It’s been a little over a year since the world as we once knew it changed. Last Spring while many were getting ready for their upcoming Spring and Summer vacations the pandemic hit which put those plans on pause. Now as vaccines become more and more available and the safety of traveling grows stronger, those postponed vacations are finally happening. People are ready to see the world again and have new experiences while feeling safer than they did at this time last year and the hospitality industry is ready to welcome them back with open arms. The words “No Vacancy” will be a breath of fresh air for a lot of properties that haven’t reached capacity since before the pandemic. With this in mind, hotels should begin to prepare for the influx of travelers looking for clean and safe spaces. Making sure that your property is ready to welcome guests back with a refreshed exterior and interior is a good first step. It’s the season for new beginnings everywhere. Here are 5 ways you could take on a Renovation Refresh: 1. Re-Energize Your Windows If you have not made the switch to energy efficient windows yet, now’s the time to do so! Energy efficient windows save you money in the long run, reduce noise pollution and also give you a leg up on the competition. Travelers are concerned more than ever about a hotel's sustainability efforts and replacing your current windows with energy efficient windows is another selling point for you to present to your guests. To learn more about energy efficient windows check out our service page: https://www.amerailsys.com/specific-needs-services 2. Out With The Old & In With The Faux Wood It has become apparent that the biophilic design trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. If anything it is only becoming stronger and more in demand. This trend rose in popularity because of its serene aesthetic and ability to connect travelers with nature. One of the most common ways hotels are incorporating biophilic design is with faux materials that look like raw materials found in nature such as faux wood & faux stone. These materials, when used on the exterior of a hotel can be a signal to travelers that your property is calm, clean and trendy. Faux wood or stone that contrasts with your property's paint can also be used to highlight sections of your hotel that you want to draw the guests eye towards. For example: Faux wood/stone on the Porte Cochere will make a guest feel more relaxed as they drive up to your hotel's entrance. Faux wood/stone on your hotel's facade will draw the guests eye right to where you want them to be, inside your hotel and will make their walk into the building more enjoyable. The exterior of your property is a guest's first impression of your hotel. First impressions matter and can be the difference between a guest choosing you or your competitor. Not sure where to start? Contact us today for a refreshing design. 3. Trendy Landscaping In addition to faux materials, landscaping is also important to biophilic design. Staying on top of landscaping trends can set you apart from the rest. Check out some of the best landscaping trends we found for 2021. Simplifying your landscape Don’t make unnecessary work for yourself by planting trees over ponds or pools, plant perennials & add automatic watering where you can. Bold Relaxation Areas & Secluded Sections Outdoor living rooms are all the rage right now, make a comfortable outdoor space where your guests can relax outside and set your hotel apart with a statement relaxation area. To make the space even more unique, Include any local elements you can (local art, sculptures, etc.). Secluded areas will also attract travelers, make a space that can be hidden with a living wall such as tall trees & plants and keep your secluded space as calm and neutral as possible. Grow food For most hotels this will have to be for kitchen use only but for those who are able to allow their guests and community to pick from their garden this presents a great opportunity to interact more with your community & guests. Helping Nature Include plants that attract butterflies & bees into your landscape design. Butterflies & bees around your hotel adds to the biophilic design trend but can also show your guests what you’re doing to improve the environment. You can even promote how you’re helping your local environment within your hotel. Another way to help nature and yourself is by providing houses for birds. These houses will keep birds off your window sills and awnings and also let your guests know you care about your community and its environment. Read more about 2021 landscaping design trends here: https://newdecortrends.com/10-top-trends-in-landscape-designs-in-2021/ 4. EIFS Cleaning/Painting You’d be surprised what a good cleaning can provide to your property's exterior. One of the more simpler tasks in this list is cleaning the EIFS of your building. This can make your exterior brighter and stand out among your competition. If you’re ready to do a little bit more than cleaning your EIFS, painting it can transform your hotel to a whole new level. Have you noticed other hotels in your CompSet that have changed their exterior colors over the last few years? Brands have been leaning more towards cooler, modern, & more neutral tones while incorporating contrasting natural materials whereas a few years ago the tones & colors were mainly warm & beige across the board. Incorporating new & trendy paint colors can indicate to travelers that you are a clean & updated property. To learn more about how Amerail can brighten up your property contact us here: 5. Interior Trends Most of the experts agree that design trends for 2021 will center around calmness, the opposite of a chaotic 2020. With calm spaces as the focal point in design you can expect there to be more indoor greenery, neutral tones & in general the continuation of biophilic design. To add some serenity inside your hotel here are a few things you can do: Create a more open concept in your gathering areas such as lobbies and lounges. If your seating/gathering areas are congested, spread furniture out & declutter these spaces to make them feel & look cleaner to those using them. More space will give your guests room to breathe and relax. Also make sure to have cleaning/sanitizing stations readily available. When renovating or redecorating your interior, remember to use natural/natural looking materials combined with neutral and earth tones. The same concept of faux wood & stone on your exterior from our 2nd tip above can be applied to your interior too. Water features can also make your guests feel calmer and safer. Finally, greenery can add to the sense of calm and cleanliness you’re aiming for. There are many plants that require little maintenance but are still appealing to the eye. Indoor plants can also serve as barriers and walls to add more private areas for your guests to relax in. To learn more about interior design trends for 2021 check out: https://hoteldesigns.net/industry-news/adaptation-is-the-design-trend-to-celebrate-in-2021/ Are you ready to refresh your property? Get ready to welcome your guests back with a refreshed exterior. Contact us today to learn more about our exterior hotel renovation services.

