Europe’s hotel development pipeline continued expanding during the first quarter of 2026, with more than 1,700 projects currently planned or under construction across the region.

According to the latest Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics, Europe’s total hotel pipeline reached 1,731 projects comprising 255,354 rooms at the close of the quarter.

The figures represent year-on-year growth of 3% in both projects and room counts.

Early Planning Activity Reaches Record Levels

Projects already under construction totalled 792 developments with 119,106 rooms, also increasing by 3% compared with the same period last year.

An additional 335 projects with 50,120 rooms are expected to begin construction within the next 12 months.

The strongest growth was recorded in the early planning stage, which reached a record high of 604 projects and 86,128 rooms.

That segment increased by 14% in project numbers and 16% in room totals year-on-year.

Upscale And Luxury Segments Continue Expanding

The upscale hotel category led Europe’s development pipeline with 389 projects and 60,855 rooms.

The upper midscale segment followed with 311 projects and 44,157 rooms.

The upper upscale segment reached a record-high room count with 297 projects and 48,479 rooms.

Luxury hotels also hit record levels, standing at 179 projects and 21,729 rooms across the region.

United Kingdom Leads European Markets

The United Kingdom remained Europe’s largest hotel development market with 268 projects and 39,024 rooms in the pipeline.

Turkey followed with a record-high 157 projects and 21,274 rooms.

Germany ranked third with 144 projects and 24,923 rooms, ahead of France and Portugal.

Together, the five largest markets account for nearly half of all hotel development activity across Europe.

London Remains Europe’s Top Hotel Development City

London continued holding the region’s largest city pipeline with 72 projects and 12,813 rooms planned or under construction.

Istanbul followed with 47 projects, while Lisbon reached a record-high 39 projects.

Tashkent and Hamburg also ranked among Europe’s fastest-growing hotel development cities.

Edinburgh additionally reached record highs for both projects and room totals during the quarter.

More Than 300 Hotels Expected To Open In 2026

Europe opened 259 new hotels with 31,038 rooms during 2025.

During the first quarter of 2026, another 38 hotels opened across the region.

Lodging Econometrics forecasts that a total of 319 new hotels with more than 44,000 rooms will open across Europe by the end of 2026.

The consultancy also expects a further 311 hotels to open during 2027.