, monitor changes in the cost structure and thus evaluate its profitability (gross margin, EBITDA, net income).

Your gross margin (sales revenue - the cost of goods sold) must be sufficient to cover your overheads. 

By then subtracting general expenses (administrative, commercial and payroll expenses) to the gross profit, you will obtain EBITDA. It corresponds to the company's cash operating income. If it is positive, the activity is profitable.

The P&L statement is not sufficient to understand the overall financial situation of the company. It's best to analyse it in conjunction with other tables in the financial forecast.

Forecasted cash flow statement

With this chart, you'll be able to understand how cash is consumed and generated within the business.

This statement will allow you to realise whether or not you require external financing (as a result of insufficient cash flow). 

Forecasted balance sheet

This table provides a view of the company's assets at the end of the year.

The forecasted balance sheet is made up of two parts: assets and liabilities. The assets represent the company's resources, while liabilities correspond to the company's debts.

From a financial point of view, this table makes it possible to evaluate the financial structure of your business, i.e. the breakdown between the company's equity and financial debts.

It, therefore, allows you to verify whether or not debt levels are reasonable and evaluate the company's liquidity, i.e. it's capacity to honour its short-term commercial, tax and financial debts).

Initial financing plan

The initial financing plan shows how the company's initial investment is financed.

This table is also useful for estimating the distribution of risk at the beginning of activity between the shareholders and the lenders.

There are two sides to this table:

• Sources (capital contributions, loans etc.), i.e. the money available to the business
• Uses (equipment, start-up costs, etc.) i.e. how this money is used at the launch of the business

Ideally, the cash position shown in the initial financing plan should be sufficient to keep the business afloat until you reach your break-even point if your business takes longer than expected to start up.

The written part of your business plan is as important as your financial forecast. It meticulously highlights each section of the business and aims to convince banks or financial institutions that your venture is feasible.

This section will also be an opportunity to explain the assumptions made in the financial forecast section in greater detail.

Contextualising your assumptions via your market research also allows you to determine whether or not they are realistic.

The essential written parts of the business plan include: 

The executive summary

This section provides a brief overview of the entire business plan, illustrating both the purpose of the company and its key goals. The aim is to outline the key details, in the hope of persuading the reader to want to know more.

The company summary

In this part, you should aim to present the administrative details of the company including:

• The number of partners
• The legal structure
• Percentage ownership
• Head office
• Where the premises are located

Products and services

You should aim to describe the services that your hotel offers in detail while explaining how your hotel will be competitive in the market (unique selling points such as fast and efficient room service or a cosy bar etc.).

You may also address any intellectual property rights such as trademarks or copyright.

Market research

Use this section to show that there is a gap in the market for your goods or services (for e.g a need for additional hotel rooms). It should also include analysis of the local market, any trends, competition and regulations in the area.

The next step in our guide on how to write the business plan for a hotel involves a strategic outlook.

Inform the reader about how each of your services (including the guest rooms) will be priced. For example, how might prices vary based on the number of nights that guests decide to stay at the hotel? Are there any offers in the bar?

Yield management is a popular strategy used by hoteliers - it involves adjusting the price of rooms based on the level of demand observed on the market in order to maximise the occupancy rate of the hotel.

Since there are two perceived seasons for hotels - peak season and off-peak season, yield management allows hotel managers to balance their revenue stream throughout the year.

Higher prices can be charged when occupancy levels are high and a combination of lower prices/promotion ideas can be used when occupancy levels are low.

You should also present your marketing strategies in detail (including your use of social media, digital advertising, newsletters, etc.).

List any potential risks to your hotel and how you plan to address them, such as getting fire insurance cover and installing a security alarm.

Here you will highlight the organization of the company. This should include the opening hours of the business, the staff (directors and employees), any key assets that you plan to hold and the suppliers that you might be working with.

Financial plan of the hotel

In this section, you will present your financial forecast and explain the assumptions made in your calculations.

Two key tips for preparing a hotel business plan:

• Be sure to address customer payment terms: clients can pay either when they check-in or check-out depending on the hotel policy. This will impact your cash flow.
• Explain any business jargon used in detail, so that the reader does not get confused with industry terms they might not be familiar with.

If drafting up a business plan for a hotel on your own feels a little too complicated, then you've come to the right place.

Our online business plan software makes it easy for you. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs who've never written a business plan before, it will guide you step by step through the process - so you don't get lost in between the many different stages. 

It will also make creating a financial forecast a breeze - leaving you with a clear, well-presented, and professional document with which you can confidently showcase your business idea to investors. 

If you're still not sure, why not dip your toe and test our business plan software for free? Click here to try it out and let us know how you get on.

What you should know before creating a hotel business plan

We recommend taking into account seasonality as one of your risks and mitigants.

A wet or cold summer could lead to a sharp fall in the number of tourists in the area where you are planning to situate your hotel.

Would you have special leeway just in case? Is it possible to maintain a cash reserve to deal with a poor season?

That's it for this time, we hope this article has helped you better understand how to write a business plan for a hotel. If you have any questions related to launching your business, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

See also on The Business Plan Shop

• Business plan template for a hotel
• How to buy a hotel with no money
• How to open a bed and breakfast

Know someone who might be interested in this article? Share it with just one click!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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How to Make a Business Plan for your Hotel

Whether you own a bed and breakfast, a family-run inn, a cosmopolitan hotel or an all-inclusive resort, a business plan is absolutely essential to your success.

You might have the best hotel concept in the world, but none of that will matter if you don’t have a well-organized plan that lays out how it will come to fruition.

Unfortunately, many hoteliers don’t use business plans to their full potential. Instead, they throw together a collection of ad-hoc documents to show stakeholders, investors and other interested parties. Even worse, they don’t put together a business plan at all. This is a big mistake, but it often stems from people finding the concept of business plans intimidating.

Fortunately, hotel business plans aren’t as daunting as they seem. At their most basic, they’re summaries of the most important details of your hotel concept . They allow readers to learn everything they need to know about your hotel idea in a detailed yet succinct manner.

