After working with resort properties across Maui for years, I’ve learned that understanding return on investment isn’t just about numbers—it’s about recognizing how different areas of your property serve different business functions. The question that comes up in nearly every consultation is: how do you balance the ROI expectations between that stunning entrance landscape and the practical improvements needed in your back-of-house areas?
This isn’t just a landscaping question—it’s a strategic business decision that affects everything from guest acquisition to operational efficiency.
The Science Behind First Impressions
Studies have shown that most people form an opinion about a website within 50 milliseconds and about another person or business within seven seconds. In the hospitality industry, this means your entrance landscape has mere seconds to make or break a potential guest’s perception of value and quality.
Landscape design is a vital component of the hospitality industry, as the first impression from hotel grounds can have a lasting impact on the guest experience. Your entrance landscaping functions as a critical component of the guest journey—that initial touchpoint that sets expectations for everything that follows.
Revenue generation through enhanced guest experience is where entrance landscaping shows its most straightforward ROI path. Investing in the aesthetic appeal of the hotel through thoughtful landscaping and design that reflects local culture or unique brand identity makes properties visually appealing and photographable (important for social media).
Guest satisfaction directly correlates with repeat business and referrals. Happy guests spend more, return more, and bring friends. Satisfied guests book longer stays, dine on-site, and are happy to splurge. The entrance landscape contributes to this satisfaction from the moment guests arrive.
Social media amplification extends marketing reach. In today’s connected world, that Instagram-worthy entrance shot gets shared organically, providing free marketing that can reach thousands of potential guests.
Back-of-House: The Operational ROI Foundation
While entrance landscaping drives revenue, back-of-house improvements protect and enhance it through operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Employee satisfaction impacts guest service quality. How well your team is prepared to serve customers directly impacts guest service scores. When you create pleasant outdoor break areas and improve the aesthetic appeal of employee spaces, you’re investing in the people who deliver your guest experience.
Operational cost reduction through strategic planning. Smart landscape design in service areas can reduce maintenance requirements, improve traffic flow, and help with equipment screening—all while requiring minimal ongoing investment.
Energy efficiency gains from thoughtful plant placement. Strategic tree placement around buildings and mechanical areas can significantly reduce cooling costs, providing measurable returns through reduced utility expenses.
Industry ROI Benchmarks and Expectations
Generally speaking, a return of 6% to 12% per year is considered reasonable in the hotel industry.
Understanding this benchmark helps frame realistic expectations for both entrance and back-of-house landscaping investments.
ROI measures the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to the money invested, providing insight into how effectively a company is using resources to generate profit. For resort properties, this means evaluating how landscaping investments contribute to both revenue generation and cost reduction.
Strategic Investment Allocation
The most successful resort operators I work with understand that entrance and back-of-house landscaping serve different strategic purposes, each with distinct ROI characteristics.
Prioritize entrance investments when guest acquisition is the primary challenge. New properties or those struggling with occupancy rates often see more immediate returns from entrance investments that enhance first impressions and drive booking decisions.
Focus on back-of-house improvements when operational costs impact profitability. Established properties with strong occupancy but rising operational expenses often benefit more from efficiency-focused improvements that reduce ongoing costs.
Consider phased approaches for comprehensive property improvement. This allows resorts to spread costs over time while seeing incremental returns from each completed phase.
Measurable ROI Factors to Track
For entrance landscaping:
For back-of-house improvements:
Making Every Investment Work Harder
Providing a variety of conveniences and facilities can increase a hotel’s appeal, warrant higher room rates, and improve guest satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately boosting occupancy and revenue. This principle applies equally to landscaping—every landscape investment should serve multiple business functions.
The entrance landscape, which creates a stunning first impression, should also be water-efficient and low-maintenance. The back-of-house improvements that boost employee morale should also reduce operational costs and improve functionality.
When you show your customers you care enough to give them something extra, it can win you a repeat customer for life, ensuring valuable revenue for your business. Guest experience in hotels: 20 ideas to improve | SiteMinder Thoughtful landscaping demonstrates this care while providing practical business benefits.
The Bottom Line
Understanding ROI expectations for resort landscaping isn’t about choosing between entrance appeal and operational efficiency—it’s about strategically investing in both areas based on your property’s current needs and business objectives.
Increasing customer retention by just a few percentage points can have a significant impact on your hotel’s bottom line. Both entrance and back-of-house landscaping investments can contribute to this retention when planned strategically.
At He-Man Landscaping, we help resort operators make informed decisions about landscape investments by understanding both the immediate visual impact and long-term operational benefits. Whether you’re looking to enhance that crucial first impression or improve behind-the-scenes efficiency, the key is aligning your landscape strategy with your broader business goals.
Ready to explore how strategic landscaping can optimize your resort’s ROI? Let’s discuss your property’s unique opportunities and develop an investment strategy that serves both your guests and your bottom line.
