Hotel furniture timeline: from design to delivery
Most Greek hotels open in spring, and that date does not move. Bookings are made, staff are hired and the first guests arrive whether the furniture is in place or not. That is why furnishing a hotel, new build or renovation, is planned backwards from opening day.
This guide walks through the stages from survey to delivery, what needs to be decided at each step, and where time is usually lost.
1. Brief and site survey
Everything starts with accurate dimensions. You need floor plans with precise measurements for guest rooms, restaurant, bar, lobby and outdoor areas, plus details of doors, lifts, stairs and access points. A sofa that does not fit in the lift is easy to fix on paper and hard to fix on delivery day.
This is also when you set the design direction, the budget and the quantities. If you work with an architect or interior designer, ask them to involve the manufacturer early, so the designs are realistic to produce and to price.
2. Selection, samples and prototypes
Once the main choices are made, request samples of fabrics, finishes and materials and, where needed, a prototype. For large quantities such as restaurant chairs or sunloungers, a sample you can test on site is well worth the time it takes. Showroom visits let you see and try pieces before you decide.
Check the technical requirements at this stage too: durability under commercial use, the fire behaviour of upholstery (for example to the EN 1021 series) and suitability for outdoor use (EN 581). Ask suppliers for the relevant test reports where they exist.
3. Final approval and order
The order should be based on final, signed-off drawings, finish codes and quantities. Any change after approval, even a different fabric shade, can delay production. Ask for a written quote with prices and lead times per item, so you know which pieces are critical to the schedule.
Bear in mind that in the months before the season manufacturers handle many orders at once. The earlier the order is placed, the more room there is for the unexpected. That is why many hoteliers finalise furniture in autumn or winter for the following season.
4. Production and quality control
Production time depends on the type of furniture, the quantity, the materials and whether pieces are standard or made to measure. Ask each supplier for the lead time that applies to your order and when you can inspect the first pieces.
A supplier with a certified quality management system such as ISO 9001 works to documented checks at each stage. That does not replace your own inspection, but it reduces surprises on delivery.
5. Delivery, installation and handover
For island hotels, transport needs careful planning. Ferry schedules, winter weather and access to the property, such as narrow roads or the need for a crane, all affect the delivery date. Plan storage space too, in case furniture arrives before building work is finished.
Installation should happen after painting and flooring are complete, so the furniture is not damaged. At handover, check every piece, record any damage or missing items, and agree with the supplier how they will be resolved before opening.
- Check access, lifts and door widths before delivery
- Coordinate delivery with ferry schedules
- Leave time for corrections before the first guests arrive
How to keep the schedule on track
Name one person on the hotel side to make decisions, keep a single list of items, quantities and finishes, and avoid changes after approval. Build the schedule backwards from opening day and leave a safety margin before the first guests arrive.
Almeco designs and manufactures hotel furniture at its own factory in Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki, with ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management, and delivers across Greece and the islands. Visit our showrooms in Thessaloniki, Athens and Crete, or send us your plans for a quote with prices and lead times.