Who are the Top 10 hotel owners and operators in Australia and New Zealand?  

The top-ranking hotel owners and operators in Australia and New Zealand have held steady over the past year, but new research shows many are eyeing growth through acquisitions and new developments amid a climate of cautious optimism.

CBRE’s second annual Australia and New Zealand Top Owners & Operators report surveyed 40 of the region’s largest hotel owners and operators, representing nearly 1500 hotels and more than 200,000 rooms, just over half the total room supply in both countries. For the first time, the report also canvassed senior executives for their outlook on market conditions, investment strategies, and key risks.

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Sydney-based residential developer Meriton retained its crown as the largest hotel owner, followed by Salter Brothers and the Schwartz family. The only movement in the Top 10 saw Millennium & Copthorne climb from 8th to 7th place after acquiring the Mayfair Hotel in Christchurch, bringing its portfolio to 18 hotels and 3148 rooms.

On the operator side, Accor maintained its two-decade-long lead, managing 406 properties and 65,075 rooms, more than four times the size of its nearest rival. FY25 growth included nearly 1700 rooms and five new hotels, with additions under Novotel, Sofitel and Mondrian Gold Coast.its two-decade-long dominance. IHG and EVT rounding out the top three. 

Sentiment shows stable confidence

CBRE also introduced a sentiment survey, canvassing senior executives from leading hotel groups. Ally Gibson, CBRE’s Head of Hotels Research, said the data revealed “a cautiously optimistic outlook” despite cost pressures and economic uncertainty.

“Following a strong post-pandemic rebound, the hotel sector has stabilised and for the most part is posting modest RevPAR gains.

“While headwinds such as operational costs and macroeconomic volatility remain in focus, the hotel sector remains underpinned by long-term growth fundamentals characterised by a positive outlook for inbound demand growth and a contracting supply pipeline,” Ms Gibson said.

Key concerns and opportunities

Troy Craig, CBRE’s Regional Director, Hotels Valuation & Advisory, noted operational challenges — particularly labour shortages — topped the list of concerns. “Demand fluctuations and barriers to new development were also cited, alongside external factors such as geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, and shifting consumer behaviour,” he said.

Survey highlights include:

• Overall outlook: 84 percent of respondents reported a “somewhat optimistic” view for the second half of 2025 and into 2026.

• Growth strategies: 64% plan to expand portfolios through acquisitions or new developments, while others focus on renovations, repositioning, or diversifying into alternative hospitality ventures.

• Top markets: Sydney ranked highest for growth potential (64%), followed by Brisbane (36%), buoyed by its events calendar and infrastructure investment ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

• Growth segments: Luxury hotels and resorts led expectations for the most significant growth, followed by extended-stay accommodation and business/conference hotels.

• Performance forecasts: 73% expect slight ADR and RevPAR increases over the next 12 months, with most also predicting modest occupancy growth.