Last Week Saw Slight Year-Over-Year Declines in U.S. Hotel Occupancy and Revenue, Offset by Event-Driven Gains :: Hospitality Trends

• U.S. hotel occupancy and revenue declined slightly year-over-year, but major events drove gains in select markets.
• Miami and Minneapolis outperformed, while Washington, D.C. saw steep declines due to tough comparisons with last year’s inauguration.

The U.S. hotel industry experienced a modest downturn in performance for the week ending January 24, 2026, according to new data from CoStar. Nationally, hotels saw a slight drop in key metrics compared to the same period last year, signaling ongoing challenges in the travel sector.

National Performance Down Slightly

Occupancy rates across the country slipped to 53.9%, a 0.9% decrease from the previous year. The average daily rate (ADR) also dipped by 1.0% to $152.64, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 1.8% to $82.24. These declines suggest that, despite some recovery in travel, the hotel industry is still grappling with fluctuating demand and competitive pricing.

Event-Driven Surges in Select Markets

Despite the overall slowdown, some cities bucked the trend thanks to major events. Minneapolis recorded the largest increase in occupancy, jumping 17.1% to 55.6%, and saw a 26.6% surge in RevPAR, reaching $71.27. Miami enjoyed the highest ADR growth, up 16.1% to $297.46, largely due to the influx of visitors for the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Washington, D.C. Faces Steep Declines

Conversely, Washington, D.C. experienced the sharpest drops among major markets. The city’s ADR plummeted by 46.6% to $152.98, and RevPAR tumbled 53.9% to $78.55. These figures reflect a difficult comparison with the previous year, when the city hosted the Presidential Inauguration, a major event that significantly boosted hotel performance.

Industry Outlook

While national figures remain subdued, the data highlights the continued importance of major events and local factors in driving hotel demand. As the industry looks ahead, hoteliers and travel professionals will be watching for more signs of sustained recovery—and the potential for big events to deliver much-needed boosts in key markets.