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Laura Rogers, Co-owner and Managing PartnerWhat renovation pressures are reshaping mid-market hotel properties?
The hotel industry, particularly mid-market and boutique brand properties, stands at a pivotal juncture. As owners continue modernizing hotels to meet elevated guest expectations, they face key priorities like managing tight renovation timelines, maintaining brand consistency, and navigating supply chain disruptions and budget constraints. This is precisely where Distinctive Hospitality Designs (DHD) excels, helping hotels transform these challenges into opportunities for smoother operations and uncompromised guest experiences.
With over 30 years of industry experience across major brands including Marriott, Hilton, and IHG, the firm leverages its furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) and operating supplies and equipment (OS&E) expertise to deliver fully integrated solutions that minimize disruption, reduce costs, and accelerate project timelines. This effectively reduces downtime-related revenue loss. Besides, DHD specializes in phased renovations and off-hour work schedules to safeguard occupancy and ensure the best possible guest experience.
Dealing with the supply chain effortlessly is one of DHD’s hallmarks. The firm, with its global sourcing capabilities and strong vendor relationships, mitigates common FF&E and OS&E challenges, such as shipping delays and backorders. On-time deliveries stem directly from a consistent focus on accountability and transparency, reinforcing its ability to manage budget complexities and keep timelines on track, even across multi-property programs.
“We understand the unique demands of the hotel industry, from the tight renovation timelines to maintaining the brand consistency across multiple properties,” says Laura Rogers, co-owner and managing partner.
Innovation that Translates into Results
How does DHD manage projects from concept to completion?
From concept to completion, the team at DHD manages every critical phase of a hotel project. The trajectory starts with design, not just aesthetics, but guest-centric environments that align with brand standards and operational needs. The firm collaborates closely with hotel owners, architects, and brand representatives to develop interior packages that enhance functionality and the overall guest experience while reducing revisions and accelerating brand approvals.
The next step is procurement, where DHD’s sourcing capabilities shine. Leveraging its deep vendor networks and negotiation expertise, the firm sources high-quality furniture, fixtures, equipment, and operating supplies that adhere to brand standards and align with design intent. This rigor is particularly crucial for multi-property projects where consistency and brand compliance are critical to the schedule.
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We understand the unique demands of the hotel industry, from the tight renovation timelines to maintaining the brand consistency across multiple properties.
Installation receives the same level of precision and accountability. DHD coordinates with general contractors, subcontractors, and trades to ensure that every item is assembled, placed, and installed in accordance with the design plan and operational standards. With final walkthroughs, detailed touch-list resolution, and quality checkpoints, it delivers turnkey-ready rooms that satisfy both guests and brand expectations.
Meeting Brand Standards under Pressure
How are tight brand deadlines achieved without disrupting occupancy?
To further meet brand standards, a limited-service Holiday Inn Express needed to complete a Property Improvement Plan (PIP) within 12 weeks. DHD delivered a phased renovation plan to meet the tight schedule, strict budget, and occupancy goals. The hotel maintained about 75 percent occupancy by using rolling room closures while upgrades were underway.
DHD managed FF&E and OS&E procurement to align with IHG brand standards, identified cost-saving alternatives, and coordinated with staff to minimize guest disruption. The project finished on time and within budget, achieving full brand compliance and higher guest satisfaction, avoiding potential brand penalties tied to delays.
Making Hospitality Expertise Accessible
How does DHD position itself as a strategic partner?
For DHD, every project goes beyond the scope of a vendor contract. It positions itself as a strategic partner to hotel owners and operators, bringing hands-on experience with all major hotel brands and a deep understanding of PIPs, design guidelines, and approval processes. This expertise translates into fewer revisions, faster approvals, and more efficient project execution across portfolios.
With a client retention rate of around 95 percent, DHD’s partnership model has earned long-term trust across the industry. The firm plans to expand its national reach by focusing on full-service and boutique properties in the 2026 season. Combining supply chain knowledge, global sourcing capabilities, and strong project management, DHD continues to help hotels meet brand standards, minimize downtime, and enhance guest experiences—keeping properties compliant, competitive, and consistently welcoming.
Executing Renovations and FF&E Programs without Revenue Disruption
Hotel owners and asset managers face a narrow margin for error when undertaking renovations or property improvement plans. Brand-mandated upgrades arrive on fixed timelines. Supply chain variability continues to complicate delivery schedules. Capital budgets remain tightly scrutinized. A mismanaged furniture, fixtures, and equipment program can lead to room downtime, brand penalties, or prolonged guest disruption that erodes revenue and reputation.
General contracting and FF&E services within hospitality demand more than construction oversight. They require fluency in brand standards, procurement discipline, and sequencing strategies that allow properties to remain commercially viable during renovation. Management teams must look for partners that understand how to align design intent, sourcing, and installation within compressed schedules while hotels continue operating.
Brand compliance sits at the center of this equation. Major flags such as Marriott, Hilton, and IHG enforce property improvement plans with defined scopes and approval processes. Misinterpretation of standards or late design revisions can trigger rework and delay sign-off. An effective partner brings working knowledge of brand guidelines and approval pathways, coordinating early with ownership, architects, and brand representatives to reduce revisions and secure timely approvals.
Control over supply chain and vendor networks is equally decisive. FF&E programs involve multiple suppliers, long-lead items, and coordination across freight, warehousing, and on-site delivery. Delays in shipping or back orders can cascade into installation setbacks that affect occupancy. Experienced procurement teams mitigate this exposure through global sourcing relationships, negotiation discipline, and structured quality control that balances cost with specification adherence.
Execution strategy during renovation often determines financial impact more than design itself. Hotels cannot afford prolonged full-floor closures or chaotic construction zones that affect guest experience. Phased renovation planning, off-hours scheduling, and coordination with on-property leadership allow projects to progress while maintaining room availability. Rolling closures of limited room blocks help sustain occupancy and reduce revenue loss. Clear communication between project coordinators, general contractors, and hotel operations teams prevents friction at the property level.
End-to-end accountability strengthens these efforts. Fragmented arrangements where design, procurement, and installation are separated across vendors increase the likelihood of schedule drift and cost variance. Integrated project management from concept through final walkthrough improves transparency around budgets and timelines. It also ensures that installation aligns precisely with approved drawings and brand specifications before handover.
Distinctive Hospitality Designs illustrates this integrated model in practice. It provides design, procurement, and installation services tailored to mid-market, limited-service, full-service, and boutique hotels. Its familiarity with major brand property improvement plans allows it to guide FF&E selection and installation in line with required standards, reducing revisions and accelerating approval. It manages global sourcing and vendor coordination to address shipping delays and back orders, while applying negotiated cost controls.
During a recent limited-service renovation tied to a Holiday Inn Express property improvement plan, it structured a phased approach that maintained approximately 75 percent occupancy during a twelve-week timeline. Procurement aligned with IHG standards while incorporating cost-conscious alternatives that preserved compliance. Close coordination with hotel management supported smooth workflows and minimal guest disruption, enabling on-time completion and avoidance of brand penalties.
For hospitality executives evaluating general contracting and FF&E partners, Distinctive Hospitality Designs presents a disciplined option grounded in brand knowledge, procurement oversight, and revenue-aware execution. Its national reach and integrated project management approach position it as a credible choice for owners aiming to complete renovations on schedule, within budget, and without compromising guest experience.
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