Category: Management

Posted on

Efficient Condo Hotel Management: Key Strategies for Success

John Lacle, November 5, 2023

Introduction: Condo hotels, also known as condotels, offer a unique blend of real estate investment and hotel-style amenities. Managing these properties requires a distinct set of strategies to ensure the satisfaction of both individual unit owners and transient guests. In this article, we’ll explore the essential aspects of condo hotel management and provide insights into achieving success in this specialized industry.

  1. Clear Communication: Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful condo hotel management. It’s crucial to maintain transparent and open channels with both unit owners and guests. Regular updates on property maintenance, rental income, and any upcoming changes can build trust and a sense of community among stakeholders.
  2. Efficient Rental Management: Balancing the interests of individual unit owners and maximizing rental income is a delicate task. A well-structured rental management system can help achieve this equilibrium. This may involve partnering with a professional management company to handle reservations, guest services, and marketing, while ensuring owners receive their fair share of the revenue.
  3. Maintenance and Housekeeping: Maintaining condo hotels in impeccable condition is paramount. Regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and high standards of housekeeping contribute to positive guest experiences and protect the long-term value of the property. Effective scheduling and coordination are key to keeping the property in top shape.
  4. Amenities and Guest Services: Condo hotels are often chosen for their extensive amenities, which can range from spa facilities and swimming pools to on-site restaurants and concierge services. Ensuring these amenities are well-maintained and accessible is essential to attract and retain guests. A focus on exceptional customer service adds value to the guest experience.
  5. Compliance and Legal Matters: Navigating the legal aspects of condo hotel management is critical. Understanding and complying with local zoning regulations, condominium association bylaws, and tax obligations are fundamental to avoid legal pitfalls and maintain a smooth operation.
  6. Marketing and Promotion: To attract guests and generate rental income, effective marketing is essential. Utilize online platforms, social media, and partnerships with travel agencies to reach a wide audience. Consistent branding and appealing promotional materials can set your condo hotel apart from competitors.
  7. Financial Management: Condo hotel management necessitates efficient financial management. Tracking expenses, revenues, and budgeting are vital to ensure that both unit owners and the property itself remain financially healthy. Detailed financial reporting is key to maintaining transparency.
  8. Community Building: Building a sense of community among unit owners can contribute to a harmonious atmosphere within the condo hotel. Organizing events, creating an owners’ association, and encouraging collaboration can foster a positive and engaged community.

Conclusion: Condo hotel management is a unique blend of real estate and hospitality. Successfully managing such properties involves a delicate balance of fulfilling the needs and expectations of individual unit owners while also providing excellent services to transient guests. By focusing on clear communication, efficient rental management, property maintenance, amenities, legal compliance, marketing, financial management, and community building, condo hotel managers can create a thriving and satisfying environment for all stakeholders, ensuring the long-term success of the venture.

Posted on

Strategic Revenue Management for Hotels & Resorts Post-Covid

August 29, 2020

How should hotels and resorts position themselves in the wake of Covid? It is understandable, expected even, that travelers around the world with pent-up demand to travel will be bargain-shopping. On the other side of the equation. hotels are faced with the inertia of keeping rate integrity intact for the better of the hotel, destination and industry.

A recent trend we are seeing in key destinations in the Caribbean is a sharp increase in BAR pricing coupled with extensive discounts approaching 50% for advanced purchase non-refundable rates netting cost-neutral pricing. A recent market shop of hotels in Aruba will support this observation. Though the premise of doing so can be justified with the need to boost short-term cash flows, another thought is to be first-to-market to capture the attention of bargain-hunters. If this continues, we can be sure to see more hotels follow this model, dramatically increasing BAR rates in the marketplace with deep discounts added, counter-intuitive to previous demand interruptions.

A recent STR presentation indicates China now has a 67% occupancy, compared to 40% two months ago. This is encouraging news for the rest of the hospitality world as we gradually recover.

Another observation from the STR presentation indicates leisure travel will return first with group and corporate travel much later. For hotels in the Caribbean, we are witnessing this gradual increase in leisure travel, though much slower than other areas of the world. In addition, travelers are booking with much shorter booking windows. Hotels revenue management departments, whom most reliably have had their focus on 120-day booking windows in the past, will focus greater attention to this period leaving the opportunity to capture longer period demand. The booking window post 120-days is a blue ocean of opportunity.

Key Hotels & Resorts – Key Commercial Services Team