Need guidance in doing so? Follow the points outlined here and you’ll have no trouble developing an effective business plan for your hotel.

Table of contents for this article:

Hotel Business Plan Essentials

Other elements to include, focus on the essential, 1. executive summary.

Your business plan in a nutshell.

The placement of executive summaries is misleading. They normally come first in business plans, but really, they should be written last. This is because they cover all the key points that are mentioned in your business plan.

Along with summarizing the basics, remember to include your broader mission statement and specific project objectives.

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, it’s much easier to write a great executive summary once you’ve finished the rest of your business plan!

2. Company Analysis

Think of this as an elevator pitch.

Provide an accurate yet exciting impression of your hotel project as it stands. Talk about background information like business stage, legal structure, investors and/or stakeholders and other major milestones. Most importantly, make sure you also highlight your hotel’s unique features and qualifications, sometimes referred to as USPs (Unique Selling Propositions).

USPs are key in the highly competitive hotel market and can really make your concept stand out from the crowd. Does your hotel have pool, jacuzzi or spa amenities? Is it completely wheelchair accessible? Does it offer amazing views of the city or surrounding countryside? These are all key features to highlight in your company analysis.

Some company analyses also use the SWOT analysis framework to assess their hotel concept’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

• Optimizing occupancy, revenue or ADR
• Upgrading your software stack
• Solving distribution or/and tech issues
• Improving their hotel online presence

3. Industry Analysis

What context will you be operating in, exactly?

In a business plan, industry analysis refers to researching relevant market trends. Understanding short and long-term trends that affect the hotel industry is key in putting together an effective hotel business plan, and eventually running a successful hotel.

Think about trends and events in relation to broader themes like technology, health, environment, politics, culture and economy. Reflect on how they might affect your business, or better yet, how your business could use them to its advantage. In the context of COVID-19 , for example, it’s a great idea to be transparent about the sanitary measures and distancing policies your business has (or would be able to) put into effect.

Depending where your hotel is located, industry analysis may be daunting. A more manageable way to think about it is in relation to your relative market. That is, focus your research specifically on hotels that have a similar concept to yours .

Industry trends affect family-run bed and breakfasts very differently than they do all-inclusive resorts, so make sure to undertake analysis that’s relevant to your business.

4. Competitive Analysis

Now, it’s time to size up the competition.

One of the best ways to put together a successful hotel business strategy is to have an excellent idea of what the competition is doing. Emulate what they’re doing correctly and improve upon what they’re doing wrong. If you see that many customers are complaining about the weak WiFi or lack of breakfast at hotels in the area, see if your business can provide those amenities.

You can focus your research solely on local competitors, but you can also include global competitors with similar concepts to your own . How you choose to do this will depend on your hotel’s concept and where it’s located.

Similar to industry analysis, competitive analysis is intimidating to many. In order to simplify it, only undertake in-depth analysis of your most direct competitors. Some market experts also use the SWOT analysis framework when analyzing the competition as well.

When it comes to more indirect competitors, try grouping them together and thinking about big picture comparisons.

5. Ideal Customer Profile

Next, you’ve got to figure out who exactly will be coming to your hotel.

It’s incredibly important to have a specific picture of your hotel’s ideal customer. Just like any other product or service, you’ll need to determine who you’ll be marketing to . Different kinds of hotel guests have different priorities and needs, so it’s important to determine who you’ll be catering to .

Put simply, a businessman staying in central London for a work conference will have very different hotel needs compared to a family of four on a week-long summer vacation.

Ideal hotel guest profiles take geographic, demographic, socio-economic, psychographic, cultural and behavioral considerations into account. You’ll also want to consider whether your hotel concept will be broadly appealing to several hotel guest profiles or if you’ll be catering to a specific niche.

Need help putting together ideal customer profiles? Get inspired by checking out your direct competitors’ guest reviews online.

6. Marketing Plan

Last but not least, how will you attract guests?

A strong concept is only half the battle. Without an effective marketing strategy , your hotel will remain empty. At its most basic, your marketing plan should describe how you’ll attract guests to your hotel and therefore make it a profitable business.

In doing so, marketing plans usually touch on the following categories:

• Marketing How will you get the word out to guests? In the modern age, this most often refers to online marketing strategies related to your hotel’s website, search engine results and social media presence. You can also cover direct marketing, offline marketing, networking, third-party promotion and partnerships here.
• Sales & Distribution How will you secure bookings? Think about what channels you’ll use to communicate availability and manage reservations, for example if your hotel is being listed in Airbnb, you'll need an Airbnb channel manager to handle your reservations and avoid double bookings. Most hotels use a combination of direct and indirect sales and distribution strategies.
• Yield & Revenue Management How will you make sure that your hotel is profitable? Consider pricing and yield strategies early on to maximize your business’s revenue growth.

We’ve talked about hotel business plan essentials, but we’re not done yet. The points we covered above are the basics, but there are several additional elements that you might want to consider including.

Remember, your hotel business plan should most importantly present the specific context of your project . The elements you include should reflect that.

We’ve included some ideas of additional elements you might like to include below, but the possibilities are endless.

• Operations Discuss how your hotel will run on a day-to-day basis. This connects to management but focuses on the big picture. Make sure to include details like staff numbers, hotel processes, service standards, external suppliers and inventory management.
• Management Have you established who will be in charge of your hotel’s management? Or who will be working at your hotel? If you have, talk about their profiles and what qualifies them to do their jobs here.
• Finances Put simply, discuss the money you have, the money you’ll require and how much you estimate that your project will cost in total. This is also a good opportunity to mention ROI projections.
• Reference Materials Be sure to include any supporting materials that support the information presented in your business plan. e.g. charts, graphics, resources, imagery and other media.

There you have it! Follow the steps above and you’ll have an effective business plan for your hotel in no time.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, remember to focus on the essentials first . Basic information like your project background, industry trends, competitor research and ideal clientele is your bread and butter. Once you’ve got those elements covered, start thinking about what additional elements you want to include based on your needs.

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Firstly, we assess

We evaluate objective(s), defining opportunities and setting goals.

