Renovation Tips for Hoteliers and Restaurateurs
by Ahmed Abdelaziz, CEO, Omarica
Builders Inc.

According to an old proverb, excellence can be found in the details. This is particularly true in the hospitality business—a little bit of faded wallpaper or unpleasantly patterned carpet can alter a guest’s entire opinion of his or her hotel experience. Ambience and elegance are often created not by large-scale and obvious items, but by those tiny details that sometimes slip past even the most discerning owner’s eye.

A little bit of sprucing up can go a long way. As the general contractor for the renovation of the downtown Chicago Radisson, I have learned a few insider’s tricks when it comes to hotel renovation. Here are some of my favorite do’s and don’ts:

DO …

• Go au naturale: Tile can make or break a bathroom. Cold, black-and-white tiles do little in the way of making your guests feel comfortable or pampered. Instead, opt for natural stone tiles, which give the bathroom a clean, spa-like feel. If you are on a budget, veneer stone tiling is an attractive and economical option.
  
  
• Keep it neutral: One of the most common missteps hoteliers make is when they choose busy, modern patterns for the carpet. Art belongs on the wall, not on the floor, so resist the urge to turn your hotel lobby into a Picasso masterpiece. Pale, neutral carpet is a chic alternative—not to mention, it is classic and will never go out of style.
  
  
• Maintain your boundaries: The only businesses that still use wallpaper usually market in either root canals or tax audits. Not exactly the kind of vibe you want your guests to feel when they walk into their suites! Moreover, not only does wallpaper give off a stuffy ambience, it is also easily damaged and in need of constant repair. Wall vinyl is the way of the future. Not only elegant, it is easily applied and also cost-effective, since it rarely needs to be replaced.

DON’T …

• Recreate the assembly line: Many owners think they can save money by hiring multiple small contractors, rather than hiring one general contractor to oversee the entire renovation. Not only does this lead to plenty of confusion and miscommunication, it can also turn into an expensive and agitating affair. Instead, hire one general contractor in whom you can put your faith throughout the entire project. As a general contractor for Omarica Builders Inc., I have found that general contractors can cut 20 to 25 percent off the total cost of renovating, which is a savings most people cannot pass up. Personal recommendations and trade expos are some of the best ways to find great general contractors.
  
  
• Waste time on the unnecessary: Old habits die hard, and in the case of downtown hoteliers, crown molding is one such habit. Although crown molding certainly can add elegance to a building, it can also be a waste of time, money and materials. If you are renovating on a budget, it is better to lavish attention on guests’ comfort within the hotel, rather than on minute details in the building.
  
  
• Forget the heat: Guests’ comfort is important outside the realm of their suites. This is especially true if you live in an area that receives snowfall or ice accumulation. It is hard for guests to feel comfortable and pampered if they are slipping and sliding outside of their accommodations, and concierges and salt can only do so much. It might be worth it to invest in heated sidewalks, which can keep ice from accumulating on commonly used walkways, such as in front of the hotel or the sidewalk to the parking lot. Although it is not cheap to install, it can save you big bucks in the future by preventing guests’ slips and subsequent law suits.

A little bit of revamping can turn your business into a restful and elegant haven that your guests will rave about for months to come. Happy renovating!

Ahmed Abdelaziz is a self-made entrepreneur. His keen sense of design, architecture and elegance has led him to become a luxury real estate developer, general contractor, hotel renovator and approved installer for Expo Design Center contracted with Home Depot USA. Abdelaziz also specializes in providing ease and luxury to relocating executives looking for a new home or those seeking to renovate in the greater Chicagoland area. www.omarica.com