Introduction
2026 is one of the most active years for hotel renovation activity in over a decade. Several forces have converged to make it happen:
- Years of deferred maintenance carried over from the pandemic era
- Brand PIP (Property Improvement Plan) deadlines that can no longer be pushed
- Rising average daily rates that finally make large capital investments pencil out
- Traveler expectations that have climbed sharply since 2019
Lodging Econometrics reported 621 U.S. hotel renovation projects covering 129,647 rooms as of Q4 2025 — and that pipeline continues to grow heading into 2026. The projects range from full propertywide overhauls running into the hundreds of millions of dollars to targeted soft-goods refreshes, phased floor-by-floor upgrades, and brand-driven repositionings.
That volume of active work means owners, developers, and designers need a clear picture of where the industry is moving. This article covers 45 notable hotel renovations underway or completing in 2026, organized by region — West, South, Northeast and Midwest, and International — followed by the FF&E design trends and cost realities shaping the work.
Key Takeaways
- 621 U.S. renovation projects were tracked at Q4 2025, spanning over 129,000 rooms across every hotel segment
- Projects span every tier — from the Waldorf Astoria New York to mid-market convention centers
- Top design investments: locally inspired FF&E, wellness amenities, upgraded F&B, and flexible event spaces
- Per-room renovation costs range from $8,000–$15,000 (economy) to $100,000–$150,000+ (luxury)
- Phased construction schedules keep properties open and revenue-generating throughout renovation
U.S. Hotel Renovations in 2026: West & Southwest
The Western U.S. hosts some of the most complex renovation projects of 2026, from major San Diego convention hotels to iconic Hawaiian beachfront resorts.
California
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is the anchor project for the region. The phased propertywide renovation runs from early 2025 through Winter 2026, touching all 1,628 guestrooms and suites, more than 320,000 square feet of event space, multiple dining outlets, and two rooftop pool decks.
The Seaport Tower rooms and adults-only pool were among the first phases to complete. The Harbor Tower is expected Summer 2026, with the family pool following in Winter 2026. For meeting planners, the Harbor and Seaport Ballroom renovations are the headline deliverable.
Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara completed its transformation with a design approach rooted in organic textures, natural materials, and a coastal palette — a direction that reflects the locally influenced aesthetic appearing across high-end 2026 renovations.
Hilton Anaheim wrapped a multimillion-dollar full-property renovation covering its 1,574 rooms and 105,959 square feet of meeting space in October 2025, with new dining concepts and outdoor amenities completing the transformation.
Hawaii & Other Western States
Moana Surfrider, Waikiki Beach is one of 2026's most symbolically significant projects. The multimillion-dollar phased revitalization covers all 791 guestrooms across the Tower, Banyan, and Diamond wings, a new oceanfront event venue accommodating 150 for seated dinners or 200 for receptions, and a refreshed historic lobby — timed to the resort's 125th anniversary as Waikiki's First Lady in 2026.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel unveiled a $240 million renovation in February 2026, covering its 252 rooms, a redesigned 2,500-square-foot fitness center, and a reconfigured golf course.
Three additional Southwest properties round out the region's 2026 activity:
| Property | Scope | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock | 221 rooms, 50,000 sq ft event space, 15,324 sq ft event lawn | Completed April 2026 |
| JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa | 575 rooms, 40,000 sq ft indoor event space | In progress |
| JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn | Spa renovation — 20 treatment rooms, wellness studio | Completed February 2026 ($25M) |
U.S. Hotel Renovations in 2026: South & Southeast
Florida and Tennessee lead the South in renovation volume, driven by booming leisure demand, convention growth, and several landmark resort reinvestments.
Florida
Saddlebrook Resort near Tampa completed a $92 million transformation debuting in late 2025, encompassing 451 redesigned guestrooms and suites, reimagined dining, refreshed meeting spaces, a renovated lobby, pool areas, and a golf course refresh.
The Diplomat Beach Resort / Signia by Hilton in Hollywood evolved into Signia by Hilton in May 2026 following substantial upgrades to its 1,000-room hotel tower, lobby, dining concepts, spa, and oceanfront conference center.
