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In my opinion, you should let people camp by the river, away from the construction zone, and have a container or something improvised to check in, and some improvised bathrooms. This way they could camp as long as they wanted without having to leave, and explore
Why wouldn’t you just do option four and work on the cabins at the same time and then an admin building have like a little grocery store and just charge it Price for now
RV hook ups with fire pits and grilling areas, toilet/shower blocks, outdoor activities to do with river and mountain biking and place for pool tables seems the logical start. You just need an office with a mini shop attached for basic groceries and invite a food truck vender.
Yeah thinking some trails for hiking and mountian biking. Maybe have a volunteer day to build some trails. Maybe there's some mountian biking youtubers that might be interested in helping lay out some tracks as well. He could even some bikes rentable
I graduated college with a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree. Without a doubt get that admin building up and running first. You're going to need a central hub for people to go to for help, bookings, and staying organized with any of the other options. The big wedding venue building I would do last. When celebrating those important events, people will want the rest of the property to look beautiful and polished already. Cabins after the Admin building is not a bad idea. You have millions of fans who would need no more entertainment than a tour of the resort to keep them occupied and happy for a few days. As far as food goes, I think the kitchen is a great idea and I like someone else's idea of an outdoor BBQ pit and a little outdoor seating area. I think if people know it's bring and cook your own food ahead of time they will have no problem with it. It's kinda like renting cabins from state parks here in Florida. They provide an indoor shelter for you, but you bring the rest. Just my input, can't wait to see what you decide on.
This is the right idea. There is plenty of the Demolitia who would go out to stay in the cabins and then sit around some small fire pits or a large group fire pit. Beer, Food, Fire, and walking in the Woods is always a good time.
Do the cabins and admin building. Turn an office into a kitchen for guest use. Include fridge/freezer in rooms. With a couple/few grill areas in gazebos near the cabins. All still usable in future endeavors. Kitchen can be used as a breakroom for the staff once all is finished.
Work on the admin building and the units for airbnb. Get 1-2 food trucks for the guest until the cafeteria is done. Then you can still use the food trucks for the range or for the campers by the river once the cafe is done.
My wife and I have worked at seversl campgrounds. We suggest get your campsites up, build the bathhouse with a washer/dryer under cover. Set up the admin building into 1. Checkin for camping, 2. Trading post for forgotten camping items and souvenirs. 3. Game room IE pool table, ping pong table, video games. Next set up corn hole and horseshoes. Later a small putt putt course. Open your shooting range on weekends only to start. Good luck.
He's got the remains of a Disc Golf Course designed by John Houck ( THE course designer ) on property too. Getting it redesigned/renovated would be a draw too. Can sell/rent discs at the front desk.
Yep could have an instructor for shooting range to keep things safe. Also an archery area with instructor too. Could charge rental fees and instruction fees. Kayaks for the river and fishing gear. All for rent of course. Start with camping because they usually come with their preps. You will need some kind of a bath house / toilet area and small covered areas to grill if raining. Could offer a free day on the next years stay to comp for the construction going on.
I think you're underestimating how much a completed admin building will help early progress. Once you have an on-site facility to work out of you'll have a point of reference for what you need next and be able to more fully realize your current capabilities as you progress. Before you ever have people staying at the resort you'll need staff, and having the infrastructure in place for them to do their jobs will be important.
option 4.... could the "gift shop" start as a multipurpose area that incorporates food/groceries for campers/RV guests as well as a small cafe/bistro style thing (with an outdoor/indoor atrium style fixture for a seated area and space/hook up points around it for food truck/s)? you might need something like that if the main event area is booked out for a wedding/event for other guests on the property in the future..... could be changed into more of a staff retreat/break room/area once the big building is complete....
I have been camping regularly for nearly 30 years, If you do go with the Campground option first, then all you would need in an Admin building with some basic amenities for the campers to make use of. Amenities such as a some drinks, snacks, coin laundry etc... Campers will usually bring their own food and will only leave the property if they have need of more food, have an emergency (which we hope doesn't happen) or if they are using your property as a base of operations to do things in the area. Campers will also most often bring things with them to do that all they need is a place to set up.
Admin Building = front office, food kitchen with simple basic menu, maintenance and small laundry area(with possible later expansion). Then also do cabins adding a few at a time to see how much laundry and kitchen support you need for each to know scaling up and demand.
Literally came here to say this exact thing. Renovate the admin building into office/reception & a small snack bar type eatery (or utilize a food truck for cooking and just provide a dining room/hangout space). And go ahead and built out the couples cabins and Air BNB setup.
Hey Matt, I'm a long time fan of yours, love your channels and content. I'm a Designer/Architect in Dallas (i used to work for Disney) and my wife used to work at a very high end resort in CA before we moved to Texas. I'd think about cliff airbnb and admin first. One thing to consider is the airbnb's with kitchens could eventually become "villas" or "casitas" that are geared toward longer stays/families who want to be at a resort but also have their own food/ability to stay in if need be. Of course, they would be billed at a higher rate. The resort my wife worked at had your typical hotel rooms, but also offered these types of almost townhome type places. It helped diversify what they could offer, so I don't think they would be a waste. Keep up the awesome work.
This is what I was going to say. I think people would still go for places with kitchens even after there is a full-on resort so I don't think that would be a waste. I know whenever we travel with our full family we would try to get a hotel room with a kitchen so we didn't have to eat out for every meal. Now that we are a family of 6 adults, we most often shoot for the Airbnb/Vrbo option. When I was a kid we would go to a resort on the beach in Santa Barbara and they had Casitas in the midst of the property with kitchens.
Great suggestion! I also suggest renovating the gift shop to have a convenience store so that people staying at the units with kitchens and RVs can purchase groceries on-site.
Matt, the cheapest and easiest thing, in my humble opinion, is to set up camping/RV sites. Running power and water to them should be inexpensive, compared to all the other options. Setting up or getting fire pits is easy. You have a lot of wood for them to buy, if you haven't burnt them all. Campers will and are used to bring their own food and drink, cooking it and subsisting independently. They don't need a restaurant or cabins. Bathhouse is something they will need, and that would be a bit expensive but before building that, you can do outdoor showers (or a lot of campers have or do their own) and a few outhouses/port-a-potties.
The AirBNB style rooms could still be useful when you have everything done because sometimes people want to make some food on their own. They would function like suites do at a regular hotel.
I agree. When traveling with the family we always prefer a room with a kitchen. It allows us to be more flexible and have cheaper snacks/meals instead of being forced to buy every meal on site.
Food Trucks. No building needed. The Biltmore Estate's Antler Village has a vintage food truck. Food trucks are huge in many cities. You could either have your own or contract with vendors (think gourmet food truck) that already exist in the area.
I think BBQs would and kitchenettes in the rooms would take care of the issue. Even when the buildings are done, the kitchenettes would be nice to have in the rooms.
I was thinking the same thing. In the center of the food truck area build your post and beam or peg and beam whatever it’s called old barn structure like they did in Waco outside their fixed buildings. They had that religious group north of Waco 15 or so miles on the west side of the two lane build it for them, as they totally understand oak Old architecture, barn frame buildings. Then when you are done with that portion of your building, a few years, the structure could stay if it’s built in proximity to your plans for the Civic center wedding venue size building as just another photo opportunity.
AirBnB style rooms, because even once there is a restaurant people will still want a kitchenette type room and will still be VERY rentable. Plus once everything is done, they will be the first to need renos and then you can change them to regular rooms if you want!
Exactly this. Once you have a restaurant or cafeteria, people will still appreciate the flexibility the in-cabin kitchen provides. It also allows YOU flexibility in pricing structures for the those rooms. Meal packages, individual visit dining options, etc. And while those are being renovated, work on the Admin building and activities to support those while they're still Airbnb style.
Don’t discount the kitchenette air BNB experience Matt. Even with restaurant, people still look at ways to say $$$ and cooking they’re own food is at the top of the list!!!
@@DespoticDanks everytime we stay at a hotel or resort. We get a suite with a kitchen to cook or reheat food. We still go to restraunts to eat but its nice to have the option to cook yourself
One thing you need to plan ahead with is tree planting. Get them planted now as saplings and you’ll save a ton not having to buy more mature trees later.
Admin building, RV sites with hookups, and a small store for essentials and camping supplies. Many RV parks I’ve stayed at combine the reservation/admin/store all in one building near the park entrance.
I like the RV park/camping idea as a starting point. Solves the food problem, solves the housing problem, then you can focus on admin building, which is needed in all future scenarios.
Having experience operating cabins for years now, I would say the Air BNB style ledge cabins should be your priority. Maybe the family style one next... Anything that you can have full housing amenities up and running is your best start. You need to make sure they have the full house of stuff: Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and a living/communal area. You tell them to bring their own linens for the beds you provide (tell them the bed sizes and give them a cheaper rate for that until you're able to do those on-site yourself with staff) and people can bring their own food to stock the fridge. All the basic kitchen appliances are a must. Give them a basic set of cooking and eating utensils, basic set of pots and pans, and let them know to bring anything specialty pans or appliances with them if they want/need something specific. As long as people have the basics, with nature all around and the range to boot, you'll be fine, the rest will come later.
I concur with this plan. Only downside is he felt the kitchens would be a waste, but even with amenities at the resort built out in the future, some customers will still want to eat in their units. But again, most will choose to eat at the future restaurant anyway, so that con is not big imo. This seems like the best and easiest way to get customers using the resort and generate some cash flow at the same time.
@@stryker5573 You could also offer some units with no kitchens (for those who have their own stuff), some with Microwaves only, and one or two with full kitchen - maybe hotplate style but a decent fridge....
that makes a lot of sense, especially if people want to stay longer than a day or two and don't want to bring a large cooler. Very convenient to have a stove, fridge, and sink in a unit. Doesnt seem like adding kitchens would be much of a waste @@Janer-52
I'm guessing that when the resort is complete, all the cabins without kitchens will still utilize the restaurant and even people with a full kitchen in their cabin will too (I know I would and from experience, my cabin users often ask about local restaurants despite having a full kitchen). It's good to think about though because all the small cabins should get at most a microwave and a mini-fridge to store and re-heat your restaurant leftovers etc. Good thought to brainstorm though@@stryker5573.