The exterior corridor was a staple in the 1960's when road trips and car traveling were at their peak. Travelers loved the easy access to the outside where they could have a smoke or just get to their cars faster so they could continue on their pilgrimage/road trip. Since then, air travel took over as it was faster and sometimes more efficient then putting the whole family in a car. But since the pandemic, families have had to find new-old ways of getting out of the house and enjoying time off. So we enter a new time where the road trip is gaining popularity again for it's aesthetic as well as it's safety. With the road trip comes the hotel but there are still concerns regarding too much contact with other travelers. We're in a time now where being too close to people can cause guests to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. With this in mind we can't help but think that hotel design will begin to take this into account. Will hotel brands begin to include design aspects from the 60's like exterior corridors and room entrances? Since the major hotel brands took over the industry, exterior corridors & entrances have been a trademark of roadside motels & have given them the reputation of being dangerous & unappealing making major brands stay away from them. But could this all change as we enter a time where sometimes, being outside is safer than being inside? A time when a door right to the parking lot, courtyard or exterior corridor is safer than a hallway or lobby filled with people? We certainly think this change is possible in the hotel design industry. We’re moving away from the ideology of exterior entrances & corridors being red flags or symbols of just the humble motel. Now the exterior corridor can mean safe & trendy. Don’t just take it from us though, other experts have been speculating on the comeback and have also noticed peaks in motel occupancy during Covid. In November of 2020, Hotel News Now published an article on how hotels were seeing business come from marketing their exterior corridors. In their article: Hotels See Business From Marketing Exterior Corridors, they quote David Sangree, President of Hotel & Leisure Advisors “Exterior-corridor hotels have a situational advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic, by giving the guest the ability to reduce touchpoints, avoid elevator rides, and be a more self-contained traveler,”. Read the full article here: https://www.costar.com/article/473996619 David makes a great point in the article by acknowledging that guests are more aware of all the touchpoints in hotels that they once may not have noticed as much. Because of this phenomenon, eliminating as many touchpoints & close contact situations (i.e. buttons, lobbies, elevators, hallways) will make guests feel more comfortable staying in that hotel. We asked a small sample size of people how they felt about exterior vs interior hotel corridors and entrances, here are some of our questions & their answers: Question: Given the current pandemic climate, If your hotel room had an exterior entrance & and an Interior entrance which entrance would you use & why? Answers (Ages ranging from 18-34): “The exterior entrance so I can easily access my car and can stay away from other people” “Depends on the weather, but probably Exterior” “Exterior - less risk of contact with other guests compared to indoors “ Answers (Ages ranging from 35-54): “Exterior - less contact” “Either. I feel fine with both” “Depends on what we’re doing or where we’re going” “Exterior, more airflow” Answers (Ages ranging from 55 & over): “Exterior” “Exterior because it’s quicker to get to your car and you usually don’t see any people” Question: Given the current pandemic climate, which do you feel is a more socially acceptable place to gather/relax: an exterior courtyard or in an interior lobby? 70.6% of ur poll-takers said that they believe exterior courtyards are more socially acceptable while 17.6% chose an interior lobby and 11.8% said neither. Question: Given the current pandemic climate, would you feel safer/more comfortable if hotels/motels had an exterior room entrance? 56.3% of our poll-takers said that they would feel safer/more comfortable if hotels/motels had an exterior room entrance while 31.3% said they felt indifferent and 12.5% said they would not feel safer/more comfortable. Question: Given the current pandemic climate, would you choose a hotel/motel with both an interior & exterior room entrance over one with just an interior room entrance? (given both hotels are exactly the same in every other aspect) 62.5% of our poll-takers said that they would choose a hotel with interior & exterior room entrances over one with just an interior room entrance while 25% said they were indifferent and 12.5% said they would not choose a hotel with interior & exterior room entrances. After reading the responses from our poll-takers we can come to the conclusion that although some travelers are skeptical of exterior room entrances, most would prefer to have the option available to them. Hotels with exterior entrances and corridors should continue to take advantage of this and advertise this feature as an amenity. Post pictures of your hotel exterior room entrances, corridors and or courtyards on social media for future guests to see. As it starts to get warmer being outside will be even more appealing to those who have been waiting to travel. Check out our blog on how to advertise your hotel renovation through social media for tips on posting on your hotels page. https://www.amerailsys.com/post/promoting-your-hotel-renovation-on-social-media If you’re a hotel owner and want to give your property the advantage of exterior corridors/room entrances give Amerail Systems a call today to learn how we can help you attract more guests. (814) 456-8221 or Contact Us

Lessons from a hotel renovation company A PIP or Property Improvement Plan is a list of updates, renovations & improvements to bring a hotel up to a specific brand’s new or existing standards. PIPs are beneficial to hotel owners in many ways. For example, improving the look of both the exterior and interior of your property can improve your guest satisfaction and increase RevPar. How often do you receive PIPs? As a hotel owner, buyer, or seller it is essential to know when to expect a PIP & what the most recent brand standards are. As an owner, you should know that hotel PIPs come through in cycles of approximately every 6-10 years for regular exterior hotel renovations, interior renovations & updates. As a buyer, you should be aware of the current PIP standards for the brand you are purchasing. Knowing a brand's current standards will allow you to better negotiate the purchase of the property. If you are a buyer who is planning to rebrand/reflag the hotel that you are purchasing, having that hotel brand’s current PIP is also vital so you are aware of what updates & renovations are needed. If you are planning to sell your hotel, you need to know that your potential buyers will most likely be comparing your property to the current PIP from that brand so you should prepare accordingly. Before you receive a hotel PIP, hotel owners should know to pay close attention to trends happening around them. Being aware of trends will help owners have an idea of what to expect in their next PIP. So, what do you do once you receive a hotel PIP as a hotel owner? The first thing you should do after receiving a PIP from your franchise is to prepare a budget & begin researching service providers who can help you with the necessary improvements and how they fit inside that budget. A simple and efficient way to fulfill a PIP that calls for repairs & renovations is to seek out a company that specializes in hotel renovations & hotel PIP fulfillment. For example, when you send your PIP to Amerail Systems we will help you in the most cost-efficient way possible to make the necessary improvements to your property. Because of our 35+ years of experience working in the hotel industry, we have the special ability to value-engineer your project to accommodate budget and design standards while focusing on improving your ROI. Your next step is to make sure you have a solid team of service providers together that are willing and able to coordinate with you and others on that team. Your team could consist of a general contractor, a designer, and an FF&E procurement company. When you select Amerail Systems as your general contractor, there’s no need to hire a separate company to design your hotel renovations. As your all-in-one hotel renovation company, Amerail provides complete 3D-colored renderings and architectural drawings of your property with our design to present for brand approval. Once you have a team together and your renovations are approved, the work on your property can begin. Depending on factors such as receiving brand approval, weather, and permits, the fulfillment of a PIP can take approximately 12 - 24 months. Your final step is to enjoy the look of your renovated hotel as well as the ROI from your fulfilled property improvement plan. Throughout your renovation and PIP fulfillment process, issues could potentially arise. Being prepared for the most common issues will help you address them easily and continue with a smooth renovation. To learn more about the issues that can arise and how to navigate them, check out our blog: Tips on Keeping Your Hotel Open During a PIP or Remodel

