Ep 11. Clearing the Heir

In Hotel Impossible season 5 episode 11, titled "Clearing the Heir," hospitality expert Anthony Melchiorri travels to Geneseo, New York to lend his expertise to the local Valley Oak Event Center. The property has been in the family of owner Kelly for four generations, but recently she has struggled to maintain business levels and keep the property in good condition. Her granddaughter, Karen, has expressed interest in taking over the business, but before that can occur, Kelly is looking for guidance on how to make the hotel more profitable and successful.

Upon arrival, Anthony is appalled at the state of the property. The furniture and decor are outdated, the cleanliness leaves something to be desired, and there are even holes in the walls. Additionally, there is a lack of clear branding and marketing tactics, making it difficult for potential guests to find and book the hotel. Anthony quickly gets to work, meeting with Kelly to understand her goals and concerns.

One of the main issues Anthony identifies is a lack of attention to detail. This is evidenced by the unkempt landscaping and general disrepair of the property. Anthony enlists the help of a team to clean up the property, including adding new signage and painting the exterior to give it a more modern feel. Anthony also addresses the employee situation, determining that several members of the staff are not properly trained and need to be retrained or replaced.

Anthony also helps Kelly and Karen identify their target market, which turns out to be brides and grooms looking for a wedding venue. However, the event spaces are in dire need of updating and cleaning, and Anthony suggests that Kelly invest in new linens and lighting fixtures to give them a more upscale appearance. He also suggests that the hotel expand its services to include catering and floral services, to fully capitalize on the wedding market and increase profits.

Throughout the episode, Anthony is met with resistance from Kelly and Karen, who have difficulty letting go of old habits and ways of doing things. Anthony employs his signature tough love approach, pushing them to take risks and make changes to improve their business. By the end of the episode, the team has managed to transform the Valley Oak Event Center into a vibrant and profitable business, with clean and modern decor, trained staff, and a clear focus on their target market. The owners are inspired to continue implementing Anthony's suggestions and strategies, and are excited to see where the future takes them.