Top 5 Pre-Opening Mistakes Hoteliers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
- Subodh Gupte
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
Opening a hotel or resort isn’t just about finishing construction and cutting a ribbon — it’s about strategic readiness. Many properties struggle in their first 6–12 months not due to market issues, but because of avoidable pre-opening errors.
At Aum Hospitality Consultants, we’ve seen these mistakes repeatedly — here are the top five and how you can avoid them.
1. Delayed Planning of Pre-Opening Phase
Many promoters believe pre-opening tasks can wait until the last few weeks.👉 Reality: This phase should begin 6–8 months before opening and include recruitment, system selection, branding, SOPs, and trial runs.
Start early to avoid chaos later.
2. Underestimating Marketing Lead Time
Marketing is often a last-minute activity — websites, booking engine, OTAs, and social media all go live too late.
Build digital presence and awareness 90 days before launch. Take bookings in advance.
3. Inadequate Recruitment & Training
Hotels open without trained staff or with temporary hires. The result? Poor service, bad reviews, and lost repeat business.
✔ Invest in pre-opening training and HR planning. Your first 100 guests set the tone.
4. Missing Operating Systems & SOPs
No PMS, no defined check-in procedures, no back-of-house workflows. Without SOPs and proper tech, you’ll operate in firefighting mode.
✔ Set up systems like PMS, inventory control, F&B costing, and SOPs well in advance.
5. No Trial Run or Soft Launch
Jumping into full operations without a soft launch often leads to operational embarrassment and reputational damage.
✔ Do a 2-week soft launch with internal audits, mock guests, and service trials.
The Aum Advantage
We don’t just consult — we walk with you from concept to commissioning. Our pre-opening service ensures your hotel opens with:
A trained team
Defined SOPs
Live marketing platforms
Revenue strategy in place
Avoid common mistakes. Launch strong. Deliver memorable first impressions.
📞 Need a pre-opening plan tailored for your hotel?📧 Write to: subodhgupte@aumconsultants.net📱 Call/WhatsApp: +91 8108205025🌐 Visit: www.aumconsultants.net
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