This time last year no one would have guessed what 2020 would have in store or what we’d be walking into in 2021. With that said, we at Amerail Systems released our 2020 hotel design predictions in December 2019 and now we want to take a look back on those trend predictions, see if they were accurate and give our thoughts on what this new year may hold for hotel design. Here’s what we predicted for 2020: Did we see these elements through design? Let’s break down the graphic shown here. Generation & Travel 1st we have designs focused around the Millennial Traveler. Elements of design that were geared towards an experience and “Instagram-able” spaces were and will continue to be present. But now the focus will shift to cater to those who are starting to take up space in the travel industry - Gen Z. This new generation of guests are also looking for that aesthetically pleasing photo op, especially with the growth of platforms like TikTok and Instagram where influencers are thriving. Aside from social media backdrops, guests are also looking for spaces with appropriate backgrounds for video calls, unique rooms to enhance the guest experience & design that will make them feel safe. One design element that makes the 2021 guest feel safe is our next prediction from 2020 that we know will continue through 2021 and on. Sustainability - Biophilia - Health Our second & 3rd predictions from 2020 were the continuation and growth of Biophilic Design & demand for sustainability. We mostly saw this trend in the faux wood paneling on Hampton Inns & Courtyards and in energy-efficient window installments. Biophilic design makes guests feel like they are staying in a healthier, safer and more eco-friendly hotel. There’s no doubt of the importance of this going into 2021 and beyond. Gen Z travelers may be even more concerned with eco-friendly spaces than their predecessor generation: Millennials. Eco-friendly design elements such as energy-efficient windows will not only help you attract guests & keep them comfortable during their stay but they can also help save hotel owners on energy costs. That is why our trend prediction for 2021 and beyond includes not just biophilic design but also eco-friendly, safe and sustainable design. After surviving almost a year of a pandemic, hotels will be looking to design & implement specific spaces that cater to the new guest that emerges from 2020. A guest who is concerned with being safe & enjoying the experience of staying in a hotel. Hotels will need to design areas to convene for guests to use while social distancing. Some hotels took advantage of this trend during 2020 with the implementation of the “igloos” that were used for outdoor meetings. Simplicity or Uniqueness Our 4th prediction, simplicity was present in the clean lines on roofs and porte cocheres and the modern color pallets chosen by brands throughout the industry. Do we think simplicity will continue? With regards to exterior hotel design, it’s hard to say. On one hand, hotels will be looking to catch the travelers’ eye and a more complex exterior may be the trick to do this. Complex and unique design will appeal more to those travelers looking for the most Instagram-able and TikTok-able place to stay. But on the other hand, a simple exterior with modern and biophilic elements could appear more eco-friendly and safe. We think we’ll see a mixture of both simple and complex/unique designs going into 2021 & 2022. Industrial Elements Finally, our last prediction for 2020 was the incorporation of industrial elements into designs. In our prediction, we said “Industrial design gives a hotel a more raw and tangible look while creating a comfortable, relaxed environment where Millennials can feel the sense of innovation and be inspired.” in 2021 hoteliers need to also consider Gen Z when designing. Industrial elements are just one aesthetic that could appeal to this new traveler. If a design is pleasing and unique it will attract Gen Z. With all of these design predictions in mind, we want to add one more prediction. The Importance of Online Presence Aside from the look and feel of hotels, Millennial and Gen Z travelers will be more likely to stay at the hotel who has a solid online and social media presence. A simple TikTok video showcasing new design elements or guests enjoying socially distanced experiences could be the deciding factor for the next few years. Influencers tagging your hotel in aesthetically pleasing photos of your biophilic design elements could inspire someone to take a trip and stay with you. When designing for 2021 & beyond, hoteliers should keep these trends in mind while also working on their social media presence. Relatable businesses are more appealing and comforting and after 2020, travelers will be more focused on comfort than ever before. One of your perks when choosing Amerail as your Hotel Renovation provider is that we have an in house team entrusted to promote our projects through social media. This includes showcasing before, during and afters of your property, as well as promoting your hotel by highlighting the things to do and attractions nearby & expanding your audience even more. Read more about our 2020 design predictions here.

Thinking about starting your hotel renovation but not sure where to start? One of the first steps is to find the best hotel contractor for your needs. With exterior hotel renovations, there are many different services you may be in need of. For example, if you received a PIP you could be in need of exterior or interior remodels. These updates are typically larger scale projects and are best executed by a company with experience in the hotel renovation industry. You may just need a few repairs here and there whether it be to your EIFS or to your Porte-Cochere, again it is important to choose a contractor who is well versed in the unique needs of hotel properties. Here are the top qualities you should look for when choosing a contracting company to renovate your hotel. Are they experienced in hospitality renovations & repairs? Have they worked with your brand? Can they provide value-engineered solutions? What services they offer (do you need design-build, bid & build or specific repair needs?) How long they have been in business Do They Have Experience in Hotel Renovations & Repairs? This quality is important for hoteliers looking to renovate. Hotel renovations have unique needs and processes, especially if they are flagged (branded hotels). Choosing a contractor who has experience working within the hospitality industry will make your 0 experience easy and painless. When looking up a contractor for your hotel renovation make sure to search terms such as: Hotel renovation company Exterior hotel renovation company Hotel remodeling company Hotel Contractor Hotel renovation companies These search terms will help guide you to contracting companies that specialize in hotel renovations. Have they worked with your brand? Similar to the previous quality, finding a contractor who is experienced with your hotel's flag will save you time and headaches. Each brand typically has unique needs and requirements. In addition to this, when a hotel renovation company has many years of experience they will most likely have relationships with brands and their decision-makers which will make communication easy and more effective. When you work with hotel renovation companies that have renovated properties under the same flag as yours they will be able to roll out your project more efficiently. Here are some tips on finding out if a contracting company has worked with your flag: Hotel companies will typically list most brands they’ve worked with on the homepage of their website. Another place to look for brands they have experience with is their portfolio or projects page. Here you will be able to see the work they’ve done for different brands in the industry. If you are interested in a company's services you may also contact them to ask for a list of brands that they’ve completed projects for. Although this is a great quality to look for in a contracting company, it shouldn’t deter you from choosing them if you don’t see your flag listed. For example, if the quality of their work is up to or exceeds your expectations and they are experienced hotel renovators they will still provide you with a more efficient and better renovation. Can they provide value-engineered solutions? A quality that should not be overlooked is a company’s ability to provide value-engineered solutions to its clients. When a company is large enough, they are able to volume purchase commercial quality products directly from the manufacturer. This volume purchasing allows them to value-engineer your project and provide you with bottom-line cost savings. Contracting companies with 'in-house' relationships provide a major advantage over the individual design-contractor association, which can be very antagonistic at times. To find Hotel Renovators who provide value-engineered solutions use these search terms: Value-engineering contractor hotel renovation company + value-engineering Also: Check the company’s website, “services” and “about” pages to see if they mention value-engineering. What services do they offer? Are you in need of design-build, bid & build, a brand conversion or specific services/repair needs? Are you in need of a full exterior renovation, EIFS repair, window replacement, brand conversion or design? Your choice of a contractor is reliant on what services your project needs and which company offers those services. Some contractors offer specific services while others specialize in a wide variety. While searching for a contractor, make sure that who you choose is experienced in the work your project needs. If you’ve received a PIP for your hotel, it’s important to choose a contractor who has experience fulfilling PIPs & also a contractor who is experienced & specialized in the work required in your PIP. When you’re in need of repairs & independent renovations or brand conversions, make sure to choose a contractor who offers & is experienced in the work you need. Typically, a renovation company or contractor will list out their services on their website. If you’ve found a contracting company that you are interested in, check out their services page to see if they can fulfill your renovation/repair needs. To find a contractor who offers the services you need, try out these search terms: Commercial EIFS repair contractor Hotel PIP renovator Commercial window replacement contractor *insert your specific need* contractor How long have they been in business? During these uncertain times, finding a contractor who has stayed in business through other crises in our country can give hoteliers ease of mind when it comes to their hotel renovation or repair project. Although this time has been tough on hospitality, it is not the first time the industry has taken a hit. It’s important to make sure that your contracting company can withstand the lows of the industry while also making the best of the highs. When a contractor can adapt and survive a national crisis they prove that they are reliable and that your hotel renovation/repair will continue smoothly. To learn more about how Amerail Systems can help roll out your renovation give us a call at (814) 456-8221 or check out our services page here.

