Inject A Dose Of Economy-Proofing In Your Property
Many hotels around the country have made major changes in operations to run a more efficient operation – a must in this slower economy. But many hotel operators are missing opportunities, and some might not know where to start on what can seem like an overwhelming task.
The good news is that whether it’s improving an underperforming property, simply weathering the economic storm, or taking over a new hotel, owners and managers can usually make some relatively quick and easy changes to deliver an immediate boost to the bottom line.
Here’s a to-do list to consider, across some key operational departments, to inject a dose of economy-proofing in your property:
Management
- Designate individuals to oversee:
- A reduction of workforce, if needed, to better match occupancy levels
- An energy savings program
- Working with vendors to help reduce such expenses as food, beverage, and supplies
- Call on all receivable accounts to offer a discount if their balance is paid off early
- Institute a green program in housekeeping to reduce linen turnaround
Maintenance
- Change or clean all HVAC and PTAC filters (which enhances performance and efficiency of the equipment)
- Check all window and door seals; caulk and insulate where possible
- Check and repair ALL leaky toilets, tubs, showers and sinks in guestrooms, public areas, and the kitchen
- Check and replace all defective sink aerators (sink aerators save water)
- Reduce the landscaping water cycles where possible, and use mulch (which reduces recurring water bills)
- Change your exterior lighting timer switches to turn on and off by zones. For example, create zones of every third lamp, and have each zone turn on 30 minutes apart, then off 30 minutes apart, instead of all at once
- Convert lighting to low wattage bulbs wherever possible
- Converting to florescent tubes in your shops and back of the house will save money
- Convert all exit signs from incandescent to LED lighted signs
- Install motion sensors in offices and shops, including laundry and housekeeping, to ensure lights are off when no one is in the room – also great for public restrooms
- Use setback thermostats and thermostat guards for all back-of-the-house areas, public areas and meeting space
Housekeeping
- Make sure that housekeeping staffers are cleaning light bulbs as part of their daily cleaning
- Wash full loads of laundry ONLY – partial loads waste energy
- Implement a linen and towel re-use program where guests choose whether or not to have linens and terry towels cleaned daily
- Reduce your bathroom amenities, without affecting guest service (and if your property is franchised, verify compliance with your franchise agreement)
- Educate room attendants to conserve energy while cleaning guestrooms
- In occupied rooms, set the thermostats to 72 degrees
- Close all drapes in the summertime, and open them all in the wintertime. If closing them all the way is not an option, close them half or three-quarters of the way
- Use cold-water laundry washing where possible
Food & Beverage
- If the hotel restaurant’s business is slow, change the hours of operation of the restaurant to operate at the minimum requirement
- Change menus to adopt more cost-effective items
- Reduce your inventory levels and work with your purveyors to minimize deliveries
- Increase your inventories in all the hotel’s mini-marts
Human Resources Department
- Join forces among properties wherever applicable
- Work with all in-house department heads to increase efficiency
To incorporate many of these types of measures, managers and owners often need to break long-held habits and instill new ones. Establishing some form of encouragement or incentive for employees can help new policies take hold quicker.
And even though these efforts can be a challenge to implement, they will pay off. And in this economy, it’s hard to find a hotel that couldn’t be helped by taking at least some cost-cutting measures.