1- $$ Air B&B the Cliffs for 3-4 people with pullout couch for the extra two. 2- $$$ Admin with a small cafeteria in the old gift shop. 3- $ Cabin rooms with mini fridge and microwave. 4- Small venue that could be converted to a game room or larger cafeteria later. 5- More bunk houses and B&B's. 6- Pool for when the river goes dry. 7- large venue in three phases. 8- Condos. B&B websites take a cut, but then you don't need a check in space. I would leave the kitchens in the B&B Cliffs even after the cafeteria gets added so you can charge more for both food options.
Fancy up the Admin building entrance with some stone and timbers (Repurpose crumbled Restaurant stone) and then turn it into a Park Office that has a Gift Shop, Small Grocery and a Breakfast/Brunch area like normal hotels have (p.s. don't forget the Ice Cream and Expresso station). That solves the food situation for both RV's and Cabins. Throw in some Communal Gazebos with grills near the Cabins so they can cook their own dinners on them. Scratch the AirBNB or build them with small Kitchenettes instead. People can figure out their own Dinner plans for awhile. As a Last resort dinner option someone mentioned getting food trucks during busy weekends.
Look at the cabins the same way you would tent camping. Provide individual BBQ spaces, a central BBQ pit for people to congregate, build a bathroom/shower building and let people have their own fun. People camp all the time wanting to just enjoy the peace of nature. You could carve out a few walking trails and bring some 4x4 channels to come start the creation of some 4x4 trails for trucks, sidexsides, ATVs, dirtbikes. And garden spaces, provide people with nice places to read, relax and just enjoy the place for the same reason you love it, the beauty. Plant fruit trees by the river and a veggy patch by the pond. When you have guests they can buy small amounts of food from a stand, and when you have a restaurant you will be able to offer freshly harvested foods. I would love to spend some time talking and flooding your mind with ideas. Reach out anytime.
Option 4 - Camp store/e-bike rental/small grocery store with bathrooms/office for small staff - this can easily be changed as you grow. Clean out pool area as well and get that going so families can swim in the river or pool. Keep it going, you’ll get there!
Another option is utilizing food “trucks” (aka trailers) for temporary food service before the main event center is in the works. Get several different types of food vendors to work food trailers on the resort until you can get the event center open. That will also help you get to know what your guests will want on the menu for future reference.
@@swinesavant yeah those are getting big everywhere! our little town just had 2. and the city with organizer. are working on making them an annual shows.
I agree except I think Matt could purchase his own truck that always operates at the resort when guests are there. We know he loves owning things too lol
I'd say admin building and cabins with grills/firepits. We've stayed in cabins at state parks that were relatively remote and just cooked on the fire for the weekend. Couple that with the rv parking and you've got something. Make sure to have something of a general store with the admin building probably, just stuff to help with outdoor cooking and enjoying the river pretty much but makes it a lot easier for everyone who forgets to bring some of the obvious items you might need.
exactly. Even some hotels that have restaurants and other amenities also have some rooms with kitchens. Not everyone wants to eat out every day. Its good to have a mix.
My opinion is: Admin building: first clean the offices, and expand the gift shop to include a kitchen and turn it into a small diner/restaurant. Then get the cabins cleaned up and running. Create an outdoor venue for weddings with a fairly inexpensive gazebo overlooking the valley below. With the admin building up and running you can book the RV park and have storage for your grounds equipment. The former gift shop isn't very big but you can have outdoor seating if you need it for the restaurant and it can double as a prep for the catering. Another option if you don't want to put the restaurant in right away is contract a food truck to come provide lunch and dinner and use the gift shop for continental breakfast. Just a few ideas
Here’s what I want; a cabin to stay in and a Demolition Range to shoot at for a weekend with the boys 🤘🏼 I know a resort is the big picture but get there when you get there, for now, remember your fan base. 20-40 year old men that love shooting and camping.
A log-cabin within walking distance of the ranges would be pretty epic. Bunch of adult-sized bunk-beds and a small kitchen, couple bathrooms. Big TV. Would be fun for a guys weekend thing.
Hi matt i have worked on camping and caravan parks here in the Uk in the past, the admin building is a must have, i would try and get one of the swimming pools up and running(not everyone will want to swim in the river) i would go with camping and rv parking to get things going, the holiday parks i have worked on had power hook up points for the caravans/rv's and for the camping as well with facilities for toilets and showers and somewhere to do laundry, for food i would go simple set up a BBQ pit and do Texas style cook outs maybe with a catering van to do fresh salads and to store produce i would also get some walks mapped out for prople to go on as that would start to give guest something to do and maybe canoeing or fishing on the river.
I have never ran a resort either but I have a couple ideas for you. you could get the admin building done then work on the cabins and have food trucks on site for the guests as you get the cabins done. You can also work on your RV park and camping areas, again with food trucks as a food option on the interum. The admin office is central to running all of those though is why I would say to do that first. My order would be Admin->Camping->RV & Cabins (with food trucks) -> cliff air bnb (still with food trucks) -> Venue. If you wanted to chat to bouce around ideas you're welcome to reach out. I also have an accountant that could run the numbers on projections to help see what might have the highest ROI over the next X months, quarters, years. Food for thought. Keep up the great content. loved the whole house project and this one is awesome so far too.
Option 4->RV park->Venue->Hotel/Cabins (once the office is built open a gift shop and start selling day passes for the river area, and rent out the ranges for large corporate events and trainings)
As a sports dad and so much land I don't know how Matt hasn't thought of this. Just clear a 200x200 yard area of trees, get the grass all nice and boom you have 4 pitches ready for renting out for football, soccer, Frisbee, etc. If they're really nice people will come from anywhere, especially my fellow hispanics for that ⚽️
😊 2 cents for your Legacy Resort projects: 1) Food Trucks to augment chow times at the exact places and times you need during events. Food Trucks would also build up a few restaurant skills to feed into your Prime Venue plan. 2) RV Hookups with Fire Pits and Picnic Tables 3) Use 6 of the 7 Stone Cabins for BnB Bedrooms and select one as the BnB Breakfast Lodge to fuel up before heading out to the River or to run some group drills on a firing range. 4) Similar approach with the Cliff Houses. Finish them off as bedrooms and pick one section to serve as a community breakfast area. 5) Refurbish the Admin buildings at the same time to suit the needs of your Demo Resort crew. 6) Build out a Top Golf inspired firing line with some covered picnic bench style seating for reloading magazines. An Ammo Shop would seem handy too. 7) Leverage all of the experiences gained from these projects to refine your plans for the Prime Venue and build that crown jewel of your Legacy Resort when you know it’s just right.
Architect here. done master plans for golf courses and destination camping and RV resorts. Start with taking the metal building and strip to frame, roof and exterior studs. Build back small offices and a large multipurpose room with bathrooms. No one wants to be that far out and not have a bathroom. The multipurpose room you can rent for meetings and smaller wedding/gatherings. Then get your RV spots up and running immediately. RVers bring their kitchens with them. You already showed the bathhouse/laundry for the RVs. Get your power water and septic for RVs going also. Then small snack shop/resturant/gift shop/pro shop for the shooting range. Then work on the easy to renovate cottages. Then is the big step to the big banquet facility with a full commercial kitchen that you can run full time and serve big meals out of and run a smaller dinning room off of for the multi day guest. From there you move into the motel room buildings etc……
Sometimes having a hotel room with a kitchen is a huge bonus. Depending on price, people might be willing to stay longer because they do not have to buy food at a resort 3 times a day. I would suggest doing the AirBnB cliffs first and focus on a few activities to keep them entertained. Fishing, petting zoo, hiking trails, archery, fire pits, outdoor bbq, etc. this will also give you the opportunity to get more people with campers to come out to enjoy the activities.
Agree. I've stayed in hotel rooms that had full kitchens. I have not used them (other than the coffee maker, which kitchen-less rooms always have) but as far as I could tell, the hotels have NO trouble filling the rooms that have kitchens.
Admin and stuff to do. Think easy stuff that fits with the planned RVs. Hiking, fishing, kayak?/Tubing?, gun range, bike trails, rec hall/pool/darts/arcade. Simple camping is still fun and something people would resonate with.
And is still a HUGE business especially in Texas not to mention all the subscribers who'd love to travel to camp at Demos resort before it got massive.
Hey Matt, I grew with a 125 acre resort in Orlando. In the beginning we had 100 villas, one bldg housed reception, a small restaurant with limited menu and offices. The general store and deli was in a trailer made to look very nice. The security, maintenance, housekeeping and laundry were also in trailers for the first few phases. We had amenities - small pool, spa and kiddie pool - a tiki bar (beloved by our guests)- tennis courts. The resort was built in phases, A-100 through F at 3000. Your 4th option is best-central hub. Your place has incredible potential for the outdoor enthusiasts! Think in phases, outside of the resort box… Maybe a few food trucks in key spots-range and river to start. I gave you a bit of history for a very successful resort so you would know even the big guys start small and humble. I don’t know if you can message me, would love to talk to you about the potential of Desperado Ranch.
Looks like Mat could do with in an overseer’s roll. Someone just like yourself with prior experience of success. I know Mat can make it all happen but no prior experience on a job such as big as this could end in disaster.
I would do option 4. Do the adminbuilding, get some snacks/prepacked food in the giftshop area. And open for RVs/camping. You could also do the airbnb buildings, and keep them as airbnb when the resort fully opens, or have them as a more high end rooms/apartments in the resort.
Hiking trails, mountain biking, disk golf, archery along with shooting range, zipline, ropes course, kayaking, an actual golf course or putt-putt if a golf course is too large, gymnasium with rock climbing and a basketball court (maybe a workout area) would be a good attraction. An office for recreational activities specifically would be valueable as a place for people to rent equipment and sign up for the various activities that you offer, I worked at the YMCA of the Rockies and we had many of these suggestions as well as an artificial snow tubing hill that people loved.
A nice pool area, disk golf, rc car course or planes, or build an Demolition Ranch obstacle course and run RUclipsrs through it for entertainment (American ninja warrior style). Lol really just lots of events like the range day. You may be able to have a food truck temporarily cook and deliver to the guest rooms or campsites without too much cost to yourself. If you can find one local willing to work the resort at certain times of the day.
The RV park sounded good to start including bathroom and shower amenities. The small cabins is a good idea, clean up the courtyard and include a picnic area. Contract food trucks for a variety of meals at certain times of the day to fill that need. Include a coffee pot in the rooms and microwave too, maybe even a small frig.
Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, CA right outside the main gate of Yosemite is a similar setup. Start with Cabins, Food Truck, and then for the gift shop, include a bunch of options that can be cooked in the cabins. See the link here for their gift shop: maps.app.goo.gl/wy6aqKCyeAriYrXG8 That would allow for hot prepper food. The gift shop space can be redesigned as needed later on. Will be able to sell things the RV park people will want as well. As the resort grow, the gift shop can evolve. I also like the idea of building out the picnic shelters and have grill and charcoal for people to cook and enjoy. Fits the whole initial rustic theme of the resort, and are nice touches when you're camping anyway. Yosemite View Hotel also has a fancy restaurant and a drop in/pick up pizza place. that is always busy. You can build that with a bar early on with out the commitment of full chef and restaurant offering.
Air B&Bs are a great start! They are quick and relatively inexpensive to get up and running. And, YOU CAN KEEP THEM once you are done building the other stuff. There will be both kinds of people that will be interested in the resort. People who want the 'full' resort experience, and people who want to do for themselves and have their own place at the resort. It will get the revinew stream moving. Trailer campsites down by the river with grills and fire pits and picnic tables. Maybe a large covered pavilion for group events. A BIG playground for kids.
I second this - this is what I was thinking and there would be so much to do as far as people can go hiking, swimming, visit town , go shooting, etc! Plus I total love the idea of having food trucks and you could have like little pop up events and such. Like they were saying, just cause the Air BnB have kitchens, doesn't mean people wont use the restaurant when it's available. Hotels have both so why can't you? :) Can't wait to come there some day!
I agree with option 4. I then suggest: 1. Prepare an area for RVERS to boondock onsite in exchange for their skills and labor. 2. Tap into the RV community to share the word. Mention specific skill sets needed. 3. Consider a designated area for future RV sites. Some with full hookups, some with partial hookups, some for boondocking (no hookups) 3. Consider offering future designated complimentary sites for those who donated time and work during development Your property is prime for multi use, and this 'work camping' experience could be a good starting point.
YES! A Disc golf course would be a great (and cheap) rec option and you would literally fill those cabins with players wanting to explore a new course, especially on Demolitia grounds. The range + disc golf would be a day made in Heaven.
Admin offices and airbnb same time. You don't want people checking in the same place as events. Also people in family cabins may still prefer to cook during their stay occasionally
That's what I was thinking too, because the have the OPTION of a restaurant, but don't require it. And it brings immediate guests, and the demolitia will show up.
@drdemoltia Matt cariker may I submit to you option 5 admin building + a Airbnb and cabin and then team up with some local food trucks and as for activities fix one of the pools-kayaking-gun range- hiking-fishing- paintball/airsoft - zip line-frisbee golf -cornhole -crafts for the ladies your demolitia member from pa
Hey Matt! We owned (for 5 years) a venue in Burnet. Lots of work with brides & allllllll the goes into weddings. I'd focus on retreats maybe. Also keep in mind people that go out to stay in cabins, want to be out & away! They will be happy exploring, hiking, stargazing, etc. Put some grills & fridges at the cabins. Keep it simple. Have the gift shop/camp shop with easy foods people can grill etc. Think.ofnit like a campground.
You can always lay out a food truck pad for 2 or 3 food trucks. They can provide food in the meantime for the resort plus they can serve to folks that wanna stop by for food while the resort grows til you're ready for a full kitchen
1/ Admin building with a small general store in the gift shop. 2/ At the same time get the RV park up and running 3/ The cabins, build a community kitchen close to them (cabins have a fridge and a microwave plus tea/coffee making facilities). Kitchen only needs a couple of sides and open on the other two, roll down clears for cooler days (put a wood burner in) and it can incorporate a lounge area with TV and maybe an air hockey or pool table. This is what we have at our county fairgrounds RV park. 4/ While all this is going on start prepping for the function centre. Remeber, a bit of accommodation is not going to bring in the big bucks, that's your venue hire. Don't be afraid to spend on kitchens in the Air B&B, not everyone wants or can afford to eat out every night of a stay. I for one would be more inclined to stay there if I can cook for myself when I want to. Also remember that you have the unique advantage of a pre-existing fanbase that will stay there even if it is a bit primitive at first, you won't be wanting for guests regardless of what you do, they'd stay under a piece of roofing iron down by the river.
This is what I was thinking as well. A community kitchen would solve one of these issues. I do like the idea of a bit of a general store/gift shop idea though as well. Would work great for the RV people as well as the cabin guests.
Yup, if you have RVs no matter what other options are available your gift shop needs to stock at least the basics which are milk, bread, eggs, bacon, TP, soft drinks/sodas and snacks as well as the state and national newspapers. @@judithberry9317
Food trucks while fixing up cabins and administration building. Some kind of temporary pole barn or tent with picnic tables as temporary cafeteria. Once you have permanent kitchen and cafeteria you could always move the pole barn or tent and Food trucks to another part of the resort (maybe the range)
Use the old restaurant walls to build your event area. New floors. Market lights. Heaters. Super easy. Leave the strong walls. Outdoor wedding venue. Use one building to build just a kitchen for the event center. Then build your hotel rooms and still build airbnb. Some people like making their own food.
I agree with something mentioned below, keep the air b&b rooms with full kitchens even after everything is fully open. My entire family has always purposely looked for places with a kitchen when staying at a resort, especially if your staying as a group.
IMO what you should do is build out the RV/camping spots. Get a bunch of spots along the river set up with picnick tables, firepits, hookups, and that community shower/restroom building you talked about. Build out the admin building to be an admin building so you can have a place for the ranch staff to work out of. And lastly build a building near the front that be your check-in building/storefront/causal food. Area for guest to check in, come to ask questions while they are there, a merch shop (with your bunker merch) and a general store for general camping supplies (firewood/propain/etc) and small groceries (think like 3 or 4 isles with stuff people eat/cook while camping). If your feeling really adventurous include a small grab and go type restraunt with quick and easy things (hotdogs/burgers/fries/coldcuts/pretzels/foutain drinks etc). You do those things and you'll have knocked out everything you need for the resort to get guest out there and they have the basics. Maybe see if one of the pools near that is in a state that can be serviced and brought back online. From there you'd be in a good place start building out the more adventurous stuff (a real restaurant, the main building, the cabins etc) and you'll be set up to support them as you grow.
Admin building then cabins with refrigerators and microwaves. Create a covered grilling area near cabins with multiple grills and a pizza oven or regular oven. Relatively (compared to everything else on the resort) inexpensive and no love lost removing as the resort is completed.
Matt. Just some thoughts. Do the AirBNB on the cliffs and then set up some outdoor activities. ATV trails and rentals, Side by Sides, Driving Range, Fireside Pavilions, Lazer Tag/Paintball courses, shuffleboard, basketball court, tennis / pickle ball?. Can you get a pool put in to go with it? What about a game room? I'm sure guests that are coming will understand that you are slowly building across the whole resort.
RV camping with hook ups, bathrooms/shower/dog wash, things to do like frisbee golf, tennis, basketball court, fishing, tubing down the river. Air bnb with kitchen(people may opt for a cheaper/different meal than your restaurant). Then do your banquet hall with offices
My two cent... Option 4 in conjunction with air bnb style cliff houses. Even after you have the event center etc... Some families and couples would like a suite with a kitchen. I know many of the resorts I've been too over the years that have all the amenities offer rooms/suite with kitchens and for our big family we tend to use them occasionally. I see value in working on both at the same time. Loving the content!
Doing the admin building first along with the RV/Camp ground makes the most sense to me. You can have a few gazebo areas with grills built in for people to barbecue/grill in. In the admin building you can have a small kitchen for guests that can later be used as a break room for employees. If you don't have the admin building ready along with/before places for people to stay, then you don't have people on site to manage the place and keep the rooms/camping areas tidy and ready for guests.
Lot of campgrounds offer cabins with grill areas. Work on the offices and cabins. Then you can sell foods and fire supplies to your guests staying in those cabins
I agree with this. You could even put in a kitchen in the admin building. Set it up as a catering kitchen so that when the venue is complete you can cater events out of this building. Then you have a small restaurant that can support the 7 cabins and the RV park.
I would just set up a whole lot of outside BBQ’s - very basic. People will still come out and bring cycles, trail bikes, hikers etc … they’ll have their campers, RV’s and now the cabins… they’ll bring their own food. Don’t overthink it. One step at a time. People will enjoy growing with you… what an adventure. From Australia 🇦🇺 I wish one day I get to visit it. Much respect to you. 🙏 I would start with Camping, RV’s and general shower and toilets. Then the cabins.
RV hook ups, fire pits, tent platforms for rustic sites, grilling area, picnic tables throughout, and also do not forget, day trippers (non-overnight), 2 toilet/shower stations (min) upper and lower site, get the pool working (upper), archery range near a day tripper outdoor pavilion, axe/knife throwing, host air soft/archery competitions, etc.. Other outdoor activities to do with river maybe and/or mountain biking/new zip line (kid oriented)/obstacle course(kid oriented). For gun/range enhancements for general public look to events and or fixed structures (old west/urban) like used at AHLMAN'S near MORRISTOWN, MN, specifically shooters-roundup/Delta Shoot, which includes things like old west melodrama, trick shooters etc.
Brother, you could rent out 5ft circle in the grass, and people will book it to sleep in a tent. You'll sell out any option. Get vacancy (of any kind) available and you'll see.
My suggestion for some cash flow to keep things rolling is to create some slabs and campsites by the river and advertise that first. Start with the small easy stuff and build up from there.
Mat, one option about the food is using an alliance with the food trucks. You can enable the cabins or the airbnb or the motorhome areas and these food truck can give them all the foods that your customer wants.
partner with a local chef to open a restaurant on site. Chef puts up 50% of the cost. It can be an attraction for people to just come and eat and sit by the river enjoying the evening!
This is a bit off from what you had in mind but I believe you have a unique position which would allow you do something that hasn’t been done before. Step 1: grab the best ideas from this comment section. Then compile them into a list Step 2: hire a media manager/ event coordinator to reach out to your subscriber base. Step 3: assign different projects for different days and have a volunteer list for each one Step 4: collect the names of your volunteers. Commission an art piece that has all the volunteers names on it. Step 5: vlog the whole process and seek sponsors for certain projects. For bigger projects hire a food truck and have water tents.
Option 4. Change the gift shop to a shop with food they can buy. Focus on the cheap things like shooting range, climbing park in the forrest with wires and slides etc. Then you can go for airgun or paint ball parks, cheap and fun in the forrest. Make it a perfect place for a weekend og a week of fun. Maybe som atvs to rent out?
