December 2021 overview: 400 hotels due to open worldwide [Infographic]

A look through the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database shows that 2021 will end with a host of big launches, especially in the rapidly expanding APAC region.

The final month of 2021 will see 403 hotels with 89,449 rooms open worldwide, according to our research team. Of these, 240 properties will be in the four-star segment, with 163 targeting the five-star category.

Most active hotel markets in December 2021

APAC takes a decisive lead overall, with 184 properties and 42,383 keys nearing completion. Here, China comes out on top with 111 schemes and 27,827 rooms lined up, although India’s also finishing the year strongly with 24 launches and 2,856 keys.

North America comes in a distant second, courtesy of its tally of 80 hotels and 19,414 keys. The majority of these can be found in the US – the second fastest growing national market – where 47 projects and 11,471 rooms will open soon.

Europe comes in third place, incidentally, with a grand total of 66 new hotels putting it well ahead of the Middle East (36), Africa (19) and Latin America (18).

Top urban growth markets in December 2021

Dubai enjoys a healthy lead in terms of urban markets, with 14 hotels gearing up to add 4,264 keys to the local offering imminently, presumably so that they can capitalise on the exceptionally high demand generated by the ongoing Expo 2020.

Shanghai, China’s economic powerhouse, will see eight projects with 2,819 rooms complete any day now. And not to be overlooked, New York City is eagerly awaiting the opening of seven schemes with 1,263 keys.

International hotel brands expanding in December 2021

With regards to the most active hotel brands, Citadines Apart’hotels comes out way ahead of the competition, with an impressive 14 projects and 2,913 rooms due to be ready in December 2021.

Elsewhere, Hilton Hotels & Resorts will add eight hotels and 3,527 keys to its portfolio this month. And eternal rival Marriott Hotels & Resorts will grow its footprint by seven properties and 2,073 rooms.

Top hotel openings to watch this month

Let’s travel first to China, where the stunning 604-room Shangri-La Qiantan, Shanghai is due to make its debut shortly. Inside, guests will find an all-day dining venue, a restaurant specialising in new Huaiyang cuisine, a bar, an expansive wellness and fitness area, and spacious meeting facilities.

Over in Europe, Lapland Hotels Arena will open its doors in the Finnish city of Tampere. The property will have 273 inviting rooms and a comprehensive set of amenities that includes a restaurant with 350 seats, a bar and a small store stocked with necessities. Moreover, the presence of Tampere Central Deck and Deck Arena close by should help keep occupancy rates high.

Finally, the new IntercityHotel Zürich Airport is preparing for take-off, complete with 266 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, 450 sq m of conference facilities, a spa and a gym. Handily, the scheme’s only ten minutes away from the airport – and offers easy access to public transport as well.

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

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