Hotel & Hospitality Construction: Complete Contractor Guide 2025
Win hotel and hospitality construction contracts. Learn about brand standards, PIP renovations, FF&E coordination, and how to bid on new hotel construction, resort development, and hospitality renovation projects.
Hotel & Hospitality Construction Market
Hospitality Construction Quick Facts
Annual Market:
$30B+
US hotel construction
Rooms Pipeline:
200,000+
Under construction
Cost/Key:
$150-500K
Select to full service
Renovation Cycle:
6-8 years
Typical refresh
Hotel construction encompasses everything from economy limited-service properties to luxury resorts. Success requires understanding brand standards, FF&E coordination, and the unique challenges of working in occupied hotels during renovations.
New Construction
Ground-up hotels for major brands. Developers, REITs, and individual owners. Design-build common for select service.
PIP Renovations
Property Improvement Plans required by brands at sale or franchise renewal. Drives significant renovation market.
Conversions
Office to hotel, adaptive reuse, and brand conversions. Growing segment as travel rebounds.
Hotel Project Types
Brands
- • Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn
- • Courtyard, Fairfield Inn
- • Holiday Inn Express
- • Aloft, Element
- • Tru by Hilton, Avid
Characteristics
- • 80-150 rooms typical
- • Limited F&B (breakfast only)
- • Fitness center, small meeting
- • $100-175K per key cost
- • 12-18 month construction
Brands
- • Marriott, Sheraton
- • Hilton, DoubleTree
- • Hyatt Regency
- • Westin, Renaissance
- • Crowne Plaza
Characteristics
- • 200-500+ rooms
- • Full F&B operations
- • Meeting/convention space
- • $200-350K per key cost
- • 18-30 month construction
Brands
- • Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton
- • St. Regis, W Hotels
- • JW Marriott, Waldorf Astoria
- • Park Hyatt, Montage
- • Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental
Characteristics
- • Custom design, unique properties
- • Multiple restaurants, spa
- • Premium finishes throughout
- • $400-1M+ per key cost
- • 24-48 month construction
Types
- • Beach/coastal resorts
- • Mountain/ski resorts
- • Golf resorts
- • Casino resorts
- • Theme park properties
Special Amenities
- • Pools, water features
- • Spa and fitness
- • Golf courses
- • Marina facilities
- • Entertainment venues
Brand Standards & PIP
Major hotel brands have detailed design standards that must be followed for new construction and renovations.
Design Requirements
- • Prototype floor plans
- • Guestroom design packages
- • Public area specifications
- • Signage and branding
- • Technology standards
FF&E Requirements
- • Approved vendor programs
- • Casegoods specifications
- • Soft goods packages
- • Lighting fixtures
- • Bathroom accessories
PIPs are required renovations mandated by brands at franchise renewal or property sale. Major source of hotel renovation work.
Typical PIP Items
- • Guestroom soft goods refresh
- • Bathroom renovations
- • Lobby/public area updates
- • Corridor improvements
- • Technology upgrades
Scope Levels
- • Soft goods only: $5-15K/key
- • Moderate refresh: $15-30K/key
- • Extensive renovation: $30-60K/key
- • Full repositioning: $60-100K+/key
Working While Occupied
Most hotel renovations occur in occupied properties. Managing guest experience during construction is critical.
Floor-by-Floor
- • Take floors out of service
- • Complete full renovation
- • Reduce room inventory
- • 10-14 day per floor typical
Rolling Renovation
- • Work on multiple floors
- • Staged completion
- • Minimize out-of-service
- • Complex coordination
Night Work
- • Public area renovations
- • Noise-sensitive work
- • Premium labor costs
- • 11 PM - 6 AM typical
Critical Building Systems
Kitchen Types
- • Main kitchen (full service)
- • Banquet production
- • Restaurant kitchens
- • Room service pantry
- • Grab-and-go stations
Key Elements
- • Commercial cooking equipment
- • Hood and exhaust systems
- • Walk-in refrigeration
- • Dishwashing systems
- • Fire suppression
Pool Systems
- • Pool structure (concrete/fiberglass)
- • Filtration and pumps
- • Chemical treatment
- • Heating systems
- • Pool deck and drainage
Spa Facilities
- • Treatment rooms
- • Wet areas (steam, sauna)
- • Relaxation lounges
- • Specialized HVAC
- • Plumbing systems
HVAC
- • PTAC units (select service)
- • Fan coil units (full service)
- • VRF systems
- • Energy management
- • Occupancy sensors
Electrical/Low Voltage
- • In-room lighting control
- • USB/power outlets
- • WiFi infrastructure
- • IPTV systems
- • Door locks/access
Plumbing
- • Low-flow fixtures
- • Shower systems
- • Domestic hot water
- • Drainage/waste
- • Water treatment
Finding Hotel Projects
Hotel Developers
Hospitality development companies (White Lodging, Aimbridge, Highgate). Build relationships with development teams.
Hotel REITs
Host Hotels, Park Hotels, RLJ Lodging, and others have ongoing capital programs. Follow investor presentations.
Brand Programs
Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt have approved contractor programs. Apply through brand development offices.
Asset Managers
Third-party management companies (Aimbridge, Crescent, Interstate) oversee capital projects for owners.
Conferences
- • ALIS (Americas Lodging Investment Summit)
- • NYU International Hospitality Conference
- • Hunter Hotel Investment Conference
- • AAHOA Convention
Publications
- • Hotel Business
- • Lodging Magazine
- • Hotel Management
- • STR pipeline reports
Winning Hotel Construction Bids
Hotel-Specific Experience
Document completed hotel projects by brand and type. Show understanding of hospitality operations.
FF&E Coordination
Experience coordinating with FF&E procurement companies. Understanding of install sequencing.
Occupied Renovation Expertise
Demonstrated ability to work in occupied hotels. Guest satisfaction focus. Noise and dust management.
Brand Familiarity
Knowledge of specific brand standards and design requirements. Relationships with brand technical services.
- Not coordinating FF&E delivery with construction completion
- Underestimating impact of guest complaints on schedule
- Missing brand approval requirements for submittals
- Inadequate protection of existing finishes and FF&E
- Not accounting for operational restrictions (check-in/out times, events)
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