Then, we plan

We make a plan detailing what should be done to help reach set goals.

Finally, we make it happen

We implement change, as planned, within set timeline and budget.

How to start a successful hotel business: a complete guide

From strategy, to software, to start-up costs: everything a new hotel owner needs to know.

In this guide, we deep dive into how to start a hotel business with step-by-step instructions and actionable tips. Whether you’re new to the hotel game or looking to grow your existing premises – here’s how to run a successful hotel.

In a world where renting out a property is easier than ever – all it takes is an internet connection and a host profile on Airbnb – arguably,  anyone can become a hotelier. But as anyone who’s done it will tell you, owning a hotel business goes far beyond giving people a place to sleep. The most successful hotel businesses take that practical need and turn into an unforgettable experience for their guests. It doesn’t matter whether you’re starting a five-star hotel, a family-friendly resort or budget motel – how you make your guests feel will determine your hotel’s reputation. And with online reviews the lifeblood of the hospitality industry, it’s critical that every guest leaves satisfied.

That’s why we created this guide – to help you dive deep into the crucial elements of starting – and growing – a successful hotel business.

Guide Contents:

• What type of person can run a hotel?

Find your place in the market

• Choosing your hotel identity

Pull it all together: creating a hotel business plan

• Crunch the numbers: the cost of getting started
• Spread the word: develop a marketing plan
• The A-team: hiring and training staff

Smooth operation: implementing systems

• Support for setting up your hotel with Preno

When the first-ever hotel opened in 1768, everything was managed on paper – a huge ledger with guest details painstaking recorded. Computers and spreadsheets made things easier, and more recently, hotel management software streamlined everything from start to finish. 

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Even so, it takes an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for the business to tap into what is now one of the largest industries in the world. Your drive to serve and delight your guests while managing multiple tasks with grace and dignity will determine the culture and success of your team. 

For your hotel to thrive, you must be willing to step up, work hard and understand that customer experience is everything.      

First, you need to thoroughly understand what it means to own a hotel. Soak up the latest news, thought leadership and best practices from local and international experts – Preno, for example, sends fortnightly industry news. While researching hotels in your area, you might find there’s no demand for your initial idea or that a slight tweak to your plans could prove more profitable.

A strong market analysis will help you decide whether you build or buy, or if adding efficiencies like new technology could streamline operations and improve your bottom line. 

Choose your hotel identity

Your style of hotel will inform several business decisions. It isn’t easy to transition from one type to another, so choose carefully based on your market research.

• Boutique. Often smaller, with unique characteristics, e.g. historic building
• Family-friendly. Larger rooms, extra beds, entertainment facilities and attractions close by, caters to the entire household
• Budget. Lower rates, scaled-back amenities to pass savings on to the customer  
• Luxury. High price tag, top-notch service, access to four or five-star amenities, e.g. spa, concierge, room service

A business plan is critical to laying out the foundations of launching, promoting and operating your business. To secure investment, it’ll be a requirement.

Here’s a summary of what your business plan should include. You’ll find more detail on some of these aspects further in the guide.      

• Executive summary. Give a high-level overview of your hotel business plan – short and concise. Include your mission statement and your objectives.
• Brand positioning. Dive deep into the story of your brand – who you are, your unique selling points and your target audience.
• Market/industry analysis. Demonstrate that you understand the market you’ll be operating in – both from a local standpoint, and a broader look at the industry. This will show investors your potential for growth based on local travel patterns and industry trends.
• Competitor analysis. Highlight your understanding of your competitors, and how your hotel fills a gap in the market. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis is a good way to do this.
• Customer segmentation. Break down your target market: demographics, location, socioeconomics and behaviours. This is also known as crafting a guest persona. It’s important to understand your primary target market intimately, so you can cater for an experience that meets their needs and expectations.  
• Strategic plan. Cover marketing, distribution and revenue management in this section. This is where you’ll convince investors that you have a sound plan to connect with customers, manage your inventory and maximise your revenue.
• Operations plan. Create a detailed plan that covers staff, operating processes, suppliers and inventory management – everything involved in operating your hotel business. 
• Financial plan. Start talking money. Start-up costs followed by ongoing expenses (payroll, purchases, rent and utilities), forecasts and profit potential. 
• Management team. Introduce the people who will be running your business, their backgrounds and their capabilities.
• Important milestones. Include a timeline of relevant milestones (build, opening, profitability). This gives you progress markers to aim for and will increase your likelihood of success. 
• Appendix. Add additional information or supporting documentation to the appendix. Your business plan should focus on important strategic highlights – everything else you can add at the end.

Crunch the numbers: the costs of getting started

There are several variables that will determine the cost of opening a hotel:

• Location. Tourist hotspots and inner-city hotels will be more expensive than somewhere more regional or rural.
• Quality. Starting a five-star resort will be a lot more expensive than a budget motel.
• Size. Number of rooms and hotel facilities (restaurant, meeting room, spa, gym).

While it’s challenging to pinpoint the cost of setting up a hotel business, there are five areas you’ll need to include in your start-up budget:

• Land. Any real estate fees associated with purchasing land or securing a lease for your hotel site.
• Building and construction. Whether you’re starting from scratch, renovating an existing property or buying into a franchise, this will take up the largest portion of your start-up budget. Hotel owners typically need a lot of capital to get started, but you could secure a construction loan to fund this part of the project. Either way, your building costs will vary depending on your footprint, quality of materials and current building condition.
• Soft costs. Non-construction-related expenses like insurance, architects, consents, permits and taxes, designers and lawyers. 
• Furniture, fixtures and equipment. These are the costs associated with furnishing your hotel – anything that’s moveable, i.e. beds, electronic equipment, tables, chairs and desks.
• Working capital. For hiring staff, paying salaries and any expenses incurred before you open your doors and the cash starts coming in.

Now that you’ve got some numbers down on paper, it’s time to figure out whether your hotel venture is feasible. The numbers will tell you if your capital costs are worth the risk. Estimate key revenue and expenses like room pricing, vacancy rates and revenue per room. Don’t forget ongoing operating expenses like maintenance, wages, advertising, stock (service products and equipment) and utilities.