Infrastructure is very expensive, and you need it. (Listen to Mare) Joining the chorus for admin and cabins. Small fridge freezer, microwave, coffee maker in each room. I think an rv area with power and water is a good step. Also, talk to your insurance guy to see what you need to clear that hurdle. Best wishes.
Campground area first makes the most sense to me. Nice bath house, Nice campsites fire rings, space out so you don’t feel crowded. Texas state parks are so crowded right now. People are booking camping 6 months out. If you can give a nice alternative with hiking and access to the river I’m pretty sure it will be very successful.
My 2 cents: Do up the camping area. Fire pits, picnic tables, some outdoor activities plus some nice amenities blocks (you can get nice portable building toilet blocks with showers etc). You don't need an office, just someone to meet and greet people when they turn up. Maintenance is fairly simple. Just mow the grass, clean the toilet blocks, collect rubbish bins.
Admin building for sure with a small shop pertaining to services currently offered. Camping stuff, rv stuff, ammo and safety equipment for the range. Essentials stuff. Call it the Mercado Desperado (Desperado Market)
Air bnb rooms even after a restaurant is built they will be a popular option. Hard standing with hook ups for RVs. Sort out trail maps for folk to follow. I would look at a grill type wagon to start with so if someone doesn’t want to cook they can get food on site. Option 4 building to become offices site general stores and laundry. You need to get going on that shower block too. Next I would do the cabins give them all outdoor kitchens and hot tubs.
Starting with the Airbnb style buildings seems like a good idea. Even after everything else is done it would be good to have a diverse selection of building types. Not everyone wants to eat every meal at a central food place even if it's available. Having rooms with kitchens offers flexibility, and you can charge more for those.
I disagree. Some folks will want to stay there just for the novelty of demo ranch. But to make it a long term success you need to offer activities and things to do.
As someone who has really thought about this for a business model, I believe your easiest option at the moment is get the airbnb style cabins up and running. Even when you have other things ready you can still rent them out as self contained (popular in hotel apartments). This will then bring in funds for things to give the people something to do. Simple things like fix the pool or put a new one in, the tennis courts etc. Easy enough to build and allows the guests to have options for activities. Then as that's happening rebuild and improve the admin building so you are able to have a central point.
I'd say do the big cabins with the small kitchens built in, some people don't want to go to the big kitchen for breakfast and lunch, so even when fully up and running some people will still appreciate having the kitchen. Then if they wanna leave and eat in a "food hall" once that's built they can.
Maybe you could hire a chuck wagon chef that has their own gear and they can set up an outdoor kitchen for your guests. Then finish the RV park and some cabins. That sounds like a cool Texas experience.
Matt, what if you do like an outdoor hangout area and to cover your food issues, you could get some food truck vendors to set up. Maybe multi purpose area like corn hole, food, picnic tables, music ect.
Option 1 Cabins first. It is least expensive to complete and will generate cash flow immediately. Set up an area outside with cornhole, disk golf, horse shoes, etc as part of entertainment plus the river. Outdoor fire pits at the cabins to cook on and hang out by.
Simple camping spots down by the river with service houses for Shower and toilet's. Kayaks to rent, ATV trail, fishing, mini golf, RC track, fresbee golf, shooting simulator, Golf simulator, Paintball. I sure wish to visit some day. All the way from Sweden.
You can keep the Airbnb, plus build a restaurant later. I used to work at the 320 Ranch south of Big Sky, Montana. We have full three bedroom, two bath log homes, with full kitchens. Plus a few smaller cabins with kitchenettes. The restaurant was still very busy, and people with kitchens would still eat at the restaurant off and on. Never narrow your options.
Option 4, but with a twist. Have the front end be offices and mock reception with quality bathrooms. Then the rest of the building could be open for small events like weddings or bachelor parities with the range while also allowing you a place to register campers. Once the rest of the resort is built that could be an easy remodel to another purpose since the bulk of the building is only an open shell.
You should build the venue hall much bigger than for just weddings. Hear me out Imagine a Desperado or demolition event hall for trade shows, swap meets , car shows, San Antonio comic con , gun shows, Ect then you'd definitely have a reason to have some of your buildings operating
Well you may not want to invest too much on a huge venue center. I think it is a good idea to think outside the box of the possibilities for a venue center beyond weddings and corporate events. The idea of incorporating some of your other passions into the resort like a car show and such is a good idea. Keep yourself open to the possibilities, but do what's reasonably prudent from a financial perspective. This is going to be a long-term project with a lot of planning and potential opportunities for continuous growth.
Admin building with small dinner in the gift shop area. Rv hook up with outdoor activities. Trails river area. Then air bnb. Then cabins with event center last.
I would do the duplex Air BNB, because even when the resort is open, having a kitchen will still be a plus for families who need a 3 to 4 bedroom place. Save the other cliff units to be normal hotel rooms later on. I would also fix up the cabins and have a communal outdoor kitchen area near the cabins. That way you can start having guests without building anything that won't be useful when the resort is fully open.
Admin building, cabins, build a pole barn for a venue (they are very popular and inexpensive in the scheme of things, then cliff buildings (would leave them as cabin types to support venue), then main venue. When the big main venue is done the pole barn venue can be converted to anything (kids zone, game room, shop, rv storage etc.) or left as a 2nd venue.
Phase one; RV park & horse camp w/trails. Build stage for music events.near the rv park. Contract with food trucks to come in on busy or all weekends. Work on admin building. with all these things being related to each other, you will have something completed & more or less self-contained.
The admin building gives you reception and check in for the RV/Camping area. You can put a small kitchen and shop in the gift shop area. Nothing fancy but so there is something available. Hard to even have the camping/RV area available with no place to check-in etc. But the lack of things to do is also a problem. Adults can enjoy just chilling but kids need a playground or something like that. Make a short track for kids to ride their bmx / mountainbikes on. Have a few kayaks for hire that can be used on the river. Tennis court. Some things like that, that aren't going to cost a huge amount but also mean there is something to do. Sell feed bags at the office for people to feed the goats. That sort of thing. At least get admin with a basic store and a few things to do and start with the RV/camping area.
I was going to say the same thing. Option 4 has that good start. If Matt seals in the well framed building, and makes his maintenance area laundry area gift shop area and reception area; he has what he needs to get started. Leaving the rest of the building EMPTY gives him the flexibility to change all those spaces as needed. As long as the outside looks great, who cares what hides behind the employee doors? And later as he gets the other rooms and features done, he can always look back at what he's done with this building and remodel it to his likings then.
I'd do the Airbnb style buildings. I travel for work a lot and I've never seen someone complain that they have a bigger fridge and kitchenette. After you can continue to use them as airbnb style, or just book them as family/couple suites
Think five year time-frame, the wedding venue is complete; work from the objective to the present. Do it right, take your time. Administrative building first, with staff kitchen & lounge. RV sites by the riverfront. Complete the Bed & Breakfast units two at a time, then cabins with kitchenette/mini fridge. Pour foundations for the Grand Lodge; begin construction after you're caught up with the smaller details... Remember, one shovel full at a time... Eventually is on your side!
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they would need a shop to buy food in Airbnb mode
You should get food trucks until you do the restaurant.
In my opinion, you should let people camp by the river, away from the construction zone, and have a container or something improvised to check in, and some improvised bathrooms.
This way they could camp as long as they wanted without having to leave, and explore
Why wouldn’t you just do option four and work on the cabins at the same time and then an admin building have like a little grocery store and just charge it Price for now
Dude. You NEED to get @ThisOldHouse out there. Imagin what yall could do with all the experiance they'ed bring to the table.
RV hook ups with fire pits and grilling areas, toilet/shower blocks, outdoor activities to do with river and mountain biking and place for pool tables seems the logical start.
You just need an office with a mini shop attached for basic groceries and invite a food truck vender.
Love those ideas - like a fair, could have different food trucks each day!
This was exactly what I was going to suggest. It seems like the best place to start and get people in the door.
Yeah thinking some trails for hiking and mountian biking. Maybe have a volunteer day to build some trails. Maybe there's some mountian biking youtubers that might be interested in helping lay out some tracks as well. He could even some bikes rentable
That's what I was thinking. RV park first, get a few cabins working, and that would be a start.
I agree with this 100%. It is probably the best place to start in my opinion
I graduated college with a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree. Without a doubt get that admin building up and running first. You're going to need a central hub for people to go to for help, bookings, and staying organized with any of the other options. The big wedding venue building I would do last. When celebrating those important events, people will want the rest of the property to look beautiful and polished already. Cabins after the Admin building is not a bad idea. You have millions of fans who would need no more entertainment than a tour of the resort to keep them occupied and happy for a few days. As far as food goes, I think the kitchen is a great idea and I like someone else's idea of an outdoor BBQ pit and a little outdoor seating area. I think if people know it's bring and cook your own food ahead of time they will have no problem with it. It's kinda like renting cabins from state parks here in Florida. They provide an indoor shelter for you, but you bring the rest. Just my input, can't wait to see what you decide on.
This is the right idea. There is plenty of the Demolitia who would go out to stay in the cabins and then sit around some small fire pits or a large group fire pit. Beer, Food, Fire, and walking in the Woods is always a good time.
That's the most thought out comment out of all I've read. Makes actual sense.
Taco truck and cabins ...... 😮
good advice
Yep good points.
Do the cabins and admin building. Turn an office into a kitchen for guest use. Include fridge/freezer in rooms. With a couple/few grill areas in gazebos near the cabins. All still usable in future endeavors. Kitchen can be used as a breakroom for the staff once all is finished.
this is the way to go right now... or do the admin and all the kitchen stuff and rooms on the cliff.
Cabins with a fridge and microwave. Grills in courtyard. People will come just for the river and because it's matt
Way to go, thx for sharing ❤
I came here to comment this same thing.
That’s what I was thinking as well
Work on the admin building and the units for airbnb. Get 1-2 food trucks for the guest until the cafeteria is done. Then you can still use the food trucks for the range or for the campers by the river once the cafe is done.
Smart
This
My wife and I have worked at seversl campgrounds. We suggest get your campsites up, build the bathhouse with a washer/dryer under cover. Set up the admin building into 1. Checkin for camping, 2. Trading post for forgotten camping items and souvenirs. 3. Game room IE pool table, ping pong table, video games. Next set up corn hole and horseshoes. Later a small putt putt course. Open your shooting range on weekends only to start. Good luck.
He's got the remains of a Disc Golf Course designed by John Houck ( THE course designer ) on property too. Getting it redesigned/renovated would be a draw too. Can sell/rent discs at the front desk.
Love this idea
@@33gles 100
There ya go. Is anybody making a list?
