Hospitality
Hospitality Market Guide: Types, Trends & Business Opportunities
The purpose of this guide to hospitality is to serve buyers and sellers of goods and services in the hospitality industry. Biscred, in short, is a web-based tool that helps businesses find and connect with each other.
Who This CRE Hospitality Guide Is For
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Hotel businesses suppliers
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Commercial real estate service providers
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Hotel sales & marketing managers
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Hospitality industry procurement teams
What This CRE Guide to Hospitality Covers
This guide to commercial real estate in the hospitality sector addresses the following questions:
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What are the types of hospitality buildings?
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What are the trends in the hospitality market?
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What is unique about hospitality construction and building design?
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Who are the major players?
What Are the Types Of Properties In The Hospitality Industry?
Within commercial real estate, hospitality typically refers to assets that provide people with entertainment or leisure, whether they are staying at a resort for vacation, working remotely from a hotel, or playing games at a casino. The industry is centered around enhancing the customer experience and providing amenities that entertain and enthrall guests.
Over the years, hotels and resorts have made changes to align with customers’ expectations. For instance, while having WiFi in every room was once seen as an amenity, it is now a standard feature that guests expect. The amenities offered may vary depending on the specific hotel and resort, as well as its star rating.
This guide covers the following aspects of the hospitality industry:
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Hotels, including boutique hotels, one-to-five-star hotels, luxury hotels
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Resorts, including small resorts, beach resorts, recreation resorts (golf, dude ranches), all-inclusive resorts
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Casinos, including casino resorts, small casinos, mega-casino resorts, slots-only casinos
What Are The Classifications Of Hotels?
According to Hotel Nuggets, hotel rooms in the U.S. average 325 square feet. Deluxe rooms range from 400 to 600 feet, suites range greatly from 430 square feet to 4,000 square feet for penthouse-type suites.
Hotels are classified by the type of amenities they offer, their quality of service and how much the hotel rooms cost per night, all of which is indicated in a star system. Hotels are rated one to five stars, with one-star hotels having the fewest amenities and five-star hotels consisting of amenities that create a luxury experience.
What do hotel star ratings mean?
Hotel star ratings don’t refer to the quality of the property; they refer to the amenities. The following are definitions of star ratings with examples of the amenities they may offer.
Five-Star Hotels
Five-star hotels are considered the most luxurious hotel option. They focus on providing a personalized service that caters to guests’ needs through varying aspects of their stay. Five-star hotels feature high-class and unique dining and entertainment experiences.
Examples: Ritz-Carlton in New York and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.
Four-Star Hotels
Four-star hotels offer facets needed for a high-quality stay, including a special emphasis on decor and furniture details that enhance comfort. Four-star hotels include amenities like a concierge and valet parking assistance, a gym, a spa and more than one pool and restaurant within the hotel.
Examples: The Mirage and MGM hotels in Las Vegas.
Three-Star Hotels
The three-star hotel focuses on providing a satisfactory stay and includes amenities such as a gym, restaurant and room service inside the property.
Examples: Courtyard by Marriott in Chicago and Hilton Garden Inn in New York.
Two-Star Hotels
A two-star hotel mainly offers basic room necessities, with a few amenities outside the room, such as an on-site restaurant.
Examples: Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn & Suites locations throughout the U.S.
One-Star Hotels and Motels
This type of basic hotel or motel offers just the basics in the hotel room, with few or no extra amenities on-site.
Examples: Motel 6, Super 8 and Econo Lodge hotels throughout the U.S.
What Does The Hotel Ownership Structure Look Like?
Hotels have a unique ownership and operating structure, with multiple players that may perform different roles in the hotel’s appearance and management. Sometimes a single hotel can have four parties involved: a landowner, a building owner, a property manager, and a flag. A flag is the brand affiliation, as in Marriott, Hyatt or Sheraton.