Like many other hoteliers during these uncertain times, you have more than likely felt the brunt of this pandemic with (but not limited to) low occupancy levels. But you, like many other hoteliers, may be looking for ways to take advantage of this unusual lull in guest traffic. This lull has proven useful to hoteliers around the country by providing them with the opportunity to increase their property values and improve the curb appeal of their hotel with a renovation without interfering with their guests experience too much. Updating hotels is essential for keeping up with or beating out the competition. Your improved curb appeal could be the deciding factor for potential guests on the road who are choosing where to stay for the night. Continue reading to learn about your loan options for renovating then check out our blog: 5 Reasons to Renovate to read why now is a great time to renovate. Whether it’s a complete renovation or just repairs, hotel updates can be costly but there are resources out there that can help hoteliers such as yourself get the capital you need to improve your property. Below are the most common hotel loan and financing options available to hotel owners who are looking to renovate or repair their hotel. The type of loan you may need is typically dependent on 3 main factors: your renovation/repair needs, how much the project will cost & your experience level as an owner/management. Keep in mind you may also need to provide the loan provider with a description of how funds from the loan will be distributed to the renovation project. In this article, we will be discussing the most common loan & financing options for hotel renovations & repairs to help you determine which one is best for you. For Renovations at Established Hotels: Conventional Bank Loans For Renovations at Non-Franchise Hotels & for First Time Owners: SBA 7(a) Loans For Large Renovations between $5-$20 million & Experienced Hotel Owners: SBA 504 Loans For Small Renovations or Repairs between $10,000 & $1 million: Business Line of Credit For Experienced Hotel Owners of Small-Large Hotels who need at least $2 million: CMBS Loans Best for Hotel Owners Looking to Finance PIPs: Mezzanine Debt Financing Conventional Bank Loans: Conventional Bank Loans are best for established hotel owners. These loans are provided by banks or lending institutions. This type of loan while usually the cheapest out of your renovation financing options, can also be one of the most difficult to obtain. Borrowers looking into conventional bank loans should have a strong credit history & relationship with a bank. SBA 7(a) Loans: SBA 7(a) Loans are most beneficial for first-time hotel/motel owners who may not have a perfect credit history or are less experienced. Also, if you are not planning on owning your hotel long-term or have less than 20% down, an SBA 7(a) Loan can help you renovate your property & increase your ROI with loans usually up to $5 million. To qualify for this type of loan you will typically need assets to use as collateral, a 650 credit score (or above) & revenues of at least $100,000/year. SBA 504 Loans: SBA 504 Loans are ideal for the experienced hotel owners who are in need of a large construction/renovation loan. Compared to other loans, SBA 504 loans are typically the best choice but are also harder to qualify for. Loan amounts are usually between $5 & $20 million, down payments can be as low as 15% but you may have to have a plan on expanding your business. To qualify for this type of loan you will typically need a net worth of $15 million (no more than this), an average income of no more than $5 million after taxes in the past 2 years before applying, qualify for the SBA’s standards for small business, operate for profit & meet owner-occupancy requirements. Business Line of Credit: Typically available in amounts of $10,000-$1 million, a Business Line of Credit is best for hotel owners in need of smaller repairs & renovations to their property. To qualify for a Business Line of Credit you usually will need: an annual revenue of over $180,000, a minimum credit score of 650 & at least one year of experience owning a hotel. CMBS Loan: CMBS loans are great for the experienced hotel owner who is in need of a minimum of $2 million in financing for their project. One reason hotel owners choose these loans is because they have no specific cash-out restrictions. Most hotels are eligible for this type of financing including: full service, boutique, limited service, branded (flagged) & unbranded. To qualify, you should have experienced management & your property should have a strong financial performance history. Mezzanine Debt Financing: If you’ve received a PIP for your hotel, Mezzanine Debt Financing may be the best way to fund your renovation. This type of loan is a combination of both debt and equity financing. With this combination, hotel owners receive a loan as well as money in exchange for shares of your company. Mezzanine Loans use liens on the hotel management company as collateral and can be obtained in amounts between $1-10 million. Check out these resources for financing on your next hotel renovation: SBA 7(a) Loans: www.mymortgagebanker.com www.fundera.com SBA 504 Loans: www.mymortgagebanker.com www.fundera.com Business Line of Credit: www.fundera.com CMBS Loans: https://cmbs.loans https://largocapital.com Mezzanine Debt Financing: https://stonehillstrategiccapital.com www.ramsfieldrealestate.com

Here's a brief recap of our favorite articles from October. First up is Lodging Magazines article: Higher Education Offers Hoteliers New Revenue Stream During Pandemic This was one of our favorite pieces from October because of its optimism and ingenuity. Check out the article from Lodging Magazine below to learn more about how hotels are offering their rooms to be used as single person dorm rooms for college students. Click here to read Next, we have good news from Lodging Magazine: STR: U.S. Occupancy Hits 50 Percent for the Second Time Since Pandemic’s Low Point "..leisure and weekend staycation demand seen during the summer may make appearances into the fall." No need to explain why this made our top 5, we love seeing increasing occupancy rates! Click here to read Looking for ideas on where to take your next road trip? Check out the third article on our list from Lodging Magazine: AAA: Americans Planning Fall Travel With Cautious Optimism We loved reading about the re-emergence of the American family road-trip and how this could potentially continue through fall and keep occupancy levels at 50% or higher. Read the full article below: Click here to read Next, we have more insight into travel trends: Trivago: Vegas, Beach Towns Top Fall Destinations In this read from Hotel Business Magazine, we get a look into what travelers are searching for on Trivago. Trends include things like last-minute bookings and domestic travel. Read more on these trends and where they're happening in the article from Hotel Business Magazine below: Click here to read Finally, we have this article from Hotel News Now: How hotels are reworking outdoor spaces to meet demand Optimism and adaptation seem to be common themes through October and this article is no exception. Hotels are implementing "igloo pods" to encourage social distancing while also making events and meetings exciting again. This new method of meeting in outdoor spaces could be the future of gatherings for the foreseeable future and could help breathe life back into the events and event planning industry. Click here to read

