#311: How Your General Contractor Executes Hotel Renovations Without Disruption | with Tom Kelley

#311: How Your General Contractor Executes Hotel Renovations Without Disruption | with Tom Kelley

From The Modern Hotelier by David Millili & Steve Carran

July 21, 2026 · 54 min

About this episode

The episode discusses strategies for executing hotel renovations while maintaining guest satisfaction and maximizing returns.

What does it really take to renovate a hotel while keeping guests happy, protecting reviews, and maximizing owner returns? In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tom Kelley, CEO & President of Digney Holding Companies, to explore the business of hotel renovations, capital planning, and hospitality development. Drawing on decades of experience spanning architecture, Marriott, commercial real estate, and hotel construction, Tom shares practical insights into how owners can make smarter renovation decisions in today's rapidly evolving hospitality market. From navigating brand conversions and Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) to managing rising construction costs, tariffs, and supply chain volatility, Tom explains why successful hotel projects start with careful planning, financial discipline, and a relentless focus on the guest experience. He also discusses how owners can avoid costly over-investments, balance design with ROI, and execute renovations in occupied hotels with minimal disruption. Whether you're a hotel owner, operator, developer, investor, architect, or hospitality professional, this conversation offers valuable strategies for protecting…

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