While the building owner can oversee the ownership and operation of the hotel, in the case of hotel chains, the owner may be in charge of the hotel without having involvement in the day-to-day operations. In these cases, a building owner may hire a property manager or a management company to handle maintenance and day-to-day operations. If a hotel owner hires a management company, the owner will still own the land and property, and the management company carries out the responsibilities.
Additionally, when the hotel owner owns the flag to the hotel, it means that the hotel is affiliated with the brand.
Independent Hotels
An independent hotel is owned and operated by one or more owners who tend to be more hands-on with running and maintaining the hotel on a daily basis. In this type of hotel, there is a strong emphasis on personalization and creating a unique and memorable experience for guests. Examples of independent hotels include The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore and The Betsy Hotel in Miami.
Chain Hotels
Chain hotels, on the other hand, are part of a conglomerate of hotels under the umbrella of one company. Marriott International is a hospitality company that has more than 9,600 hotels globally within its 37 brands, which include Fairfield at Marriott, Westin and Aloft.
The companies have flags, such as Marriott, Hilton and Holiday Inn, which maintain a set of standards and are franchised out to owners, or franchisees, who are responsible for carrying out the standards and ensuring consistency. When a hotel is franchised, the brand and the owner enter an arrangement in which the owner pays a fee to be affiliated with the brand and utilize its trademarks.
Resorts
Resorts offer lodging as well as amenities that are often found in hotels, such as restaurants, fitness centers and spas. Guests who stay at a hotel, however, may need to travel outside the hotel to access a wider range of entertainment options, while resorts offer many of these options on-site. Some of these offerings may include golf courses, several pools, direct beach access or even an amusement park. All-inclusive resorts provide an all-encompassing travel experience with prepaid packages. The package level differentiates the experiences offered.
When building a resort, site selection is key. Resorts are intentionally positioned in locations that would attract out-of-towners and are adjacent to aspects of nature, such as a beach or mountain. The location will also determine what resort activities tourists can expect to find.
Casinos
Casinos are spaces for gambling that are either independent of lodging and dining options or combined. Aside from gambling, they may also be used as entertainment spaces for live music, comedy shows and dance events.
To keep players absorbed in the setting, casinos incorporate a mixture of bright light, color and loud noise, and they shut out natural light from outdoors. The floor plan includes slot machines grouped together, within eyesight of game tables to draw players deeper within the casino.
WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, is the largest casino in the U.S., comprising more than 600,000 SF (Casino.org).
What Are The Features Of Hotel And Resort Construction And Design?
While the first part of building a hotel is coming up with a concept and finding the right location, the second step is acquiring the materials and mapping out the construction schedule. The construction process on a hotel or resort can take up to three years to complete.
Many resorts and hotels are built using precast concrete, which is a type of concrete that is produced in a facility separate from the construction site. There, construction crews can shape the concrete to fit the desired design. Because of its durable properties and its ability to hold up against unpredictable weather, it is the most ideal concrete to use for sizable buildings with multiple floors and rooms.
Additionally, many hotels have been built using modular construction, a technique in which the parts of the hotel are built at an off-site facility at the same time as the foundation is being built. These parts will later be attached atop the foundation. This method may be preferred to save time and cut back on how many laborers are needed for the project.
Resorts can also be constructed using a variety of building materials, from stone to bamboo. However, construction crews should factor in the climate and how the weather can impact the build.
Hospitality spaces are often designed with the customer in mind and incorporate elements that enhance the experience. These aspects include:
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Lobbies with ample space and comfortable furniture for guests waiting to check in or out
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Smart technology for temperature control in hotel rooms
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Spas and hotel bathrooms designed with relaxation in mind
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Decor that incorporates colors that evoke positive emotions
What Are Future Trends In The Hospitality Market?
Remote Work Accommodations
With employers embracing hybrid and remote work, employees may choose to work in a variety of destinations, including hotels. As a result, hospitality owners have been building spaces to accommodate the new work-from-anywhere movement.