Run through a handful of scenarios in your forecasting to see how key decisions or events will impact the potential profitability of your business. You can find out more about calculating hotel metrics and conducting a hotel market analysis in this guide:

< How to calculate ADR and other hotel metrics>

Spread the word: developing a marketing plan

You’ve secured financing, the build or renovations are well underway – now you need to share your hotel with the world. Your hotel marketing plan is an important part of your overall business strategy. This is how you’ll communicate with your target audience – using your market research to guide you.

There are lots of ways to market your hotel – be creative and brainstorm ways to make your business stand out. There’s traditional marketing like TV, print and radio, or partnering with a PR agency or travel agent. 

In addition to setting up a well-optimised website and booking engine , here are some digital marketing ideas you’ll want to explore:

• Online travel agents (OTAs)– Think Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and others. Most accommodation providers manage this through a channel manager like Preno.
• Social media marketing – Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn are the big three. Even if you don’t use all platforms straight away, you’ll want to secure as many handles as you can. Here’s a simple guide to creating a social media strategy that works .
• Paid versus organic advertising – Google Ads, boosted Facebook posts and sponsored Instagram posts are all examples of paid marketing. Sharing content like blogs or videos on YouTube through your social media platforms is designed to drive customers organically to your website. 

Want more ideas on how to promote your hotel business online? Read this guide:

<The ins and outs of hotel online marketing>

The A-team: hiring and training hotel staff

Hiring the right team members can make or break your plan to grow a successful hotel business. Most skills and knowledge can be taught but finding people with the right innate characteristics is critical.      

Attracting a stellar team

Before you place any job ads, get clear about the type of people you want to hire – what values, insights and skills will they bring to the team? Clarity here will ensure you attract like-minded people who share your vision. Your employees reflect your brand, so they need to exemplify the character traits you feel are most important to your hotel. 

You’ll then need to figure out a plan: role, requirements, hiring timeline and training. Depending on whether you buy or build, and the size of your hotel business, there will be key team members you’ll need to hire first. These are usually sales and marketing, finance, project management and facilities. 

Onboarding – get to know the team

Once you’ve got the team, the work doesn’t stop. Proper onboarding and training are chances to show people the ropes and give your team time to gel before the big opening day. Extra training for particular roles may be needed.

Before you open your doors, you’ll need to set up hotel systems and software to streamline and automate operations, so you can run your business leaner and more efficiently. Your requirements for user-friendliness and functionality alongside your budget will come into play when choosing the best hotel management system for your property.      

Here are some options you’ll want to consider:

• Hotel management system. This will likely be at the top of your list. Without a system to manage your bookings, you’ll be in the red before you’ve even started. A good system will facilitate management and administrative tasks including front-desk operations, rate and occupancy management and payment processing. It also connects to all the other important tools your hotel uses – like Xero or Lightspeed. 
• Channel manager. Channel managers allow you to automate changing your rates and managing your availability across all your channels – so you don’t have to spend all day doing it. 
• Booking Engine. These help you avoid the 15% fees charged by OTAs like Booking.com and Airbnb by collecting bookings directly via your website. Be sure to pick a booking engine like Preno that is optimised for mobile, and tailored to create easy conversions.
•   Accounting software. Preno’s world-class integration with Xero ensures the two applications work seamlessly together to automate invoicing, bookkeeping and payment processing – making it easy for hoteliers to manage their bookings and accounting in one place. Well-connected systems will give you clearer insights into how your business is performing. 
• Restaurant management software. If your hotel offers food and beverages in a restaurant or similar, you’ll want a Point of Sale (POS) system that connects your restaurant to your hotel management system. This will allow guests to charge back to their room. Preno and Lightspeed Kounta POS enable this type of customer experience.

Time to open the doors: launching your hotel business  

This is when things can get a little scary – but also exciting! You’ve put in the hard work, you’re ready to open the doors – and invite your first guests in. 

Opening events are often well-received and they’re a great chance to connect with your local community and key stakeholders. Put your best foot forward by planning an event that reflects your purpose and values and focus on building relationships. 

Go forth and conquer – you’re ready

The hotel industry is a hyper-competitive environment, and the disruption of Covid-19 in the last year has triggered a fundamental shift in the way accommodation facilities operate. Despite all the change, customer experience is one of the most important elements in determining the success of a new or existing hotel business. If you know what your target hotel guests need, and you can deliver on this, plus more (i.e exceeding customer expectations), your hotel’s reputation – and success – will be off to the best start. It’s a big bet and the risk is high, but careful planning, strategy and empowering your operation with the right technology will set you on course to starting a successful hotel business.

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Talk to the Preno team about getting set up.  

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Hotel Business Plan Template

Hotel business plan.

If you want to start a new hotel business or expand your current one, you need a business plan.

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their hotel businesses.

Below are links to each section of your hotel business plan template:

• Executive Summary – The Executive Summary is the most important section of your business plan. It should be clear, concise and provide an overview of your business plan.
• Company Overview – The company analysis should include your company name, business model, location, history, and a brief description of your hotel’s services. You can also include your company’s mission statement and/or a list of your key objectives.
• Industry Analysis – The Industry Analysis should include information on the size of the hospitality industry, trends, competition and growth potential.
• Customer Analysis – The Customer Analysis should include a description of your target market, customer needs and how you plan to attract and retain your target audience.
• Competitive Analysis – The Competitive Analysis should include a description of your local competition, their strengths and weaknesses and your unique selling point for how you plan to compete with them.
• Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan should include your sales and hotel marketing strategy, pricing strategy, and the promotion plan for your hotel. It should also include marketing efforts on third-party websites and online travel agencies.
• Operations Plan – The Operations Plan should include a description of your hotel operations, policies, and day-to-day procedures. It may also include your hotel business milestones.
• Management Team – The Management Team section should include biographies of the hotel owner, your hotel management staff, and their job descriptions.
• Financial Plan – The Financial Plan should include your hotel’s financial projections, funding requirements, and capital investment analysis.
• Appendix – The Appendix should include any supporting documents such as your hotel’s lease, contracts, permits, licenses, and complete financial statements including the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Hotel Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my hotel business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Hotel Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your own hotel business plan.

