UK sees record level of room openings for hotel sector

The first six months of 2017 has seen the highest number of hotel bedrooms opening in the UK since 2012 according to the recently published Hotel Bulletin Q2 2017 report. 

Growth in hotel rooms revenue in all but two UK cities showed double digit growth.

Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, and London recorded an 8% uplift demonstrating hat 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.

Boutique hotels in quirky buildings are becoming more popular too. 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, has nine dining venues and a bar in the Bank’s former vaults.

Plans have been submitted for a four-star, 214-room Hoxton Hotel in London’s Shepherd’s Bush with café 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 are luxury London hotels in the 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.