Case Studies

The Paradise Inn

February 2011 – Purchased an 18 room all-suite for $4,345,000.

In 2015, the property received a refurbishment and increased unit size to 21 units with additional “Cottage” units added to the property. With updated room product, the property maintains a 103 STR rating to the Comp Set in Key West.

In November 2019, SMS Lodging refinanced the property and paid back all the capital invested to investors. The latest appraisal valued the property at $9,600,000, an appreciation of more than 120% in 10 years.

The property achieved $2.2mm in revenue in 2019 and with Key West consistently being a high-demand market in the U.S., it achieved $1.3mm in revenue in the first half of 2021 without any traditional international travel entering the U.S. hospitality market.


The Link Hotel on Sunrise

This property is a full management contract agreement with a Miami-based company with international investors.

The ownership group purchased the property in 2017 with redevelopment plans to upgrade the asset. SMS Lodging was contracted to manage the property until the renovation was complete.

 


The Julia Hotel

Rejuvenating a 30-room Art Deco boutique hotel in South Beach

SMS Lodging acquired this Art Deco boutique hotel, formerly named “Hotel Lido,” in March 2015.

This historic building, constructed in 1932, is located in the SOFI (South of Fifth) neighborhood in Miami Beach, FL. The property experienced a complete renovation and finally opened in summer 2017 under the name: The Julia Hotel – named after the founding mother of Miami, Julia Tuttle.


Alden Hotel

Dissolution of fractured condo-hotel

Purchased 71 of the units in 2018 for $17.2M in block purchase, with a planned goal of turning the property into a hotel.

Over the next 12 months purchased ## more of the units in the building, and took over the condo association.

In 2019, as the majority unit owner, SMS Lodging dissolved the “Condo Association” and began the initial process for converting the property into a Miami Beach hotel.

In late 2019, a large developer initiated a discussion to purchase the property from SMS for a larger project. SMS sold the property for $21.3M approx 18 months after the initial purchase.


Kahari Resort

Reposition and launch previously unknown 4-star hotel property pre-Covid and establish branding and operations

Took over management in November 2019 for the new ownership group, on a 1-year contract.
Renamed and rebranded resort with GDS and Luxury Travel organizations.

Structured all H.R. operations, Marketing, Finance and Procurement, and I.T. for ownership.
Maintained functioning operations, in the Bahamas, through Covid in 2020.

Resort established the highest ADR and highest operating profit since opened.


Best Western

Contracted in 2008 by property ownership

SMS Lodging was engaged to develop and manage a Turn-Around plan for this 150 room Best Western Property. The property was about to lose its, very critical, flag with the Best Western Hotel Group. Losing the flag would have been very detrimental to the property revenues and resale value.

SMS developed a Renovation & Management plan for the location, travelled to the Best Western headquarters to meet with the Board of Directors and obtain an “grace period” for maintaining the property flag.

Over the next 6 months, with SMS oversight, the property renovated the property, re-developed operational management standards and maximized Revenue Management policies in line with BW resulting in the location maintaining its Best Western flag.

Ownerships goal was to sell the property, which happened in August 2009 to Motel 6. SMS work on the property was instrumental in the ownership keeping the BW flag maintaining the property value for resale.


SOBE Hostel

Successful renovation, rejuvenation, and repositioning of hotel

Purchased this underperforming asset $3.45M in 2008.

After taking over the asset, SMS planned and executed a $500K renovation of the property to update and modernize the asset for the Miami Beach market.

Property renovations were completed, while still operating the asset, to maximize revenue during the renovation period.

The asset was re-evaluated for visibility post-renovation, targeting international Hostel travelers to maximize the draw of location and asset.


The Julia Hotel & Hotel St Augustine

Purchase of two hotels in South Beach, Miami, renovate, re-brand then leased out space for Airbnb concept property

The Julia Hotel was purchased in 2015 and Hotel St Augustine was purchased in 2017.

Renovated both buildings, reopened as boutique properties in heart of the “South of Fifth” neighborhood of Miami Beach.

Operated both hotels at cash positive revenue for three years capitalizing on upscale 3-star neighborhood hotels, an alternative to hustle and bustle of Ocean Drive.

Closed properties in 2020 due to Covid, but leased both buildings to an Airbnb concept business partner. Maintained ownership of buildings, dropped all liability of operating hotel property, and still own physical assets in Miami Beach.

Work closely with the asset leaser on Airbnb business (Airbnb Hotel) concept and utilized the same structure on current owned assets in Key West and the Bahamas.