Overcoming Challenges in Pre-Opening Hotel Projects: Insights from My Journey

Pre-opening a hotel is one of the most exhilarating experiences in hospitality. It’s a thrilling journey, from overseeing initial construction to finally welcoming your first guests. I've been fortunate to embark on this adventure twice in my career, and I’d love to share some key insights.

Every hotel pre-opening for General Managers can differ, depending on when you’re brought into the project. Some companies involve a Project Manager up until a few months before opening, limiting the GM's role to operational readiness. Others bring in the GM early to oversee aspects like interior design, the procurement of goods, and more. Regardless of the stage you enter, certain skills and strategic steps are vital to ensure a successful launch.

My Top Pre-Opening Steps:

1. Know Your Stakeholders: Your first priority is understanding who the key decision-makers are. Are you reporting to an ownership group, a management company, or both? Establish clear communication lines and regularly update these stakeholders on your progress. Understanding their expectations and timelines is crucial.
2. Know Your Team: In pre-opening, your team extends far beyond the operational crew. It can include contractors, interior designers, engineers, and more. Make it a point to familiarize yourself with everyone involved and keep them engaged throughout the process.
3. Create an Opening Timeline: After establishing communication with your stakeholders, develop a timeline for the entire project. Break each phase into smaller tasks and set deadlines. Be as detailed as possible to keep everything on track.
4. Budgeting: Work with your finance team to create a comprehensive pre-opening budget. Get buy-in from all stakeholders, and once approved, manage costs carefully.
5. Monitor and Evaluate: In pre-opening projects, the risk of going off track is real. Delays are common, but consistent delays in small tasks can snowball into major setbacks. Stay vigilant and proactive.

Lessons from My Experience:

1. Communication is Key: Keep clear and open lines of communication with everyone involved. Transparency fosters teamwork and trust.
2. Be Open-Minded: You’ll work with professionals from various disciplines who may not always see eye to eye. Your interior designer may disagree with your engineer. It’s your job to find common ground and keep everyone aligned.
3. Set Clear Expectations: Avoid being overly optimistic. Set realistic expectations and make sure all stakeholders understand the potential challenges and timelines.
4. Supply Chain Delays: Even post-COVID, supply chain issues persist. Stay on top of your procurement process to mitigate surprises.
5. Leverage Technology: Be tech-savvy! Several tools can streamline the pre-opening process, making project management more efficient.

Pre-opening a hotel is an art and a science. It’s about balancing different priorities while maintaining focus on the ultimate goal: delivering an exceptional experience for your future guests. If you’re in the middle of a pre-opening project or have gone through one, I’d love to hear your thoughts or lessons learned. Let’s connect and share our experiences!

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