Boutique Motel Owners

[Account Closed]

I'm in the process of buying a small, boutique motel (7 rooms in the motel and 12 stand-alone, seasonal cabins) that's on 3-acres. There is also a house onsite that the current owners live in and manage the business from. I will be looking to hire someone to run this business for me and they will be able to live in the house as part of their compensation.

My goal is to renovate the rooms and cabins and expand by adding more year-round cabins designed for longer stays. Are there any other moteliers in the BP community? If so, what lessons have you learned along the way and what tech are you using to automate. I'm looking at ResNexus with keyless entry locks. What's your experience with running a motel?

[Paul Sandhu]

You'll find that someone with furnished houses with full real kitchens, a real washer/dryer in each unit, cable and wifi will put a boutique motel out of business.  I know this guy in a refinery town that has done that with his furnished houses.  People might stay 1 week at the motel then move out once they find out about the houses.  This is especially true with large groups of people renting multiple units.  All it takes is one.  Rent one house out to a guy or two, they'll tell their co-workers, and within 2 weeks you have an entire work crew renting all your places.