Comp Set (Competitive Set)

Term from Hotel Management industry explained for recruiters

A Comp Set, or Competitive Set, is a group of hotels that a property considers its direct competitors. Hotel managers use this to compare their performance against similar hotels in their area. Think of it as a way to keep track of what nearby hotels of similar quality are doing in terms of room rates, services, and how full they are. This helps hotels make smart decisions about pricing and improvements. It's like having a reference group to measure how well your hotel is doing compared to others.

Examples in Resumes

Analyzed Comp Set data to adjust room rates during peak seasons

Managed daily revenue strategies based on Competitive Set performance

Led strategic planning initiatives by monitoring Comp Set trends and market positioning

Typical job title: "Revenue Managers"

Also try searching for:

Hotel Revenue Manager Revenue Analyst Market Analysis Manager Pricing Strategy Manager Hotel Operations Manager Revenue Optimization Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you build and evaluate a competitive set for a luxury hotel in a major city?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should include selecting hotels of similar star rating, location, and target market, considering factors like room count, amenities, and price points. They should mention the importance of regular review and adjustment of the comp set based on market changes.

Q: How do you use comp set data to develop pricing strategies?

Expected Answer: Should explain how to analyze competitor rates, occupancy trends, and market events to set optimal room rates. Should mention the importance of considering seasonal factors, special events, and different market segments.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What metrics do you typically monitor when analyzing comp set performance?

Expected Answer: Should mention key metrics like RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), ADR (Average Daily Rate), and occupancy rates, explaining how these compare to competitors and inform decision-making.

Q: How often should comp set analysis be performed and why?

Expected Answer: Should discuss daily rate monitoring, weekly performance reviews, and monthly trend analysis, explaining how different timeframes serve different strategic purposes.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a comp set and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should explain that a comp set is a group of competing hotels used for performance comparison, helping to make informed decisions about pricing and strategy.

Q: What tools are commonly used for comp set analysis?

Expected Answer: Should mention common industry tools like STR reports, rate shopping tools, and revenue management systems used to gather and analyze competitor data.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of hotel metrics
  • Data collection and reporting
  • Knowledge of revenue management tools
  • Basic market analysis

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Competitive analysis
  • Rate strategy implementation
  • Performance tracking
  • Market trend analysis

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic planning
  • Advanced market positioning
  • Revenue optimization
  • Team leadership and training

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain basic hotel performance metrics
  • Lack of experience with revenue management systems
  • No understanding of seasonal pricing strategies
  • Poor knowledge of market analysis tools