Listen and learn from leaders and industry professionals all throughout the hospitality community. We’ve compiled a list of 5 of our favorite hotel industry podcasts with a brief description of each of them. Here are our top 5 picks for podcasts hoteliers should be listening to and why you should subscribe today if you haven’t yet. 1. Lodging Leaders “Lodging never sleeps. Lodging will endure. Long Live Lodging.” Lodging Leaders is a weekly podcast from Long Live Lodging, a multimedia platform where storytelling has been their niche since 2015. Narrated by Jonathan Albano and Judy Maxwell who are accompanied by a team with a combined 50+ years of industry experience. These industry experts and skilled storytellers take listeners on a journey through the hospitality industry’s biggest topics of the day. They then help you navigate them in an easy to listen to format where guests answer questions and the hosts offer a more in-depth explanation. If you are in the hospitality industry in any capacity (especially leadership), this podcast is the one for you. We love staying up to date with Lodging Leaders, check out where to listen below so you can too. Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Radio.com, iHeartRadio & TuneIn Website: https://longlivelodging.com Number of Episodes (to date 9/8/2020): 284 Theme: Discussions on Current Events in the Hospitality Industry 2. Lodging on Demand “LODGING On Demand’s digital roundtables give hospitality leaders an opportunity to talk through pressing issues in the industry.” While being a fairly new podcast to enter the hospitality genre, Lodging on Demand is hosted by Lodging Magazine which has, for years been a staple to those in the hotel industry who wish to stay up to date on industry news and trends. Their new podcast is no doubt the same. Lodging Magazine released their first episode of Lodging on Demand at the beginning of the pandemic and has since released multiple episodes each month. Hosted by Lodging Editor Kate Hughes, this podcast delves into issues industry leaders are presented with and advice/discussion on how to solve them. We recommend this podcast to anyone looking to stay up to date on current issues in the hospitality industry as well as anyone looking for advice from industry leaders. We can’t wait to hear more from Lodging on Demand. Check out where to listen & if you haven’t already, subscribe below. Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify & YouTube Website: https://lodgingmagazine.com Number of Episodes (to date 9/8/2020): 19 Theme: Problem-Solving Discussions in the Hospitality Industry 3. Hospitality Academy “Sharing hospitality industry tips and advice for hoteliers on a variety of topics designed to make your life a little easier and your operation more profitable” Hosted by Susan Pannozzo, an expert in the hospitality industry for over 30 years Hospitality Academy Podcast delves into how to make your hotel more successful. This podcast found its niche in the genre focusing more on educating and offering a knowledge share platform for hoteliers. Hospitality Academy is where hoteliers go to share and listen to the secrets and strategies that make their hotels successful & more profitable. This podcast puts emphasis on why your hotel’s service is so important to your profits & then shares strategies on how you can improve both. Hotel Academy is like no other podcast in the genre because of the vast amount of knowledge shared on the industry minutiae that make hospitality what it is. These details are essential to running a profitable hotel. Below is a list of where to listen to this podcast which we highly recommend. Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts & Stitcher Website: https://www.hospitalityacademy.net Number of Episodes (to date 9/8/2020): 41 Theme: Educational Podcast Focused on Hospitality Services & Maximizing Profitability 4. Marriotts: Behind the Design “Behind the Design podcast reveals the creative decisions involved in creating some of Marriott’s best hotels through interviews with the hotel industry’s top designers, exploring the trends and innovations that go into making hotels look the way they do.” Behind the Design is one of 3 podcasts hosted on Marriotts online platform: Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Formerly known as Marriott Traveler, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler is the brand’s online magazine which has also entered the podcasting world. This platform which is typically used to connect with their guests and customers has expanded its voice to also connect with leaders & those in hospitality to discuss current events and topics surrounding the industry. Behind the Design goes behind the scenes with industry professionals to learn more about what goes into the creative aspect of hotel design. From trends to new innovations in hotel renovation listen and subscribe to this podcast for the inside scoop on the exciting world of hotel design. You can listen & subscribe to Marriotts: Behind the Design wherever you get your podcasts below. Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & Spotify Website: https://traveler.marriott.com/podcasts Number of Episodes (to date 9/8/2020): 18 Theme: Podcast on the Creative Aspect of Hotel Design 5. Fuel Hotel Marketing Podcast “Start adding some Fuel to your resort or hotel's marketing strategy.” Like the podcasts listed above Fuel Hotel Marketing is one of the most important podcasts for a hotelier to subscribe to. Led by Fuels COO: Stuart Butler, Fuel Hotel Marketing Podcast is there for hoteliers to gain actionable tips and knowledge on marketing strategies for their hotel. Whether it be a nationally recognized brand or a boutique hotel, this podcast offers advice that can be tailored to fit your hotel’s individual marketing needs. Want to know ways to drive growth? Or how to market during the pandemic? Fuel Hotel Marketing blankets hotel marketing trends & topics. Since 2016, the podcast has been one of the most popular in the industry. With one of the most expansive episode libraries in the genre, this is an easy choice when it comes to picking what podcast to subscribe to as a hotelier. Check out where you can listen and subscribe below. Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & Spotify Website: https://www.fueltravel.com/hotel-marketing-podcast/ Number of Episodes (to date 9/8/2020): 161 Theme: Marketing Tips & Discussions for the Hotel Industry

2020 brings a new decade and with it an opportunity for hotel owners & management companies to refresh their investments/properties. If you’ve been contemplating renovating your property we’re here to give you the extra nudge you’ve been waiting for. From boutique to international brands, hotels everywhere are renovating their properties to appeal to the new majority travelers (millennials) with more modern and experiential design. Check out Amerail Systems 5 Reasons to Renovate below: 1. Increase your ROI Optimize your real estate value on your hotel investment Increase RevPAR 2. Importance of Curb Appeal Your guests first impression of your hotel will influence how they feel  about their entire stay & influence if they return/recommend you Enhancing curb appeal will increase the likeliness of online bookers who see your renovated pictures online. Posting photos of your hotel  increases the likelihood of a traveler booking with you. According to a study done by TripAdvisor: “Properties with at least one photo see an increase of +138% in travel engagement” “Properties with more than 100 photos see an increase of +151% in travel engagement” “Properties with more than 1,000 photos see an increase of +203% in travel engagement” 3. Increase Guest Satisfaction Renovations could include improvements like window replacements that make your guest spaces quieter, warmer, cooler and more energy efficient. Switching out  your windows for more energy efficient windows can save you money on your operating costs. Read about why you should switch to energy efficient windows here (link to window blog) Curb appeal can influence your guests first impression and mood throughout their stay. But it can also influence the mood and behavior of your staff. A newly renovated exterior can motivate your staff to perform even better & provide exceptional guest service. This in turn will prompt your guests to leave a great review & return to your property. 4. Stay Competitive Have you noticed hotels in your compset have been renovated  recently or are renovating now? Renovating your hotel's exterior will keep you competitive with the hotels near yours that may be attracting more guests with a more modern look. With so many new hotel builds popping up, current hotels need to stay up to date with renovations to remain competitive. 5. Stay up to date with your PIP/Franchise Requirements Easily the most common reason to renovate, if you’ve received a PIP and are looking for an experienced hotel renovation company, contact us at Amerail Systems today. PIPs are given to hotels to stay up to date with design trends as well as general upkeep of the look of hotels. Hotels that stay up to date with their PIPs & Franchise requirements are more likely to see an increase to their ROI. Now that you’re ready to refresh your property contact Amerail Systems today to get started on your hotels exterior renovation. Contact

