The Secrets to a Successful Resort Renovation

Refresh, Renew, Revitalize, Remodel

In an ideal world, every timeshare resort would have the budget required to completely remodel and refurnish the entire property whenever a change or replacement is needed. In today’s reality, however, a “resort refurbishment” more frequently translates to the addition of just a few key pieces every year or so during the lifespan of the resort. In most cases, refurbishments must be spread out over several years.

Owners still prefer to be surrounded by high quality interiors during their vacation. Much like fashion, furnishing styles and colors frequently change. But delinquencies in maintenance fees combined with increased resort operating and insurance costs often result in declining budgets for renovations. Some furnishings wear out faster with heavy usage. Weather-related issues necessitate unplanned renovations. The challenges are countless.

Integrate Old & New.

So, how does a resort keep the interiors and common areas looking fresh instead of “tired” or “dated” when annual resources allow for only a tiny fraction of what is really required? The trick is to be able to successfully integrate the old with the new without creating a complete departure in style from what previously existed. A savvy design professional can envision how a few key pieces will smoothly integrate with existing elements while at the same time blending gracefully with future renovations.

Nancy Woodhouse, IDS, and Associate ASID is the highly respected and national award-winning Vice President of the Florida-based Clive Daniel Home’s Hospitality Division. After more than two decades of orchestrating hundreds of timeless interior design renovations at hospitality properties ¬– in Key West, Branson, the Poconos, Caribbean, Las Vegas and beyond – Nancy knows first-hand that the successful renovation requires precision planning and serious synergy between the management company, the resort’s HOA board, General Manager and the interior design team.

“Unless a total renovation and the gutting of an entire building is being executed,” says Nancy, “chances are high that a property’s budget will allow replacement of most of the existing case goods … like upholstered sofas or chairs. Other budgetary restrictions may allow only the refurbishment of a single room or area, attempting to blend it with the rest of the units. Occasionally, a developer or management company may need to replace sofas in 50 units with an immediate rush of urgency. This requires supreme flexibility and a deep knowledge of possible resources.

Big Mistake.

So, how can you transform a resort into a contemporary haven for owners and guests without a big budget or a makeover TV crew at your disposal? “The first step to the miracle makeover is achieved by hiring a design firm with vacation ownership experience who can help guide you through what may be unchartered waters,” says Nancy. “Sometimes a board may select a residential designer or board member’s relative who has little knowledge about hospitality design. This can be a costly mistake because the residential market is totally different in products and specifications with significant disadvantages in pricing.”

Naturally, designers prefer to know in advance how much they can spend per unit on renovations. This allows them to provide a budget built around that number and streamline the process, creating master plans that will encompass all areas of the property for future phases. Your designers’ commercial buying power will enable them to provide furnishings and design work at highly competitive prices.

Related: 3 Quick Tips to Refresh Your Timeshare Resort With FLAIR! On a Budget

Often overlooked.

The goal of every renovation is to enhance the vibrancy of the resort and maintain its structural integrity and overall upkeep. This can include the often-overlooked reception area, hallways, common areas and on-site restaurants. Even the entry sign needs to have a facelift from time to time with new landscaping.

An experienced interior design professional understands that there can be dramatic differences in properties and lifestyles from one community to another. A coastal hued sofa in a beach town will be out of place in mountain setting. This ability to regionalize designs along with a designer’s comfort level in the shared-use market will result in interiors that please both the developer and owners.

Do not be afraid to have your designer investigate the cost of customized product lines for your resort, as they may often come at a surprisingly affordable cost.
Only the very top hospitality designers will understand that interiors can represent an integral part of the branding of your resort. An effective brand strategy can give you an edge by differentiating you from your competitors. The publicly held timeshare developers do this at every resort. You can apply the same principles to your properties.

Five Final Tips.

Many legacy resorts have enjoyed multiple interior refurbishments, courtesy of the income stream from maintenance fees. With furnishings selected by experienced design professionals, some resorts look as good today as they did when they were first developed. Continuously updating the resort’s interior and exterior design is important to owners who want quality surroundings on their vacation.

Nancy Woodhouse knows from experience that the shared ownership industry has special needs. “We believe there should be nothing common about common spaces,” she adds. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so your common spaces must reflect the true style of your property with all the visual impact, detail and quality you’ve built into the site design.”

Whether you are designing new or renovating existing units, it is important to incorporate longer-lasting and higher-level finishes like quartz counter tops with glass backsplashes and technology-smart features in electronics and lighting.

Today’s vacationers are concerned with how things impact the environment. A knowledgeable interior designer will select furnishings and interiors that reflect this changing trend.

Nancy’s team at Clive Daniel Hospitality is nearing completion of extensive renovation efforts with the completion of 18 Hilton Grand Vacations units on Sanibel Island and is planning the installation of 42 units on Fort Myers Beach, both after the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian in Florida. They have also completed design plans and installation of furnishing for Bluegreen resorts, other HGV properties, as well as a huge mixed-use project in the Poconos. In addition to their expertise in shared-ownership resorts, Nancy’s team has left their enduring design imprint on banks, hotels, restaurants, and senior living facilities, as well as condominiums and clubhouses. Clive Daniel Home is a Top 100 U.S. furnishing retailer with showrooms in Naples, Boca Raton, Sarasota, and Fort Myers, Florida.

“Selecting inspired designers with timeshare experience will help create lasting impressions for owners and guests while instilling a genuine desire for their return.” says Nancy. “Positive guest experiences continue to remain the hallmark of a great vacation. Having a guest surrounded by beautifully designed resort interiors has a huge positive impact on their overall positive vacation experience.”

Marge Lennon loves to tell other people’s stories. She has had a front-row seat to the growth of the timeshare industry since forever and has written about its entrepreneurial developers and their amazing people from the Adirondacks to Australia. To have her tell your story, contact her at Marge@LennonCommunications.com.