Buying a hotel is one thing. Bringing it to life is another.
We’ve learned that independent hotels don’t come together with just vision and hard work — they come together because of the people you surround yourself with.
Every project has a few key partners who make all the difference 👇
1️⃣ Lender
They help fund the acquisition and renovation. We usually use a mix of SBA and seller financing, but we’ve also had deals where delays forced us to pivot to a bridge lender.
The right lender doesn’t just provide capital — they believe in the vision and help you structure the deal so it actually works.
💡 And it’s why you never put all your eggs in one basket. Multiple lender relationships matter more than you think.
2️⃣ Branding Agency
They’re the storytellers 🎨
They take a tired roadside motel and turn it into a place people actually connect with. From the name and logo to colors and personality, they create the soul of the property before a single guest arrives.
3️⃣ Interior Designer
They bring the brand to life.
Every texture, material, and finish reflects the story the brand is trying to tell. They’re the bridge between an idea and the feeling guests have the moment they walk in.
4️⃣ General Contractor
Often the trickiest partnership to manage 🧱
They control both cost and timeline — two factors that can make or break a hospitality project, especially in seasonal markets.
💡 The bigger the project, the more important these relationships become.
On our first hotel, we learned a few lessons the hard way. We skipped a branding agency to save cost and hired a contractor who wasn’t fully equipped for the job.
It all worked out in the end, but we didn’t repeat those mistakes the second time around.
The right partners don’t just help you finish a project.
They help you create something worth being proud of.
#hotelownership #hospitalitybusiness #boutiquehotel #hotelinvesting #independenthotel #brandbuilding #interiordesign #projectmanagement #commercialrealestate #renovationjourney #entrepreneurlife
