UK Sees Record Level of Room Openings as Q2 2017 Reports Strong Results for Hotel Sector

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. August 10, 2017

LONDON, UK. August 10, 2017 - The first six months of 2017 has seen the highest number of hotel bedrooms opening in the UK since 2012 according to Hotel Bulletin Q2 2017, published this week by HVS, AlixPartners, STR and AM:PM.

Growth in hotel RevPAR [rooms revenue per available room] in all but two UK cities, double digit growth in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, and London recording an 8% uplift demonstrates that international visitors are still coming to the UK on the back of a weaker pound and a number of high profile events.

The hotel sector is well placed for further growth in visitor numbers with over 7,500 new hotel bedrooms opening during the first half of 2017, up 40% on last year's figures.

Budget brand Premier Inn continued its expansion during Q2, with two new hotels opening as well as the group's fifth hub by Premier Inn at London's King's Cross. However, Q2 also saw notable activity from independently branded hotels, striking an alternative to the more traditional hotel offer.

“Whilst there will always be a strong demand for branded hotels, we are certainly seeing a growing appetite amongst hotel guests, primarily those in London, for something a little different. Boutique hotels in quirky buildings with a strong stamp of personality and an more unusual proposition are becoming very fashionable amongst discerning customers,” commented HVS London chairman Russell Kett.

Typical examples include the new 252-room, five star The Ned, opened by Soho House in May. The hotel, converted from the former Midland Bank, boasts nine dining venues and a bar in the Bank's former vaults.

In a similar vein plans have been submitted for a four-star, 214-room Hoxton Hotel in London's Shepherd's Bush with cafe and leisure scheme, a third London hotel for Hoxton Hotels. A number of designer hotels have also opened in Shoreditch, billed as London's new creative hub, including the high-end Curtain Hotel and The Nobu Hotel, a first for London, although the third Nobu restaurant to open in the capital.

“A recognised brand name is less important in London as it's a strong market. The new, independent hotels emerging like the Hoxton benefit from their association with Soho House for their restaurants and bars; and The Ned benefits from its co-ownership by Soho House,” added Kett.

There is also a clutch of luxury hotels in London's hotel pipeline bringing new brands to the capital such as the Armani on Admiralty Arch, Raffles in the Old War Office, Belmond in the redeveloped Cadogan Hotel, and Cheval Blanc in the former US Embassy. In addition The Peninsula London, on Hyde Park Corner, due to open in 2021, will have the largest rooms of any luxury hotel in the city.

“This activity confirms that London is still a magnet for high-end global hotel brands and demonstrates that the hotel sector is adapting to customer demand and the need to stay ahead of the game by offering something on-trend and edgy,” Kett said.

About HVS

HVS, the world's leading consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, mixed-use, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries, was established in 1980. The company performs 6,000+ assignments each year for hotel and real estate owners, operators, investors, banks and developers worldwide. HVS principals are regarded as the leading experts in their respective regions of the globe. Through a network of some 40 offices and more than 350 professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. HVS.com

About the HVS, AlixPartners, STR and AM:PM Quarterly Hotel Bulletin

The Hotel Bulletin analyses demand, supply, pipeline and transactions in the hotel market in 12 cities across the UK. The information contained in this Press Release sets out a summary of the information contained in the Hotel Bulletin and should be read with and is subject to the terms, limitations and assumptions contained in the Hotel Bulletin.

About AlixPartners

In today's fast paced global market timing is everything. You want to protect, grow or transform your business. To meet these challenges we offer clients small teams of highly qualified experts with profound sector and operational insight. Our clients include corporate boards and management, law firms, investment banks, investors and others who appreciate the candor, dedication, and transformative expertise of our teams. We will ensure insight drives action at that exact moment that is critical for success. Alixpartners.com

About AM:PM

AM:PM is a leading source of market intelligence on the UK & Ireland hotel industry. We maintain extensive data relating to hotel supply to help clients gain a comprehensive and unrivalled understanding of the size and structure of the hotel industry. We offer a suite of subscription-based online products that allow clients to search, analyse and benchmark the hotel sector. This includes access to a unique hotel database with details of over one million hotel rooms covering the past, present and future hotel supply throughout the UK & Ireland.

About STR

STR is the source for premium global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Our data is confidential, reliable, accurate and actionable. Our comprehensive solutions, analytics and unrivalled marketplace insights are built to fuel growth and help our clients make better business decisions. For further information, please visit www.str.com, email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 207 922 1930.

Contact:
Russell Kett
[email protected]
+44 (0) 20 7878 7701

Linda Pettit
[email protected]
+44 13 4283 2866