Assembling the right development team is your make-or-break move, I’ve seen too many dream projects derail from a shaky start.

Here’s the no-nonsense guide I’d walk you through to get it right.

1. Market Experience (Don’t Skip the Basics):

It sounds obvious, but hiring a top-tier developer means nothing if they don’t get your market. If you’re building in the U.S., they need to know the union vs. non-union labor divide, costs can swing 20-30% depending on location, per CBRE 2024 construction data.

In the UK, expertise in Grade One and Two Listed statuses is non-negotiable for heritage projects. I’ve seen a developer flounder on a London site because they ignored listed building regulations, adding months and millions to the timeline. Pick a team that lives and breathes your market, or you’re setting yourself up for a costly lesson.

2. Brand Experience (Complexity Is King):

Brands like Aman, Four Seasons, or Rosewood bring fees, guest expectations, and operational quirks that can trip up even seasoned developers. If you’ve got a brand, or a range of brands, in mind, your team must know their ins and outs, from franchise costs to design specs, plus backup options if negotiations stall.

As a first-timer wanting a flag, good luck getting that call returned without trusted advisors on your side. I’ve watched a team navigate a brand switch mid-project, saving a $50M deal by knowing the alternatives, STR 2024 shows branded ultra-luxury hotels outperform independents by 15% in RevPAR. Don’t wing this.

3. Alignment with Your Vision (Passion Meets Expertise):

If your dream is an Aman with ultramodern architecture or exotic prime-location vibes, your team needs to love and master that vision or they’ll deliver mediocrity, not a Condé Nast Traveler cover. I’ve seen a mismatch tank a Bali project when the team pushed traditional design over the owner’s bold aesthetic, missing the ultra-luxury mark.

Your architect, designer, and project manager must share your passion and have the chops to execute, think expertise in sustainable luxury or remote-site logistics. Misalignment here costs millions in rework.

The Takeaway:

Nail market know-how, brand mastery, and vision alignment, and your ultra-luxury hotel dream takes flight. Get it wrong, and you’re staring at a financial disaster. I’ve seen both outcomes, choose the winning path with a rock-solid team.

Kat (Pinto) Lash-Williams - Follow
Hospitality Investment Professional