Yep could have an instructor for shooting range to keep things safe. Also an archery area with instructor too. Could charge rental fees and instruction fees. Kayaks for the river and fishing gear. All for rent of course. Start with camping because they usually come with their preps. You will need some kind of a bath house / toilet area and small covered areas to grill if raining. Could offer a free day on the next years stay to comp for the construction going on.
Fix up the admin building for checking into the RV sites. Use the old gift shop for a camp/convenience store for the campers.
I was thinking something along these lines too. Admin building could also host shooting range events and have a way to charge people to go there.
And do the air b&b building. They could use the camp store/grocery store
Thats what I was thinking as well option 4 admin buildiing and start taking RV resivations and possibly gun range resivations.
Put a market in the admin bed for the tv guests
with the solar eclipse happing this year just do primitive camping no amenity's, bring an RV stay the day or two and head back out
I think you're underestimating how much a completed admin building will help early progress. Once you have an on-site facility to work out of you'll have a point of reference for what you need next and be able to more fully realize your current capabilities as you progress. Before you ever have people staying at the resort you'll need staff, and having the infrastructure in place for them to do their jobs will be important.
Could also make a demo ranch merch store to start attracting people.
option 4.... could the "gift shop" start as a multipurpose area that incorporates food/groceries for campers/RV guests as well as a small cafe/bistro style thing (with an outdoor/indoor atrium style fixture for a seated area and space/hook up points around it for food truck/s)? you might need something like that if the main event area is booked out for a wedding/event for other guests on the property in the future..... could be changed into more of a staff retreat/break room/area once the big building is complete....
Yes, a general store might make more sense than a gift store.
I have been camping regularly for nearly 30 years, If you do go with the Campground option first, then all you would need in an Admin building with some basic amenities for the campers to make use of. Amenities such as a some drinks, snacks, coin laundry etc... Campers will usually bring their own food and will only leave the property if they have need of more food, have an emergency (which we hope doesn't happen) or if they are using your property as a base of operations to do things in the area. Campers will also most often bring things with them to do that all they need is a place to set up.
Admin Building = front office, food kitchen with simple basic menu, maintenance and small laundry area(with possible later expansion). Then also do cabins adding a few at a time to see how much laundry and kitchen support you need for each to know scaling up and demand.
second this
Possibly the gift shop selling banners and merch.
Instead of a kitchen, get a food truck/trailer to do a basic menu.
Literally came here to say this exact thing. Renovate the admin building into office/reception & a small snack bar type eatery (or utilize a food truck for cooking and just provide a dining room/hangout space). And go ahead and built out the couples cabins and Air BNB setup.
Kinda what I was thinking. Except instead of restaurant I was thinking more of a convenience store/gift/merch store.
Hey Matt, I'm a long time fan of yours, love your channels and content. I'm a Designer/Architect in Dallas (i used to work for Disney) and my wife used to work at a very high end resort in CA before we moved to Texas. I'd think about cliff airbnb and admin first. One thing to consider is the airbnb's with kitchens could eventually become "villas" or "casitas" that are geared toward longer stays/families who want to be at a resort but also have their own food/ability to stay in if need be. Of course, they would be billed at a higher rate. The resort my wife worked at had your typical hotel rooms, but also offered these types of almost townhome type places. It helped diversify what they could offer, so I don't think they would be a waste. Keep up the awesome work.
This is what I was going to say. I think people would still go for places with kitchens even after there is a full-on resort so I don't think that would be a waste. I know whenever we travel with our full family we would try to get a hotel room with a kitchen so we didn't have to eat out for every meal. Now that we are a family of 6 adults, we most often shoot for the Airbnb/Vrbo option. When I was a kid we would go to a resort on the beach in Santa Barbara and they had Casitas in the midst of the property with kitchens.
I had basically the same thought
Yess!
Great suggestion! I also suggest renovating the gift shop to have a convenience store so that people staying at the units with kitchens and RVs can purchase groceries on-site.
This!!!!❤️
Matt, the cheapest and easiest thing, in my humble opinion, is to set up camping/RV sites. Running power and water to them should be inexpensive, compared to all the other options. Setting up or getting fire pits is easy. You have a lot of wood for them to buy, if you haven't burnt them all. Campers will and are used to bring their own food and drink, cooking it and subsisting independently. They don't need a restaurant or cabins. Bathhouse is something they will need, and that would be a bit expensive but before building that, you can do outdoor showers (or a lot of campers have or do their own) and a few outhouses/port-a-potties.
The AirBNB style rooms could still be useful when you have everything done because sometimes people want to make some food on their own. They would function like suites do at a regular hotel.
I agree. When traveling with the family we always prefer a room with a kitchen. It allows us to be more flexible and have cheaper snacks/meals instead of being forced to buy every meal on site.
This!!^
Food Trucks. No building needed. The Biltmore Estate's Antler Village has a vintage food truck. Food trucks are huge in many cities. You could either have your own or contract with vendors (think gourmet food truck) that already exist in the area.
Only problem is, how many guests will be staying there. If it’s not many, what food truck would want less business? If it is a lot, great.
I think BBQs would and kitchenettes in the rooms would take care of the issue. Even when the buildings are done, the kitchenettes would be nice to have in the rooms.
Might be able to have a rotating schedule with one coming in each day for lunch. As long as it's not too upscale, the workers might eat there as well.
Or just owning your own food truck and parking it on the property, and using it instead of building out a whole commercial kitchen
I was thinking the same thing. In the center of the food truck area build your post and beam or peg and beam whatever it’s called old barn structure like they did in Waco outside their fixed buildings. They had that religious group north of Waco 15 or so miles on the west side of the two lane build it for them, as they totally understand oak Old architecture, barn frame buildings. Then when you are done with that portion of your building, a few years, the structure could stay if it’s built in proximity to your plans for the Civic center wedding venue size building as just another photo opportunity.
AirBnB style rooms, because even once there is a restaurant people will still want a kitchenette type room and will still be VERY rentable. Plus once everything is done, they will be the first to need renos and then you can change them to regular rooms if you want!
Exactly what i was thinking
Had same idea. Maybe do the option 4 too and use it for temp entertainment, get some pool tables, makeshift bar
Exactly this. Once you have a restaurant or cafeteria, people will still appreciate the flexibility the in-cabin kitchen provides. It also allows YOU flexibility in pricing structures for the those rooms. Meal packages, individual visit dining options, etc.
And while those are being renovated, work on the Admin building and activities to support those while they're still Airbnb style.
Don’t discount the kitchenette air BNB experience Matt. Even with restaurant, people still look at ways to say $$$ and cooking they’re own food is at the top of the list!!!
@@DespoticDanks everytime we stay at a hotel or resort. We get a suite with a kitchen to cook or reheat food. We still go to restraunts to eat but its nice to have the option to cook yourself
One thing you need to plan ahead with is tree planting. Get them planted now as saplings and you’ll save a ton not having to buy more mature trees later.
Admin building, RV sites with hookups, and a small store for essentials and camping supplies. Many RV parks I’ve stayed at combine the reservation/admin/store all in one building near the park entrance.
I cannot agree with this more!! If the RV park has electric and water, it’s the Field of Dreams!!!
I like the RV park/camping idea as a starting point. Solves the food problem, solves the housing problem, then you can focus on admin building, which is needed in all future scenarios.
Yep makes the most sense to me too…
I completely agree. No matter what he decides to do with this resort, he hast to have an admin and maintenance building.
I agree.. through in some 30/50 amp spots and call it a start.
Having experience operating cabins for years now, I would say the Air BNB style ledge cabins should be your priority. Maybe the family style one next... Anything that you can have full housing amenities up and running is your best start. You need to make sure they have the full house of stuff: Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and a living/communal area. You tell them to bring their own linens for the beds you provide (tell them the bed sizes and give them a cheaper rate for that until you're able to do those on-site yourself with staff) and people can bring their own food to stock the fridge. All the basic kitchen appliances are a must. Give them a basic set of cooking and eating utensils, basic set of pots and pans, and let them know to bring anything specialty pans or appliances with them if they want/need something specific. As long as people have the basics, with nature all around and the range to boot, you'll be fine, the rest will come later.
I concur with this plan. Only downside is he felt the kitchens would be a waste, but even with amenities at the resort built out in the future, some customers will still want to eat in their units. But again, most will choose to eat at the future restaurant anyway, so that con is not big imo. This seems like the best and easiest way to get customers using the resort and generate some cash flow at the same time.
@@stryker5573 You could also offer some units with no kitchens (for those who have their own stuff), some with Microwaves only, and one or two with full kitchen - maybe hotplate style but a decent fridge....
that makes a lot of sense, especially if people want to stay longer than a day or two and don't want to bring a large cooler. Very convenient to have a stove, fridge, and sink in a unit. Doesnt seem like adding kitchens would be much of a waste @@Janer-52
I'm guessing that when the resort is complete, all the cabins without kitchens will still utilize the restaurant and even people with a full kitchen in their cabin will too (I know I would and from experience, my cabin users often ask about local restaurants despite having a full kitchen). It's good to think about though because all the small cabins should get at most a microwave and a mini-fridge to store and re-heat your restaurant leftovers etc. Good thought to brainstorm though@@stryker5573.
1- $$ Air B&B the Cliffs for 3-4 people with pullout couch for the extra two. 2- $$$ Admin with a small cafeteria in the old gift shop. 3- $ Cabin rooms with mini fridge and microwave. 4- Small venue that could be converted to a game room or larger cafeteria later. 5- More bunk houses and B&B's. 6- Pool for when the river goes dry. 7- large venue in three phases. 8- Condos. B&B websites take a cut, but then you don't need a check in space. I would leave the kitchens in the B&B Cliffs even after the cafeteria gets added so you can charge more for both food options.
Fancy up the Admin building entrance with some stone and timbers (Repurpose crumbled Restaurant stone) and then turn it into a Park Office that has a Gift Shop, Small Grocery and a Breakfast/Brunch area like normal hotels have (p.s. don't forget the Ice Cream and Expresso station). That solves the food situation for both RV's and Cabins. Throw in some Communal Gazebos with grills near the Cabins so they can cook their own dinners on them. Scratch the AirBNB or build them with small Kitchenettes instead. People can figure out their own Dinner plans for awhile. As a Last resort dinner option someone mentioned getting food trucks during busy weekends.
