Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta hailed strengthening demand trends, and broad-based momentum for a strong set of second quarter 2026 results.
The group’s revpar was up by 3.9% overall, on a currency neutral basis, across its international portfolio. The performance was better than management had expected, with US hotels up 5.4%, marginally outperforming hotels in the Americas and Europe. Good figures in these regions offset the Middle East and Africa, where conflict in the region sent revpar down 19.5% on the previous year. Occupancy in the region was just 53%, on average, with softer pricing to bring in more guests.
Graduate Is Top of the Class
Graduate by Hilton was the best performing brand, with revpar up 8.8% year on year, ahead of the Tapestry Collection, up 6.6%. Luxury brands, which have carried the hotel groups’ fortunes in recent quarters, are now looking to have peaked. Waldorf Astoria revpar was down 1.1% year on year, while Conrad hotels saw a flat performance.
“Our disciplined development strategy continues to drive strong results, with openings and approvals both increasing 50 percent sequentially from the first quarter and our pipeline ending the quarter at a record level,” noted Nassetta. The company delivered net growth of 6.1% year on year, and is now predicting it can maintain this pace, pencilling in 6-7% portfolio growth on an ongoing basis.
During the second quarter, the group opened 207 hotels, 24,100 rooms – while 2,500 rooms left the Hilton portfolio. Nassetta pointed to significant openings such as the Conrad Athens The Ilisian, a first for the brand in Greece. And in India, the Slohh by Roach Bengaluru became Hilton’s first Curio Collection hotel in the country. The group also got its Apartment Collection by Hilton brand under way, with openings in Salt Lake City, Austin and Atlanta.
Notable signings included the Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach, signed in partnership with owners the Reuben Brothers. And in South Africa, the Umfolozi River Hotel was signed as an addition to the Tapestry Collection.
The quarter saw Hilton launch one new brand, a new lifestyle offering, Undergraduate by Hilton. This will be additional to its Graduate brand, aiming to expand the offer to smaller markets, albeit still targeting demographics with strong college or university presence.
A Pipeline at Record Levels
Hilton’s pipeline is now at a record 541,300 rooms across 3,853 hotels. Spread across 132 countries, these openings will take Hilton brands into 26 new countries or territories where it currently has no representation.
Hilton’s loyalty programme, Hilton Honors, continues to build scale and momentum. Hilton is always looking for ways to expand the choice for guests, when it comes to earning or spending loyalty points. A recent addition has been a collaboration with luxury cruise brand Explore Journeys. Honors members can earn or redeem points booking cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean or northern Europe. Explora has just launched its third vessel, expanding the variety of departure dates.