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs completed function venue and meeting space renovations in Fall 2025, following prior phases that refreshed its 462 guestrooms, lobby, restaurants, and pool areas.
Sirata Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach joined the Hilton portfolio as a Tapestry Collection property following a $25 million renovation completed in 2026.
Royal Palm South Beach Miami is targeting a Summer 2026 reopening after a $110 million renovation, repositioning the property as a luxury beachfront destination.
Tennessee, Texas & Georgia
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville is in the middle of a $131 million expansion that will add 108,000 square feet of conference space, including a 31,000-square-foot ballroom, bringing the total to approximately 756,000 square feet at Spring 2027 completion. That puts 2026 squarely in the middle of active construction.
Hyatt Regency Austin is renovating 448 guestrooms and suites, corridors, meeting facilities, and public spaces in a major overhaul of one of Austin's premier full-service convention properties.
Memphis Riverline Hotel (formerly Sheraton Memphis Downtown) launched a rebrand and phased remodel in 2026, with renovations continuing through 2029 while the hotel remains operational.
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin — with 85,000 square feet of meeting space — is in the process of modernizing its conference facilities as Austin prepares for World Cup 2026 and sustained convention growth.
U.S. Hotel Renovations in 2026: Northeast & Midwest
Historic properties and convention-category hotels dominate the Northeast and Midwest renovation wave, with several multi-year capital programs reaching major milestones.
New York & Mid-Atlantic
Waldorf Astoria New York debuted its historic restoration in Summer 2025 following an eight-year transformation. Waldorf Astoria New York debuted its historic restoration in Summer 2025 following an eight-year transformation that reduced the property from 1,400 rooms to 375 hotel keys and 372 private residences. The project created 43,000 square feet of reimagined event space, including the restored Grand Ballroom, with wellness and dining amenities continuing to open through 2026.
Plaza Athenee Nobu Hotel and Spa New York is scheduled for a Q4 2026 opening following Nobu's transformation of the heritage building into a 145-key hotel with spa and wellness facilities.
New England & Midwest
Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire is undergoing a propertywide renovation targeting its 200 Historic Wing guestrooms, the Great Hall, spa, public spaces, and meeting venues — with a Summer 2026 completion.
Hilton Milwaukee completed a $42 million renovation in December 2025 — the largest in Marcus Hotels & Resorts history — covering its 554 guestrooms, lobby and bar, and 34,000 square feet of meeting venues.
Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan, Minnesota completed a $7 million expansion and renovation in Spring 2026, encompassing its 320 rooms and 45,000 square feet of event space.
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, Massachusetts completed a $12 million multi-year renovation of its 113 guestrooms, villas, and cottages ahead of its 2025 centennial celebration.
International Hotel Renovations in 2026
The 2026 renovation wave extends well beyond U.S. borders, with major projects across Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, and Europe reflecting a global commitment to hospitality asset reinvestment.
Asia-Pacific
- Hilton Tokyo — multimillion-dollar phased renovation of meeting and event spaces, including the fourth-floor Kiku Ballroom (capacity: 1,000 guests) and adjacent prefunction areas. New AV systems and flexible partitions follow the completed 26,900 sq ft third-floor upgrade.
- Grand Hyatt Singapore — reopened in 2025 after a multi-year transformation of its 699-room property, repositioned around a "Grand Living Room and Wellness Haven" concept, reflecting wellness as a core design driver across Asia-Pacific luxury.
- Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort (Thailand) — guestroom upgrades running April through August 2026.
Caribbean & Beyond
- Sandals Jamaica portfolio — the most ambitious Caribbean renovation program of 2026, with a $200 million investment across three Jamaica resorts. Scope includes new accommodations, dining venues, guest amenities, and the rebranding of Sandals Royal Caribbean.
- Atlantis Paradise Island (Bahamas) — spa-related renovation activity advancing across this 3,400-room, 500,000-square-foot event property as part of ongoing capital reinvestment.
