Twelve to nine months
- Approve the pre-opening budget and organisation chart.
- Appoint the general manager and key heads of department.
- Apply for licences with long lead times.
- Fix the opening date against a realistic construction programme.
Nine to six months
- Launch sales and marketing to corporate clients and event planners.
- Select property management, point of sale and accounting systems.
- Order operating supplies and equipment with long lead times.
Six to three months
- Recruit the wider team.
- Write and approve SOPs for every department.
- Agree vendor contracts and uniforms.
- Put the website and booking channels live.
Three months to opening
- Train every team, ending in full mock services.
- Install and test systems.
- Take handover of the building and complete snagging.
- Run a soft opening with friendly guests, then fix what it reveals.
Where owners need help most
Owners of independent and franchised hotels carry this whole list themselves. Amit’s pre-opening consultancy turns it into a dated critical path and keeps it on track.
