Guestroom refurbishment for a Central Coast hotel.
Client: Prestige Hotels Group · Location: Central Coast, New South Wales · Size: 180 rooms (staged renovation over 24 months) · Duration: 24 weeks per floor
This project upgraded 180 guestrooms at a hotel on the Central Coast, completed one floor at a time while the hotel remained open.
The renovation strategy was designed to minimise disruption to hotel operations by implementing a phased approach, renovating one floor at a time while the remainder of the hotel remained fully operational. This required sophisticated logistics planning, temporary workspace creation for housekeeping staff, noise and dust control measures that met strict hotel standards, and coordination with front-of-house operations to ensure minimal impact on guest experience during the works.
Our approach began with extensive benchmarking against comparable hotels in the Central Coast market, including recent renovations completed by leading international chains. We identified key success factors that drive both guest satisfaction scores and operational efficiency, then translated these into our design brief. The resulting room layout maintained the existing footprint while optimising space allocation for high-impact areas such as beds, storage, work surfaces, and entertainment zones.
Ergonomic design was a critical consideration, informed by detailed observations of current guest usage patterns and input from the hotel's general manager who had spent considerable time at competitor properties. We focused on creating intuitive room layouts where all essential elements are within easy reach of the bed without requiring guests to stretch or contort. Bed height was set at 680 mm above finished floor level, which provides legroom when seated and allows luggage storage underneath.
Acoustic privacy represents one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of hotel design. We specified acoustic wall linings with a sound transmission class (STC) rating of 52 dB between adjacent guestrooms, which significantly exceeds the minimum BCA requirements of STC 45 dB. Floor insulation was upgraded to R2.5, and we incorporated floating under-bed frames that reduce structure-borne noise from footsteps and moving furniture. These measures have proven highly effective based on post-occupancy feedback from early adopters of the new rooms.
The technology integration was carefully considered to balance functionality with simplicity. We implemented a user-friendly Control4 system accessible via tablet and bedside panel, allowing guests to adjust lighting scenes, temperature, blinds, TV channels, and request housekeeping services with simple touch interfaces. The system was configured with intuitive icons and clear instructions to ensure that even less tech-savvy guests could operate it confidently. Staff tablets provide remote access to room status, allowing housekeeping to coordinate cleaning schedules efficiently without needing physical presence at each room.
Sustainable material selection balanced environmental responsibility with durability and aesthetic appeal. We chose low-VOC paints and adhesives to improve indoor air quality, bamboo flooring for its rapid renewability and natural warmth, recycled glass countertops for wet areas, and locally sourced joinery items to reduce embodied carbon from transportation. Energy-efficient LED lighting with motion sensors in closets and automatic occupancy detection for public corridors reduces energy consumption while enhancing guest convenience through hands-free operation.
1. Acoustic Privacy Between Rooms: Several existing partitions were single-layer gypsum board constructions that failed to meet the acoustic performance requirements for modern hotels. Testing revealed STC ratings as low as 38 dB, which would result in significant guest complaints about hearing conversations and television audio from neighbouring rooms. We needed to upgrade these walls without significantly reducing the already constrained room footprints that were dictated by fire egress requirements.
2. Operating Through Active Hotel: Conducting construction work in a fully-operational hotel presented numerous challenges that would not exist in a vacant building. Housekeeping crews needed access to clean and inspect newly renovated rooms daily, which meant we couldn't leave rooms open or covered with plastic sheeting. Dust from drywall work risked contaminating freshly cleaned carpet tiles, and noise from demolition and drilling could disturb thousands of paying guests.
3. Coordination with Front-of-House Operations: The timing of room handover was critically dependent on front desk check-out schedules. We needed to be ready to close out a room for inspection precisely when the last guest departed, typically between 11am and noon on weekdays. This required synchronising our finishing schedule with check-out rates, which fluctuated seasonally and was affected by cancellations and group bookings. Delays in final painting or fixture installation could result in rooms sitting empty overnight, costing the hotel hundreds of dollars in lost revenue.
4. Minimising Disruption to Guests in Adjacent Floors: Because we were working on a vertical core serving three floors simultaneously, noise and debris posed risks to guests on upper floors. Traditional methods of removing old fixtures and finishes created significant mess and noise that extended beyond our work zone. We needed creative solutions to contain the impact while still delivering on the aggressive timeline.
We addressed the acoustic challenge by developing a cost-effective solution that exceeded specifications without sacrificing valuable floor area. Instead of constructing entirely new double-layer walls, we retrofitted existing partitions with additional acoustic battens filled with mineral wool insulation wrapped in breathable membrane. We added mass-loaded vinyl barrier tape at junction points and used acoustic sealant around all penetrations for electrical boxes and data conduits. The result was an improvement from STC 38 to STC 52 in many locations, achieving our target while retaining the original room dimensions.