Where Can I Download a Hotel Business Plan PDF?

You can download our hotel business plan PDF template here . This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

What Is a Hotel Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your hotel as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes local market research to support your hotel business plans.

Why Do You Need a Business Plan?

If you’re looking to start a hotel or grow your existing hotel you need a comprehensive business plan. A well-developed business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your hotel in order to improve your chances of success. Your hotel business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

What Are the Sources of Funding for a Hotel Business?

Hotels are usually funded through business loans.

Often you'll have to use personal savings and/or angel investors to help with the down payment on the business loan.

In the financial model section of your plan, be sure to detail, among other things, how much it will cost to build your hotel and the key uses of funds (e.g., building the hotel, cost to furnish the hotel, staffing costs, working capital, etc.).

Note that if you already operate several hotels, private equity investors might be interested in helping to finance your expansion.

How Do You Start a Hotel Business?

Starting a hotel business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Hotel Business
• Create Your Hotel Business Plan
• Choose the Business Structure for Your Hotel Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Hotel Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Hotel Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Hotel Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Hotel Business Equipment
• Develop Your Hotel Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Hotel Business
• Open for Business

Learn more about how to start a hotel .

HOTEL BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

• Hotel Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan
• 10. Appendix
• Hotel Business Plan Summary

Start Your Hotel Plan Here

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Hotel Business Plan

Things to Consider Before Writing a Hotel Business Plan

Select a good location.

An accessible and well-located hotel is much more likely to work than one that is situated otherwise. Also, the neighborhood you set up your hotel in matters a lot too. Hence, it is important to choose the right size of land and locality to set up your hotel.

Find good suppliers

From laundry, and housekeeping to the right ingredients for the restaurant,  there are several supplies a hotel needs. And to satisfy your customers, it is essential to get the best of everything. After all, the reputation and image of your hotel matter a lot when it comes to running a hotel business.

Know your financial requirements

A hotel has several financial requirements from location to installation of appliances, furniture, decor, and salaries of employees. This also makes for a complex financial structure. Hence, it is good to figure out and keep an account of all your financial needs before getting started.

Find your USP

In the mass of industry giants and small businesses that exist in the business, it is important to have something that helps you stand apart from everyone else. From theme-based decor to additional services and ventures, your USP can be anything. But make sure that you find one before you get up and running.

Chalking Out your Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new hotel business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample hotel business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing a business plan for your new hotel business, spend as much time as you can reading through some samples of hotel and lodging-related business plans .

Reading some sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for, and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample Hotel Business Plan for you to get a good idea about what a perfect hotel business plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Hotel Business Plan Outline

This is the standard hotel business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Business Overview
• Mission Statement
• Location and Facility
• Steve Cowan
• Key Advisors to the Company
• Economic Environment
• Geographical/Competitive Environment
• Legal/Political Environment
• Technology Environment
• High Line ($139-$750 per night, depending upon season)
• Motel ($59-$119 per night, depending upon season)
• Bed & Breakfast (B&B)
• Summary of Opportunities and Threats in the Environment
• Competitive Advantage
• Industry Keys to Success
• SWOT Analysis
• Marketing Strategies
• Target Markets – Consumer
• Positioning and Product Strategy
• Distribution Strategy
• Pricing Strategy
• Service and Support Philosophy
• New Business Segment
• Publicity and Public Relations
• Guest Reward Programs
• Advertising
• Marketing and Promotion Budget
• Evaluation & Control Strategies
• Project Funding Summary
• Phase 1 Funding Amounts Sought
• Financial Plan Assumptions
• Income Statement Projections
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow Projections

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample hotel business plan template into your business plan and modify the required information and download your hotel business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Download a sample hotel business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free hotel business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your hotel business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Hotel Business Plan Sample

JUL.04, 2013

Hotel Business Plan for starting your own hotel

Hotels are among some of the best businesses that you can start if you have the investment for it. As a matter of fact, if you want to invest a large sum of money in a business that has virtually zero risk, rental real estate business plan might just be the safest option.

We will give you a business plan for hotel that you can use to start your own hotel and make a lot of money while you are at it. This sample business plan for a hotel will follow the example of Hotel Intergalactic, a venture by John Abruzzi. Let us now see what business consultants have to say about this business.

Hotel Business Plan Summary

2.1 the business.

Hotel Intergalactic will be a 3-star hotel situated in downtown Los Angeles. The hotel will be registered with the local government and will be insured. The details of this business will be described in this executive summary for hotel with focus being on the way you can make lucrative profits by owning a hotel.

2.2 Management of Hotel Business

The next thing this business plan template for hotel needs to address is the way this hotel will be managed. For this, we will hire a manager to look after the day-to-day matters of the hotel. Other than the manager, one accountant and three assistant managers will be hired.

As this is a business plan for small hotel, we will not be hiring a lot of managerial staff to run it. The assistant managers will be responsible for procurement, operations, and customer service. The assistant managers will report to the manager who will act as an agent of the owner, John Abruzzi and will make decisions on his behalf in his absence.

2.3 Customers of Hotel Business

The customers of this free sample hotel business plan will be the following:

• People coming to visit Los Angeles.
• People who are in Los Angeles for business meetings.
• Los Angeles-based companies that need accommodation for their employees coming from other cities.

2.4 Business Target

The targets of Hotel Intergalactic are:

• Becoming the best hotel in Los Angeles.
• Starting to make a profit of $29,800 a month by the end of year 3.
• Expanding its services to at least other cities by the end of year 5.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Hotel Intergalactic will be owned by John Abruzzi. John has a master’s degree in hospitality management and has been working in the hoteling industry for more than half his life. He knows the business and is passionate about it. He also has enough money to start the business. Combined, all these factors make him the perfect owner in this hotel business plan pdf.

3.2 Why the Hotel is being started?

John Abruzzi is one of the most prominent hotel managers in the area and that means if he starts a hotel people will know he means business. In this example of a hotel business plan, the main reason for starting this business is that this is a profitable business opportunity.

