Press Release · Investment Reports
The Hybrid Hospitality Pivot: Why Hotel Residences Are Taking Over Global Hubs in 2026
Aqariyo names the top 20 cities where branded hotel residences are redefining luxury living — with Dubai, Miami, New York, London and Singapore leading a market now large enough to move the global hospitality Price Index.
DUBAI · 20 July 2026 · Aqariyo Editorial
The story
A new wave of hybrid hospitality is reshaping the global real estate landscape. According to research published today by Aqariyo, the property intelligence platform, branded hotel residences are surging across the world's most dynamic cities — with Dubai, Miami, London, New York and Singapore leading the charge into 2026.
Aqariyo identifies three primary growth drivers behind the hotel-residence boom: (1) surging demand from global nomads and ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking turnkey luxury with hotel-grade services; (2) developers partnering with marquee hospitality brands to command premium pricing and faster sell-through; and (3) institutional investors drawn to the asset class's resilient yields and built-in operational expertise.
"Hotel residences succeed because they deliver relationship-based hospitality — not just a unit with a concierge desk, but a genuine ecosystem of care, community, and curated lifestyle. That emotional layer is what separates this asset class from traditional luxury apartments."
— Aqariyo Research Team
Looking ahead, Aqariyo expects the hotel-residence pipeline to accelerate through the remainder of 2026 and beyond, with new branded launches announced across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Southern Europe. The platform forecasts that by 2028, branded residences will account for more than 15 percent of prime new-build inventory in the top 20 cities identified below.
Top 20 cities — hotel residence revenue (2026)
Estimated annual revenue attributable to branded hotel residences, compared with the balance of the city's hospitality market. Figures are Aqariyo research estimates in USD.
| # | City | Country | Residence Revenue | Other Hospitality | Total | Residence Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai | UAE | ~$2.8B | ~$12–14B | ~$15–17B | ~18% |
| 2 | Miami | USA | ~$1.4B | ~$10–11B | ~$11–12B | ~12% |
| 3 | New York | USA | ~$1.2B | ~$15–16B | ~$16–17B | ~7% |
| 4 | London | UK | ~$1.0B | ~$13–14B | ~$14–15B | ~7% |
| 5 | São Paulo | Brazil | ~$750M | ~$6–7B | ~$7–8B | ~10% |
| 6 | Cairo | Egypt | ~$700M | ~$5–6B | ~$6–7B | ~11% |
| 7 | Bangkok | Thailand | ~$650M | ~$5–6B | ~$6–7B | ~10% |
| 8 | Los Angeles | USA | ~$600M | ~$9–10B | ~$10B+ | ~6% |
| 9 | Abu Dhabi | UAE | ~$550M | ~$4–5B | ~$5B+ | ~11% |
| 10 | Phuket | Thailand | ~$500M | ~$4–5B | ~$5B | ~10% |
| 11 | Da Nang | Vietnam | ~$450M | ~$3–4B | ~$4B+ | ~11% |
| 12 | Doha | Qatar | ~$400M | ~$2.5–3B | ~$3B+ | ~13% |
| 13 | Paris | France | ~$380M | ~$12–13B | ~$13B+ | ~3% |
| 14 | Singapore | Singapore | ~$360M | ~$8–9B | ~$9B+ | ~4% |
| 15 | Hong Kong | China (SAR) | ~$340M | ~$9–10B | ~$10B+ | ~3% |
| 16 | Toronto | Canada | ~$320M | ~$7–8B | ~$8B+ | ~4% |
| 17 | Istanbul | Turkey | ~$300M | ~$6–7B | ~$7B+ | ~4% |
| 18 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | ~$280M | ~$5–6B | ~$6B+ | ~5% |
| 19 | Madrid | Spain | ~$260M | ~$7–8B | ~$8B+ | ~3% |
| 20 | Sydney† | Australia | ~$240M | ~$8–9B | ~$8–9B+ | ~3% |
† Aqariyo model estimate. Source: Aqariyo Research, July 2026.
What it means for investors
For the readers who follow our Monthly Market Reports and Price Index, the takeaway is that branded residences have moved from a niche product to a material share of prime supply. Gulf and Southeast Asian cities dominate on share, while US and European gateway cities dominate on absolute revenue. Our ROI Calculator shows branded units continue to carry a 25–40% price premium versus comparable non-branded stock, offset by higher operating costs and stronger occupancy — a spread that has held up through the 2025–2026 cycle.
Related Aqariyo insights
- Hotel Apartments vs. Long-Term Rentals — cost, flexibility and the Rental Trends behind the shift.
- Why Hotel Apartments Win on Lifestyle — the amenity bundle that private leases can't match.
- Who Should Choose a Hotel Apartment? — traveller personas and neighbourhood-guide fit.
About Aqariyo
Aqariyo is a global property intelligence platform that empowers buyers, investors and developers with data-driven insights into luxury real estate and branded residences. Through proprietary analytics and on-the-ground research, Aqariyo delivers clarity in the world's most competitive property markets.
Learn more at www.aqariyo.com.
Media contact
Aqariyo Press Office · press@aqariyo.com
Journalists and analysts are welcome to cite this release with attribution to Aqariyo and a link to https://aqariyo.com/insights/hotel-residences-top-20-cities-2026.