- Orient Express Venezia (Europe) — an eight-year restoration of a historic Venetian palace, nearing completion as a landmark luxury hotel.
Key Design & FF&E Trends Shaping 2026 Hotel Renovations
Across these 45+ projects, several design priorities appear consistently — regardless of property tier or geography.
What's Defining the 2026 Aesthetic
- Locally inspired FF&E — custom artwork, regional materials, and culturally grounded palettes (the Ritz-Carlton Bacara's coastal organic textures, the Moana Surfrider's local artwork program, the Hilton Anaheim's tree-inspired lobby)
- Wellness expansion — dedicated spa renovations, fitness center upgrades, outdoor wellness lawns, and meditation spaces (Mauna Kea's new fitness center, JW Marriott Scottsdale's $25M spa, Grand Hyatt Singapore's wellness repositioning)
- Upgraded F&B concepts — dated restaurants replaced with destination dining (Saddlebrook, the Diplomat Beach Resort's culinary overhaul)
- Multi-functional event spaces — flexible partitions, upgraded AV, and designs that serve both large conventions and intimate gatherings (Hilton Tokyo, Gaylord Opryland)
FF&E: Where Renovations Succeed or Fail
FF&E selection is the single most consequential decision in any renovation. Get the architecture right but specify the wrong beds, wear-prone textiles, or off-spec lighting, and guests will notice before they even unpack.
That's where firms like Source Bay Procurement Partners add measurable value. Source Bay translates design intent into sourced, delivered product — drawing on a global manufacturer network that includes Serta for commercial sleep solutions, Schumacher and Fabricut for textiles and wallcoverings, Remington Lighting for custom fixtures, and Blue Leaf Hospitality for case goods and upholstered furniture. Their four-phase process (Discovery, Sourcing, Logistics, Installation) is built specifically for phased hotel renovations, where sequenced delivery timing matters as much as product selection.
Smart Technology as a Growing FF&E Consideration
Technology has become a standard line item in 2026 renovation budgets. J.D. Power's 2025 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction study links in-room amenities like smart TVs and room-temperature controls to measurable satisfaction gains. Properties are incorporating smart lighting, keyless entry, voice-controlled room settings, and advanced AV in event spaces. For procurement teams, that means sourcing integrated tech systems and traditional FF&E under a single, coordinated scope — not as separate workstreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to refurbish a hotel room?
Per-room renovation costs vary significantly by segment: economy properties typically run $8,000–$15,000 per room, midscale $20,000–$40,000, upscale $50,000–$90,000, and luxury $100,000–$150,000 or more. The primary variable is scope — a soft-goods refresh costs far less than a full gut renovation with new plumbing, millwork, and FF&E.
What are the hotel room trends for 2026?
The dominant 2026 design themes are locally inspired FF&E and custom art, wellness-forward amenities, destination-quality F&B, flexible multi-use spaces, and smart technology integration. Properties are moving away from generic brand-standard rooms toward environments with a distinct sense of place.
What is the 30% rule for renovations?
The 30% rule is a general guideline suggesting renovation costs should not exceed approximately 30% of a property's current market value. It helps hotel owners decide between renovation and new construction: if costs approach or exceed that threshold, a ground-up build may be the sounder investment.
How long does a hotel renovation typically take?
Timelines range from a few months for targeted soft-goods refreshes to two to four years for full propertywide transformations. Most large-scale projects, like the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego's 2025–2026 program, use phased schedules to keep the property open and earning throughout construction.
What areas of a hotel should be renovated first?
Guest rooms and bathrooms have the most direct impact on satisfaction scores and online reviews. Lobbies and F&B outlets are high-visibility first-impression spaces that influence booking decisions. Most renovation strategies prioritize these public-facing and revenue-generating areas before back-of-house or secondary amenity spaces.
How do hotels stay open during renovations?
Phased schedules (floor-by-floor or wing-by-wing) allow most hotels to maintain operations throughout construction. Advance room blocking through property management systems and proactive guest communication keep the experience intact. The Moana Surfrider and Manchester Grand Hyatt are both executing exactly this approach in 2026.
