Florida is one of the top U.S. destinations for tourism, with over 130 million annual visitors and a hospitality sector that spans from luxury beachfront resorts to family-owned eateries. But behind the sunshine and palm trees, running a hospitality business in Florida requires strategic funding.
Whether you operate a hotel in Orlando, a restaurant in Miami, or a bed-and-breakfast in the Keys, this guide breaks down the best financing options for Florida’s hospitality businesses—helping you invest, grow, and thrive.
From hurricane recovery to seasonal slowdowns, the hospitality sector in Florida faces unique challenges. Business financing can help:
Renovate or expand your facility
Hire and train seasonal or full-time staff
Purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E)
Smooth out cash flow during off-peak months
Launch marketing campaigns or upgrade your booking system
Smart financing is the key to staying competitive in a high-demand, high-cost market.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) partners with Florida banks to offer low-interest loans with longer repayment terms.
Max Amount: $5 million
Uses: Real estate, renovations, working capital, refinancing, equipment
Terms: Up to 25 years for real estate, 7–10 for working capital
Rates: Prime + 2.25–4.75%
Best for: Hotels, motels, or restaurants looking to purchase or upgrade property, refinance debt, or expand operations
Structure: 50% lender + 40% SBA Certified Development Company (CDC) + 10% borrower
Uses: Land, buildings, major renovations, heavy equipment
Terms: Up to 25 years
Rates: Fixed and below market average
Best for: Hospitality businesses purchasing or developing property
💡 Use the SBA Lender Match Tool to find SBA lenders in Florida.
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Define your funding needs and goals
Choose the loan or financing option that best fits
Gather business financials and projections
Apply with a Florida-based lender
Complete underwriting and approval
Close the loan and receive funds
Deploy capital toward approved uses
Tourism-based businesses in Florida often see large fluctuations in revenue due to weather, holidays, and school breaks.
Short-term business loans (6–18 months)
Lines of credit for payroll, inventory, or marketing
Merchant cash advances (for card-heavy businesses)
Tip: Use short-term capital to stock up before peak seasons or run targeted ads ahead of events like Spring Break or Daytona 500.
Hotels, restaurants, and attractions all require regular upgrades to remain competitive.
Commercial kitchen appliances
Hotel room furniture and linens
POS systems and security systems
Shuttle vans or golf carts
Patio dining expansions
Most FF&E loans are structured so the equipment itself serves as collateral—helping preserve working capital.
Venture and loan capital for high-growth companies
May apply to innovative hospitality or tourism-tech startups
Managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
Free loan consultation and application support
Offices in Miami, Tampa, Gainesville, Orlando, and more
For small tourism businesses promoting Florida travel
Reimbursement-style grant to offset marketing expenses
Find more grants and state resources at FloridaJobs.org (opens in new tab).
Florida's hotel industry is a major economic driver, with major lenders offering tailored loan programs.
Bridge loans for renovation or repositioning
CMBS loans (for stabilized resorts)
Owner-occupied real estate loans
Franchise financing programs (e.g., Hilton, Marriott branded locations)
Local banks with hospitality divisions (e.g., Seacoast Bank, BankUnited)
National lenders with strong Florida portfolios (e.g., Live Oak Bank)
Hospitality-specific lenders like Stonehill or Hall Structured Finance
Business: Tropical Bites Café
Need: $275,000 to repair hurricane damage and reopen
Solution: SBA 7(a) loan through Seacoast Bank + local grant support
Outcome:
Completed renovations in under 3 months
Rehired 15 employees
Received national press and community support
Takeaway: Pairing SBA loans with local recovery programs can fuel fast recovery and growth.
1–2 years of business operation
$100K+ annual revenue (typically)
Personal credit score of 620+
Business plan or financial projections
Clean corporate filings and licenses
Tax returns (2–3 years)
Profit & loss statements
Balance sheet
Use-of-funds breakdown
Business licenses and lease agreements
SBA – Hospitality Industry Resources (opens in new tab)
Florida Small Business Development Center Network (opens in new tab)
Visit Florida Grant Opportunities (opens in new tab)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible SBA and state-backed loan programs | High seasonality makes lenders cautious |
| FF&E and real estate financing widely available | Down payments often required (10–30%) |
| Support from SBDCs and tourism agencies | Disaster zones may impact insurance/funding |
| Ideal market for hospitality innovation | May need detailed forecasts and documentation |
With year-round tourism, a growing population, and strong public-private support, Florida offers hospitality businesses an ideal environment to grow—if you have the right funding in place. Whether you're renovating a boutique hotel or launching a new food concept, your financing strategy should align with your goals, your seasonality, and your long-term vision.
Looking to fund your next big move in Florida’s hospitality industry?
Connect with an SBA lender, explore equipment financing options, or speak to your local SBDC to find a custom solution built for Florida business success.