Home News Hotel Financing Latest News: Renovated Philadelphia Marriott Old City

The recent opening of the newly renovated and reimagined Philadelphia Marriott Old City highlights the importance of the right hotel financing solutions for hospitality companies throughout the United States. This property now boasts 364 rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting space, which sets it apart in the Philadelphia hospitality marketplace. Here are some of the most exclusive features of the newly rebranded Philadelphia Marriott Old City hotel.

Exclusive Spaces

Along with the increased amount of meeting room space created during the renovation, the Philadelphia Marriott Old City also incorporates a Great Room for entertaining, the elegant M Club Lounge and 17 dedicated event rooms. These spaces are ideally suited for meetings of all sizes and are available for weddings and other gala events. According to the interior design team who worked on the Old City project, the patterns and textures featured inside the building were inspired by the warehouses that surround the area and the artisanal qualities of the designs created by manufacturers and craftsmen in this part of Philadelphia.

A Change in Direction

The property now known as the Philadelphia Marriott Old City was previously operated under the Sheraton Society Hill label. The change in name and appearance is designed to expand the options available to guests and to transform the interior spaces of this exclusive hotel into a more practical solution for the needs of modern businesses and travelers. By upgrading the business center and expanding the meeting spaces available for guests and corporate clients, the Philadelphia Marriott Old City will be able to achieve greater visibility while setting itself apart from other lodging options in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Importance of Hotel Loans

Hotel financing is critical to projects like the one just completed for the Philadelphia Marriott Old Town and many other hotels across the U.S. Finding the right solutions for funding is essential to promote the highest profitability and the best outcomes for these construction projects. By working with a firm that specializes in funding for the hospitality industry, companies will typically secure the hotel loans they need on terms they can afford.

Stonehill offers hotel construction financing and other hotel financing options designed to help companies in the hospitality industry to achieve greater profitability and to provide great service to guests. Our team will work with you to determine the most practical and cost-effective solutions for your current and future financing needs. Give us a call today at to discuss your requirements with our expert consultants. We are here to deliver the most innovative and effective solutions for all your hospitality finance needs.

How Millennials Are Impacting the Hotel Financing Hospitality Industry

Millennials have had a definite impact on the modern workforce and the consumer marketplace. The millennial demographic is defined as those born in the 1980s and 1990s and is expected to constitute the largest segment of consumers within the next few years. The expectations of millennials traveling for business or pleasure are likely to differ sharply from those of previous generations. This could affect the types of hotel financing available for hospitality companies now and in the future.

Seeking Exclusive Experiences

Although they lack the disposable income currently available to older generations, millennials have demonstrated a willingness to shell out some of their cold hard cash to enjoy experiences outside their daily routine. Creating a unique atmosphere and tying interior décor to the local community can help hospitality companies attract their fair share of the millennial demographic. In some cases, working with a private equity real estate firm can provide the added hotel financing resources needed to update and upgrade accommodations for millennial guests.

Maintaining Connectivity

The modern business world and millennials demand constant access to the internet. Upgrading your hotel’s internet options can attract millennials and other business travelers who require reliable Wi-Fi connections to perform their work and to stay in touch with family and friends online. Making sure that your internet connectivity is dependable and capable of taking on the challenges of online business can be a major selling point for millennials and other tech-savvy individuals in the hospitality marketplace.

Providing the Right Amenities

Thanks to the immense popularity of social media sites among millennials, both good and bad news travels quickly. Making sure your guests receive the most practical amenities can help you to improve your online reputation and can ensure that you attract your fair share of guests and good reviews:

  • An office center can allow millennials to achieve greater productivity without leaving your hotel.
  • Room service or an on-site restaurant can also be valuable amenities that can transform a so-so stay into something truly memorable for your millennial clientele.
  • An elegant lobby with plenty of seating space can serve as an impromptu meeting spot for your guests and their colleagues.

By tracking the most-wanted amenities and providing them for your clients, you can stand out in the social media environment and can snag the best reviews for your hotel and your services.

