America’s inns can’t keep their rooms empty. Since Labor Day, they’ve bought 7.5 million more room nights than in the same weeks last yr. That’s the largest six-week soar in lodge demand since 2011 outside the pandemic restoration, according to STR knowledge printed by CoStar.
So who’s reserving? Mainly conventions and business teams. Chicago led main markets with a 39.7% soar in income per obtainable room during the week of Oct. 18-24, fueled by PACK EXPO at McCormick Place. Las Vegas rose 25.8% on the back of the FABTECH commerce show, and New York City hit 93.6% occupancy, its highest since 2024, thanks to overlapping conferences, occasions and leisure journey.
Luxury and upper-upscale inns posted a mixed 13.4% gain. Economy properties, a section that consists of Super 8 and Days Inn, were the only class to miss double digits, at 8.8%.
If the pattern holds, STR says 2026 will probably be the greatest yr for U.S. lodge demand on file. That’s excellent news for manufacturers like Hampton by Hilton, the No. 1 lodging franchise on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for 17 straight years.