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We start this episode by combining two big themes emerging from the first-quarter reporting season from the global hotel majors: the impact of the Iran conflict on trading patterns, and growing evidence that the industry’s long-running “two-speed” recovery may finally be broadening beyond luxury. We then move on to Kempinski’s highly unusual decision to acquire a hotel in Prague and what that says about the future direction of luxury hospitality models. And finally, we look at a cluster of recent European hotel transactions that suggest investors are increasingly diverging on where hotel value actually sits: in the real estate, the operations, the brand platform, or the income stream.

This episode we’re focusing on three defining themes shaping hotel real estate right now: geopolitical disruption, industry sentiment, and the structural reset in real estate investment. We start with Iran and what it means for investors, then move to sentiment from Berlin at IHIF, before finishing in Cannes with what Mipim tells us about where capital is heading.

In this episode of the Hotel Analyst podcast, we examine three structural themes shaping the global hotel investment landscape as the sector moves into 2026. First, we explore the rise of what many investors now view as the “fee flywheel”. The latest reporting from major listed hotel groups highlights how earnings growth is increasingly driven not by revpar alone, but by platform economics: system expansion, loyalty monetisation, ancillary revenues and disciplined capital returns. With revpar guidance remaining modest, the discussion focuses on how brands such as Marriott, Hilton and others are positioning themselves as scalable fee-driven platforms rather than cyclical real estate businesses — and what that means for owners and investors. The episode then turns to performance divergence between the US and Europe. In the US, a clear K-shaped pattern continues to emerge, with luxury and upper-upscale segments outperforming while select-service and midscale hotels face greater volatility. However, recent commentary suggests that Europe may be following a different trajectory. While luxury still leads the recovery, midscale and economy segments across key European markets are showing more resilience than their US counterparts. We discuss the structural factors that may explain this difference, including regulation of short-term rentals, market fragmentation and variations in demand composition. Finally, we examine what could become one of the defining financial dynamics of the European hotel sector: the widening divide between landlords and operators. With cost inflation resetting higher across wages, taxes and regulation, operators carrying significant fixed obligations are under increasing pressure when revpar growth is modest. Meanwhile, many property owners benefit from revenue-linked lease structures, long contractual durations and diversified portfolios that offer greater downside protection. The recent insolvency of a large European franchisee has brought this dynamic into sharper focus. Across these three stories, the episode looks beyond short-term trading to analyse the structural forces shaping hotel profitability, investment returns and competitive dynamics in the years ahead.

In this episode, we take a look at the deal market, particularly reflecting on the EHIC conference; we discuss the UK’s budget and its impact on hotels; and we finish with a look at Trump’s latest visa rules.

This episode is mostly about the third quarter results of the listed hotel companies. But we also touch on a few things sustainable, reporting on the UK Hospitality Sustainability Seminar held last month and we also offer a view on the current state of the energy transition and how it impacts hotels.

This episode is all about real estate. We start off with a report from the Annual Hospitality Conference in Manchester, which starts with an assessment of the transactions market; then we talk takeovers and why there has been a rise in public to private; and our third item is all about what the real estate investment universe will look like in 2040.

This episode discusses one of the hottest topics in hotel marketing, the subscription model; plus we’ll be taking a look at the latest brand launch from Oyo; and weighing up what Airbnb’s hotel distribution push means for the sector.

We talk about the exclusive new club of hotel companies that make a billion dollar profit every quarter – spoiler alert, there are just two; we will also be talking about Accor and IHG, looking at why Accor continues to disappoint with regard to its share price; and we’ll finish up with a chat about how hospitality is being over taxed and why, in the UK at least, VAT is going to stay at the high level its currently at.

We talk about Airbnb’s efforts to deflect blame from overtourism onto the hotel sector; we take a look at how hotel brands are choosing marketing partnerships over big advertising campaigns; and we finish with the issue of collection brands, in particular the latest from Marriott and Hyatt.

In this episode, we talk about how hospitality can help drive regeneration, the latest action in the hostel market, and what Airbnb and short-term rentals are up to.

This episode is a wrap of Q1 results, with a focus on Intercontinental Hotels Group and how much of an impact US exposure and Revpar guidance revision has had on share prices; we take a look at the under-discussed global giant Jin Jiang; and examine the latest data on the European accommodation sector from the European Travel Commission.

Third party 2.0: The acquisition of citizenM is the lead story this episode, the first with our mystery new host. You can also hear about Essendi, formerly known as AccorInvest, and the luxury plays of Hilton and Hyatt.

Using tech does not make a company a tech company. Otherwise, all companies would be in the technology sector. Alongside chatting about tech enablement in the hotel industry, we discuss real estate investment trusts and the Millwall of the hotel sector, Britannia.

Trump’s tariffs - and the threat of tariffs - are already causing international havoc. What will be the impact on the hotel sector, and on international travel? Banks are back lending, with more finance available for hotel investors. And Accor signs a new partnership in India, as it looks to exploit the country’s booming hotel and travel marketplace.

A bumper Berlin conference special, covering tariffs, Trump and tantrums. A fast-shifting series of threats around tariffs has already played havoc with stock markets, what will it mean for travel and hospitality? Hotel professionals in Berlin wonder what's coming next, as they enjoy a relatively strong performance still, across Europe. Will we see more publicly listed vehicles taken out by private equity? And alternative living formats are making their way onto the mainstream agenda.