Prioritize hotel renovations by condition, safety, operating needs and the guest experience. Start with a property assessment and a coordinated scope before ordering furniture or refreshing finishes. A room that looks new will still disappoint if its windows leak, ventilation performs poorly or essential systems remain unreliable.
Set the order of work
Investigate condition and required work. Review the envelope, structure, building services and applicable life-safety requirements with qualified consultants.
Resolve operating problems. Record recurring maintenance issues, comfort complaints, water problems and service interruptions.
Agree on the guest-facing scope. Define room types, bathrooms, corridors, lobby, dining and exterior improvements.
Coordinate brand requirements. If applicable, align the property improvement plan with the drawings, budget and approval process.
Plan the delivery phases. Match procurement, room closures, access and system shutdowns to a realistic operating plan.
FCC example: Motel 6, Sudbury
FCC’s published Sudbury project combines additional guest rooms with renovation of existing accommodation, replacement windows throughout the building, exterior façade and lighting improvements, and an on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The useful lesson is to define the interfaces together. Room finishes, window work, exterior detailing and restaurant services belong in the early scope review, even when delivered in separate work areas. The published project does not provide a verified budget, room-count increase or revenue result, so those outcomes should not be assumed.
View the Motel 6 Sudbury case study and project photographs to see the property and documented scope.
Build a room-by-room scope
Record existing condition, proposed work, furniture and equipment, service changes, accessibility considerations and inspection needs for each room type. A pilot room can help confirm finish transitions, installation details and maintenance access before repeating work across the property.
Distinguish construction costs from furniture, fixtures and equipment, professional fees, contingency and the operating effect of taking rooms out of service. Compare options using the whole scope; cosmetic-only pricing is not comparable with a systems replacement programme.
Can the hotel remain open?
Possibly, but assess this before committing to a booking plan. Define separation from work, guest and staff routes, emergency access, dust and noise controls, deliveries and shutdowns. The appropriate team must evaluate any changes to fire protection, exits or occupied areas. Some stages may need a partial or full closure.
Agree on release criteria for completed rooms: inspections, testing, cleaning, deficiencies, equipment checks and operator acceptance. Do not reopen a floor simply because the finishes are installed.
Approvals and existing-building work
Ask the municipality and design team to identify the required permits and applicable code provisions. Ontario’s renovation provisions include specific considerations for existing buildings; the appropriate professional must assess the proposed hotel work. A brand sign-off does not replace municipal approvals.
Choose the right planning guide
Converting another building into a hotel involves a different feasibility exercise: see hotel conversion planning. For brand-led scope, read franchise hotel standards; for operating systems, see energy and building performance.
Explore FCC’s Building Revitalization service or discuss your hotel’s condition, priorities and proposed renovation window.
Updated October 28, 2026. Published by FCC Builders Canada. General project-planning information; confirm requirements with your project consultants and the relevant authorities.
