Should a Rental look like a Hotel? [Photo Included!]

Question

So, I'm coming to the end of a road trip throughout California, and I've stayed in a number of hotels. I noticed that every hotel has 2 similarities -

-Textured Wallpaper 
-Really short carpet

I'm wondering if anyone does this in their rentals? There must be an economical reason every hotel in America does this. I'm guessing both hold up much better, with all the traffic. So, should be be doing this in our rentals?  Thoughts?

Xing Zhu · Answer

I own a number of hotel condo units. It looks like they may change carpets inside about every 6 years. It is the decision of the management, not of the owner. The owners get billed either from certain reserve funds or deducted from rental income. Common area carpet change is different, it may be charged through a special
assessment of POA also about every 6 years.

Hard carpeting is much easier for service carts to roll on.

Mark H. · Answer

As a former "road warrior" who's spent *way* too much time in hotel rooms, I do agree we can learn from them.  Definitely consider stealing a color palate if you find one that really looks good & check out how they do bathrooms for durability tips.  Ive seen many of the slightly upscale rooms using slab granite even for tub surrounds..

One thing I've noticed is a preponderance of Moen faucets..  they're so common that you can even buy generic cartridges for them in bulk..  the tub surrounds have "legs" about 4-6" past the tub to keep the wall-finish dry.

I dont think wallpaper would work in my area, because textured walls are common.

Jon Holdman · Answer

I've put carpet in both my rentals.  It was a mistake.  Its been completely replaced in one.  Its still in the other one, but that's because I've had exactly one data of vacancy in the last four years.  If I ever have a significant turnover delay, I'm sure I'll replace at least the common areas.

OTOH, hotels probably can't get away with cheap tile floors like would work in a rental.

Wallpaper in a rental?  No way.

Keep in mind that evern a relatively cheap hotel can bring in $100 a night when its rented.  That's much higher than most rentals.

That doesn't look like a low end hotel, either.

Karen Margrave · Answer

Commercial carpet is more durable than what is used in most homes. Also, in houses carpet is usually put in over padding, whereas commercial carpet is often glued to the concrete floors, or may have a very thin pad (though more expensive than what's usually used in homes) All of this makes shampooing commercial carpet, and cleaning much easier.

As for the walls, the wallpaper allows for easy washing, etc. For residential use, wallpaper would probably be impractical as each person has their own tastes. Though, in bathrooms, it could work. Personally, I like wallpaper, and they're using it a lot in residential decorating on high end houses, but you have to have a good eye. There's a fine line between classy and tacky.

Nice hotel room though Brandon, beautiful view! Hope you're having a great time on your adventure! Happy Easter!

Dyna J. · Answer

Well whats the reason for most carpeting being destroyed in rental units? With hotel rooms people are less likely to have food, kids, obviously no pets and the rooms will be cleaned fairly often based on turnover. Plus how long will people actually be in the hotel room? Most often just to sleep I'm guessing. It would be nice to know how often they actually replace the carpenting.

Ed O. · Answer

Good idea. I have looked pretty hard at hotel rooms I've stayed in to try and come up with economical, durable thinks to use in my rental business as well. 
I'm not sure if I would go the wallpaper route, it works in hotels, but seems so 80's to me. 
I'm guessing with short carpet, it's tougher for crap and gross things to hide and perhaps easier for a vacuum to pull out the mess. After changing out the carpet 99% of the time on my turnovers, I'm in favor of restoring the old hardwood underneath or using Allure. It takes a lot more work to trash them as compared to carpet. Some of my long term tenants have ripped out their own carpet and exposed the old hardwood floors, apparently, because they cant stand their own mess they've made on their once new carpet.

That being said, I think I could only justify carpet on 2nd floors. Just my .02.

Tevis Verrett · Answer

Hmmm, interesting observation.  Brandon Turner it was so nice finally meeting yourself and the missus!

You have such a big heart and your kindness shown through. Next time down, you can stay on my couch. . .

. . .as to short carpeting and textured wallpaper, in my un-learned opinion could it be that they cannot get away with economical laminate flooring?

I await greater minds to weigh in on this!

Happy Easter all,

Tevis

Should a Rental look like a Hotel? [Photo Included!]

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