IRVINE, CA—Many hotel-renovation projects have aggressive schedules to minimize the loss of revenue due to room displacement and to minimize the time that guests see or hear construction on-site, Level 3 Construction's VP of business development John Gonzalez tells GlobeSt.com. The firm recently completed a remodel of the DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine-Spectrum, owned and operated by Pacific Hospitality Group.

The DoubleTree property has 252 guestrooms and seven floors of corridors. Level 3 renovated 72 guestrooms and two floors of corridors every two weeks, with a brief overlap of each phase which was fully renovated within the short 75-day schedule. The hotel remained operational through the renovation.

PHG did not respond to GlobeSt.com before deadline regarding the project, but we spoke with Gonzalez about it and trends in hotel redevelopments.

DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum guestroom

GlobeSt.com: What was unique for you about the DoubleTree project?

Gonzalez: Many hotel-renovation projects have aggressive schedules to minimize the loss of revenue due to room displacement and to minimize the time that guests see or hear construction onsite. This project schedule was hyper-aggressive: 252 guestrooms and seven floors of corridors were completed in 75 days.

GlobeSt.com: What makes Orange County hotel projects different from those in other markets?

Gonzalez: Each market is unique in its own way. Most markets experience a lower occupancy immediately after summer and during the holidays, which is an ideal time to start a renovation. The DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum's prime location helps it maintains a high occupancy year-round. This is why we had to turn over rooms so quickly.

GlobeSt.com: What trends are you noticing in hotel redevelopments in general?

Gonzalez: Inspired by the trendy “lifestyle hotels,” we have noticed that brand hotels are incorporating design elements of boutiques: modern, cutting-edge and sexy. Modern bathrooms and a fun splash of color on furniture, drapes or accent walls helps enhance the guestroom experience. In the public space, many hotels are capturing additional revenue and improving the guest experience by adding markets and communal settings that allows for guest to enjoy more time at the hotel and not just in their rooms.

PHG did not respond to GlobeSt.com before deadline regarding the project, but we spoke with Gonzalez about it and trends in hotel redevelopments.

GlobeSt.com: What was unique for you about the DoubleTree project?

GlobeSt.com: What makes Orange County hotel projects different from those in other markets?

GlobeSt.com: What trends are you noticing in hotel redevelopments in general?

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