Some features include:
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Fast, free, secure and reliable WiFi
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Multiple outlets for plugging in computers
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Lighting that supports productivity
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Furniture and table arrangements that allow for working together
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Private rooms for individual work
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Conference rooms for private meetings
ESG Initiatives In Hospitality
The hospitality sector will continue to ramp up its environmental, social and governance, or ESG, initiatives to ensure that it makes changes that have a positive impact on its clientele. Some hotels have taken environmentally sound measures, such as minimizing waste and water usage.
Many major hotel chains have formal ESG and sustainability commitments. For example:
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Accor has pledged a 46% reduction in greenhouse‑gas emissions by 2030 and aims for carbon‑neutrality by 2050.
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Hilton Worldwide has committed to reduce emissions intensity in its managed hotels by 75% (and by 56% in its franchised hotels) by 2030.
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Marriott International, through its Serve 360 program, has made measurable progress on emissions, waste, water, and energy use, while also advancing social‑impact and inclusion goals.
Growth In Extended-Stay Properties
The extended‑stay segment remains one of the fastest‑growing parts of the hospitality industry (HotelManagement.net). As of late 2024, the U.S. counted nearly 600,000 extended‑stay hotel rooms — over 10% of the total U.S. lodging supply (Altexsoft). With increasing demand from remote workers, business travelers on long assignments, and families or individuals between homes, extended‑stay hotels now serve a wide variety of guests seeking comfort, flexibility, and home‑like amenities (kitchenettes, flexible living/work spaces, etc.).
Globally, the extended‑stay market is forecast to grow from a 2025 base value of US$ 62.8 billion to roughly US$ 143.2 billion by 2035, reflecting a long-term compounded growth trajectory fueled by shifts in work, travel, and lifestyle patterns (Future Market Insights).
Major hotel chains are doubling down on extended‑stay and midscale‑suite offerings. According to Lodging Econometrics, extended-stay hotels account for 40% of all new hotel projects in the U.S. pipeline as of Q3 2025, confirming this segment’s central role in current and future development strategy (HotelOnline). On the supply side, economy and mid‑price extended‑stay properties are expanding fastest, though demand and occupancy remain healthy overall. Still, because new supply sometimes outpaces demand growth, performance metrics (occupancy, rate, RevPAR) can be more moderate than in the immediate post‑pandemic boom.
Who Are The Major Players In Hospitality CRE?
Answering “who are the major players” based on Biscred data is subjective, based on what matters most to who is asking. In terms of numbers of properties, Blackstone, Wyndham, Hilton Worldwide and Choice Hotels International are among the largest. In terms of earnings over $1B, the top names include Wyndham, Brookfield, The Ascott, and Highland Adventures. In terms of number of contacts in the Biscred database (employees, principles) the leaders are Hilton, Greystar, Caesars and Vail.
To get a hands-on demo of Biscred, we invite you to schedule a demo.
Here are snapshots of four of the 87,000+ CRE-related companies in our database that do business in hospitality real estate.
Westmont Hospitality Group
WHG has operated more than 1,100 hotels (whg.com), partnering with major brands such as Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott on a variety of hotel assets. As of 2025, it operates over 500 hotels ranging from 2 to 5 stars.
In July 2022, Westmont Hospitality Group and investment firm Angelo Gordon made a combined investment in Room Mate, a group of boutique hotels with locations around the world.
Quick Facts About Westmont Hospitality Group
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Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Manages 500 hotels in a dozen countries
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Key contacts in Biscred: 73
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According to Growjo, Westmont Hospitality Group properties’ total earnings in a year are around $353.1M.
Wynn Resorts Ltd.
Wynn Resorts is an S&P 500 company that builds and manages casinos and resorts that include lodging, retail and entertainment. Its Las Vegas location consists of two high-end hotel towers, along with 194K SF in casinos, 160K SF of retail and 430K SF of meeting and event areas.