3.3 How the Hotel will be started?

Step1: Making a Feasibility Report

The next thing this new hotel business plan needs to discuss is the feasibility report. At this stage, a survey will be conducted to chalk out the demand and availability of hotels in downtown Los Angeles area. Any good hotel business plan sample doc needs to make sure of the thing that a proper feasibility report is made and the hotel is designed according to the demand in the area.

Step2: Developing a Brand

This hotel business plan, just like a resort business plans needs to cover another important thing. This is developing a brand. As the hotel is going to be in the heart of Los Angeles, it is cardinally important to have a brand.

Step3: Establishing the Hotel

As the hotel is to be constructed from scratch, the best-case scenario would’ve been an empty plot but that is not the case as the downtown Los Angeles area is fully covered by a concrete jungle. For this purpose, an apartment building will be bought and will be modified into a hotel.

Step4: Promotion and Marketing

Last, but not the least, the hotel needs to be promoted on all media channels to make sure people are aware of its existence and it attracts business.

Services of Hotel Business

A hotel business plan, unlike a home inventory business plan has a limited number of services. While a home inventory service business can offer a lot of services, a hotel business can only offer a few. Here’s an overview of the services Hotel Intergalactic will be offering:

• Accommodation

It goes without saying that the most important service offered by the hotel will be accommodation. The hotel will have 20 single-bed, 20 double-bed, and 10 twin-bed rooms for accommodating the guests.

• Banquet Service

The second most important service provided by Hotel Intergalactic will be that of a banquet. Three large halls will be made a part of the hotel and will be provided for everything from business meetings to birthday parties.

The top floor of the hotel will have an open-air rotating restaurant which will be open for the guests in the hotel and any other person coming in just for a meal.

• Bar and Lounge

The hotel will also feature a bar and a coffee lounge. These services will also be available for both the guests of the hotel as well as other people.

Marketing Analysis of a Hotel Business

Marketing analysis is the study of the various variables of the market that can affect the successful operation of a business. Any business plan for a hotel operation needs to shed light on this in order for the hotel to be successful. Before we get into the details of this business plan sample hotel industry, we need to have a look at the industry as a whole. There are just above 90,000 hotels in the US and more than $194billion change hands in this industry annually.

5.1 Market Trends

If you want to learn how to write a business plan for a hotel, you will have to closely study the trends of the industry. Just like making sample property management business plans , it is important to have an insight into the market before establishing a hotel.

The US hoteling market might have its seasonal ups and downs, but it has been noted in the past decade that the industry has seen a steady growth. The worth of this industry has increased from $133billion in 2009 to just under $200billion in the last decade. Industry experts and analysts are of the view that this industry will show a minimum of 5% growth by 2025.

Let’s now see more details of this hotel business plan outline.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

One of the most important things to consider when planning any business is the market segmentation. You need to have a clear idea of the market segments that you are going to target and only then you can properly plan everything.

Apparently, the hoteling business is only for one market segment, the people who need a place to spend the night. However, there is more to the story that just that. Even a house painting business plan has multiple market segments. Any hotel can have customers and clients divided into a number of market segments. We will focus on four segments of the market via Hotel Intergalactic.

5.2.1 Individual Customers

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

Most of our customers will fall into this category. These will be the people who show up at the hotel and want a room. We will make every possible effort to make sure these customers go home happy and consider us the next time they need a hotel.

5.2.2 Companies

Companies need accommodation for their employees when they are on a meeting. This segment of the market will give us bulk business and we will offer them discounts to make them our loyal customers.

5.2.3 Bar and Restaurant Customers

As the hotel will have a bar and restaurant, the people coming to visit them will also be a segment of the market for us.

5.2.4 Banquet Customers

As the hotel is to have three banquet halls, this will also be an important market segment for us. We will rent out the halls for conferences, parties, weddings, birthdays and any other function people need them for.

5.3 Business Target

Our business targets are:

• To maintain the highest standards of client satisfaction.
• To become a well-known name in the industry.
• To expand the business to all the major cities of the US.

5.4 Product Pricing

Hotel Intergalactic will offer the services at a price comparable to that of the competitors. We might keep the price a bit lower than that of the competition at the start to attract customers but once we earn name, we will increase the prices.

Marketing Strategy of Hotel Business

The next important thing for opening a hotel business plan is the marketing strategy of the hotel. No hotel management company business plan can be complete if it has no marketing strategy. To make a workable marketing strategy, we need to do the following.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis for Hotel Intergalactic has revealed the following:

• The competition in this field is immense in the area we are working in. We need to provide something extra to get customers.
• We will provide complementary dinner to our customers. No hotel in the area does this and this will give us a competitive edge.
• We will subsidize the companies who want accommodation for their employees so that they choose us over the other options.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will advertise the hotel through all the media channels in the area.
• We will partner up with travel agents and tour planners to get customers.
• We will offer discounts to companies who want to get accommodation for a large number of their employees.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

Another thing that needs to be made clear in this hotel resort business plan sample is the staff that we will need to operate the hotel. Unlike an RV park start up business plan , we will need a larger workforce to smoothly run the operations of the hotel.

7.1 Company Staff

• John Abruzzi will be the owner and CEO of the hotel.
• 1 General Manager.
• 2 Assistant managers.
• 1 Accountant.
• 1 Receptionist.
• 3 Waitresses.
• 2 Bartenders.

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

The last thing to be discussed in this business plan is the budget for hotel business plan. As the hotel is being started from scratch, the following expenses are to be arranged:

• The cost of establishing the hotel.
• The cost of hiring the staff.
• The salaries of the staff for the first 6 months.
• The cost of buying cars for guest pick and drop.
• The money needed to advertise the hotel.
• The money needed to establish a web presence of the hotel.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download Hotel Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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i found this very helpful. thank you for sharing

Thank you for your comment. If you need assistance in writing your business plan please contact us by email: [email protected] or call us at USA +1-619-727-5304, UK +44-203-318-1069, Canada +1-613-699-7822, Australia +61-385-956-735.

