Unlocking Potential

Most of us tend to steer clear of hotels that appear shabby or have service below basic standards. Gilles Arditi looks at those and sees opportunity.

The president of Indian Shores-based Southwind Hospitality LLC is in the seemingly growing business of turning hotels around from a struggling industry in Florida and nationwide. The firm, which includes partners Chad Coldren and Stephen Page, specializes in managing properties in foreclosure or receivership, sometimes stepping in before they reach that point.

Southwind, established last September, addresses the basic aspects of hotel operation, such as safety of the premises and time spent turning rooms, to outside issues like exposure on Internet booking sites and supplier contracts.