Brand approval in 90 days
Rimini Design Studios delivers turnkey design services for hotel owners converting independent properties to mid-scale franchise brands. We coordinate every aspect from brand compliance to final QA so you have one source of truth instead of juggling multiple teams separately.
What You Get:
- Brand-compliant design packages
- Pre-submission compliance verification
- Single-source coordination of design activities
- 90-day average timeline to brand approval
- QA to ensure design is executed as specified
The Result: Your hotel opens on schedule with first-time brand approval, no resubmission delays, and no lost revenue.
Who we serve
We serve independent hotel owners converting to franchise brands, management companies overseeing multi-property portfolios, and first-time franchisees entering the hospitality industry. What they share: the need for proven brand compliance expertise that eliminates costly resubmission delays and gets properties open on schedule.
Converting Owners You own 1-3 independent hotels and are converting to a franchise brand for the first time. You need brand approval fast and can’t afford the standard $200K – $500K cost of resubmission delays.
Management Companies You manage 10+ properties and need consistent, reliable design services across your portfolio. You value vendor consolidation and proven brand compliance that protects your reputation.
First-Time Franchisees You’re acquiring your first hotel property and converting to a franchise brand. You need both education and execution, someone who explains the PIP process while delivering first-time approval.
How we work: from independent to branded in 90 days
We deliver complete hotel conversion design as one integrated service, not separate à la carte offerings. Every phase builds toward one outcome: first-time brand approval so you open on schedule.
Phase 1: Discovery & brand analysis (week 1-2)
What Happens: We start with comprehensive site assessment, brand requirements review, and detailed budget modeling. If you haven’t selected your target brand yet, we provide guidance on which flag makes the most economic sense for your property and market.
Deliverables:
- Complete site assessment questionnaire and photo documentation
- PIP requirements analysis (line-by-line review)
- Budget modeling with FF&E cost estimates
- Timeline projection with key milestone dates
- Scope of work agreement
What This Means for You: You know exactly what your target brand requires, what it will cost, and when you’ll be able to open—before we begin design. No surprises, no scope creep, no “we didn’t know that would be required” excuses later.
Owner Benefit: Lenders and partners see detailed project plan showing you’ve done your homework and hired experienced specialists who know what’s required.
Phase 2: Design & development (week 3-6)
What Happens: We create brand-compliant design packages including floor plans, electronic design presentations, finishes palettes, and preliminary FF&E selections. Everything developed with first-time approval in mind because we know what brand architects will flag before you submit.
Deliverables:
- CAD floor plans showing layout and room configurations
- Electronic design presentations (renderings and material boards)
- Finishes specifications (flooring, wall coverings, paint, tile)
- Furniture layouts and space planning
- Preliminary FF&E selections with budget verification
- ADA compliance verification
- Code compliance coordination
What This Means for You: Designs meet brand standards the first time because we’ve done 100+ conversions and know exactly what Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Choice, Best Western, and Wyndham require, including the unwritten standards and regional variations.
Owner Benefit: No guesswork, no “let’s try this and see if they approve it.” You see exactly what you’re getting, what it costs, and why it will pass brand review.
Phase 3: Specification & procurement (week 4-7)
What Happens: We specify furniture, fixtures, and equipment that meet brand standards while staying within your budget. We coordinate with FF&E vendors, verify lead times, and ensure everything arrives when your contractor needs it for installation.
Deliverables:
- Complete FF&E specifications with product details and sources
- Purchase-ready specification documents for vendor bidding
- FF&E budget verification with actual vendor quotes
- Lead time coordination and delivery scheduling
- Brand-approved product selections with documentation
- Installation sequencing plan
What This Means for You: You’re not stuck figuring out which Hampton Inn bed package meets Hilton standards or which Holiday Inn Express case goods vendor is on IHG’s approved list. We already know, and we coordinate it all.
Owner Benefit: Accurate budgets based on real vendor quotes (not guesses), coordinated delivery schedules that keep your contractor on track, and brand-compliant products that pass inspection the first time.
Phase 4: Brand submittal & approval (week 7-10)
What Happens: We coordinate submissions through proper brand channels, leveraging our relationships with brand architects to ensure complete, accurate packages. Our pre-submission compliance checklist catches issues before they become resubmissions.
Deliverables:
- Complete brand submittal packages formatted per brand requirements
- Pre-submission compliance checklist review
- Brand portal submissions and communication tracking
- Response to brand comments or questions (if any)
- Brand approval documentation
- Variance request coordination (if needed)
What This Means for You: Brand architects receive complete, professional submissions from designers they recognize as experienced conversion specialists. That credibility matters, they know we understand their standards and aren’t wasting their time.
Owner Benefit: First-time approval means you stay on schedule, avoid $30K+ resubmission fees, and start earning flag revenue 60-90 days sooner than properties stuck in revision cycles.
Phase 5: Implementation & support (week 11-13)
What Happens: Once brand approval is secured, we provide installation oversight to ensure the design is executed as specified and approved. We coordinate with your general contractor, review submittals, conduct site visits, and manage punch list items.
Deliverables:
- Construction administration and submittal review
- Installation drawings and details for contractor
- Site visits at key milestones (as agreed in scope)
- FF&E installation coordination and oversight
- Final punch list review before brand inspection
- As-built documentation
What This Means for You: The hotel that opens is the hotel that was approved—not a value-engineered version where your contractor made substitutions that void brand approval or require corrections before you can accept your franchise agreement.
Owner Benefit: Brand inspection passes the first time. No delays, no corrections, no explaining to your lender why the property isn’t opening as scheduled.
Ready to get started?
When you work with Rimini Design Studios, you get complete hotel conversion design services, not separate vendors you have to coordinate yourself.
Step 1: Initial Consultation (Free)
Schedule a 30-45 minute consultation call to discuss your property, target brand, timeline, and budget. We’ll determine if we’re a good fit and answer your questions about the conversion process.
Step 2: Property Assessment
If we proceed, we’ll conduct a detailed property assessment (can be done remotely or on-site depending on project). We’ll review existing conditions, brand requirements, and develop preliminary scope and budget.
Step 3: Proposal & Agreement
We’ll provide a detailed proposal outlining scope, deliverables, timeline, and investment. Once approved, we execute agreement and begin Phase 1 immediately.
Step 4: Project Kickoff
We hit the ground running with brand analysis, budget modeling, and timeline development. You’ll see progress within the first week.