Look at the cabins the same way you would tent camping. Provide individual BBQ spaces, a central BBQ pit for people to congregate, build a bathroom/shower building and let people have their own fun. People camp all the time wanting to just enjoy the peace of nature. You could carve out a few walking trails and bring some 4x4 channels to come start the creation of some 4x4 trails for trucks, sidexsides, ATVs, dirtbikes. And garden spaces, provide people with nice places to read, relax and just enjoy the place for the same reason you love it, the beauty. Plant fruit trees by the river and a veggy patch by the pond. When you have guests they can buy small amounts of food from a stand, and when you have a restaurant you will be able to offer freshly harvested foods. I would love to spend some time talking and flooding your mind with ideas. Reach out anytime.
i like 4x4 trail idea. Could rent out atvs, dirtbike etc. to guests. Also canoes or kayaks for the river.
peace and nature / barrett 50 on the range?
@@Davidautofull well the gardens wouldn't need to be at the range. There is a bit of space available for use there.
1 - Campground, 2 - Shooting Range / 4x4 Trail / Floating, 3 - Simplest Cabins / RV Hookups, 4 - Event Venue, 5 - Better Cabins, 6 - Restaurant
Option 4 - Camp store/e-bike rental/small grocery store with bathrooms/office for small staff - this can easily be changed as you grow. Clean out pool area as well and get that going so families can swim in the river or pool. Keep it going, you’ll get there!
Another option is utilizing food “trucks” (aka trailers) for temporary food service before the main event center is in the works. Get several different types of food vendors to work food trailers on the resort until you can get the event center open. That will also help you get to know what your guests will want on the menu for future reference.
Taco trucks! Could even plan "food festivals" and invite multiple trucks.
This is exactly what was going through my head the whole video! Great idea!
@@swinesavant yeah those are getting big everywhere! our little town just had 2. and the city with organizer. are working on making them an annual shows.
I agree except I think Matt could purchase his own truck that always operates at the resort when guests are there. We know he loves owning things too lol
food trucks may also help him shop for a future chef for his eventual restaurant
I'd say admin building and cabins with grills/firepits. We've stayed in cabins at state parks that were relatively remote and just cooked on the fire for the weekend. Couple that with the rv parking and you've got something. Make sure to have something of a general store with the admin building probably, just stuff to help with outdoor cooking and enjoying the river pretty much but makes it a lot easier for everyone who forgets to bring some of the obvious items you might need.
I feel like the air bnb is best short term and you could rebrand them as "suites" once the rest of the resort is built up.
Agree. We would do that and eat at a restaurant!!!
exactly. Even some hotels that have restaurants and other amenities also have some rooms with kitchens. Not everyone wants to eat out every day. Its good to have a mix.
💯
Air bnb for sure
This is second option
My opinion is:
Admin building: first clean the offices, and expand the gift shop to include a kitchen and turn it into a small diner/restaurant. Then get the cabins cleaned up and running. Create an outdoor venue for weddings with a fairly inexpensive gazebo overlooking the valley below. With the admin building up and running you can book the RV park and have storage for your grounds equipment. The former gift shop isn't very big but you can have outdoor seating if you need it for the restaurant and it can double as a prep for the catering.
Another option if you don't want to put the restaurant in right away is contract a food truck to come provide lunch and dinner and use the gift shop for continental breakfast. Just a few ideas
Here’s what I want; a cabin to stay in and a Demolition Range to shoot at for a weekend with the boys 🤘🏼 I know a resort is the big picture but get there when you get there, for now, remember your fan base. 20-40 year old men that love shooting and camping.
A log-cabin within walking distance of the ranges would be pretty epic. Bunch of adult-sized bunk-beds and a small kitchen, couple bathrooms. Big TV. Would be fun for a guys weekend thing.
Hi matt i have worked on camping and caravan parks here in the Uk in the past, the admin building is a must have, i would try and get one of the swimming pools up and running(not everyone will want to swim in the river) i would go with camping and rv parking to get things going, the holiday parks i have worked on had power hook up points for the caravans/rv's and for the camping as well with facilities for toilets and showers and somewhere to do laundry, for food i would go simple set up a BBQ pit and do Texas style cook outs maybe with a catering van to do fresh salads and to store produce i would also get some walks mapped out for prople to go on as that would start to give guest something to do and maybe canoeing or fishing on the river.
This right here.
I have never ran a resort either but I have a couple ideas for you. you could get the admin building done then work on the cabins and have food trucks on site for the guests as you get the cabins done. You can also work on your RV park and camping areas, again with food trucks as a food option on the interum. The admin office is central to running all of those though is why I would say to do that first. My order would be Admin->Camping->RV & Cabins (with food trucks) -> cliff air bnb (still with food trucks) -> Venue. If you wanted to chat to bouce around ideas you're welcome to reach out. I also have an accountant that could run the numbers on projections to help see what might have the highest ROI over the next X months, quarters, years. Food for thought. Keep up the great content. loved the whole house project and this one is awesome so far too.
Option 4->RV park->Venue->Hotel/Cabins (once the office is built open a gift shop and start selling day passes for the river area, and rent out the ranges for large corporate events and trainings)
gift shop and little grocery store
I like this idea, also a general store with camp supplies, toiletries and grocery section would ideal as well
I don't like River passes yes motorized RV no to pull behind.
Was going to say rv/camping spots. Gets people in faster, they carry their own supplies.
Yes to the RV sites first.
As a sports dad and so much land I don't know how Matt hasn't thought of this. Just clear a 200x200 yard area of trees, get the grass all nice and boom you have 4 pitches ready for renting out for football, soccer, Frisbee, etc. If they're really nice people will come from anywhere, especially my fellow hispanics for that ⚽️
Whatever you do PEOPLE WILL COME! Don’t doubt the Demolitia!!
Yes! Well said, he has little confidence in himself. Do a large meet and greet. People are invested in Matt!
😊 2 cents for your Legacy Resort projects:
1) Food Trucks to augment chow times at the exact places and times you need during events. Food Trucks would also build up a few restaurant skills to feed into your Prime Venue plan.
2) RV Hookups with Fire Pits and Picnic Tables
3) Use 6 of the 7 Stone Cabins for BnB Bedrooms and select one as the BnB Breakfast Lodge to fuel up before heading out to the River or to run some group drills on a firing range.
4) Similar approach with the Cliff Houses. Finish them off as bedrooms and pick one section to serve as a community breakfast area.
5) Refurbish the Admin buildings at the same time to suit the needs of your Demo Resort crew.
6) Build out a Top Golf inspired firing line with some covered picnic bench style seating for reloading magazines. An Ammo Shop would seem handy too.
7) Leverage all of the experiences gained from these projects to refine your plans for the Prime Venue and build that crown jewel of your Legacy Resort when you know it’s just right.
Architect here. done master plans for golf courses and destination camping and RV resorts. Start with taking the metal building and strip to frame, roof and exterior studs. Build back small offices and a large multipurpose room with bathrooms. No one wants to be that far out and not have a bathroom. The multipurpose room you can rent for meetings and smaller wedding/gatherings. Then get your RV spots up and running immediately. RVers bring their kitchens with them. You already showed the bathhouse/laundry for the RVs. Get your power water and septic for RVs going also. Then small snack shop/resturant/gift shop/pro shop for the shooting range. Then work on the easy to renovate cottages. Then is the big step to the big banquet facility with a full commercial kitchen that you can run full time and serve big meals out of and run a smaller dinning room off of for the multi day guest. From there you move into the motel room buildings etc……
Sometimes having a hotel room with a kitchen is a huge bonus. Depending on price, people might be willing to stay longer because they do not have to buy food at a resort 3 times a day. I would suggest doing the AirBnB cliffs first and focus on a few activities to keep them entertained. Fishing, petting zoo, hiking trails, archery, fire pits, outdoor bbq, etc. this will also give you the opportunity to get more people with campers to come out to enjoy the activities.
Yeah a couple big airbnb style would be good for wedding parties to stay at in the future
Agree. I've stayed in hotel rooms that had full kitchens. I have not used them (other than the coffee maker, which kitchen-less rooms always have) but as far as I could tell, the hotels have NO trouble filling the rooms that have kitchens.
Food trucks are an option in the beginning. I would say admin + cabins + food truck seems like a reasonable start.
I agree with this approach. But include hiking and biking trials
+1 I was about to comment the same thing.
I was going to say Food trucks to get you by.
Admin and stuff to do. Think easy stuff that fits with the planned RVs. Hiking, fishing, kayak?/Tubing?, gun range, bike trails, rec hall/pool/darts/arcade. Simple camping is still fun and something people would resonate with.
And is still a HUGE business especially in Texas not to mention all the subscribers who'd love to travel to camp at Demos resort before it got massive.
Hey Matt, I grew with a 125 acre resort in Orlando. In the beginning we had 100 villas, one bldg housed reception, a small restaurant with limited menu and offices. The general store and deli was in a trailer made to look very nice. The security, maintenance, housekeeping and laundry were also in trailers for the first few phases. We had amenities - small pool, spa and kiddie pool - a tiki bar (beloved by our guests)- tennis courts. The resort was built in phases, A-100 through F at 3000.
Your 4th option is best-central hub. Your place has incredible potential for the outdoor enthusiasts! Think in phases, outside of the resort box… Maybe a few food trucks in key spots-range and river to start.
I gave you a bit of history for a very successful resort so you would know even the big guys start small and humble.
I don’t know if you can message me, would love to talk to you about the potential of Desperado Ranch.
Looks like Mat could do with in an overseer’s roll. Someone just like yourself with prior experience of success. I know Mat can make it all happen but no prior experience on a job such as big as this could end in disaster.
I would do option 4. Do the adminbuilding, get some snacks/prepacked food in the giftshop area. And open for RVs/camping.
You could also do the airbnb buildings, and keep them as airbnb when the resort fully opens, or have them as a more high end rooms/apartments in the resort.
Hiking trails, mountain biking, disk golf, archery along with shooting range, zipline, ropes course, kayaking, an actual golf course or putt-putt if a golf course is too large, gymnasium with rock climbing and a basketball court (maybe a workout area) would be a good attraction. An office for recreational activities specifically would be valueable as a place for people to rent equipment and sign up for the various activities that you offer, I worked at the YMCA of the Rockies and we had many of these suggestions as well as an artificial snow tubing hill that people loved.
A nice pool area, disk golf, rc car course or planes, or build an Demolition Ranch obstacle course and run RUclipsrs through it for entertainment (American ninja warrior style). Lol really just lots of events like the range day.
You may be able to have a food truck temporarily cook and deliver to the guest rooms or campsites without too much cost to yourself. If you can find one local willing to work the resort at certain times of the day.
