By Andrei Kavalchuk, Founder & CEO, Liberty Way Renovation
Building Brand Consistency in Two Worlds
When you walk into a Hampton by Hilton, whether it’s in Atlanta, Georgia, or Vienna, Austria, you instantly recognize the brand’s promise: modern comfort, reliability, and a familiar sense of welcome.
But behind that consistency lies a challenge few outside the renovation world ever see: how to deliver identical brand standards within two completely different construction ecosystems – the United States and Europe.
At Liberty Way Renovation, we’ve spent years navigating these differences, working closely with hotel owners, franchise consultants, and brand representatives. And the lessons learned from both sides of the Atlantic are reshaping how global hotel renovations are managed.
1. The U.S. Model: Speed, Structure, and Scalability
In the U.S., hotel renovation projects move fast, often with aggressive timelines driven by owners eager to minimize downtime and preserve RevPAR.
The process is highly structured: state licensing requirements, national building codes (IBC, ADA), and brand PIP (Property Improvement Plan) guidelines define every step. Contractors operate through transparent bidding and subcontractor systems.
At Liberty Way Renovation, we rely on digital coordination tools, from Procore and QuickBooks Time to cloud-based FF&E tracking, to deliver projects on time and on budget. U.S. supply chains, standardized materials, and modular design packages make that possible.
The challenge? Labor costs and brand turnover schedules are tightening. A successful renovation now depends on logistics discipline as much as craftsmanship.
2. The European Reality: Local Codes, Heritage, and Flexibility
Renovating a Hampton by Hilton in Europe feels like a different business.
Each country and sometimes each city has its own code framework, approval process, and cultural approach to construction.
Many European Hampton properties are adaptive reuse projects – conversions of office buildings, apartments, or heritage structures. This adds layers of complexity: historical preservation boards, strict fire safety systems, and limited site access.
European contractors tend to be smaller, multi-trade teams that prioritize craftsmanship over speed. Timelines stretch, but the attention to detail and energy-efficiency compliance (BREEAM, LEED-EU) can exceed U.S. standards.
3. Design & Engineering Differences
The typical Hampton prototype in the U.S. is based on volume efficiency, predictable layouts, large mechanical zones, and uniform FF&E packages.
In Europe, space optimization is everything. Older buildings require creative engineering: relocating HVAC units, redesigning bathrooms to meet modern accessibility standards, or integrating local materials to achieve both compliance and aesthetic appeal.
We’ve seen European renovations achieve remarkable design results precisely because of these constraints. It’s proof that brand identity can survive and even thrive, when interpreted through local craftsmanship.
4. The ROI Equation
In both markets, ROI drives every renovation decision. But how that equation works differs:
• In the U.S., speed and predictability are ROI multipliers. Every day off the market costs thousands in lost revenue.
• In Europe, ROI is often driven by long-term value, sustainability, reduced energy costs, and extended asset life through higher-quality materials.
Understanding both mindsets helps owners and investors plan more accurately, especially those managing portfolios across continents.
5. Bridging the Gap
The takeaway is simple: brand consistency doesn’t mean identical execution.
It means achieving the same guest experience through different paths, adjusting to local infrastructure, workforce realities, and regulatory landscapes.
For contractors and hotel owners, that requires flexibility, transparency, and deep knowledge of both brand requirements and regional construction cultures.
At Liberty Way Renovation, our approach blends American project discipline with European adaptability, delivering brand-compliant, guest-focused renovations that meet both timeline and budget goals.
Whether the project is a Hampton by Hilton in the U.S. or Europe, the mission remains the same: create a space where guests feel the same quality, even if everything behind the walls is different.
About the Author
Andrei Kavalchuk is the Founder & CEO of Liberty Way Renovation (https://lwrenovate.com/), a Georgia-based general contracting company specializing in hotel renovations across the United States. The firm focuses on brand-compliant upgrades, PIP execution, and strategic renovation planning for major hospitality brands including Hilton, Marriott, and Choice Hotels.