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UK hotel RevPAR rises 4.8% in Q1 despite Middle East conflict

UK hoteliers have recorded a RevPAR growth of 4.8% across regional hotel properties and 1.9% in London during the first quarter of 2026, according to Knight Frank’s latest UK Hotel Dashboard.

According to the property firm, this performance marked a significant turnaround from the same period in 2025 when revenues growth remained flat and sector profits fell. Higher room rates and operational efficiencies helped businesses mitigate persistent cost pressures during the start of the year. 

Gross operating profits per available room increased by 0.5% in London and 8% across the regions. London operators successfully offset a reduction in visitors from the Middle East by targeting domestic, American and European travellers.

Average daily rates in the capital grew by 3.2%, though international travel uncertainty caused a 0.9% drop in occupancy. Regional performance was driven by strong room rate gains and steady occupancy levels.

Mature hotel markets in Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff all recorded RevPAR growth of more than 5%. Specialist golf and spa hotels outperformed the wider regional market with an 8% lift in RevPAR.

In the capital, upper-mid and upscale properties recorded a 2.3% increase, making it the only London segment to grow occupancy. Hotel investment volumes reached £1.1bn during the quarter, with activity concentrated heavily in London.

High-net-worth family offices accounted for more than 60% of the capital deployed into these single asset transactions. The three largest transactions in the capital involved the sale of the St Giles Hotel, the Marriott Grosvenor Square and the Park Plaza London Waterloo.

Single asset hotels in London changed hands for an average price of £440k per room. It is thought that rising oil prices and economic uncertainty since the start of the Iran war have heightened concerns regarding cost inflation and interest rates.

Underwriting has become more stringent, which continues to influence asset pricing and deal structures outside London. Regional deal flow remains driven by portfolio break-ups and asset repositioning.

Two notable regional transactions during the quarter included the sale of non-core hotels linked to a £400m portfolio disposal by property firm Landsec. Outside the first quarter window, private capital continued to target prime leisure real estate.

The Cameron House resort at Loch Lomond changed hands for £100m, underlining sustained investor demand for high-quality destination assets. 

Further activity is expected at the budget end of the market as operators restructure portfolios. Hospitality group Whitbread is considering a sale and leaseback programme for its freehold hotel properties.

UK hotel RevPAR rises 4.8% in Q1 despite Middle East conflict

The recent performance of UK hotels, with a RevPAR increase of 4.8% in Q1 2026, marks a significant recovery from a stagnant 2025. This improvement parallels the struggles faced during the first quarter of 2019, when regional hotels saw a 2.8% decline in RevPAR, underscoring the volatility that can affect the sector. Key factors such as rising operational efficiencies and targeted marketing to a diverse range of domestic and international guests in 2026 have helped counterbalance external pressures, particularly the ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting travel from the Middle East.

Historical data reveals that in 2017, RevPAR was already experiencing pressures due to political uncertainties and rising operational costs. The Hotel Bulletin noted a slowdown in investor interest at a time when the sector faced stagnation. Today, however, investor confidence appears to be rekindling, possibly emboldened by stabilising average daily rates and operational strategies that allow for adaptability in challenging conditions. Areas such as Oxford and Edinburgh have experienced notable RevPAR gains, echoing previous trends of regional markets outperforming London during periods of sector recovery.

The focus on asset management and sustainable profitability is particularly pertinent as the UK hotel market moves forward; however, pressures such as heightened interest rates and inflation remain critical. Transaction volumes indicate a resilience with £1.1 billion transacted in Q1, primarily in single-asset deals in London. While the sector demonstrates adaptability amid market challenges, ongoing operational costs and geopolitical factors will continue to necessitate strategic adjustments for long-term viability.

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UK hoteliers have recorded a RevPAR growth of 4.8% across regional hotel properties and 1.9% in London during the first quarter of 2026, according to Knight Frank’s latest UK Hotel Dashboard.

According to the property firm, this performance marked a significant turnaround from the same period in 2025 when revenues growth remained flat and sector profits fell. Higher room rates and operational efficiencies helped businesses mitigate persistent cost pressures during the start of the year. 

Gross operating profits per available room increased by 0.5% in London and 8% across the regions. London operators successfully offset a reduction in visitors from the Middle East by targeting domestic, American and European travellers.

Average daily rates in the capital grew by 3.2%, though international travel uncertainty caused a 0.9% drop in occupancy. Regional performance was driven by strong room rate gains and steady occupancy levels.

Mature hotel markets in Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff all recorded RevPAR growth of more than 5%. Specialist golf and spa hotels outperformed the wider regional market with an 8% lift in RevPAR.

In the capital, upper-mid and upscale properties recorded a 2.3% increase, making it the only London segment to grow occupancy. Hotel investment volumes reached £1.1bn during the quarter, with activity concentrated heavily in London.

High-net-worth family offices accounted for more than 60% of the capital deployed into these single asset transactions. The three largest transactions in the capital involved the sale of the St Giles Hotel, the Marriott Grosvenor Square and the Park Plaza London Waterloo.

Single asset hotels in London changed hands for an average price of £440k per room. It is thought that rising oil prices and economic uncertainty since the start of the Iran war have heightened concerns regarding cost inflation and interest rates.

Underwriting has become more stringent, which continues to influence asset pricing and deal structures outside London. Regional deal flow remains driven by portfolio break-ups and asset repositioning.

Two notable regional transactions during the quarter included the sale of non-core hotels linked to a £400m portfolio disposal by property firm Landsec. Outside the first quarter window, private capital continued to target prime leisure real estate.

The Cameron House resort at Loch Lomond changed hands for £100m, underlining sustained investor demand for high-quality destination assets. 

Further activity is expected at the budget end of the market as operators restructure portfolios. Hospitality group Whitbread is considering a sale and leaseback programme for its freehold hotel properties.

UK hotel RevPAR rises 4.8% in Q1 despite Middle East conflict

The recent performance of UK hotels, with a RevPAR increase of 4.8% in Q1 2026, marks a significant recovery from a stagnant 2025. This improvement parallels the struggles faced during the first quarter of 2019, when regional hotels saw a 2.8% decline in RevPAR, underscoring the volatility that can affect the sector. Key factors such as rising operational efficiencies and targeted marketing to a diverse range of domestic and international guests in 2026 have helped counterbalance external pressures, particularly the ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting travel from the Middle East.

Historical data reveals that in 2017, RevPAR was already experiencing pressures due to political uncertainties and rising operational costs. The Hotel Bulletin noted a slowdown in investor interest at a time when the sector faced stagnation. Today, however, investor confidence appears to be rekindling, possibly emboldened by stabilising average daily rates and operational strategies that allow for adaptability in challenging conditions. Areas such as Oxford and Edinburgh have experienced notable RevPAR gains, echoing previous trends of regional markets outperforming London during periods of sector recovery.

The focus on asset management and sustainable profitability is particularly pertinent as the UK hotel market moves forward; however, pressures such as heightened interest rates and inflation remain critical. Transaction volumes indicate a resilience with £1.1 billion transacted in Q1, primarily in single-asset deals in London. While the sector demonstrates adaptability amid market challenges, ongoing operational costs and geopolitical factors will continue to necessitate strategic adjustments for long-term viability.

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The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making

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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution

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