Ep 11. Funeral Home Impossible

Hotel Impossible season 7 episode 11, titled "Funeral Home Impossible," follows host Anthony Melchiorri as he takes on a unique challenge: transforming a funeral home into a hotel. The episode begins with Melchiorri arriving at the Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel in Napa Valley, California, which has been struggling to attract guests and generate revenue. Melchiorri meets with the funeral home's owner, Tim, who inherited the business from his father and has been trying to expand it into hospitality.

Melchiorri is immediately struck by the lack of curb appeal and signage for the establishment. He also notes that the interior is dreary and dark, with outdated furnishings and decorations. To make matters worse, the funeral home's staff are not trained in hospitality and struggle to provide guests with a warm welcome and comfortable stay.

With only four days to work with, Melchiorri sets out to revamp the funeral home's image and improve its operations. He brings in a team of designers to update the interior with modern decor, light colors, and inviting furniture. He also enlists the services of a hospitality consultant to train the staff in customer service and hospitality best practices.

As the transformation progresses, Melchiorri faces several challenges along the way. One major obstacle is convincing potential guests to stay at a former funeral home. Melchiorri must find creative ways to market the new hotel to the public and position it as a welcoming and comfortable destination.

Another challenge is dealing with the emotional nature of the funeral home's business. Melchiorri must be sensitive to the needs of grieving families who may still be using the chapel for services while the renovations are underway. He must also ensure that the new hotel does not feel morbid or eerie to guests.

Throughout the episode, Melchiorri works closely with Tim and his staff to implement the changes and improve the hotel's reputation. He provides feedback on everything from the hotel's website to the employee uniforms, and provides guidance on how to create a positive guest experience.

In the end, Melchiorri and his team successfully transform the funeral home into a stylish and comfortable hotel that attracts guests from near and far. The hotel's rooms are updated with new furniture, bedding, and decor, and the lobby is transformed into an inviting space for guests to relax and socialize. The staff are also trained to provide exceptional customer service, and the hotel's marketing materials are updated to reflect the new brand and image.

Overall, "Funeral Home Impossible" is a unique and inspiring episode of Hotel Impossible that demonstrates Melchiorri's ability to transform even the most unconventional spaces into successful hospitality businesses.