The global hotel construction pipeline reached a record high at the end of 2025, with significant growth in luxury and upper upscale segments, and the United States and China leading global project counts, according to a new report from Lodging Econometrics.
The Q4 2025 Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE) indicates that the worldwide hotel construction pipeline reached its highest level ever, with 15,922 projects totaling 2,437,354 rooms. This represents a 1% increase in the number of projects compared to the previous year.
Of these, 6,140 projects (1,058,945 rooms) are currently under construction. Another 3,845 projects (553,140 rooms) are scheduled to begin construction within the next 12 months, marking a 3% year-over-year increase in room count. Projects in the early planning stage also hit record levels, with 5,937 projects (825,269 rooms), reflecting a 4% increase in projects and a 3% increase in rooms compared to last year.
Growth by Chain Scale
The report highlights significant growth in the luxury and upper upscale hotel segments. The luxury chain scale reached a record high, with 1,328 projects (252,544 rooms), up 8% in project count and 4% in rooms year over year. The upper upscale chain scale also set new records, with 1,883 projects (391,391 rooms), up 9% in projects and 4% in rooms.
The upscale and upper midscale segments together account for the largest share of projects, with 8,358 projects (1,227,133 rooms), representing a 1% increase in both projects and rooms compared to the previous year.
Regional and Country Highlights
The United States continues to lead globally, with 6,146 projects (720,089 rooms), representing 39% of the total global pipeline. China follows with 3,608 projects (644,938 rooms), accounting for 23%. Together, these two countries make up 62% of all projects in the global pipeline.
Other countries showing notable growth include India, which reached a record 906 projects (118,334 rooms), up 31% in projects and 35% in rooms year-over-year. Saudi Arabia also achieved record levels, with 394 projects (106,521 rooms), a 25% increase in projects and a 28% increase in rooms.
City-Level Activity
At the city level, Dallas leads with 193 projects (23,720 rooms), followed by Atlanta with 159 projects (17,804 rooms). Internationally, Chengdu ranks third with 136 projects (24,216 rooms), followed by Guangzhou with 126 projects (25,329 rooms), and Phoenix with 124 projects (16,303 rooms).
Conversions and Renovations
Globally, the number of hotel conversion projects reached a record high, with 2,815 projects (341,006 rooms), up 13% in projects and 14% in rooms compared to last year. When combined with renovations, the total reached 3,777 projects (540,459 rooms), reflecting a 9% increase in projects and a 10% increase in rooms.
Regional Pipeline Growth
The Asia Pacific region, excluding China, achieved a record with 2,323 projects (433,241 rooms), up 11% in projects and 5% in rooms. The Middle East also saw growth, with 710 projects (176,402 rooms), up 15% in projects and 13% in rooms. Africa reached 312 projects (47,395 rooms), an 11% increase in projects and a 9% increase in rooms.
Hotel Openings and Forecast
In 2025, 2,371 new hotels opened worldwide, adding 325,985 rooms. Lodging Econometrics forecasts that 2,617 new hotels (389,175 rooms) will open in 2026, followed by 2,630 hotels (384,955 rooms) in 2027.
