Ep 7. Lake Superior, Hotel Inferior

In season 8, episode 7 of Hotel Impossible, the host and hotel expert Anthony Melchiorri travel to Lake Superior, Michigan, where they visit a hotel with a beautiful location but poor management that is struggling to turn a profit.

The hotel, located on the shore of Lake Superior, has stunning views that could attract a large number of guests, but the staff is small and not professional enough to meet the demands of the guests. Anthony meets the owners and staff of the hotel and makes an assessment of the situation.

As he checks out the rooms of the hotel, he notices that they don't match the quality of the view. The rooms are poorly decorated, and the furniture is old and outdated. The mattresses are lumpy, the pillows are flat, and the linens are not fresh and clean. The bathroom fixtures are old, and the tiles have mold growing on them.

Next, Anthony checks out the hotel's restaurant, where he discovers that the food and beverage operations are equally bad. The food is unappetizing, and the staff seems uninterested in their jobs. The restaurant is empty, and there is a lack of local patronage.

Anthony discovers that the owners are in debt and are relying on bank loans to keep the hotel running. The company is not making a profit, and stagnation must be overcome to get the revenue flowing. Anthony takes a meeting with the owners and staff to discuss how to improve the hotel and make it profitable.

The main problem lies with the staff, and Anthony sets out to train and reorganize them. He starts by firing the breakfast chef and hiring a new executive chef to revamp the menu and inspire the kitchen. He also introduces the staff to a new booking and management software and trains them in customer service.

Anthony then sets out to revamp the rooms, starting with the beds. He replaces the old mattresses with firm, comfortable ones and provides fresh linens and clean towels. He also takes down the old curtains and replaces them with new and brighter ones. He also invests in new bathroom fixtures and ensures that the rooms are well lit.

Additionally, Anthony creates a spa and fitness center in the hotel complete with all new amenities. This added value brings a new pool of customers who appreciate being able to enjoy a healthy and invigorating vacation.

Anthony decides to rename the hotel and invests in marketing the new and revised stationery and signage bearing the new name and logo. The management begins to see the results as customers start pouring in, leading to increased revenue. The new and revitalized hotel attracts both locals as well as international visitors.

In conclusion, episode 7 of season 8 of Hotel Impossible takes a struggling hotel with major management issues and brings it shining into a new era. Through a combination of new staff training, kitchen revamping, room redecoration and a new fitness and spa center, Anthony Melchiorri takes a hotel that was on the verge of shutting down, and sets it up for future success.