Hotel Pre-Opening Checklist – Free PDF Template

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Hotel pre-opening checklist

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Use this template with Lumiform

Customize this template or build your own
Fill out templates via mobile app
Get reports and analyse your data

Prices start from ░░░ per month

Book a demo

Learn more

Launching a new property can be overwhelming, but this hotel pre-opening checklist transforms it into a structured, manageable process. By organizing critical preparation activities across staff training, facility readiness, and marketing areas, the template ensures you maintain control. According to Hospitality Net, issues like poor interdepartmental coordination and inadequate systems preparation cause the biggst post-opening challenges.

This template directly tackles these pain points by providing clear verification points for each critical area. When you’re facing the final countdown to opening day with dozens of tasks still pending, you can prioritize efforts with this checklist and maintain confidence that all of the essentials are properly addressed.

Related categories

Preview of the template

Staff Training

Have hotel management team been hired?

Have department leads been hired?

Have all staff received comprehensive training?

Have customer service standards been defined and communicated?

Have employee handbooks been distributed?

Facility Readiness

Have all guestrooms been fully equipped?

Have all public areas been cleaned and furnished?

Have all food and beverage outlets been stocked and tested?

Have all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems been tested?

Have all necessary permits and licenses been obtained?

Marketing and Sales

Has the hotel website been launched?

Have all promotional materials been created and distributed?

Have opening offers and packages been developed?

Have strategic partnerships been established?

Have all pre-opening sales activities been completed?

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I start using this pre-opening checklist?

Ideally, start using this checklist 6-12 months before your planned opening date. This gives you adequate time to address all areas thoroughly, especially staff recruitment and training which typically requires 2-3 months. Starting early allows you to identify potential delays or issues that might impact your timeline and make necessary adjustments without rushing critical tasks.

How can I customize this pre-opening checklist for my hotel type?

Review each section and add property-specific items based on your hotel’s unique features and services. For boutique hotels, you might expand the guest experience sections. For larger properties, add more detailed departmental subsections. Consider your target market and service level when prioritizing items, and incorporate any brand standards if you’re opening a franchised property.

What’s a good way to handle delays in certain checklist areas?

When delays occur, use the checklist to assess the impact on dependent tasks and adjust timelines accordingly. Communicate changes promptly to all stakeholders. Consider implementing a “critical path” designation for items that directly impact opening date, allowing you to focus resources on resolving these bottlenecks first while managing less time-sensitive tasks in parallel.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.