How to Start a Motel Business

A motel is a facility with rooms where guests can pay to spend a designated number of hours or nights. Normally, motels are for overnight use, but rooms can also be rented by the hour according to the motel’s policies. Motels are typically distinguished from hotels because the rooms can be accessed directly from a parking lot rather than a corridor.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

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Start a motel business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Motel Business
  2. Form your Motel Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Motel Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Motel Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Motel Business
  7. Get Motel Business Insurance
  8. Define your Motel Business Brand
  9. Create your Motel Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your motel business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Motel Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a motel business?

Motel costs include the following:

  • Rent/mortgage
  • Utilities
  • Furniture
  • Staff salaries
  • Maintenance
  • Supplies (linens, cleaning products, etc.)
  • Office equipment
  • Commercial insurance

What are the ongoing expenses for a motel business?

Motel owners will need to account for the cost of salaries, equipment, maintenance, rent/mortgage, utilities, and commercial insurance.

Who is the target market?

The target market can be anyone looking for a place to stay at a reasonable price. The target demographic usually refers to tourists or passersby, but this is not always the case. Plenty of locals may want to take a staycation to see their town in a new light (without going overboard on costs).

How does a motel business make money?

Motels charge people a set amount to use their facilities. This charge should account for not only the direct costs of the room (including utilities), but also the common areas and the service staff.

How much can you charge customers?

Motel owners can charge the going rates in their area. They may only be able to charge $15 a night for a weekday during the off-peak season. However, owners may be able to charge $100 or more per night during a three-day weekend if there’s a major event happening in their area.

How much profit can a motel business make?

Profits for motels can be substantial, especially if the demand is high. Room rates can conceivably triple during major events and peak tourist season. However, average profits have fallen in the last few years for motels from around 35% to 25%.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Motels can consider selling merchandise to their customers, including T-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts. Or they can set up a small gift shop where customers can purchase liquor, snacks, and beverages. These convenience goods and souvenirs can be sold at high-profit margins and can provide supplemental income beyond that of the standard room rates.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your motel business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your motel business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Motel Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Motel Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a motel business

Most people will likely find you via online research. You’ll need to create a website that is search-engine friendly and easy to navigate or consider investing in paid online advertising. Owners may also want to look into partnerships with websites like Expedia or Priceline. Offer special rates or special amenities for first-time guests. Finally, consider partnering with travel agents or other local partners as a way to spread the word about your new business. Travel agents are always on the lookout for reasonable places for their clients to stay, especially in high-traffic cities or neighborhoods.

How to keep customers coming back

Attracting customers starts with being visible enough for them to find you. Ensure your online and local presence gives you a competitive edge over other local options. When guests are with you, the staff should be welcoming, accommodating, and proactive to their needs. This will help generate the reviews you need and help guests remember your business if they ever swing through your area again. Consider offering an incentive for people to fill out a survey about their experience, such as a small gift. Their feedback can help you fine-tune your operation for future guests.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

People who want to provide travelers or locals with a safe, affordable, and comfortable place to stay. The best owners will actively seek to improve their guests’ experiences by sharing their passion for tourism and the joys of discovering a new area.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

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What happens during a typical day at a motel business?

Owners will likely spend their time coordinating staff and ensuring the facility meets quality standards. They’ll need to manage employees, ensure regular maintenance, and interface with guests. Owners will oversee all activity within the motel and make adjustments as needed. They’ll set financial expectations and design their marketing for their target demographic.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful motel business?

You should be organized, logical, and good with people. If you’re not committed to your staff and customers, you’re likely to overlook important details in your business. Most motel owners will hire a general manager to take care of many of the daily activities, but owners still need to stay involved enough to catch smaller issues before they turn into big problems.

What is the growth potential for a motel business?

Quality motels are always in demand in practically all areas of the country. Even in places that are saturated with facilities, patrons are always looking for something extra. For example, if your motel offers more security than those around it, this can entice people to try your motel over more established businesses in the area.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a motel business?

The best approach for opening a motel business is largely determined by the area in which it’s located. Owners should scout different locations and assess the competition around each one. Once owners do their research on comparable hotels or motels, they can use this information to distinguish their business.

Carving out the right brand starts with understanding what your potential customers need. Are people worried about their safety in a large city? Are they looking for a motel with more amenities? Do they believe the motels are overpriced in their area for what they receive? Is your location closer to the most popular locations in your town? As you narrow down your strengths, it should be easier to set the right branding strategy for your customers.

In the advent of websites such as Airbnb, the competition has never been more intense for motels. But not everyone wants to stay on someone’s private property where anything could happen. It’s an owner’s job to figure out what’s missing for travelers before advertising directly to those needs.
Motel owners can also consider offering unconventional options that other motels don’t. For example, towns that are frequented by truckers may be able to turn a profit by renting rooms by the hour. These working professionals may just want a place to shower, eat, and change before their next stop without having to pay for a full night. Or owners may want to outfit their motel with luxury amenities. Anything from free breakfast to turn-down service can give your motel a good reputation from the moment you open.

How and when to build a team

Most motel owners will build a team immediately to ensure guests have access to staff members at all hours of the night. Look for people who are conscientious, friendly, and organized. Staff should have a strong background of the town, so they can answer questions and enhance a guest’s stay. Look for people who can stay calm during emergencies and direct guests to safety.

Useful Links

Real World Examples