Background
When a historic Irish estate hotel fell into liquidation, it stood idle for years — its grandeur fading under neglect. The property, once a thriving destination, had become outdated and in need of a complete overhaul. A new owner purchased the estate with a limited budget, determined to restore its reputation and return it to profitability.
The project began under the direction of a general contractor without specialist experience in hospitality renovations, design build, or fit out. This decision proved costly, leading to significant delays, coordination issues, and an incomplete scope of works only weeks before the targeted reopening.
The Challenge
By the time Arghco was brought in, there were just six weeks remaining until the publicised opening date. Guestroom fit out was incomplete, technology infrastructure was missing, and much of the FF&E had not been sourced or installed. Delays in procurement and an absence of hospitality-specific planning meant the project risked missing its opening altogether, jeopardising early revenue and brand positioning.
Key obstacles included:
- Only partial completion of guestroom works
- Missing WiFi and POS systems
- No FF&E procurement strategy in place
- Corridor and common area fit out untouched
- 40 of the hotel’s 70 keys not yet operational
- Budget constraints that required cost optimisation without compromising quality
Arghco’s Intervention
Arghco immediately restructured the project into a phased operational rollout to ensure revenue generation could begin while works continued.
Within six weeks, Arghco delivered:
- Full fit out of 30 keys ready for guests, including beds, case goods, soft furnishings, and lighting
- WiFi network installation to cover guestrooms and public spaces
- POS system implementation for F&B outlets to enable revenue capture from day one
- Strategic FF&E procurement using Arghco’s supplier network, delivering high-quality items within budget and lead time constraints
Ongoing Works After Opening
Once the first 30 rooms were operational and revenue began flowing, Arghco continued the fit out process without disrupting guests. This included:
- Corridor refurbishments with new flooring, paint finishes, and lighting upgrades
- Fit out of the remaining 40 rooms, including painting, flooring, and window repairs
- Technology stack installation and cable runs for upgraded security, AV, and guestroom entertainment systems
- Procurement and installation of FF&E for public spaces, meeting rooms, and back-of-house areas
- Reduced licensing fees through smarter vendor agreements, lowering ongoing OpEx and CapEx obligations
The Results
By reprogramming the project for operational phasing and leveraging industry relationships, Arghco saved the client approximately €3 million in avoided delays, rework, and over-inflated procurement costs.
The early opening of 30 guestrooms enabled the property to begin generating revenue while the rest of the hotel was still under renovation. Guest experience was protected through careful scheduling, noise management, and phased handovers. The financial relief from reduced licensing fees and efficient procurement further improved the property’s operational and capital expenditure outlook.
Key Success Factors
- Hospitality-specific expertise — Arghco understood the unique requirements of hotel fit out, from guest comfort to operational efficiency.
- Phased delivery strategy — This allowed the client to open partially and start generating income, reducing financial pressure.
- Supplier and vendor network — Leveraging trusted relationships for better pricing, faster lead times, and compliant specifications.
- Operational cost savings — Licensing and procurement efficiencies that continued to benefit the client after completion.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates the critical importance of engaging a design build and fit out specialist for hospitality renovations, especially when timeframes are tight and budgets are constrained. Arghco’s intervention not only rescued the project from potential failure but positioned the hotel for long-term success, proving that strategic expertise can deliver results that far exceed initial expectations.