@@DepletedWisdom
A dedicated food truck sounds awesome, what a unique idea.
Admin building and RV spots by river, include gift shop and public laundry/camping spots with grills and such
The RV park sounded good to start including bathroom and shower amenities. The small cabins is a good idea, clean up the courtyard and include a picnic area. Contract food trucks for a variety of meals at certain times of the day to fill that need. Include a coffee pot in the rooms and microwave too, maybe even a small frig.
Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, CA right outside the main gate of Yosemite is a similar setup. Start with Cabins, Food Truck, and then for the gift shop, include a bunch of options that can be cooked in the cabins. See the link here for their gift shop: maps.app.goo.gl/wy6aqKCyeAriYrXG8 That would allow for hot prepper food. The gift shop space can be redesigned as needed later on. Will be able to sell things the RV park people will want as well. As the resort grow, the gift shop can evolve. I also like the idea of building out the picnic shelters and have grill and charcoal for people to cook and enjoy. Fits the whole initial rustic theme of the resort, and are nice touches when you're camping anyway. Yosemite View Hotel also has a fancy restaurant and a drop in/pick up pizza place. that is always busy. You can build that with a bar early on with out the commitment of full chef and restaurant offering.
Even Motel 6 rooms these days (mostly) have small fridges and microwaves. No in-room coffee, though. Have to go to the lobby for that.
Air B&Bs are a great start! They are quick and relatively inexpensive to get up and running. And, YOU CAN KEEP THEM once you are done building the other stuff. There will be both kinds of people that will be interested in the resort. People who want the 'full' resort experience, and people who want to do for themselves and have their own place at the resort. It will get the revinew stream moving. Trailer campsites down by the river with grills and fire pits and picnic tables. Maybe a large covered pavilion for group events. A BIG playground for kids.
I second this - this is what I was thinking and there would be so much to do as far as people can go hiking, swimming, visit town , go shooting, etc! Plus I total love the idea of having food trucks and you could have like little pop up events and such. Like they were saying, just cause the Air BnB have kitchens, doesn't mean people wont use the restaurant when it's available. Hotels have both so why can't you? :)
Can't wait to come there some day!
We.are the type of family that like to do have an air BNB style home on our vacation. Just gives more options. So I third this.
Hire a hospitality professional to figure things out….come on man…
Should have free voucher with hot italian food for hotel guests. Lunch or Brunch
Airbnb style places would also be great for guests while putting on RUclips events/colabs. Also if you needed a temporary place for future employees.
I agree with option 4. I then suggest:
1. Prepare an area for RVERS to boondock onsite in exchange for their skills and labor.
2. Tap into the RV community to share the word. Mention specific skill sets needed.
3. Consider a designated area for future RV sites. Some with full hookups, some with partial hookups, some for boondocking (no hookups)
3. Consider offering future designated complimentary sites for those who donated time and work during development
Your property is prime for multi use, and this 'work camping' experience could be a good starting point.
#1 home base (admin)
#2 cabins
#3 venue
#4 Cliffside buildings
4: RV Hookups, Admin building, Small essentials store for guests., Also get with John Houck on reviving the Disc Golf Course he designed there. XD
Yes please! Great idea! You could potentially charge for disc golf also.
YES! A Disc golf course would be a great (and cheap) rec option and you would literally fill those cabins with players wanting to explore a new course, especially on Demolitia grounds. The range + disc golf would be a day made in Heaven.
Admin offices and airbnb same time. You don't want people checking in the same place as events. Also people in family cabins may still prefer to cook during their stay occasionally
AirBnB you often don't even have a formal check in, it's just done with a key box or door code you can change between guests.
That's what I was thinking too, because the have the OPTION of a restaurant, but don't require it. And it brings immediate guests, and the demolitia will show up.
This is what i was thinking too. Maybe clean up the tennis courts and basketball courts as well as the pool
@drdemoltia Matt cariker may I submit to you option 5 admin building + a Airbnb and cabin and then team up with some local food trucks and as for activities fix one of the pools-kayaking-gun range- hiking-fishing- paintball/airsoft - zip line-frisbee golf -cornhole -crafts for the ladies your demolitia member from pa
Rv park / primitive camping, plenty to do with the river and land, get a cave tour guide, rent out kayaks for the river/ etc.
Hey Matt! We owned (for 5 years) a venue in Burnet. Lots of work with brides & allllllll the goes into weddings. I'd focus on retreats maybe.
Also keep in mind people that go out to stay in cabins, want to be out & away! They will be happy exploring, hiking, stargazing, etc. Put some grills & fridges at the cabins. Keep it simple. Have the gift shop/camp shop with easy foods people can grill etc. Think.ofnit like a campground.
You can always lay out a food truck pad for 2 or 3 food trucks. They can provide food in the meantime for the resort plus they can serve to folks that wanna stop by for food while the resort grows til you're ready for a full kitchen
And this!
1/ Admin building with a small general store in the gift shop.
2/ At the same time get the RV park up and running
3/ The cabins, build a community kitchen close to them (cabins have a fridge and a microwave plus tea/coffee making facilities). Kitchen only needs a couple of sides and open on the other two, roll down clears for cooler days (put a wood burner in) and it can incorporate a lounge area with TV and maybe an air hockey or pool table. This is what we have at our county fairgrounds RV park.
4/ While all this is going on start prepping for the function centre. Remeber, a bit of accommodation is not going to bring in the big bucks, that's your venue hire.
Don't be afraid to spend on kitchens in the Air B&B, not everyone wants or can afford to eat out every night of a stay. I for one would be more inclined to stay there if I can cook for myself when I want to. Also remember that you have the unique advantage of a pre-existing fanbase that will stay there even if it is a bit primitive at first, you won't be wanting for guests regardless of what you do, they'd stay under a piece of roofing iron down by the river.
how much for a night with the roofing iron now? you make some really smart options tho this property has so much potential
This is what I was thinking as well. A community kitchen would solve one of these issues. I do like the idea of a bit of a general store/gift shop idea though as well. Would work great for the RV people as well as the cabin guests.
Yup, if you have RVs no matter what other options are available your gift shop needs to stock at least the basics which are milk, bread, eggs, bacon, TP, soft drinks/sodas and snacks as well as the state and national newspapers. @@judithberry9317
Food trucks while fixing up cabins and administration building. Some kind of temporary pole barn or tent with picnic tables as temporary cafeteria. Once you have permanent kitchen and cafeteria you could always move the pole barn or tent and Food trucks to another part of the resort (maybe the range)
I was going to suggest the same!
I was also thinking food trucks.
I'd stay with the food trucks for breakfast and lunch, but then have a cowboy style cook out every night. Steaks, ribs etc. on a rotating menu.
Use the old restaurant walls to build your event area. New floors. Market lights. Heaters. Super easy. Leave the strong walls. Outdoor wedding venue. Use one building to build just a kitchen for the event center. Then build your hotel rooms and still build airbnb. Some people like making their own food.
I agree with something mentioned below, keep the air b&b rooms with full kitchens even after everything is fully open. My entire family has always purposely looked for places with a kitchen when staying at a resort, especially if your staying as a group.
Great for wedding parties as well.
IMO what you should do is build out the RV/camping spots. Get a bunch of spots along the river set up with picnick tables, firepits, hookups, and that community shower/restroom building you talked about. Build out the admin building to be an admin building so you can have a place for the ranch staff to work out of. And lastly build a building near the front that be your check-in building/storefront/causal food. Area for guest to check in, come to ask questions while they are there, a merch shop (with your bunker merch) and a general store for general camping supplies (firewood/propain/etc) and small groceries (think like 3 or 4 isles with stuff people eat/cook while camping). If your feeling really adventurous include a small grab and go type restraunt with quick and easy things (hotdogs/burgers/fries/coldcuts/pretzels/foutain drinks etc).
You do those things and you'll have knocked out everything you need for the resort to get guest out there and they have the basics. Maybe see if one of the pools near that is in a state that can be serviced and brought back online. From there you'd be in a good place start building out the more adventurous stuff (a real restaurant, the main building, the cabins etc) and you'll be set up to support them as you grow.
Admin building then cabins with refrigerators and microwaves. Create a covered grilling area near cabins with multiple grills and a pizza oven or regular oven.
Relatively (compared to everything else on the resort) inexpensive and no love lost removing as the resort is completed.
This was my thought for the cabins, a tiny kitchenette -maybe putting in a small sink and countertop stove, like an extended stay hotel.
Matt. Just some thoughts. Do the AirBNB on the cliffs and then set up some outdoor activities. ATV trails and rentals, Side by Sides, Driving Range, Fireside Pavilions, Lazer Tag/Paintball courses, shuffleboard, basketball court, tennis / pickle ball?. Can you get a pool put in to go with it? What about a game room? I'm sure guests that are coming will understand that you are slowly building across the whole resort.
RV camping with hook ups, bathrooms/shower/dog wash, things to do like frisbee golf, tennis, basketball court, fishing, tubing down the river. Air bnb with kitchen(people may opt for a cheaper/different meal than your restaurant). Then do your banquet hall with offices
My two cent... Option 4 in conjunction with air bnb style cliff houses. Even after you have the event center etc... Some families and couples would like a suite with a kitchen. I know many of the resorts I've been too over the years that have all the amenities offer rooms/suite with kitchens and for our big family we tend to use them occasionally. I see value in working on both at the same time.
Loving the content!
1:55 haha, I hear Marks voice in my head " Hey what camera is that, number...". Having a laugh up there for sure.
LOL, quickly followed by a "shut up" and "don't tell Mer"
Yes! And the laughing "Don't tell Mere!"
Definitely!😁
Doing the admin building first along with the RV/Camp ground makes the most sense to me. You can have a few gazebo areas with grills built in for people to barbecue/grill in. In the admin building you can have a small kitchen for guests that can later be used as a break room for employees. If you don't have the admin building ready along with/before places for people to stay, then you don't have people on site to manage the place and keep the rooms/camping areas tidy and ready for guests.
Build a small grocery store/check in building and open the place to RVs then Build a restaurant and do the Cabins.
Lot of campgrounds offer cabins with grill areas. Work on the offices and cabins. Then you can sell foods and fire supplies to your guests staying in those cabins
I agree with this. You could even put in a kitchen in the admin building. Set it up as a catering kitchen so that when the venue is complete you can cater events out of this building. Then you have a small restaurant that can support the 7 cabins and the RV park.
