5 Tips To Starting A Micro-Hotel

Julie Starr • July 20, 2022



Are you looking for a business idea that is both profitable and exciting? Then consider starting a micro-hotel! This type of hospitality business has been growing in popularity in recent years, and the options for sustainability in a micro-hotel make it an ideal business venture for those looking to make a difference. Here we will discuss five tips for starting your own micro-hotel.

1) Define Your Target Market

Before you can start planning your micro-hotel, you need to identify who your target market is. This will help you determine the location, size, and amenities of your business. For example, are you catering to families, couples, or business travelers? Will your guests be primarily from the local area, or will they come from out of town? Once you understand your target market, you can start to tailor your business plan to meet their needs.

One really effective way to find out who your target market is, is by actually mining your guests for information on arrival. And you can do that more easily than ever thanks to the latest visitor registration technology that is out there. Just by having this at your entry to the hotel, you will soon get all sorts of data insights about the kind of people who tend to stay at your hotel, helping to fuel further marketing for the future of the business.

2) Determine Your USP

Your unique selling proposition (USP) is what will make your micro hotel stand out from the competition. What can you offer that other hotels in the area cannot? This could be anything from a focus on sustainability to offering in-room massages or being pet-friendly or technology-focused. Once you know your USP, ensure it is reflected in every aspect of your hotel, from the décor to the amenities you offer.

3) Find The Perfect Location

The location of your micro hotel is critical to its success. You need to find a spot that is convenient for your guests and offers the amenities they are looking for. If you are catering to business travelers, you will want to be near the airport or major highways. Families and couples may prefer a more scenic location near attractions or the beach. Regardless of your target market, be sure to choose a location that is safe and accessible.

Of course, keep your options open, as both residential and commercial real estate can be up for the task. Consider dimensions, size, renovation potential, and any permit or leasing considerations you may wish to keep in mind. A great broker will help you assess all of these metrics.

4) Think About Marketing Tools

How you market your business will play a significant role in its success. There are several marketing tools available to micro hoteliers, from online booking platforms to social media. It’s essential to do your research and find the right mix of marketing channels for your target audience. You may also want to consider working with a hotel marketing company to get the most out of your marketing efforts. With some planning and creativity, you can get the word out about your business and attract guests worldwide.

5) Hire A Great Team

This is probably one of the most important things you can do when opening a micro hotel. You want to find individuals passionate about providing excellent customer service and excited to be a part of your team. Take your time during the hiring process and really get to know each candidate so that you can be confident in your decision-making. Then, once you have a great team in place, provide them with ongoing training and support so they can continue to excel in their roles.

These are just a few things to remember when starting your micro-hotel. With careful planning and execution, you can create a successful business that is both profitable and enjoyable.

 

By Julie Starr July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.
By Julie Starr July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.