People Oriented
Friendly and comfortable dealing with a wide variety of people, with calm, professional communication for guests, complaints, and unexpected situations.
People - Property - Technology - Problem Solving
Mature, Hands-On Couple Seeking a Live-In Hospitality Management Opportunity
We are looking for an opportunity to live on-site and help operate a small motel, inn, lodge, cabin property, or similar hospitality business.
We bring maturity, practical business experience, strong people skills, property-management experience, technical ability, and hands-on maintenance skills.
Location is open. We are willing to consider opportunities throughout the United States for the right situation.
Best fit
Independent motels, inns, lodges, cabin properties, small resorts, and similar hands-on lodging businesses.
Ideal range
Approximately 10-60 rooms or units, with flexibility for the right property and owner.
Contact
About Us
A Mature, Reliable Team
We are a mature couple interested in a live-in position where we can become involved in the day-to-day operation and care of a small hospitality property.
We enjoy working with people and are comfortable handling both the guest-facing and practical sides of running a property.
We are particularly interested in situations where an owner wants dependable people on-site who can greet guests, watch over the property, solve everyday problems, coordinate housekeeping and outside service people, and handle many of the small things that inevitably come up.
We understand that a small motel or inn is different from a large corporate hotel. Everyone pitches in. That environment appeals to us.
We are comfortable behind the front desk, working with computers, talking with guests, troubleshooting problems, checking something that is not working in a room, or helping make sure the property looks cared for.
What We Bring
Practical Strengths for a Hands-On Property
Small hospitality businesses need judgment, consistency, and people who can move comfortably between guests, property details, technology, and vendors.
Property Management Experience
Former owner/operator experience with a 35-unit apartment property, including upkeep, repairs, vendors, contractors, building systems, and day-to-day property issues.
Hands-On Maintenance
Comfortable with ordinary handyman-type work such as minor repairs, painting, basic carpentry, fixtures, screens, room maintenance, and preventive maintenance.
Technically Handy
Strong troubleshooting ability with appliances, electronics, equipment, security cameras, electronic locks, phones, Wi-Fi equipment, TVs, and guest-room technology.
IT / Computer Skills
Strong general computer ability with Windows, networks, Wi-Fi, printers, websites, email, office applications, backups, security awareness, and peripherals.
Media Experience
Professional media and communications experience can support property photos, website updates, simple promotional materials, signs, guest information, and local attraction content.
Good judgment matters.
Licensed electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, fire-system, or other regulated work should be handled by qualified licensed professionals when required.
A Useful Combination
More Than Just Front Desk Management
A small independent property often needs someone who can wear several hats. Many candidates tend to fall into one category: hospitality/front desk, maintenance, property management, or technology. The advantage here is the combination.
- Guest relations
- Property-management experience
- Hands-on maintenance
- Business experience
- Technology skills
- Media and communications
- Practical problem solving
If a guest needs assistance, we can help.
If a computer is not communicating with a printer, we can troubleshoot it.
If a door is not closing correctly, we can investigate it.
If the Wi-Fi is acting up, we can work on the problem.
If a room needs minor attention, we are not afraid to pick up tools.
If a professional contractor is needed, we understand when to call one.
Our Philosophy
Notice What Guests Will Notice Before They Do
We believe a well-run inn does not have to be luxurious. It needs to be clean, comfortable, functional, welcoming, and cared for.
Much of that comes down to paying attention to the little things. Over the years, while traveling, we have often noticed small problems that could easily have been corrected before a guest arrived. That experience has helped shape how we would approach running a property.
Our philosophy is simple:
Notice the things a guest will notice before they do.
Actually Stay in the Rooms
We believe an innkeeper should spend a night in every room whenever practical. A room can look great during an inspection, just as a car can look great sitting in a driveway. But until you actually use it, or test-drive it, you do not really know how well everything works.
Sleep in the bed. Take a shower. Watch the TV. Use the Wi-Fi. Charge a phone. Adjust the heat or air conditioning. Close the curtains. Listen to the room at night. That is how you discover things that are not obvious during a five-minute inspection.
It Is the Little Things
- Lights and lamps that work.
- Clear hot and cold shower controls.
- Faucets and toilets that do not drip, leak, or run.
- Safe, secure, usable electrical outlets.
- Convenient charging near the bed.
- A practical desk or table for guest use.
- Curtains or blinds that close properly.
- Doors, locks, handles, and fixtures that operate smoothly.
- A convenient place for luggage.
- Heating and air conditioning that work properly.
- Odors corrected rather than covered up.
- Clean switches, remotes, vents, corners, fixtures, and areas behind furniture.
If something is provided for the guest, it should work.
Make Things Easy for the Guest
Instructions should be simple and easy to find, including Wi-Fi information, heating and air conditioning controls, and especially the television. Guests should not have to experiment with multiple remotes or inputs just to watch TV.
We would provide clear TV instructions, an up-to-date channel list, and regularly checked remote batteries. We also like maintaining a simple, regularly updated "What's Nearby" page with restaurants, coffee, groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, and other useful local information.
Pay Attention to What Guests Tell You
Guest reviews are valuable feedback and should be checked daily. We believe every review deserves a response, positive or negative. More importantly, when a review identifies a legitimate problem that can be corrected, it should be addressed quickly so the next guest does not encounter the same issue.
Good Hospitality Is Also Good Business
Taking care of these details can lead to better reviews, repeat customers, recommendations, and more bookings. It can also reduce operating expenses, because a running toilet, dripping faucet, failing air conditioner, or other small maintenance issue can quietly waste water, electricity, and money.
Take pride in the property, pay attention to the details, treat guests well, and solve small problems before they become big ones.
What We're Looking For
A Live-In Role with a Smaller Lodging Property
We are open to discussing different arrangements depending on the property.
Open to opportunities with
- Independent motels and small hotels
- Inns, lodges, and cabin resorts
- Boutique lodging properties
- Small resorts and similar hospitality businesses
Responsibilities of interest
- Live-in or on-site housing
- Front office, reservations, check-in, and check-out
- Guest relations and general property oversight
- Coordination with housekeeping and service people
- Light maintenance and troubleshooting
- Vendor and contractor coordination
- Helping an absentee or semi-absentee owner keep an eye on the property
Location: Open
Open to the Right Opportunity
We are not limiting our search to one city or state. For the right property and arrangement, we are willing to consider opportunities throughout the United States.
Rural locations, small towns, tourist areas, highway properties, mountain communities, coastal areas, desert communities, and other locations are all possibilities. The fit with the property and owner is more important than the ZIP code.
Open to most locations in the US.
Fit
Personal, Practical, Directly Involved
This is primarily a search for a hands-on management role at a smaller property. We are not specifically seeking a highly corporate departmental hotel-management environment.
We are happy to oversee housekeeping, inspect or spot-check rooms, and step in when needed if staff is unavailable. However, we are looking for a management-focused role rather than one where daily room cleaning and linen changes are a regular part of our responsibilities.
We are particularly interested in properties where management is personal, practical, and directly involved in daily operations.
For Owners
Own a Small Property and Need Dependable People On-Site?
Perhaps you own a motel or inn but do not want to be tied to the property every day. Maybe you are looking toward retirement, live some distance away, travel frequently, or simply need reliable people who can handle the daily operation while keeping you informed.
We understand that trusting someone with a property you have built or owned for years is a major decision. The right arrangement should work well for both the owners and the managers.
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Let's Talk
If you own or operate a small lodging property and think our background might fit what you are looking for, we would be glad to hear about the opportunity.
Location is open.
References are available upon request.
Use the form and we will reply directly.
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