Ultimate Hospitality Real Estate Resource

If you have ever rented a hotel room for the night, gone to a restaurant or visited an amusement park, then you have been to a hospitality property. Hospitality real estate primarily serves travelers and leisure seekers, which include various types of properties such as hotels, motels, bars, restaurants, golf courses, and more. While these types of properties are great places to unwind and relax, behind the scenes they are actually rental properties generating financial returns for investors.

Hospitality Real Estate Definition

Hospitality real estate refers to properties that are specifically designed to offer a leisure service or interim lodging. They usually fall into one of four categories: Food & Beverage, Travel & Tourism, Lodging, and Recreation, in which they can be a destination or a stop on the path of their customer’s journey.

Hospitality Real Estate Explained

Hospitality rental properties are spaces where people stay, dine, or enjoy leisure activities, often when they’re away from home. Imagine them as a mix of places ranging from hotels and inns to dining spots, tourist attractions, and event venues. They can be as grand as a luxury resort or as intimate as a family-run bed and breakfast. In some, you might find yourself attending a conference or a wedding, while in others, you might just grab a meal or enjoy a spa day. They play a huge role in travel and leisure, offering folks experiences tailored to their needs, whether it’s for relaxation, business, or pleasure. In essence, they are the backbone of the travel and entertainment industry, making sure visitors have memorable experiences.

Hotels

This is the most common type of hospitality property. Hotels range in size from small, independently-owned properties to large, international chain hotels. Most hotels offer a variety of room types, including standard rooms, suites, and executive-level rooms. Services typically offered by hotels include room service, laundry service, concierge service, and valet parking.

Motels

Motels are typically smaller than hotels and offer fewer amenities. However, motels are often less expensive than hotels and are a good option for travelers looking for a place to stay for a night or two.

Resorts

Resorts are large-scale properties often found in picturesque locations such as beaches, mountains, or islands. They provide a comprehensive experience, offering accommodations, dining, recreational activities, and sometimes even spa services. Guests can enjoy a self-contained vacation without needing to leave the property.

Restaurants

Restaurants are establishments primarily focused on serving meals to customers. They range from fast-food joints to high-end dining experiences, with diverse cuisines and ambiances.

Food Halls

Food halls are large spaces housing various individual food vendors and stalls, often offering a diverse range of cuisines. They provide a casual, communal dining experience where visitors can sample multiple dishes. Food halls are often found in urban areas, shopping malls, or markets and have shared seating.

Bars and Pubs

Bars and pubs are establishments where people go to socialize, relax, and enjoy beverages, especially alcoholic drinks. Many also serve food and host live entertainment or themed nights. Pubs, short for “public houses”, often have a cozy, community-centric atmosphere.

Breweries and Wineries

Breweries and wineries are facilities that produce beer and wine, respectively. Many open their doors to the public, offering tours of the production areas, tastings, and on-site restaurants or taprooms. They often showcase their unique products and production methods.

Spa & Wellness Centers

Spa and wellness centers offer services aimed at relaxation, health, and well-being. These include massages, facials, fitness programs, and other therapeutic treatments. Some are standalone, while others are part of hotels.

Travel Centers

Travel centers offer a variety of services to travelers, including a place to stay for the night, a restaurant, a gift shop, and a gas station. They generate revenue from services to travelers, like truck and auto services, showers, gas, food, and convenience items.

Conference Centers

Conference centers are large venues designed to host meetings, conventions, and exhibitions. They offer a range of facilities like meeting rooms, audiovisual equipment, and catering services. These venues are often used for business events, academic conferences, or trade shows.

Music Venues

Music venues are establishments or spaces where live music performances are held. They can range from intimate clubs to large concert halls or outdoor amphitheaters. These venues often provide food and drink services and host a variety of music genres.

Wedding Venues

Wedding venues are spaces specifically designed or frequently used to host wedding ceremonies and receptions. They can range from traditional ballrooms or banquet halls to unique settings like beaches, vineyards, or historic mansions.

Water Parks

Have you ever been to Waterworld, Raging Waters, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, or any other waterpark in the US? If so, you know what a water park is. If not, they offer a variety of water-based activities for guests, including swimming, slides, and wave pools.

Museums

Museums are institutions that collect, preserve, and display artifacts or artworks for public education and enjoyment. They often host temporary exhibitions, educational programs, or events. Some museums also have on-site restaurants, cafes, or gift shops.

Casinos

Casinos are establishments where people can engage in gambling activities. They offer a variety of games like slots, poker, and roulette. Many casinos also feature entertainment options, restaurants, and accommodations, making them popular for both gaming and leisure

Golf Courses

You probably know what a golf course is, if not from hitting the links yourself, from seeing Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore. But for the uninitiated, a golf course is a course where people can play the sport of golf. It typically consists of a series of holes, each with a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup. Golf courses typically offer a variety of activities for guests, including golf, tennis, and swimming. 

Amusement Facilities

Amusement Facilities are a type of hospitality property that includes businesses such as amusement parks, water parks, arcades, bowling alleys, and other recreational businesses. These facilities typically have high startup and operating costs, but they also generate a lot of revenue from ticket sales, beverage and food sales, and other disparate income sources like merchandise, season passes, etc.

Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions are places of interest that draw visitors due to their cultural, historical, or natural significance. They can include landmarks, natural wonders, or theme parks. These attractions often have facilities like guided tours, souvenir shops, and dining options.

Theme Parks

Theme parks are family friendly recreational facilities offering activities such as rides, games, and performances. They provide fun experiences in a safe, controlled environment. Theme parks often have on-site dining options as well.

Cinemas and Theaters

Cinemas and theaters are venues where people go to watch movies, plays, or live performances. They provide entertainment in the form of visual and performing arts. Many cinemas and theaters offer concessions like popcorn and drinks, and some have luxury seating or dining services.

Nightclubs

Nightclubs are entertainment venues focused on music, dancing, and nightlife. They often have DJs or live performances, and serve alcoholic beverages. Nightclubs are known for their vibrant atmosphere, themed nights, and sometimes exclusive guest lists.

Full-Service Hotels

Full-service hotels typically offer the most amenities, including on-site restaurants, room service, concierge service, fitness centers, and business centers. Although they offer the most amenities, they are also the most expensive type of hotel.

Select-Service Hotels

Select-service hotels are a step below full-service in terms of amenities and price. These properties typically have on-site restaurants and fitness centers but lack room service and concierge service.

Limited-Service Hotels

Limited-service hotels are the most basic type of hotel, offering little more than a room and a bed. These hospitality properties are typically the least expensive but also the least convenient.

Extended Stay Hotels

Extended stay hotels are designed for guests who need to stay for longer periods, offering kitchenettes and other conveniences not typically found in traditional hotels.

Budget Hotels

Budget hotels are the most affordable option but also the most basic. These properties typically have limited amenities and little to no on-site staff.

Hospitality Investing Strategies

If owning a hotel or golf course sounds exciting to you, then investing in a hospitality property might be a good option to pursue. The two most common ways to invest in hospitality properties are Direct Ownership and Indirect Ownership. Direct ownership is you are directly involved in the property’s operations. Indirect Ownership is when you are passively or not involved in the property’s operations.

Hospitality Property Financing

Financing hospitality rental properties is a very important consideration for investors aiming to venture into this sector. Hospitality properties often require specialized financing due to their unique operational characteristics and revenue patterns. Lenders typically assess the property’s location, historical and projected revenue, as well as the investor’s experience in the hospitality industry.