Plan Costs and Research Hotel Loans Ahead of Time

You don’t want to be surprised by the bill at the end of your  project. Therefore, be sure to do plenty of research and find the best contractor for your improvements. Additionally, make sure you request detailed estimates for your renovations so you know exactly how much capital you need to enhance your hotel.

Finally, be sure to look at all of your financing options and choose the hotel loans that make the most sense for you. Direct hotel lenders can help you with this process, as they have the industry knowledge to help you determine the best way to fund your improvements.

Surpass PIP Minimum Requirements

Another way to get the most out of your PIP is to go above and beyond the minimum requirements. This may seem like the opposite of what you should do for better returns. However, at the end of the day, property improvement plans are designed to help your bottom line. Therefore, if there are other things you can do to help you compete in the market or draw in more customers, this is the perfect time to make these enhancements. For example, maybe a new coat of paint isn’t required for your plan, but you may consider doing this while you are already renovating.

Choose Design Elements for Longevity

When creating a plan for your renovations, you want to select items and improvements that are durable and long-lasting. This can include furniture, lighting, plumbing, or really anything in your PIP. If you do this, you can increase your profits by keeping your hotel in great condition for as long as possible. Though you will likely require more hotel financing for these high-quality features, it will decrease the amount of money you have to spend later on to replace broken or worn products.

Best PIP Practices to Get the Most Out of Your Investment

Property improvement plans, or PIP’s, can be expensive. Therefore, you should try to get the most out of your renovations and hotel loans. PIP’s address many different things. For example, mechanical systems, guest rooms, security systems, and landscaping. These renovations can help your hotel fit your brand and also increase profit and customer experience.

In recent years, PIP’s require more costly renovations, as many brands are trying to give their sub-brands unique identities. Because PIP expenses are increasing, you want to get the most bang for your buck. Make sure your improvements increase return on investment. To do so, choose elements that positively impact profitability and choose the correct hotel loans for your situation.

Find the Best Hotel Financing for Your Project

Finally, you will want to find the best hotel loans for your construction project. To do so, you should weigh your options and do your research about different hotel financing options. Additionally, you should look for a lender who has experience in the hospitality industry who can find the right solutions for your new hotel construction.

Soft Costs for New Hotel Construction

By contrast, soft costs include things like permit fees, survey costs, construction insurance premiums, and taxes. Failing to pay any of these fees can result in heavy fines, or can even halt your construction process. Therefore, if you are concerned about managing these costs, you may want to hire a design build construction contractor who will take care of all of this for you. In the end, it may be a more cost-effective option. Take this into consideration when determining your budget and how much hotel financing you will need for your project. If you decide to go with a design build contractor, ensure that you receive reliable estimates for their services before acquiring your hotel construction financing. This way, you will not be short on capital when the time comes to construct your hotel.

Manage Hard Costs of Hotel Construction

The hard costs of your hotel construction is where most of your investment will go. Hard costs include building materials, equipment, and labor for your project. Therefore, before you determine how much hotel financing you will need, it’s important to do your research and get accurate estimates for your hard costs.

When deciding on your hotel design and construction, you should shop around for estimates from reputable contractors. Additionally, you should consider material costs and their lifespans. While you may be tempted to opt for cheaper materials and labor, this can hurt you in the long run. Low quality materials generally have shorter lifespans and may require costly repairs more frequently than high-quality building materials. Additionally, you will want to hire a contractor who is experienced and knowledgeable to ensure the best results for your hotel construction.

Crafted by the Franchise Company

In most cases, the comfort letter is drawn up by the franchise company as part of the franchising process. These legal documents may follow a standardized template or may be customized to suit the needs of the borrower and the lender. The contents of the letter may include some or all of the following provisions:

  • A provision that ensures the ability of the lender to appoint a receiver to operate the hotel for a short period of time during foreclosure proceedings
  • A clause that allows the lender to cure any default of the franchise agreement before it is terminated
  • A provision that allows for the resale of the property and the transfer of the franchise agreement to a third party if the hotel goes into default

These provisions are designed to protect the lender if the hotel financing loan goes into default.