Owners of small hotels ask us this question first. The honest answer: it depends on what you change. But you can refresh a room for much less than most owners think.
What the industry says
Industry guides put even "minor" room updates, like paint, linen and some furniture, at about $8,000 to $15,000 per room for economy hotels (Operto, 2025 guide). A full renovation with new bathrooms costs much more.
A refresh is not a renovation
A renovation changes the building: walls, bathrooms, floors. A refresh changes what guests see and touch: the wall behind the bed, bedding, lamps, curtains, mirrors, handles and small details. It is faster, cheaper, and it changes the photos, which is what sells rooms.
What a yosh Refresh includes
| Item | What |
|---|---|
| Feature wall | Light oak wall panels behind the bed, used as the headboard |
| Bedding and towels | White percale sheets, duvet, pillows, 3 sets of towels |
| Lighting | 2 black bedside lamps and a reading light |
| Curtains | Blackout, linen look |
| Details | Round mirror, art, black handles, faucet and hooks, bath kit |
| Installation | About half a day per room, floor by floor |
Price: from $3,300 per room. A new mattress, when the old one fails our check, adds $650.
How fast it pays back
Take a 20-room hotel at 55% occupancy and $130 a night. With better rooms, photos and pricing, reaching 65% at $160 a night brings about $237,000 more room revenue a year. A Refresh for 20 rooms, with the arrival kit, costs about $84,000.
Your numbers depend on your street and your season. That's why we start with a free audit built on the hotels around you.
A fresh eye on your property.
We walk in like a guest, look at your design, your operations, your listings and your prices, and send you an honest report: what works, what hurts, and what to fix first. Free.
Book my free audit