2019 is coming to an end and along with it a decades worth of hotel design trends. No longer will you see branded hotels with busy parapets (rooflines) or muted neutral EIFS shades. Gone are the days of elaborate porte cocheres and smooth exterior faces. In the new decade we welcome in a completely new look for hotel brands. Instead of your typical changes in EIFS & roof colors or additions to the parapets, we look forward to seeing more modernized exteriors that incorporate *biophilic design and more. A QUICK RECAP OF THE DECADE Entering the decade While arriving to hotels in the late 2000’s you would have been greeted by muted colors on the hotels facade with maybe a pop of color on the roof (typically either terracotta or green). You would also see a variety of parapets & roofs ranging from rounded to mansard to shingle. One of the most prominent features across hotel brands before 2010 were rounded pediments/parapets and arches. It seemed that the individuality of a hotels exterior relied on their roofline. Early 2010’s In the beginning of 2010 we began to see a switch in rooflines/parapets from something more decorative and busy to something simple and flat. Curves on the parapets were cut across brand designs while step downs and crowning remained present. Another major change to the roofs of hotels were the colors. Before, metal mansard roofs or shingle roofs were shades that stood out from the beige facade such as terracotta, green or blue. New PIPs required brands to lose the colors and paint over them with a more neutral shade. Porte Cocheres remained mainly the same aside from some choosing to lose the stone and brick and go for a simpler cleaner look. Mid to Late 2010’s Settling into the mid 2010’s brands began to experiment in diversifying their look. Rooflines were flat and simple with some including signature cornices and cornice uplighting. While the real experimentation came with porte cocheres and facade color. Porte Cocheres went from being non-eye-catching extrusions from the hotel to a more modern and comforting method of entry. Curb appeal that represented a more hospitable environment was the goal. New porte cochere designs included an element of design that would set them apart from the competition such as curved roofs and fiberglass/clear ceilings. Color wise, hotel brands began switching from the muted beiges to more vibrant colors that would catch the eye of the traveler. From oranges to dark chestnut to pops of bright green, hotels were trying to grab attention and keep it. Moving into the late 2010’s colors would begin to change across brands. The goal being to add dimension and take away the flatness of facades. Natural shades of grays with pops of darker colors began to appear in PIPs across brands along with natural looking elements such as wood and stone. 2019 It’s 2019 and while driving up to your hotel you notice that the exterior is a lot different from what you saw last time you visited a couple years back. The facade is no longer beige, beige and beige the once mildly comforting neutrals have been replaced by a possibly even more comforting, more modern color palette. When you look up the metal mansard is gone and the roofline has a sharper roofline and there are large pediments adding depth and dimension to the exterior. Windows are framed with shadow boxing and the lighting has been switched out for LED. You enter through the now simple but modern porte cochere and notice the natural elements on the hotels facade and even on the ceiling of the porte cochere. After taking in the new curb appeal you’re feeling comforted by the modernity & biophilic mixed design and now you’re thinking of extending your stay. LOOKING FORWARD INTO 2020 Based off of the design trends in the past decade and what we have seen in PIPs we have a few predictions for where exterior hotel design will head in the new decade. The term “Biophelia” will be important to know and understand in the coming years. Biophelia is our intrinsic need as humans to interact with nature. This feeling has been growing in popularity and we don’t see it going anywhere soon. To satisfy this need, hotel designers began including elements that bring nature to guests. The infographic below gives us a quick look into what we think we'll see in 2020. Trends that will continue: In 2020 we predict that we will see more of the following trends that have been present in the last couple years. Most of these design elements revolve around that feeling of biophilia. Natural looking materials (wood & stone accents) Creative use of LED lighting Biophilic design Instagrammable design - making the design an experience Sleek lines Modern color schemes (gray, black, white, etc.) Slimmer Porte Cochere Integration of local culture in design and finish (stone, wood, colors) Shadow boxing on windows & framing New Trends Emerging: Let’s break down that infographic above... Designs More Focused on the Millennial Traveler We have to assume hotel leaders are taking the new generation of travelers into consideration. Millenials are twice as likely to travel than older generations making them more likely to contribute to the hotels profits even with the emergence of Air BnBs. Because of the massive amount of younger travelers, hotels need to know what they’re looking for. It is now all about the guests first impression when they arrive and an aesthetic that turns your guests into your best advertisers. Things like: experiential designs that are instagram worthy enough so they promote you on social media and a focus on guest arrival that will entice them to extend their stay. For example: As for design, first impressions will be warm and inviting by using new lighting techniques & placements. This trend is listed first because all trends emerging are influenced by the need to satisfy and attract the Millennial traveler. Hot Take: 80% of Millennials view travel articles and photos online and ⅔ are viewing travel videos online. Making sure your hotel’s exterior is instagram worthy and appealing to the eyes of the largest consumer in traveling right now is vital. More Sustainable Practices/Requirements in the PIPs It’s no secret that having a “green” element in your business’s practices is almost essential for a large corporations public image now. Many brands have already adapted their pips and service standards to include green practices. In 2020 we’re preparing for even more sustainable requirements in PIPs for exterior hotel design. For example, in a PIP for exterior renovations this may be a job where we replace a hotels current windows with energy efficient ones. Expansion on the Idea of Biophilic Design In recent years biophilic design has become present in hotel PIPs with the requirements of faux wood and stone elements. Moving forward into 2020 and beyond we’re predicting hotel designs to take bringing nature to the guest to the next level to satisfy that biophilia within them. This means the addition of waterfalls, larger windows, better view orientation and of course plants and natural stone integrated both on and inside the buildings. Simple Designs With Less Noise This could potentially mean less mixing of materials and colors. For example choosing  just one material such as wood with a monochromatic color scheme vs both wood and stone. Taking into consideration the trend of industrial design below we predict that if this statement is true hotels will opt for wood and metal. Industrial Style Elements Will be Present in Both Exterior & Interior Hotel Design. Modern industrial design will spread from condos and office spaces to hotels in the coming years. Why? Because with modern industrial design comes comfort in not having to overthink. Industrial elements will be present because of their raw simplicity but also because of the way they compliment everything around them. The “old” look of metal beams or exposed brick will make everything around them look refreshed. Industrial design gives a hotel a more raw and tangible look while creating a comfortable, relaxed environment where Millennials can feel the sense of innovation and be inspired. We predict we will see more industrial style metal on the porte cocheres and inside lobbies/hotel bars which could contribute to the more inviting and warm aesthetic upon arrival that hotels are aiming towards. Looking for more 2020 trend predictions in the hotel industry? Check out lodgingmagazine.com for more on 2020 including advice on challenges in the hotel industry to group business travel trends. Make sure to take Lodging Magazine & Amerail Systems with you into 2020.

