For aspiring innkeepers, boutique hotel owners, and future lodging professionals and managers, the journey into hospitality is full of possibility—and full of decisions. You’ll have the opportunity to design memorable guest experiences, curate unique spaces, and market your property to eager travelers. From your breakfast menu to your brand colors, nearly everything will evolve as your business grows and the travel landscape changes. But there’s one important decision you can’t change: location.
The Power of Place
The hospitality industry is both time-tested and ever-evolving. Independent lodging businesses—from cozy inns and bed & breakfasts to boutique hotels, cabins, and campgrounds—require a thoughtful blend of planning, marketing, operations, and service. But none of those components will matter as much if you’re not in the right location.
Why? Because location shapes everything:
- The size and style of your property
- Who your guests will be
- Your seasonality and demand curve
- Your pricing and occupancy potential
- Your access to events, experiences, and attractions
It’s simple: you can change the decor, tweak your menu offerings, rebrand your website, or renovate guest spaces—but your location is established from day one.
Choose a Destination, Not Just a Property
We always encourage prospective hospitality owners to ask: Is this property located in a destination travelers are already drawn to?
Your long-term success will be strongly influenced by your area’s broader appeal. Ideally, you want to be in a location where destination marketing is already happening—where chambers of commerce, visitors’ bureaus, tourism boards, and local businesses who share your guests are investing real dollars and effort to attract visitors.
This gives you two major advantages:
- Built-in Visibility: Your destination is already on the traveler’s radar. Whether a bustling university town, vibrant urban downtown, popular resort or coveted natural setting each possible location has a unique infrastructure and following.
- Marketing Momentum: You can tap into regional marketing efforts, events, and established business efforts to boost your own visibility and credibility.
The Best Property in the Wrong Place?
We’ve seen many dream properties that check every box—except for location. And while an underperforming inn in a high-demand tourist area can be a real, if hidden, opportunity, even the most beautiful property in a location with low traveler interest or limited access will be a tough sell.
That’s why your location should be your first and most important decision.
Whether you’re buying an established inn with a strong book of business, investing in a fixer-upper with potential, or scouting land for a new lodging concept, be sure to start with a clear-eyed look at the destination.
Ask:
- Who are my guests and where will they visit?
- Why do guests come to this property?
- What does the area offer seasonally, culturally, or recreationally?
- Who else is investing in tourism here?
- Is there an established network of others who serve my guests?
You Don’t Have to Figure it Out Alone
At Inn Advisors we all have previously made this journey, created successful hospitality businesses and dominated our travel market. We know what it takes, made the decisions (and a few mistakes) and created real bottom line value. We specialize in helping future hospitality owners make confident, informed decisions. Through our consulting services, educational seminars, and decades of industry experience, we support you every step of the way—from vision to viability.
Your dream property is out there. Let’s make sure it’s in the right place.