Strategic Planning & Ownership Advisory

Service description

1. 01

   Who this service is for

   This engagement is structured for hotel owners, asset managers, and investors who face a consequential decision and need objective, senior counsel rather than a generic consulting report. Common situations include evaluating an underperforming management contract, developing a turnaround strategy for a struggling asset, assessing repositioning options, or approaching a significant capital expenditure decision with incomplete information.

   We also work with prospective hotel investors who do not yet own an asset — advising on market entry, asset selection criteria, and operational due diligence before a transaction is concluded. Each engagement is scoped individually to match the specific situation and the decisions that actually need to be made.

2. 02

   What the engagement includes

   Every engagement begins with a confidential situation assessment and a structured review of strategic options. From there, the scope is built around what is genuinely useful: financial performance review and benchmarking, management contract and operator performance evaluation, repositioning or turnaround strategy development, and a capital expenditure prioritisation framework where relevant.

   For owners who want ongoing support beyond a defined project, a monthly advisory retainer is available. This gives ownership and asset management teams access to senior-level counsel on a continuing basis — useful during periods of transition, active negotiation, or sustained operational improvement work.

3. 03

   Confidentiality and how we protect it

   Every engagement begins with a mutual non-disclosure agreement before any situation details are shared. We do not discuss client circumstances with third parties under any circumstances, and we are transparent about any potential conflicts of interest before accepting a mandate. Discretion is not a feature we advertise — it is the foundation on which every client relationship is built.

   Because we work exclusively in the hotel and hospitality sector, we are also careful about the sequence and structure of engagements to avoid situations where our work for one client could affect another. We are direct about these boundaries from the first conversation.

4. 04

   How the advisory process works

   There is no fixed template for these engagements because the situations that require them are rarely standard. The process begins with a focused intake conversation to understand the decision at hand, the timeline, the stakeholders involved, and the information already available. From that, we agree on a defined scope and deliverable before work begins.

   For a standalone strategic situation assessment, the engagement is structured to produce a clear options analysis within a defined timeframe. For more complex mandates — repositioning strategy, operator evaluation, turnaround planning — the engagement is phased, with regular check-ins and a final set of recommendations presented directly to ownership or the board.

5. 05

   The depth behind every recommendation

   The consultants leading these engagements have held senior operational roles in full-service hotels before moving into advisory work. That background matters when evaluating a management contract: we know what reasonable operator performance looks like from the inside, what benchmarks are credible, and where operators typically have room to improve versus where structural constraints are the real issue.

   We bring that same operational depth to financial benchmarking, repositioning analysis, and capital prioritisation. Every recommendation is grounded in evidence drawn from the specific asset and its competitive context — not in frameworks imported from unrelated industries or markets distant from the Niagara corridor.

6. 06

   Engagement structure and pricing

   Three entry points are available: a standalone strategic situation assessment at a fixed price, full strategic advisory engagements scoped and priced individually to reflect the complexity and duration of the mandate, and a monthly ownership advisory retainer for clients who require ongoing senior-level access after an initial engagement. Current pricing for each option is listed on this page.

   We take on a limited number of engagements at a time. That is a deliberate choice: it ensures that the senior advisor assigned to your situation remains directly involved throughout, rather than handing work to a junior team once the mandate is signed. Focused attention is not a promise — it is how we are structured.

What the service includes

• Confidential situation assessment and strategic options analysis
• Financial performance review and benchmarking
• Management contract and operator performance evaluation
• Repositioning or turnaround strategy development
• Capital expenditure prioritisation framework
• Ongoing advisory retainer available post-engagement

How an engagement works

1. 1

   Discovery Call

   We begin with a confidential conversation to understand your property's situation, goals, and constraints. This call helps us determine whether there is a good fit and what scope of engagement makes sense.

2. 2

   Scope & Proposal

   We prepare a written proposal outlining the engagement scope, methodology, timeline, and fee. For complex situations, we may recommend a standalone diagnostic before committing to a full engagement.

3. 3

   Data Collection & Audit

   We gather and analyse your property's performance data, conduct on-site visits or mystery-guest stays as appropriate, and complete structured interviews with key department heads.

4. 4

   Analysis & Recommendations

   We synthesise findings into a prioritised action plan with realistic impact estimates. Recommendations are reviewed internally for feasibility before being presented to your team.

5. 5

   Debrief & Handover

   We present findings and recommendations in a structured debrief session with ownership and department heads, answer questions, and agree on next steps. All materials are handed over in editable formats.

Price

Gross prices are for guidance only. You will receive an exact quote before work begins.

Frequently asked questions