What Every Hotel Operator Needs to Know About Millwork, Casegoods, and FF&E
February 2025
CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS:
COURTNEY MESSERSMITH, ACCOUNT MANAGER, HOSPITALITY SALES | EIS NORTH AMERICA
For hotel operators, every design decision plays a role in shaping the guest experience. From the structural elements that define a space to the furnishings that make it functional, understanding the nuances of millwork, casegoods, and FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) is essential for making informed investment decisions. EIS Hospitality knows choosing the right materials and suppliers can influence a hotel's long-term maintenance costs, compliance with brand standards, and overall guest satisfaction.
Millwork and casegoods serve different purposes within a hotel’s interior. Millwork consists of built-in elements such as wall paneling, reception desks, and cabinetry, which contribute to the architectural elements of a space. Casegoods, however, are freestanding furniture pieces such as nightstands, desks, and wardrobes that make a room functional and comfortable for guests. While casegoods fall under FF&E, millwork is considered part of the building itself. Understanding these distinctions is crucial when planning and executing renovations.
Beyond understanding the differences, hotel operators should consider key factors such as durability, compliance with brand standards, and sourcing challenges when selecting finishes, materials, and suppliers' locations. Working with an experienced team ensures these critical elements meet quality expectations, remain within budget, and align with operational goals.
Understanding the Differences Between Millwork and Casegoods
Although millwork and casegoods contribute to a hotel's interior, their applications, sourcing, and installation processes differ significantly:
Millwork refers to custom-built woodwork that is permanently integrated into a space. This includes paneling, cabinetry, and reception desks. Because millwork is part of the structure, it requires careful material selection, compliance with brand guidelines, and a skilled millwork installer to achieve the design intent.
Casegoods are movable furniture pieces that provide functionality and convenience for guests. Nightstands, desks, wardrobes, and bathroom vanity tops fall into this category. Unlike millwork, casegoods can be replaced or moved.
FF&E includes casegoods but not millwork, as it's considered part of the fixed structure. FF&E procurement is crucial for ensuring hotels receive high-quality, brand-compliant furnishings on time and within budget, preventing costly delays and operational disruptions
Millwork: Quality, Durability, and Brand Compliance
TownePlace Suites | Wilmington, Ohio, USA
Millwork is more than an aesthetic choice—it is a component of a hotel's interior that must balance design, durability, and brand compliance. Whether it’s a reception desk that creates a strong first impression or built-in cabinetry that maximizes storage, millwork plays a critical role in the guest experience.
Choosing the Right Custom Millwork Supplier
Custom millwork suppliers is a term used by many organizations with different production and execution capabilities. Though the millwork design and finishes are governed by the architectural and ID drawings, how a company carries that design intent from the production floor to delivery and installation makes all the difference.
Hotel operators should choose a millwork partner based on their proven track record and reliability as much as on expected quality or price. Constructing buildings and completing renovations always come with challenges, and the best suppliers do more than just deliver a product—they work to ensure success by:
Identifying project challenges early: A proactive millwork supplier will assess site conditions, anticipate potential installation obstacles, and communicate any necessary adjustments well in advance.
Ensuring equipment and components fit as intended: A skilled supplier helps prevent costly delays caused by misalignment or improper fit by carefully reviewing drawings and verifying measurements.
Maintaining clear communication and scheduling expectations: The right partner keeps hotel operators informed throughout the project, ensuring millwork is delivered and installed in alignment with the designated timeline.
Selecting a supplier who understands these complexities can mean the difference between a smooth, on-time installation and costly disruptions that affect both the budget and guest experience.
Casegoods: Functionality and the Guest Experience
Palihotel San Diego | San Diego, California, USA
While millwork provides structure, casegoods make a space functional and comfortable. Without casegoods, guests would lack surfaces to place their coffee, work on a laptop, or store personal belongings. These pieces enhance usability, creating a stress-free environment that mirrors the comforts of home.
Challenges in Sourcing Casegoods
One of the biggest challenges hotel operators face when sourcing casegoods is understanding procurement timelines and ensuring they have the necessary items when renovations or new openings occur. Many fail to anticipate how far in advance orders need to be placed to secure the best pricing and avoid delays.
Additionally, tracking project timelines and ensuring all pieces arrive at the correct specifications requires constant communication. Miscommunication can lead to costly mistakes, such as ordering incorrect sizes, finishes, or quantities.
How EIS Hospitality Helps Solve These Challenges
Navigating casegoods and millwork procurement requires consistent coordination and clear communication. EIS Hospitality supports hotel operators by:
Helping maintain budget alignment: We ensure cost-effective solutions that meet quality expectations.
Providing a single point of contact (POC): We streamline communication and reduce project difficulties.
Keeping projects on track: We stay closely involved to ensure operators always know where their project stands.
Deep knowledge of brands: With extensive experience working across multiple hotel brands, EIS Hospitality ensures that our casegoods and millwork meet required specifications while aligning with brand identity. Our deep understanding of brand standards helps owners avoid costly compliance issues.
Partner with Us for Reliable Millwork and Casegoods Solutions
Element/Aloft Tampa Midtown - Tampa, Florida, USA
Millwork and casegoods are essential to any hotel’s interior, serving both structural and functional roles. Understanding their differences and knowing how to source each component effectively ensures a better guest experience while maintaining brand consistency.
Hotel operators who work with an experienced team can streamline procurement, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure every element of their property meets design, durability, and operational needs. Whether selecting materials for millwork or ensuring casegoods arrive at the right time, partnering with industry experts makes all the difference.
Ready to elevate your hotel’s interior? Contact EIS Hospitality today to learn how we can support your next project.
About Elkay Interior Systems
Elkay Interior Systems (EIS) is a tight-knit team of industry-leading designers, commercial-grade manufacturers, innovative engineers, resourceful project managers, and sourcing experts committed to every stage of your project by guaranteeing quality and reliability. We stand out from the crowd with our 45+ years of global experience in the restaurant, hospitality, retail, and education markets. We believe in simplifying the complicated.