What does it really take to renovate a hotel while keeping guests happy, protecting reviews, and maximizing owner returns?
In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tom Kelley, CEO & President of Digney Holding Companies, to explore the business of hotel renovations, capital planning, and hospitality development. Drawing on decades of experience spanning architecture, Marriott, commercial real estate, and hotel construction, Tom shares practical insights into how owners can make smarter renovation decisions in today's rapidly evolving hospitality market.
From navigating brand conversions and Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) to managing rising construction costs, tariffs, and supply chain volatility, Tom explains why successful hotel projects start with careful planning, financial discipline, and a relentless focus on the guest experience. He also discusses how owners can avoid costly over-investments, balance design with ROI, and execute renovations in occupied hotels with minimal disruption.
Whether you're a hotel owner, operator, developer, investor, architect, or hospitality professional, this conversation offers valuable strategies for protecting asset value while creating exceptional guest experiences.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to plan successful hotel renovations and brand conversions
- Why due diligence should come before design decisions
- The importance of aligning capital expenditures with long-term investment strategy
- How hospitality design continues to evolve with changing guest expectations
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cxipY_2xW9I
Links:
Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-kelley-84bba2aa/
Digney-York Associates: https://digneyyork.com/
For full show notes head to:https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/311
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Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.
