New Hotel Opening Checklist

Opening a new hotel is an exciting milestone—but it requires strategic planning, structured processes, and detailed coordination across all departments. A New Hotel Opening Checklist ensures that every operational, legal, and technical requirement is completed before welcoming the first guests. This checklist helps management stay organized, avoid delays, and guarantee a smooth pre-opening phase.

Why a Hotel Opening Checklist is Important

A detailed checklist helps ensure:

• Compliance with legal and safety regulations

• Proper setup of all hotel departments

• Staff training and recruitment completion

• Smooth coordination between contractors, suppliers, and management

• Zero last-minute surprises on opening day

New Hotel Opening Checklist (Complete Guide)

1. Pre-Opening Planning

• Finalize project timelines and opening date

• Appoint pre-opening task force or project team

• Prepare budget and financial forecast

• Establish brand standards and SOP guidelines

• Start vendor and supplier discussions

2. Government Licenses & Legal Requirements

• Hotel Trade License

• Fire Safety NOC

• Health & Sanitation Certificate

• Pollution Control Certificate

• Lift and Boiler Permissions

• Food License (FSSAI)

• Liquor License (if applicable)

• GST Registration

• Employee Compliance (PF/ESI)

• CCTV & Security Compliance

3. Infrastructure & Facility Setup

• Completion of civil work and interiors

• Plumbing, electrical, HVAC installation

• Guest rooms ready with furniture, fixtures, linen

• Lobby and reception area setup

• Restaurant, kitchen, and banquet hall setup

• Gym, spa, pool, bar, and other amenities

• Parking area and signage installation

• IT infrastructure (Wi-Fi, servers, routers)

4. Procurement & Inventory

• Room amenities (toiletries, linens, towels)

• Furniture & fixtures

• Housekeeping equipment & cleaning chemicals

• F&B crockery, cutlery, and glassware

• Kitchen equipment and utensils

• Office supplies & stationery

• Uniforms for all staff

• Guest safety equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid kits)

5. Technology & Systems Setup

• Property Management System (PMS)

• POS systems for restaurant & bar

• Channel Manager & Booking Engine

• CCTV setup

• Access control system & key cards

• HRMS & attendance systems

• Accounting software

• Online reputation tools

6. Department-Wise Readiness

Front Office

• Reception desk setup

• Check-in/check-out procedures

• Guest directory & signage

• Staff grooming & training

• Reservation and cash handling training

Housekeeping

• Room cleaning SOPs

• Linen room setup

• Laundry operations plan

• Snag list clearance

• Guest room inspections

Kitchen & F&B

• Food safety & hygiene training

• Menu engineering

• Recipe costing

• Buffet & banquet setup

• Vendor finalization

Engineering

• Equipment testing (AC, lifts, boilers)

• Preventive maintenance planning

• Generator, water system, pumps testing

• Lighting and controls check

Security

• Fire drill training

• Access control plan

• CCTV monitoring

• Guest safety SOPs

7. Staff Hiring & Training

• Recruitment of all departments

• Issue uniforms and ID cards

• Orientation & onboarding

• Brand standards training

• SOP training for each department

• Grooming and communication training

8. Marketing & Sales Preparation

• Website launch

• Social media pages

• Online OTA listings

• Pre-opening offers

• Photography & videography

• Partnerships with travel agents and corporates

• Branding materials (signboards, brochures, menus)

9. Trial Runs & Soft Launch

• Dummy check-ins and check-outs

• Mock restaurant service

• Full hotel walk-throughs

• Maintenance and snag resolution

• Fire and safety drills

• Staff performance evaluation

10. Final Opening Day Preparation

• Grand opening event planning

• VIP guest invitations

• Press & media coordination

• Final room and facility inspections

• Stock verification

• Staff briefing

• Guest welcome kits prepared

Opening a hotel requires precision, teamwork, and careful planning. A structured New Hotel Opening Checklist ensures that no process is missed and every department is fully prepared. With the right checklist and trained team, your hotel can deliver a smooth, successful, and impactful launch.