Quick Facts About Wynn Resorts
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Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada
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Owns and operates 2 properties in Las Vegas, 1 in Boston, 2 in Macau, and owns 40% in a joint venture being developed in UAE and expected to open in 2027
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Key contacts in Biscred: 716
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Wynn Resorts reported annual earnings in 2024 at $7.13B
Host Hotels & Resorts
Host Hotels & Resorts is classified as a real estate income trust that owns and oversees hotels in the upper-upscale and luxury categories. The company is based in Bethesda, Maryland, with properties around the U.S., as well as international locations including Calgary, Alberta, and Rio de Janeiro.
Quick Facts About Host Hotels & Resorts:
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Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland
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Owns 81 properties 43,400 hotel rooms (2024 annual report)
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21 assets are LEED-certified
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Total revenues in 2024 were $5.684B
The RMR Group
This group manages 1,900 properties in the U.S., including 160 hotels (RMR). They are known as an alternative asset management company that focuses on CRE and CRE-related businesses.
Quick Facts About The RMR Group:
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Headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts
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Operates 1,900+ properties including 160 hotels
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Total assets under management $39B (RMR)
Key Facts About The Hospitality CRE Industry
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According to CEO World Magazine, Marriott Hotels occupies the most hotel space, with over 1.5M guest rooms, followed by:
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Hilton 1.14M
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IHG Hotels & Resorts 914K
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Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 842K
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Choice Hotels international 627K
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Las Vegas is home to the country’s largest hotels by room count:
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Venetian*: 7,264
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MGM Grand*: 6,731
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Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort: 4,748
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Mandalay Bay 4,426
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Luxor: 4,407
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*The MGM Grand is considered the largest single building hotel, while the Venetian is considered the largest hotel complex, according to Trip Advisor.
Selling to Hotels, Resorts and Hospitality Companies
Vendors looking for tips on how to get into the hotel business can start by networking and joining hospitality organizations. Although many of these organizations are lobbying groups, they do provide opportunities to connect with others in the hotel and hospitality industry.
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Casino Vendors (supplier directory)
The above list includes national organizations and associations, but look for regional ones as well. If you're located in the northeast U.S., for example, you'd look into the Hotel Association of New York City and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. There are hotel and hospitality associations that serve the individual 50 states and Puerto Rico, plus the Caribbean.
What can I supply to hotels?
Opportunities depend on the type and size of the property, but these are the categories that do business with hospitality companies:
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Furniture and fixtures: beds, mattresses, seating, wardrobes, lighting fixtures, mirrors, and artwork
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Textiles and linens: bedding, towels, window coverings
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Bathroom supplies: soaps, toiletries, toilet paper, hair dryers
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Food and beverage: bottled water, mini-bar supplies, catering supplies, coffee makers and supplies
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Cleaning and housekeeping: detergents, disinfectants, laundry supplies
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Guest supplies: stationary, in-room directories, bathrobes, toiletries and personal care items
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Technology: televisions, Wi-Fi, in-room safes, hotel management software, computers for guest use
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Fitness and recreation: gym equipment, spa supplies, pool maintenance and supplies
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Office and admin: office equipment, paper supplies, lobby furniture and decor, staff uniforms (and cleaning)
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Grounds management: landscaping service and supplies, outdoor furniture, decorative plants, sculptures, water features
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Security: cameras, alarms, fire safety equipment, compliance inspections and consulting, key card systems, first aid supplies
How to become a vendor for hotels
Most managed properties have an application protocol to become a vendor. They'll issue a request for proposal, which is a formal invitation for vendors of goods and services to apply.
But who says you have to wait to be invited to apply to become a vendor? Savvy sales development representatives have been using Biscred to expand their networks and connect with properties all over the U.S. Find and connect with hospitality real estate developers, hotel distributors, hotel sales and marketing professionals, and suppliers in the hotel and hospitality industry.
Let us show you how it works. Schedule a 30-minute demo or request a free trial.
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