A new renovation is a great opportunity to promote your hotel to get a higher ROI Maintaining guest satisfaction can be tricky if you choose to stay open during a hotel renovation & promoting your renovation can be even trickier. Here we will outline the best way to get guests excited for the renovation, keep them happy during the renovation and promote the finished renovations utilizing social media. A strong social media presence can attract people to your hotel whether it's because of your aesthetically pleasing photos or because they feel more comfortable with a more personable hotel. Before We Begin… Here are some tips & things to consider before your renovation. Are you promoting your social media presence in the hotel to your guests? If you’re not promoting inside the hotel, this is the time to start. Promoting your hotels social media pages throughout the hotel is a good way to get your guests to follow you. Next time they are looking for a hotel in your area they could be reminded of you through social media. Remember to tag your brands official page (if applicable) in ALL posts and stories. This could prompt them to share your posts/stories on their own page where they are likely to expose you to a larger audience. Know the best times to post to social media. According to Sproutsocial.com, the best times to post on social media for businesses in recreation/travel are: Facebook: Tuesdays at 12 pm, Wednesdays at 1 pm & Fridays at 11 am Instagram: Wednesdays & Thursdays at 1 pm Twitter: Fridays at 9 am If a guest is willing to be featured on your social media platforms use this as an opportunity to reach a larger audience. Offer to tag the guest in the photo so you both increase your exposure. If a guest is on board for example: you can take their photo in front of newly renovated areas and ask their opinion on them, post this to your social media platforms, tag them in it and post to your story + add their quote with this photo. Come up with a specific hashtag and encourage your audience to follow it for updates on the renovation. Use this on all of your renovation posts. For example, your specified hashtag could be: #HamptonPittsburghReno2019 Think about the type of guests that spend the most time at your hotel to get organized with your social media plan: Regulars/Business Professionals Regulars will most likely already follow you on social media. Although it’s still a good idea to ask if they follow your hotel and if not have your staff encourage them to follow you so they can stay up to date on the renovations and offers. If they always choose your hotel to stay at when they’re in town this will get them excited to see the renovations & keep them coming back. Business professionals value quiet spaces to work/relax and also appreciate newer, comfortable spaces. With this group you want to make sure you’re sending emails to make them aware of the renovations going on. In the email, highlight how the new renovations will improve their stay in the future while also ensuring them that their upcoming stay won't be affected by them. Be sure to choose a renovation company that will coordinate with you and your staff on what areas will be closed off/noisy and when. This allows you to easily communicate this information to your guests. For example: At Amerail Systems we have over 30 years of experience in the hotel renovation industry with guest sensitive crews and professionals who are experts in communication. Read More Newcomers Use visuals of what your renovations will look like to get new hotel guests to come back and stay at your hotel. If possible, show them what the renovations will look like at check in (either at the registration counter or as a display in the lobby) or in an email after their stay. When you choose Amerail Systems to renovate your hotel, we provide you with 3D color renderings of what your hotel will look like once completed. Ask if they follow your hotel on social media platforms and if not encourage them to follow you to stay up to date on the renovations and any future deals/packages you may offer. A common conversation when checking in a guest is there reason for traveling. Are they just passing through? Why are they passing through? Kids in college? Visiting family? This is a great opportunity to create a regular customer. If they take that route often or will be taking it in the future ensure that they stay with you every time by having them follow you on social media where you are promoting your renovation. Before The Renovation One of the most important factors in keeping your hotel open during a renovation is your hotel renovation company. Make sure you hire a company that prioritizes your guests satisfaction so complaints will be at a minimum if any. Announce that you’re renovating & maybe include who your renovation company will be. When renovation plans are finalized and contracts are signed the first thing to do on social media is to announce that you will be renovating. If you are willing to share what is being renovated at this time, include images of the areas and when the renovations are due to begin. If you've been given any renderings of the hotel renovation, these can also be used to create an engaging post that will get your guests excited to stay with you again. Share social media info with your contractor so they can tag you in any updates and vice versa. At Amerail Systems we actively post to our social platforms and interact with our audience and market. Throughout the entire renovation of your hotel, our team takes and shares flattering photos to our pages that will peak your guests interest & keep them updated. Check out our pages to see for yourself:  Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Get your hashtags and social media plan together. Share this plan with your management company/brand to get it approved (when necessary). Your hashtag list should be centered around your brand, location, your target audience and always include your specified hashtag that we planned for in the "Before we Begin" section. For example: #HamptonPittsburghReno2019 #hilton #hiltonhotels #pittsburghpa #hamptoninn #hotellife #PA #pittsburgh #412 #travel #travelgoals Include hashtags related to hot spots around you (i.e. if your hotel is close to Heinz field in Pittsburgh, PA include: #steelers, #heinzfield, #pittsburgh #steelersnation, etc. in your hashtag plan.) Also include hashtags related to what your target audience would be looking at on social media. (for example: #traveldestinations, #travelgoals, #traveling, #travelinfluencer, etc.) Instagram has a 30 hashtag limit but experts say 11 hashtags is optimal while more than that can look spammy. As for your social media plan: Use this article as a guide for when and what to post. Get organized and breakdown your social media schedule for each week on a Google or Excel spreadsheet unless you have access to a social media scheduling platform such as Hootsuite. Make sure whoever is in charge of your social media platform is creative and excited to get started. These qualities will be useful when posting to your pages stories, engaging with other posts & with your audience. Remember those hashtags your audience may follow or would be interested in? Find and follow accounts with the same qualities. For instance, interact with travel blogs, travel influencers and people who are traveling. You can find these accounts by looking up the hashtags on your list and follow those who are using it. Plan emails to send to your guests before their stay to let them know that renovations are occurring while ensuring them that it shouldn’t impact their experience. As mentioned in the "Before we Begin" section, use this as a chance to promote what the new renovations are and get your guests excited for them and their future stays. If possible, include photos of what the renovations will look like and how they will improve your guests stay. Tease the new design on your social media platforms to get people excited If you have renderings of your new design and are willing to share them with your audience, post them to your platforms to engage your guests/potential guests. Be sure to include before photos of what the renderings depict. At Amerail Systems we provide our clients with 3D renderings of their renovations to demonstrate how we will enhance your property. During The Renovation Communicate with your hotel renovation companies and ask to be sent during pictures which you can use for social media content. Utilize these photos for your stories on Instagram (include hashtags on these as well). Get as many aesthetically pleasing photos as possible so that you can post the progress of the renovations on your platforms. While you're posting during your renovations try to get guest testimonials/opinions on the new renovations from guests and ask permission to quote them. Stay on top of guest satisfaction and keep complaints to a minimum Make sure you hire a renovation company that takes guest satisfaction seriously. Typically companies with experience in hotel renovations will have guest sensitive crews. Amerail