The "live renovation" approach was completed in phases. We established dust-containment zones using negative pressure barriers connected to extraction units, ensuring that fine particulates didn't migrate to clean areas. All dust-generating activities were confined to specific hours between 7pm and 6am when occupancy dropped significantly. We developed a "clean as you go" protocol that required contractors to remove and dispose of waste materials before leaving any room, preventing accumulation and enabling daily inspections. Housekeeping staff were briefed on what to expect and given direct contact with site supervisors to report issues immediately.
To optimise the handover process, we implemented a "pre-completion" phase where all non-cosmetic work was completed four weeks before formal completion, allowing time for minor rectifications without impacting room availability. Our team worked extended shifts, often six days a week with rotating crews, to maintain pace despite operational constraints. We maintained a buffer stock of common fixtures like light switches, towel rails, and mirrors so that unexpected delays in delivery didn't stall progress. Real-time communication through a shared digital platform kept hotel management, contractors, and suppliers aligned on daily priorities and upcoming milestones.
We engineered a containment strategy for the vertical core work that dramatically reduced impact on surrounding guests. Old carpets were rolled up and removed directly to elevator landings rather than dragged through corridors. Plumbing rough-ins were accessed from below using floor penetrations sealed with temporary removable plates, eliminating the need to cut holes in finished ceilings above. When heavy equipment like vacuum trucks needed access, we scheduled deliveries during off-peak times and used protective ramps to prevent damage to guest walkways. Noise-sensitive activities such as tile setting and plasterwork were strictly restricted to early morning hours.
Technology integration included smart features that enhance guest comfort while supporting operational efficiency. Motion-sensor lighting automatically illuminates pathways from door to bathroom, eliminating the need for manual switches. Temperature is pre-set based on season and time of day, with guests able to make adjustments via voice commands or mobile app. USB-C charging ports were positioned at bedside tables with integrated wireless charging pads, meeting modern traveller expectations for convenient device charging. High-speed Wi-Fi includes individual room access codes that guests can retrieve from their key card holder, providing seamless connectivity throughout their stay.
The phased renovation approach successfully maintained hotel occupancy at 87% average throughout the entire 24-month project, demonstrating that major refurbishments can be executed with minimal business interruption. Only about 15 rooms were unavailable at any given time compared to 180 total, limiting revenue loss to approximately $450,000 over the project duration. Had we attempted a traditional full-shell renovation, occupancy would have dropped to near zero for at least three months, potentially causing permanent customer churn and long-term financial damage.
Staff feedback has been equally positive, with housekeeping teams appreciating the well-designed work environments that include proper tool storage, adequate linen cabinets, and ergonomic surfaces that reduce physical strain. Front desk staff benefit from streamlined check-in/check-out processes enabled by the integrated room status system and automated notifications. Maintenance personnel note that the modular component design simplifies future repairs and upgrades, reducing parts inventory requirements and response times.
AHC Interior was retained for two further hotel projects in regional New South Wales after this project.
The renovation also contributed positively to the local community by retaining existing staff, sourcing materials from local suppliers where feasible, and minimizing disturbance to neighbours through thoughtful scheduling and containment strategies. Sustainable choices like low-carbon materials and energy-efficient systems reduce the hotel's environmental footprint, aligning with growing corporate social responsibility commitments in the tourism sector.
In summary, this hotel guestroom upgrade demonstrates our capability to execute large-scale hospitality projects with precision, creativity, and respect for operational realities. It stands as one of our flagship commercial fit-out achievements, showcasing how professional interior design combined with expert construction management can breathe new life into established properties while delivering tangible business value for clients.
Discover what our hospitality partners have to say about working with AHC Interior on their hotel and guestroom upgrade projects.
AHC Interior delivered a guestroom upgrade that exceeded every brand standard we had set. The new rooms have lifted our TripAdvisor rating from 4.2 to 4.7 stars, and guests consistently praise the acoustic privacy, smart-room technology and modern finishes. They managed the entire 180-room project while our hotel stayed operational — a logistical masterclass.
AHC Interior completed our hotel renovation in phases while the hotel remained open. They built our front desk schedules into every handover.
Working with AHC Interior on a live hotel refurbishment required a partner who could keep guests comfortable while construction was underway. Their dust containment, night works scheduling and front-of-house coordination meant guest complaints were virtually nil. The result is a property that now competes with the best on the Central Coast.
AHC Interior completed our guestroom upgrade, including STC 52 acoustic partitions and smart-room technology. We have engaged them for two more properties.