How to Start a Hotel

How To Start Your Own Hotel Business

If you’re looking to start a new hotel business, you’ve come to the right place since we’re going to show you exactly how to do it. We’ll start by sharing how to open a hotel step-by-step, then answer some frequently asked questions about running a hospitality industry business and being a successful hotel owner.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a hotel is to complete your hotel’s business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Hotel Business Plan Template here.

Download our Ultimate Business Hotel Plan Template here

15 Steps to Start a Hotel Business:

1. Choose the Name for Your Hotel
2. Develop Your Hotel Business Plan
3. Choose the Legal Structure for Your Hotel
4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Hotel (If Needed)
5. Find a Location to Buy or Start Building Your Hotel
6. Register Your Hotel with the IRS
7. Open a Business Bank Account
8. Get a Business Credit Card
9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
10. Get Business Insurance for Your Hotel
11. Buy or Lease the Right Hotel Business Equipment
12. Develop Your Hotel Marketing Materials
13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Hotel
14. Hire and Train Your Hotel Staff
15. Open for Business

 

1. Choose the Name for Your Hotel

The first step to starting a successful hotel business is to choose your hotel’s name.  

This is a very important choice since your hotel name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your hotel. Ideally, you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your hotel business:

1. Make sure the name is available. Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
2. Keep it simple. The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
3. Think about marketing. Come up with a name that reflects the desired hotel identity and/or focus of your hotel.

2. Develop Your Hotel Business Plan

One of the most important steps in how to start a hotel business is to develop a hotel business plan. The process of creating your hotel business plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to potential investors for your business.

To enhance your planning process, incorporating insights from a sample hotel business plan can be beneficial. This can provide you with a clearer perspective on industry standards and effective strategies, helping to solidify your own business approach.

Your hotel business plan should include the following sections:

1. Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your hotel.
2. Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your hotel and what type of hotel you operate. For example, are you a boutique hotel, a bed and breakfast, or an inn?
3. Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the hotel industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
4. Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, what is their income level? What amenities do they look for in a hotel? What do they find important when choosing where to stay?
5. Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
6. Marketing Plan – your hotel marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
   • Product: Determine and document what products/services you will offer. 
   • Prices: Document the prices of your products/services.
   • Place: Determine where your business will be located and how that location will help you increase sales.
   • Promotions: Determine what promotional methods you will use to attract guests to your hotel.
7. Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
8. Management Team – this section details the background of your hotel’s management team.
9. Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
   • What startup costs will you incur?
   • How will your hotel make money?
   • What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
   • Do you need to raise funding to launch your hotel?

 

3. Choose the Legal Structure for Your Hotel

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your hotel and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the owner of the hotel and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a hotel business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a hotel business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a hotel business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your hotel, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Hotel (If Needed)

In developing your hotel business plan, you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. Determining whether you want to purchase and renovate or build a new structure will majorly impact when you can open your new hotel and the amount of funding you will need.

If so, the main sources of funding for a hotel to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a hotel that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Find a Location to Buy or Start Building

Having the right space is important for your hotel and choosing the best location can have a major impact on your business.

To find the right space, consider:

• How many rooms will your hotel have?
• What are the zoning requirements for hotels in your area?
• Is the local market a good match for your target customers?

If you plan to build a new structure for your hotel, you will also need to work with architects to establish a timeline and determine construction costs.

 

6. Register Your Hotel with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

 

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your hotel’s name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

1. Identify and contact the bank you want to use
2. Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
3. Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
4. Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your hotel to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your hotel. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

Every state, county and city has different business license and permit requirements.

Nearly all states, counties and/or cities have license requirements for hotel, including:

• Business License:  A general business license is required for all businesses, including hotels. The cost of a business license varies depending on the state, county and/or city in which the hotel is located.
• Occupancy Permit:   An occupancy permit, also called a Certificate of Occupancy, is required before you can open your hotel to the public.
• Alcohol Licenses:  If you plan to serve alcohol at your hotel, you will need to obtain the appropriate license from the state in which your hotel is located.
• Sales Tax License:  You will need to obtain a sales tax license in order to collect sales tax from your customers.
• Food Service License: If you plan to serve food at your hotel, you will need to obtain a food service license.
• Fire Department Approval:  Most hotels are required to have approval from the local fire department before they can open to the public.

Be sure to check local government guidelines to determine which licenses and permits hotels are required to obtain in your area.

 

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Hotel

The right business insurance is important to protect your new hotel. Business insurance policies that you should consider for your hotel include:

• General Liability Insurance: This insurance protects your hotel business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury that occur on your premises or are caused by your business.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If you have employees, you may be required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance protects your employees if they are injured or become ill as a result of their job.
• Property Insurance: This insurance protects your hotel property from loss or damage due to fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered events.

11. Buy or Lease the Right Hotel Business Equipment

Beyond the furniture and equipment you will need in each room, opening a hotel will also require some business equipment, including:

• A reservation system to take bookings
• A property management system (PMS) to manage rooms and rates
• A booking engine if you want to accept online bookings
• Rooms keys and/or access cards
• Reception furniture

 

12. Develop Your Hotel Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your hotel.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

1. Website: Likewise, a professional hotel website provides potential customers with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
2. Social Media Accounts: establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your hotel.
3. Logo: Spend some time developing a good logo for your hotel. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Hotel

Most hotel businesses need a few types of software to run successfully.

First, you will need a PMS. This is software that helps you manage reservations, check-ins, and other aspects of your operations. Some popular options include Cloudbeds, Oracle Hospitality, and HOTELTIME.

You will also want to have a customer relationship management (CRM) system. This software helps you track interactions with customers, manage customer data, and market to potential guests. Many hotels use programs such as Experience Hotel, Oracle NetSuite, and Salesforce.

Additionally, you need to use accounting software such as Quickbooks or M3 to manage your hotel’s expenses.

Research the software that best suits your needs, purchase it, and set it up.

14. Hire & Train Your Hotel Staff

The quality of your hotel staff can make or break your business. You need to take the time to find, interview, and hire the right people.

Start by writing job descriptions for the positions you need to fill. Then, post the job openings online and in places where potential employees are likely to see them. Once you have a pool of candidates, conduct phone and in-person interviews to narrow down your choices.

Finally, once you have selected the employees you want to hire, provide training on your hotel’s policies and procedures. Additionally, give them a tour of the property and introduce them to other staff members. It helps to build out a strong sales team to prospect new business and nurture customer loyalty.

15. Open for Business

You are now ready to host a grand opening for your hotel. Make sure to include your grand opening event in your marketing plan and promote your hotel launch to the right target audience.

If you follow the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business and know everything you need about how to start a hotel business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

 

 

How to Open a Hotel FAQs

Additional Resources in the Hotel Market

For additional information on the hotel market, consider these industry resources:

• American Hotel & Lodging Association: ahla.com
• Hospitality Net: hospitalitynet.org
• Hotel Mavericks: www.hotelmavericks.com

 

 

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consultants can create your business plan for you.

 

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