Systems has over 30 years of experience maintaining guest satisfaction during hotel renovations. Announce that you will be sharing the “official” after pics of the renovation on a specified date and add a teaser photo to get your audience excited. When announcing this, make sure to remind your followers to turn their notifications for your account to stay updated. After The Renovation Congratulations you made it! Here's what you should do now to keep up with your platforms: If your contractor is taking professional pictures, ask if they would be willing to share them with you. If they are not and this is a major renovation, consider getting them done or take them yourself. More than likely your hotel renovation company will have some "after" pictures even if they are not professional & you can always ask if they're willing to share these. Remember to post the official pictures on your specified date from the teaser post mentioned in the "During The Renovation" section. Use your specified hashtag and encourage your audience to follow it for more updates. Do a before and after post. Post good quality pictures of the new renovation. Get testimonials from your regulars on how the renovations have improved their stay/what they love about the renovations. Use these as posts with a picture of the renovated area or as a quote graphic or as video content if the guest is ok with this. Encourage your guests to post pictures of the new renovations with the special hashtag you came up with. When you search that hashtag you can filter through and pick the best photos your guests post and ask to share them to your page while tagging that guest. If you choose to frame photos of your before and after renovation photos & display them, post it on your social media. Finally, resume your normal posting schedule but add reminders of the new renovations every now and then and how they have improved guests experiences. Why does all of this help? Social Media is a must have for every business now and introduces a great opportunity for the hotel industry. Building a relationship with your current guests outside of the hotel on social media will bring them back and can bring potential guests in. To do this: Use the tips above and engage with your audience. Potential guests will either be attracted to the glamour shots of your new renovations, to the personable nature of your social media platforms or more often then not, both! It's safe to say that customer service is one of the most important factors to a traveler when looking for a hotel. Great customer service can be portrayed by your voice on social media. Finally, a new renovation is the perfect chance to show your audience how "instagrammable" your hotel is. This factor is earning rank in how travelers pick where to stay during their trips. Using social media sites for travel inspiration is growing in popularity, your renovation is the perfect time to take advantage of this.

Keep reading for Q&A on the topic that will help you with your next renovation. Why are you remodeling? Whether your remodel/renovation is because of a PIP, flag change, disaster repair or brand repositioning, being prepared for everything is essential for hotel owners that plan to keep their properties open during renovations. Throughout this article we will outline the possible issues & how to navigate them. Possible Issues: Knowing the possible issues that could arise before & during a renovation is important to any hotelier so that they can prepare themselves & their budgets for the unexpected. Here we will list possible issues that could arise and next we will discuss how to navigate them. Construction delays Guest complaints Weather Miscommunication Issues with the structure/design Periodic shutdowns Lack of subs Strict PIP Cost of materials Learning new brand standards Navigating the Issues: Now that we know the issues that can arise we can delve into how to prevent or be prepared for them. Plan ahead to avoid tight deadlines Pick a company who will plan your renovation around your guests and values their satisfaction. Work with a brand experienced contractor A contractor who has worked with multiple hotel brands will know how to manage your budget and provide the best results. They will have experience with issues that arise and know how to navigate them, know the best subcontractors and will know when schedules and designs are realistic. Maintain constant contact with the project team to keep work-flow moving while minimizing surprises and cost. Remember when one group makes a decision it can affect the budget and possibly the timeline. Know what issues may already be on property so you can allocate so much of your budget beforehand to fix them and not have the deadline or schedule take a hit Maintain good communication with your construction manager Know what type of contractor do you want/need Recommended Characteristics: Design-build, turnkey, value engineering Take into consideration designers are busier than ever - make sure extra time they may need won’t push your deadline back. Know how long it takes to get approval for the design/get permits and include that into your timeline. Choose a company who has experience saving hotels money with value engineering. Ask yourself: Will the renovation firm value engineer your project? (save you money by stripping unnecessary costs) Q&A What is a realistic time frame for completion of a renovation and satisfaction of the PIP? Depending on how quickly ownership can process the PIP, from the initial call with Amerail to the completion of the exterior renovation we would suggest scheduling six to nine months depending on how long it takes to receive brand approval and the building permit. How to use Value Engineering to make your PIP more affordable: Amerail Specializes in value engineering for our clients. We will look high and low for ways to save money. If it is finding similar design products at a lower cost or designing the construction in a way to use less materials, Amerail is constantly searching for ways to save you money. How we can keep your hotel operational and profitable during your PIP renovation: While completing an Exterior renovation with Amerail you will be able to keep your property open and running with little to no impact. We utilize our guest sensitive crews that work from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm six days a week. How to keep guest satisfaction high during a PIP related renovation: During our renovations, we work with the properties management to schedule our work and layout a renovation plan that the GM can follow to try and keep guests away from where our crews working, limiting any noise complaints. Our crews keep a clean work site and always put your guest first. Setting realistic expectations for your PIP upgrade to stay on schedule and within budget: Working with Amerail we layout realistic expectations to our customers. Our time spent on construction is normally between 120-160 days depending on weather. We work as fast as you will allow us to. Normally we have two to four months of administrative type work before construction and that is dictated by the brands response time as well as the local building department. What are common issues that come up during exterior renovations? The most common issue we are seeing now is that the time to get building permits is increasing significantly depending on the local building departments. Some small towns only take a few days while larger cities in the northeast can take 3-6 months to receive proper permit. What should hotel GMs be prepared for before the renovation starts? We like to meet with the properties general manager beforehand to walk through our building schedule and make them aware of where we will be on the property and when. We also like to let the GM know of what we may need from the property, if we have to close off an entrance for a few hours or have some furniture moved in a room while we are replacing windows, we like to work proactively when it comes to communicating what we will need and when with the property. Why do projects get delayed and what could’ve been done to prevent the delay? Projects get delayed for many reasons but we mostly see it due to the local building department taking longer than they originally estimated to review the plans and issue the permit. To prevent this issue from setting your deadline back, make sure to plan for unexpected delays such as this. What would’ve made projects go smoother in the past? Communication is key in advance of a project and during the project. Amerail does our best to work with the property to accommodate all needs. What’s the most common unexpected cost of renovation? Water Damage, when completing a full exterior renovation it is hard to find all latent conditions. Normally if we find additional damage it is caused by leaking windows that have allowed water to infiltrate the EIFS and damage the substrate. When Amerail comes across this we notify ownership immediately and will repair the damage at a time and material rate so we can continue on the renovation.