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5-Star Hotel Business Plan

5-star hotel business plan presentation, premium google slides theme and powerpoint template.

Are you ready to get that fifth star that your hotel is right now missing? You'll enter the club of the best hotels in the world! First, you'll need to present a well-thought business plan, so start by editing this template, which has been created for this purpose. We have opted for uncomplicated slides and a bit of elegancy, and you will notice how easy it is to edit the design. Add all the data and information that is necessary to make your plan shine through!

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A €40M renovated resort, combines luxurious charm and the relaxed feel of a Mediterranean spa, with well-appointed premium category rooms and luxury suites. Reflecting the brand’s signature design aesthetic of clean, contemporary, and inspirational spaces, by blending modern interiors with local touches inspired by Maltese crafts and the heritage of Balluta Bay, positioning the Malta Marriott Resort & Spa as one of the leading 5-star hotels on the Island. One of the first redesigned Marriott Hotels in Europe, providing innovative and sophisticated spaces, thoughtfully designed around business and leisure travelers alike.

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Reflecting the brand's distinctive design ethos of clean, contemporary, and inspiring spaces, our resort seamlessly blends modern interiors with local touches inspired by Maltese crafts. As one of the first redesigned Marriott Hotels in Europe, the property offers innovative and sophisticated spaces thoughtfully crafted to cater to both business and leisure travelers, setting a new standard for elevated experiences.

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Set on the top floor of Malta Marriott, the signature Presidential Suite presents an extravagant experience. Spanning 200 sqm, this suite, with the option for an adjoining twin room, boasts large terraces providing unparalleled views of the iconic Balluta Bay and the Mediterranean Sea. The lavish apartment-styled suite includes a spacious bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, bathroom with twin vanity sink, separate infinity jacuzzi bath, as well as living, dining, study, and kitchenette areas, culminating in a luxurious and expansive retreat.

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Indulge in a delightful breakfast experience at the M Club lounge, a serene haven offering breathtaking views for guests to unwind and enjoy. Immerse yourself in a culinary journey with our extensive buffet, showcasing an array of international breakfast dishes. From delectable pastries to savory delights, our breakfast selection caters to every palate, ensuring a satisfying start to your day.

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The M Club lounge is a convenient and accessible amenity for guests, offering round-the-clock access to a variety of refreshments. Whether you're in need of a refreshing drink, a cup of coffee to start your day, or a quick bite to eat, the lounge has you covered. With its 24-hour availability, you can satisfy your cravings at any time, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

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Indulge in a delightful evening experience at the M Club lounge with our enticing range of mouthwatering snacks for our esteemed guests. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, our hors d'oeuvres are the perfect accompaniment to your favorite drink, creating a truly memorable end to your day.

Equipped with internet access and a spacious work desk for the business traveler. Luxuriously appointed, newly refurbished 5-star hotel rooms and suites for a productive stay. Soak in gorgeous balcony views of Balluta Bay from the comfort of our Deluxe Rooms. See More Complimentary coffee and tea making facilities in all rooms. Upgrade to a Club Room or Suite for luxury amenities and M Club access. Some rooms are equipped with 2 queen sized beds, making them family friendly See Less

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Ambitious plans unveiled by Walsall hotel to bring new jobs

A four star Aldridge hotel has unveiled ambitious plans to transform the business and facilities and create new jobs in the process.

Fairlawns Hotel and Spa in Little Aston Road has put forward proposals to introduce new accommodation cabins, two new padel courts, a leisure retreat and play area, extend its swimming pool, create a new entrance and additional parking.

The facility currently boasts 59 rooms with six suites along with a restaurant, bar, pool, gym and spa indoors as well as a tennis court, fitness course and woodland nature walk outside.

It’s workforce stands at 150 members of staff but an additional 24 full time equivalent jobs will be created if the proposals are given the go-ahead.

Bosses said they wanted to enhance business, which is owned by the Pette family, as well as secure its long-term future with the expansion – which will be carried out in four phases if approved.

Walsall Council planning officers are expected to make a decision on the application in June.

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Singapore makes room for nature-positive hotels

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Thursday, 04 Apr 2024

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Leading the way: Choe speaks during a news conference in Singapore. UOL Group is one of the city-state’s largest property developers. — Bloomberg

SINGAPORE: While many hospitality players in the world are deliberating how they can make their business greener, veteran hotelier Choe Peng Sum has already set his ambitious plan in motion to run hotels that contribute to biodiversity.

Such nature-positive hotels are a pilot project, the chief executive of Pan Pacific Hotels Group told The Straits Times in an exclusive interview.

A nature-positive process is one that reverses current declines in biodiversity so that species and ecosystems begin to recover.

So far, two of its eight hotels – Pan Pacific Orchard and Parkroyal Collection Pickering – are fully nature-positive by design.

The group is also retrofitting its existing properties to make them nature-positive.

To reduce its carbon footprint, the group installed green features such as solar panels and low-emissivity windows at several of its hotels during the Covid-19 pandemic, when occupancy rates plunged. Pan Pacific Singapore is now undergoing a review of solar panel installation.

“It’s more than just removing straws and plastic. It’s a lot of infrastructure, it’s a lot of money. Introducing all these is not cheap but we are really excited,” said Choe.

The 62-year-old, who took over as the hospitality chain’s chief in September 2019, three months before Covid-19 struck, is expanding his green vision to hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

Besides incorporating lush foliage in new hotels’ design, the group is also exploring carbon offsets through tree-planting in forested areas - something that is not yet the focus of most hotels.

Governments worldwide, including in Singapore, have pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to limit global warming.

Carbon dioxide is a key greenhouse gas.

One of the most effective ways of removing carbon from the atmosphere is to plant trees.

Choe said the group has not committed to any specific net-zero goals, but is working towards an even higher standard called zero-energy buildings – what some would describe as mission impossible in the hotel industry.

These are properties that produce enough renewable energy to meet their own annual energy consumption requirements.“We’re not there yet because hotels burn a lot of energy, so we’re not up to the stage of zero energy – self-sustaining. We probably can get there when technology improves,” he said.

