The Manhattan market has been experiencing a prolonged post-pandemic occupancy recovery, despite strong ADR gains. Although legislative and supply changes should bolster this recovery, recent geopolitical factors and the tariffs and policy changes enacted by the new federal administration are expected to affect short-term hotel market trends. Our current demand forecast shows a full recovery beyond 2019 levels by 2027/28.
The 2025 Boutique Hotel Investment Conference by BLLA brought together hotel owners, investors, developers, advisors, and brands with a focus on independent, boutique, and lifestyle hospitality. This year’s panels and conversation centered around operational efficiency driving owner’s profitability and the renewed appetite for thoughtful, experience-driven hotel and F&B concepts. This article discusses our key takeaways from the conference.
Decisions at the federal level, such as import tariffs, are affecting global markets, and cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are having impacts across the nation. These policies are also significantly affecting hotels in Washington, D.C., the market located at the heart of the federal government.
Post-COVID macroeconomic shifts have revived hotel demand in smaller cities, but these markets can be overlooked by hotel developers, especially amid rising costs. Market and feasibility studies are essential tools for aligning local development goals with investor interests.
The Sarasota market is no longer just a snowbird destination in the winter months. Instead, the area is now thriving as a year-round destination, as evidenced by the area’s rising tourist tax collections, expanding demand centers including athletic facilities, and numerous development projects in the market’s pipeline.
The Texas Hill Country has been undergoing a remarkable transformation since 2021. Once celebrated for its rustic inns and German heritage, the region is now emerging as a premier destination for rural luxury escapes, fueled by a wave of high-end investments, wellness-focused brands, and experience-driven developments.
The Newark Airport hotel market has faced significant adjustments since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes to the submarket’s hotel supply, coupled with the rebound in passenger levels through Newark Airport, have resulted in a slow but steady recovery of the hotel market. Recent and upcoming expansion projects at Newark Airport support a positive outlook.
The Baton Rouge lodging market is stabilizing after several years of mixed performance. Record-high ADR and demand tied to industrial projects are helping to balance ongoing occupancy challenges and longstanding supply pressures. Future demand growth will depend on correcting the hotel and event supply issues.
Albuquerque is experiencing dynamic growth, as its rich cultural history is blended with modern developments, such as airport upgrades and hotel openings or renovations. These factors are helping to reshape the local hospitality market.
In Focus: Singapore provides an overview of Singapore's tourism landscape and hotel market performance, infrastructure developments, hotel transactions and investments in 2024, an in-focus topic on MICE and the entertainment tourism industry, as well as an outlook.