I would just set up a whole lot of outside BBQ’s - very basic. People will still come out and bring cycles, trail bikes, hikers etc … they’ll have their campers, RV’s and now the cabins… they’ll bring their own food. Don’t overthink it. One step at a time. People will enjoy growing with you… what an adventure. From Australia 🇦🇺 I wish one day I get to visit it. Much respect to you. 🙏 I would start with Camping, RV’s and general shower and toilets. Then the cabins.
RV hook ups, fire pits, tent platforms for rustic sites, grilling area, picnic tables throughout, and also do not forget, day trippers (non-overnight), 2 toilet/shower stations (min) upper and lower site, get the pool working (upper), archery range near a day tripper outdoor pavilion, axe/knife throwing, host air soft/archery competitions, etc.. Other outdoor activities to do with river maybe and/or mountain biking/new zip line (kid oriented)/obstacle course(kid oriented).
For gun/range enhancements for general public look to events and or fixed structures (old west/urban) like used at AHLMAN'S near MORRISTOWN, MN, specifically shooters-roundup/Delta Shoot, which includes things like old west melodrama, trick shooters etc.
Brother, you could rent out 5ft circle in the grass, and people will book it to sleep in a tent. You'll sell out any option. Get vacancy (of any kind) available and you'll see.
My suggestion for some cash flow to keep things rolling is to create some slabs and campsites by the river and advertise that first. Start with the small easy stuff and build up from there.
Mat, one option about the food is using an alliance with the food trucks. You can enable the cabins or the airbnb or the motorhome areas and these food truck can give them all the foods that your customer wants.
partner with a local chef to open a restaurant on site. Chef puts up 50% of the cost. It can be an attraction for people to just come and eat and sit by the river enjoying the evening!
I'd do RV park, and cabins with a general store for camping food stuff. Outdoors stuff! Work your way up to the fancy stuff
This is a bit off from what you had in mind but I believe you have a unique position which would allow you do something that hasn’t been done before.
Step 1: grab the best ideas from this comment section. Then compile them into a list
Step 2: hire a media manager/ event coordinator to reach out to your subscriber base.
Step 3: assign different projects for different days and have a volunteer list for each one
Step 4: collect the names of your volunteers. Commission an art piece that has all the volunteers names on it.
Step 5: vlog the whole process and seek sponsors for certain projects.
For bigger projects hire a food truck and have water tents.
Option 4. Change the gift shop to a shop with food they can buy.
Focus on the cheap things like shooting range, climbing park in the forrest with wires and slides etc.
Then you can go for airgun or paint ball parks, cheap and fun in the forrest. Make it a perfect place for a weekend og a week of fun. Maybe som atvs to rent out?
Infrastructure is very expensive, and you need it. (Listen to Mare) Joining the chorus for admin and cabins. Small fridge freezer, microwave, coffee maker in each room. I think an rv area with power and water is a good step. Also, talk to your insurance guy to see what you need to clear that hurdle. Best wishes.
Been thinking he needs to get some RV hookups going. I assume it will be $$ to run water and power but nessesary.
Campground area first makes the most sense to me. Nice bath house, Nice campsites fire rings, space out so you don’t feel crowded. Texas state parks are so crowded right now. People are booking camping 6 months out. If you can give a nice alternative with hiking and access to the river I’m pretty sure it will be very successful.
My 2 cents:
Do up the camping area. Fire pits, picnic tables, some outdoor activities plus some nice amenities blocks (you can get nice portable building toilet blocks with showers etc). You don't need an office, just someone to meet and greet people when they turn up. Maintenance is fairly simple. Just mow the grass, clean the toilet blocks, collect rubbish bins.
Admin building for sure with a small shop pertaining to services currently offered. Camping stuff, rv stuff, ammo and safety equipment for the range. Essentials stuff. Call it the Mercado Desperado (Desperado Market)
Air bnb rooms even after a restaurant is built they will be a popular option. Hard standing with hook ups for RVs. Sort out trail maps for folk to follow. I would look at a grill type wagon to start with so if someone doesn’t want to cook they can get food on site. Option 4 building to become offices site general stores and laundry. You need to get going on that shower block too. Next I would do the cabins give them all outdoor kitchens and hot tubs.
I haven't visited the U.S. since I was a kid, but I've decided that my next trip will be when the resort opens, so I can visit it. I can't wait!
One of the small islands we visit in the Caribbean has a coffee truck for breakfast/brunch and a couple food trucks for lunch/dinner
Starting with the Airbnb style buildings seems like a good idea. Even after everything else is done it would be good to have a diverse selection of building types. Not everyone wants to eat every meal at a central food place even if it's available. Having rooms with kitchens offers flexibility, and you can charge more for those.
I disagree. Some folks will want to stay there just for the novelty of demo ranch. But to make it a long term success you need to offer activities and things to do.
As someone who has really thought about this for a business model, I believe your easiest option at the moment is get the airbnb style cabins up and running. Even when you have other things ready you can still rent them out as self contained (popular in hotel apartments). This will then bring in funds for things to give the people something to do. Simple things like fix the pool or put a new one in, the tennis courts etc. Easy enough to build and allows the guests to have options for activities. Then as that's happening rebuild and improve the admin building so you are able to have a central point.
I'd say do the big cabins with the small kitchens built in, some people don't want to go to the big kitchen for breakfast and lunch, so even when fully up and running some people will still appreciate having the kitchen. Then if they wanna leave and eat in a "food hall" once that's built they can.
Maybe you could hire a chuck wagon chef that has their own gear and they can set up an outdoor kitchen for your guests. Then finish the RV park and some cabins. That sounds like a cool Texas experience.
Clay shooting sports. Trap, skeet, etc.
Shotgun is a great idea as the small shot for clays don't usually travel more than a few hundred feet so no over shoot ,like rifles.🤔
Yes.
Matt, what if you do like an outdoor hangout area and to cover your food issues, you could get some food truck vendors to set up. Maybe multi purpose area like corn hole, food, picnic tables, music ect.
Option 1 Cabins first.
It is least expensive to complete and will generate cash flow immediately.
Set up an area outside with cornhole, disk golf, horse shoes, etc as part of entertainment plus the river. Outdoor fire pits at the cabins to cook on and hang out by.
Simple camping spots down by the river with service houses for Shower and toilet's. Kayaks to rent, ATV trail, fishing, mini golf, RC track, fresbee golf, shooting simulator, Golf simulator, Paintball. I sure wish to visit some day. All the way from Sweden.
You can keep the Airbnb, plus build a restaurant later. I used to work at the 320 Ranch south of Big Sky, Montana. We have full three bedroom, two bath log homes, with full kitchens. Plus a few smaller cabins with kitchenettes. The restaurant was still very busy, and people with kitchens would still eat at the restaurant off and on. Never narrow your options.
Exactly, not everyone wants or can afford to eat out every night.
Option 4, but with a twist. Have the front end be offices and mock reception with quality bathrooms. Then the rest of the building could be open for small events like weddings or bachelor parities with the range while also allowing you a place to register campers. Once the rest of the resort is built that could be an easy remodel to another purpose since the bulk of the building is only an open shell.
That's how I would go u nailed it
You should build the venue hall much bigger than for just weddings. Hear me out Imagine a Desperado or demolition event hall for trade shows, swap meets , car shows, San Antonio comic con , gun shows, Ect then you'd definitely have a reason to have some of your buildings operating
A venue to host the Gundies, or the TGC event would be cool.
Well you may not want to invest too much on a huge venue center. I think it is a good idea to think outside the box of the possibilities for a venue center beyond weddings and corporate events. The idea of incorporating some of your other passions into the resort like a car show and such is a good idea. Keep yourself open to the possibilities, but do what's reasonably prudent from a financial perspective. This is going to be a long-term project with a lot of planning and potential opportunities for continuous growth.
Admin building with small dinner in the gift shop area. Rv hook up with outdoor activities. Trails river area. Then air bnb. Then cabins with event center last.
I would do the duplex Air BNB, because even when the resort is open, having a kitchen will still be a plus for families who need a 3 to 4 bedroom place. Save the other cliff units to be normal hotel rooms later on. I would also fix up the cabins and have a communal outdoor kitchen area near the cabins. That way you can start having guests without building anything that won't be useful when the resort is fully open.
Yeah, and I doubt families that need 3-4 rooms would want to be eating out every meal. That sounds expensive!
Admin building, cabins, build a pole barn for a venue (they are very popular and inexpensive in the scheme of things, then cliff buildings (would leave them as cabin types to support venue), then main venue. When the big main venue is done the pole barn venue can be converted to anything (kids zone, game room, shop, rv storage etc.) or left as a 2nd venue.
Admin building / small general store, camp sites, then cabins
Phase one; RV park & horse camp w/trails.
Build stage for music events.near the rv park.
Contract with food trucks to come in on busy or all weekends.
Work on admin building. with all these things being related to each other, you will have something completed & more or less self-contained.
The admin building gives you reception and check in for the RV/Camping area. You can put a small kitchen and shop in the gift shop area. Nothing fancy but so there is something available. Hard to even have the camping/RV area available with no place to check-in etc. But the lack of things to do is also a problem. Adults can enjoy just chilling but kids need a playground or something like that. Make a short track for kids to ride their bmx / mountainbikes on. Have a few kayaks for hire that can be used on the river. Tennis court. Some things like that, that aren't going to cost a huge amount but also mean there is something to do. Sell feed bags at the office for people to feed the goats. That sort of thing. At least get admin with a basic store and a few things to do and start with the RV/camping area.
I was going to say the same thing.
Option 4 has that good start.
If Matt seals in the well framed building, and makes his maintenance area laundry area gift shop area and reception area; he has what he needs to get started.
Leaving the rest of the building EMPTY gives him the flexibility to change all those spaces as needed. As long as the outside looks great, who cares what hides behind the employee doors?
And later as he gets the other rooms and features done, he can always look back at what he's done with this building and remodel it to his likings then.
I'd do the Airbnb style buildings. I travel for work a lot and I've never seen someone complain that they have a bigger fridge and kitchenette. After you can continue to use them as airbnb style, or just book them as family/couple suites
Think five year time-frame, the wedding venue is complete; work from the objective to the present. Do it right, take your time. Administrative building first, with staff kitchen & lounge. RV sites by the riverfront. Complete the Bed & Breakfast units two at a time, then cabins with kitchenette/mini fridge. Pour foundations for the Grand Lodge; begin construction after you're caught up with the smaller details... Remember, one shovel full at a time... Eventually is on your side!