As it is, parent company UOL’s sustainability reports post-pandemic show this to be quite an uphill task.

The reports said energy consumption, Scope 1 and Scope 2 or direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generated in the hospitality segment rose both in 2021 and 2022. Water waste dipped in 2021 before rising the following year.

The increases coincide with higher occupancy on the back of post-pandemic revenge travel, as well as a spike in events and banquets.

Choe noted that it is hard to keep consumption, waste and emissions low when business is brisk, but the group’s green measures matter. “Without these, it’s going to shoot through the roof,” he said.

For instance, Parkroyal Collection Pickering installed about 265 solar panels 10 years ago and the payback period then was about 15 years.

Now, solar panels cost half of what was paid then, with double the amount of energy stored. The payback period has also shortened to five years. The price of being green may have become lower in some aspects, but it is still a costly affair.

One has to pay more to convert an existing hotel into a green one than to build a new one. In conversions, the bulk of the costs come from having the infrastructure to support the green features, such as trees or an urban farm.

“The problem is 85% of our hotels in Singapore and in the world are existing hotels,” Choe said.

He noted that many hoteliers do not own the properties but in Pan Pacific’s case, it is the owner-operator, “so it’s a lot easier to just say this is what we want”.

Still, the winds of change are blowing, so Choe expects a lot more buildings and hotels to take more concrete action in the months ahead and not just stay at removing plastic bottles and straws.

A poll of 33,000 global travellers by Booking.com in 2023 found that 76% surveyed said they would look for sustainable hotels in the next 12 months.

This means more and more hotels need to be certified, particularly due to the problem of greenwashing, which refers to false claims of sustainability, Choe said.

At home, the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Hotel Association, through the hotel sustainability road map established in 2022, has recommended that 60% of all existing room stock here attain internationally recognised hotel sustainability certification by 2025.

The association has zoomed in on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification that is renewed yearly after audits.

If anything, Choe’s move to shoot for the stars is starting to pay off for Pan Pacific – its eight properties in February attained the GSTC certification and it is the first local hotel group to do so.

Currently, people and businesses from the United States, Europe and Australia are very aware of sustainability, he noted, adding that Asian corporates are getting there. — The Straits Times/ANN

Tags / Keywords: naturepositivehotels , sustainabletravel , singaporehotels , greentravel , ecotourism , netzerohospitality

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• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
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The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief

President biden says he wants to rake in more money from corporations and high earners. but so far, he has cut more taxes than he’s raised..

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In his campaign for re-election, President Biden has said that raising taxes on the wealthy and on big corporations is at the heart of his agenda. But under his watch, overall net taxes have decreased.

Jim Tankersley, who covers economic policy for The Times, explains.

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An analysis prepared for The New York Times estimates that the tax changes President Biden has ushered into law will amount to a net cut of about $600 billion over four years.

“Does anybody here think the tax code’s fair?” For Mr. Biden, tax policy has been at the center of his efforts to make the economy more equitable.

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Police substation planned for Gold Star Highway apartment complex

Groton ― The town’s police department plans to open a substation at a former hotel being converted into apartments on Gold Star Highway.

The Town Council on Tuesday unanimously gave approval for the town to sign a lease with 99 Gold Star Highway Owner LLC, owned by New York-based company GoodHomes Communities, for the substation.

The rent for the 1,366-square-foot substation is $100 a year, plus costs for utility use, according to the lease , which has an initial term of 10 years that can be renewed.

Police Chief Louis J. Fusaro Jr. said in a phone interview Wednesday that GoodHomes Communities, the company converting the former Groton Inn & Suites at 99 Gold Star Highway into 115 apartments, approached the police department with the possibility of placing a police substation there.

Fusaro said he thinks the substation will benefit the residents there and the community, and the police department was open to the idea.

Fusaro said the Gold Star Highway substation will allow police to be more present and visible in the community, as part of the department’s community policing approach. It will help make the department more accessible and available to meet with people in the community on their terms.

In addition, the police presence can also serve as a deterrent to crime, he said.

Fusaro said the substation is not intended to replace the police station. If someone is arrested, they will be processed at the police station.

But police can use the substation to file a report, take a lunch break, or meet someone reporting a crime or who wants to talk about a sensitive matter, he said. Rather than having to go back to the police station, officers can remain a “stone’s throw away,” if a call for service comes in for that area.

Fusaro said the idea is to eventually establish regular community policing office hours at the substation, which will be set up as a room within the building, with an external entrance and parking spaces.

He said the substation will be located in a part of town that has commercial and retail establishments, and restaurants, as well as hotels, with a population that comes in and out of Groton. It also will serve an area not far from the U.S. Naval Submarine Base and residential neighborhoods.

Fusaro said the police department already has a substation in Mystic, and Community Policing Officers meet with residents at the Thrive 55+ Active Living Center from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Thursday. The community outreach specialists also have office hours at the Groton Public Library from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The police formerly had locations in Poquonnock Bridge and in Navy housing.

David Mitchell, lead team member with GoodHomes Communities said Wednesday that the company purchased the hotel property last year to convert into a 115-unit apartment complex and recently began renting the first phases of apartments. He said there is a waiting list for the studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Mitchell said the company , with sites across the country, converts hotels and senior housing into housing with attainable rents.

Mitchell said not enough attainable workforce housing has been built over the last 20 to 30 years, a time when construction costs have risen substantially and wages have not kept pace. Meanwhile, much of the housing built 20 to 30 years ago is aging, not well-kept, has disappeared or has been gentrified into high-level rents.

On the other side, many hotels built 20 to 30 years ago have become obsolete and, for the most part, face difficulty with financing, he said. A lot of senior housing is under pressure post-pandemic.

“We convert these hotels and senior housing into very robust and dynamic communities throughout the United States, and our rents are very attainable, because we are not building new construction,” he said.

At each community, the company offers to build for no cost and to lease for minimal cost the substation as part of its contribution to the community, he said.

“Our purpose is to be a good citizen and to be a partner with Groton,” said Mitchell, who anticipates that the substation facility will be ready within 9 months.

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