If your new to the business running your own hotel can be very daunting experience. If you’ve just moved into a new hotel however or you’re refurbishing your premises, you have a perfect opportunity to start as you mean to go on.To make your hotel stand out from the rest of the crowd you will need to offer a great service and an excellent experience and you will be sure to get business. To achieve the desired look choose the right hotel furniture and make sure that your decor would appeal to most potential clients.
This is why boutique hotels are so popular – their focus is on decor and the whole ambience of the hotel and this encourages people who want their stay to be an experience to remember.
First choose a theme for your hotel to create the right look if you have a small exclusive hotel then it might be an idea to vary the theme in each room, if you have a larger hotel then a single theme would be simpler.Set yourself apart from the competition by choosing something unusual.If all the other hotels in your area are traditional country houses for example, something more modern and stylish will make you appeal to an audience that isn’t yet catered for.
Once you’ve chosen your theme you can start to look for your furniture. You can get some great deals at local auction houses, but a wholesaler might be better if you require a larger amount of furniture.
Most have websites and warehouses you can visit to see the furniture in person. As an example, check they are a member of the bfm (british furniture manufacturer's association and make sure they are a reputable company before you buy Enquire about their policies ie servicing,repairs and payment. Some manufacturers will allow you to work out a payment plan over time.
When choosing your furniture ensure it is comfortable and practical and is also in-keeping with your theme A chair make look nice but may be very uncomfortable to sit in for example! Think about where the furniture will be used and plan accordingly – bedroom furniture should be more comfortable than the furniture used in your restaurant for example. Furniture like chairs and tables used in your bar should be wipe -clean as these areas are more prone to spillages
Customising your furniture with either your own choice of fabrics or that of the manufacturer's could be a good idea many contract furniture suppliers allow you to do this. You can save money by choosing a specific furniture set and customising how it looks – If any breakages occur it is easier to replace. You can use this opportunity to create different atmospheres in different rooms by choosing suitable fabrics for certain areas for example easy clean fabrics in areas like the bar or soft comfortable fabrics in the reception area
Think about the spaces the furniture will fill. Don’t buy anything too big or bulky, but make sure the furniture you choose is durable and will withstand use from your many customers!
