Low quality hotels on way out in London
A demise of low-quality accommodation in the capital has been forecast by tourist board Visit London.
The board’s latest Hotel Development Monitor reveals a 49% rise in the branded hotel sector since 2002, so it now represents almost three quarters of properties representing 71,000 rooms.
Meanwhile, the guesthouse and B&B sector now accounts for 28% of the market, down from 47% in 2002.
Over the next four years these trends are likely to accelerate as branding becomes more important across the hotel industry, Visit London believes.
The capital has seen a particular rise in boutique hotel brands such as Firmdale and Malmasion, as well as independent mid-market brands such as Apex Hotels, City Inn and Grange Hotels. A number of “consumer brand extensions” such as Easy Hotel and Yotel are also opening in London.
Visit London business analyst Jamie Talmage: “The accommodation industry in London is evolving rapidly and the introduction of new brands is helping to weed out the unscrupulous operators, as is the growing popularity of on-line accommodation reviews.
“Whilst the city still has range and character of accommodation, those that are not delivering on quality are increasingly unlikely to survive long term.”
Top 10 brands by rooms:
1. Hilton (Hilton)
2. Thistle (Thistle)
3. Premier Travel Inn (Whitbread)
4. Holiday Inn (InterContinental)
5. Various (Imperial London)
6. Marriot (Marriot)
7. Travelodge (DIC)
8. Millenium (Millenium)
9. Ibis (Accor)
10. Radisson Edwardian (Radisson Edwardian)
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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