A Complete Guide to Running a Motel
June 8, 2022
Getting involved in the hospitality industry is an excellent way to establish a business and generate profit. However, running a successful motel is not something that happens overnight. Before you enter the industry, extensive planning, research, and so forth is required.
Therefore, knowing the best practices for running a motel can help pave the way for a successful business.
Tips for Running a Motel
The following are some helpful tips to keep in mind if you’re a motel owner.
Focus on Customer Satisfaction
The classic saying “the customer is always right” is one of the most integral parts of running a successful business. You should focus on making sure the needs of your customers are met at all times.
To do this you can start by researching the wants and needs of people traveling in your area. This is very dependent on your location. For instance, if you’re near an airport your customers are likely looking for a quiet and conveniently located place to rest for the night. If you’re close to a major attraction, such as a national park, your customers are probably looking for somewhere fun to stay with friends or family.
Besides knowing what your customers are looking for, your service needs to superb. This includes an easy check-in/checkout process, friendly staff, clean rooms and facilities, accessible parking, and more. This will help you retain customers in the long run.
Market Your Motel like a Pro
The hospitality industry is highly competitive; therefore, motel owners must learn how to market services better. Unfortunately, marketing a business on a continuous basis can be time consuming and complicated.
However, knowing the best marketing practices can help make the process much easier. For example, the motel should have a user-friendly website and a social media page. There you can promote your business and communicate with new and existing customers. This is also a great opportunity to showcase what sets your motel apart from the competition.
People love getting to know a business on a personal level, which is why you can incorporate some of the following information into your site and socials:
- The motel’s history
- Excerpts from positive reviews
- Features, services, and amenities
- Links and info regarding nearby attractions
- Your biography (your staff’s too)
- Fun events at the motel
Keep an Eye on the Competition
The rule of thumb in business is to stay ahead of your competition. The same goes for motel owners!
The easiest way to have a competitive advantage is to first know who you’re up against. You can’t beat the competition if you don’t know who they are! To do this, start by researching available lodging in your local area. Oftentimes motels are a cheaper option than hotels since they offer basic amenities.
To stand out you want to be affordable and provide a top-notch customer experience. You’ll want to compare the cost, amenities, location, and features of your property to others in the area.
To succeed, it’s crucial to take into consideration what you have to offer. This is where you need to stand out to maintain that competitive advantage.
Bottom Line
Running a motel is a lot of responsibility. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult. To succeed all you need to do is implement the right practices. Motel owners need to monitor their competition, implement marketing tactics, and focus on customer satisfaction.
Following these simple tips will help entrepreneurs like you run a profitable motel business.
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Sources
https://www.littlehotelier.com/blog/running-your-property/start-run-motel-complete-guide-small-property-operators/
https://www.siteminder.com/r/trends-advice/hotel-management/how-to-run-hotel-right-way/
https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-tips-for-running-a-small-hotel