Seasonal spruce-up: Small changes for a big difference
Tips for new and inexperienced moteliers and operators on making the most of the downtime to improve and maintain your property
Winter months or low-demand periods are ideal for completing the big and small projects that will keep your property at the top of its game. It’s also a great time for a general overview of the property.
Quite often, the smaller changes can have the biggest impact on your bottom line. Reviewing costs and the current state of your property can help plan both large and small improvements.
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Taking the time to clean marks off the walls and touch up paint chips will present the rooms in a cleaner, newer state, even if the property is aging. A 20-year-old property can look as good as new when the walls are clean.
Another item of note is ensuring that all light bulbs work and that there are no leaking showers or taps. This not only lets guests know that care and attention are given to the property but also saves water and power.
If you are looking for inspiration on what can be done to improve or help maintain your property, why not spend some time in a guest room? See how everything works and is presented from a guest’s point of view.
Quite often, we see things from a clean and presentation side, but what about the practical side? Are the beds comfortable enough, or do you need to consider replacing some? Is there really enough space in the bedroom to move around? Are the soft furnishings getting a little tired? Has a particular area of wear and tear begun to show? If so, can something be done sooner rather than later?
While it’s great to take feedback and action from guest reviews, experiencing the guest rooms in person can provide an entirely different perspective.
The weather may not always be ideal during the low season, which can be a deterrent for outdoor projects, but you might be surprised at how motivated you become once you begin. Starting small, such as weeding the garden, can turn a minor job into a manageable project, leaving the exterior of your property in full bloom and looking fresh and fantastic, ready to welcome guests in the high season.
Time seems to pass faster and faster these days. What you think happened two years ago might actually have been three or even four years ago. Keeping track of major maintenance and replacement items in each of the guest rooms will come in handy when it comes to breakdowns and warranty questions. A simple spreadsheet listing the room, date, work done, and by whom is the best way to keep track of the work completed.
Taking the time during quieter periods to review invoices and input details into a system will be time well spent. Some property management systems also offer this capability. This process can also highlight items that may need replacing in the near future, allowing for financial planning.
In conjunction with the maintenance log, ensure all safety and essential services paperwork is up to date and labelled for easy access. These are items that you rarely need, but it is essential that they are available and ready when required.
Maintaining and managing a property of six or 60 rooms is a full-time role—there is always something to do. Structuring your week and chipping away at the bigger jobs will help break up the monotony.
For example, each week, no matter the weather, I spend at least an hour working in the garden. This could be pruning, raking up leaves, or purchasing and planting new plants. Not only does this get me out of the office and apartment for a bit, which is beneficial in many ways, but it also helps maintain the property’s presentation for guests.
Emily Stephens, Founder and Managing Director of The Accommodation Project, has been working in accommodation operations for over 20 years. Starting as a receptionist, she has worked her way through the ranks in different types of accommodation both overseas and in Australia to now operate an apartment hotel with her husband in a beautiful coastal town in Victoria. Combining her passion for the industry and wanting to help and support fellow operators, The Accommodation Project was created. Building on the confidence and proficiency of newcomers so that all properties find their place in an ever changing and exciting sector.