Introduction
The current trend is for hotel properties to be developed by independent property developers, who then sign an agreement with a hotel operator to manage the property for an agreed period. In many instances the agreement is only signed once design and construction is under way.
This leads to a number of problems:
- Specific hotel or brand requirements not being taken into account when designing or constructing the building.
- Badly designed back of house and other operational areas.
- Expensive and disruptive remedial work after the property is opened.
- Development cost strategies which are in conflict with ongoing operational cost strategies.
- Insufficient provision and understanding of pre-opening allowances.
- Complicated and conflicting asset handover procedures.
By employing the services of a specialist hospitality development consultant, many of these issues can be addressed and resolved.
Service offering
With extensive experience in hospitality development, Coneconsulting are ideally placed to offer a comprehensive hospitality development consulting service. Services can be provided for the development phase of the project, during hotel opening and after opening.
Development phase
- Consulting with the development team including architects, designers and specialist consultants on generic hotel requirements and back of house design and layouts.
- Providing conceptual budget estimates.
- Providing detailed procurement lists and specifications for operating supplies and equipment.
- Acting as the operator’s representative on the development team and at development project meetings.
- Co-ordinating and vetting hotel room mock-ups and table presentations.
- Providing conceptual estimates for; and controlling approved pre-opening budgets.
In our traditional capacity as procurement consultant we are also able to manage the complete procurement process, from design specification through to fit-out and installation. Full details of these services can be provided separately.
During hotel opening
- Independent verification of the quantity and quality of FF&E and OSE assets provided.
- Documenting and verifying asset descriptions for asset register purposes and assisting with identifying assets for tagging.
- Collating and vetting technical and maintenance manuals.
- Collating design specifications, suppliers details etc for replacement.
- Assisting with the capture of all information into the asset management system.
- Assisting with rooms and other area handovers.
After hotel opening
- Inspecting and reporting on the condition of FF&E assets.
- Maintaining asset registers.
- Assisting with the ordering and procurement of replacement items.
- Managing refurbishment and remedial projects. This includes procurement, project management and costing services.
Conclusion
We believe that it is vital that operational requirements are taken into consideration when developing hotel properties and that both parties are protected during the development and after the property opens.
Our services can be provided on a modular or retainer basis and we would welcome the opportunity to explore this further.
Contact Neil at Coneconsulting on +27 11 326 4147 for more information.
