Novus Blog

British hotels have seen an increase in revenue for eight consecutive years. Is it any wonder, when 32% of us Brits prefer to holiday at home, according to a 2019 YouGov survey? And why not, with exciting destinations like York, Devon and Manchester right on our doorstep?

Home holiday makers want a hotel that meets their criteria. They need a great location with friendly staff who will make recommendations. Somewhere on trend, yet affordable. The correct facilities and cleanliness goes without saying. In fact, 60% of Brits agree that cleanliness is the most important element when choosing a hotel (YouGov 2019).

Novus are delivering 1,077 hotel room refurbishments in 2019 alone. So we know a thing or two about staying relevant to the brand and evolving trends. Here are some considerations for your next refurbishment.

Staying relevant

Outdated. Needs a refurb. These are some of the more frequently used phrases in negative hotel reviews. So it’s easy to understand why investing in new fixtures and a lick of paint could mean the difference between a one star review and a word-of-mouth recommendation, but how frequently should you be thinking about refurbishment?

• A significant drop in bookings could indicate it’s time for a change. Failing this, the renovation cycle can help you plan ahead.
• A Light Touch Refurbishment is likely to take place once every three to six years. This could involve replacing furniture, fixtures and modernising the style of the hotel on the whole.
• A hotel is likely to carry out a full refurbishment after 12 years to stay on top of maintenance and structure idealisations.
• Complete renovation is more likely to occur once every 30 to 50 years and will involve making changes on a larger scale.

What a guest values in a hotel will change over time, so regular refurbishments are essential to continued success. It’s important to stay on top of trends and changes in the industry and technology to remain relevant when it comes to hotel design and features. Think of the experience like an opportunity to refresh your offer and stand out against the competition.

Minimising disturbances

Keeping guests happy during refurbishments can be a challenge. Unfortunately, this prevents some hotels from making changes. It may seem like there is never a good time to refurbish, but effective planning, can make scheduling of works, as non-disruptive refurbishment possible.

Novus would recommend creating a list of priority areas and gaining an understanding of how long each refurbishment is likely to take, to minimise impact on guests. Novus have a usual project lead time of 8-12 working weeks, depending on the complexity and scale of the work required.

Type of refurbishment/Duration

Bedroom – 10-12 days
Bathroom – 2-3 weeks
Reception – 8-10 weeks
Dining area – 8-12 weeks

We can then work with you to schedule refurbishments for any low demand periods, to take advantage of any flexibility with the projects timings. Novus promise to carry out loud tasks between check-in and check-out periods to prevent sleep disturbance and ultimately minimise disruption for guests.

Communication

Novus deliver pre-start letters to the hotels management to introduce the team. We also provide regular updates throughout the refurbishment period, offering tips and support when it comes to keeping hotel staff informed and relaying news to guests.

With all of this in mind, it is possible to avoid negative ratings and reviews during times of refurbishment, as long as expectations are managed, and strategies are put in place to help minimise the impact on the business. Here’s how Novus can help with your hotel refurbishment.