A reawakening in hotel construction

Sameer Sawant, Director of leading solid surface manufacturer and supplier, Velstone, looks at the hotel construction sector post-Covid, and how growing momentum is reshaping solid surface specification.

When Covid-19 brought the world to a standstill, the hotel construction sector was hit hard. Projects froze, funding dried up, and the future of new hotel builds suddenly seemed uncertain. Fast forward to today, and things are finally moving again with promising signs of a sustained recovery.

At Velstone, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. Over the last 12 months, we’ve experienced a noticeable uptick in conversations and enquiries from hotel brands, architects, and developers and that acceleration is a welcome sign that hotel construction is firmly back on the agenda.

From rock bottom to recovery

Many of the hotel builds pre-Covid were driven by syndicates and private investment, often targeting smaller 0-150 room hotels. When the pandemic hit, travel halted, and so did the confidence of those investors. Quite simply, no one was staying in hotels, and that meant no quick return on investment. Projects were paused, postponed, or cancelled altogether. Even post-Covid, the apprehension of travelling for some alongside the work from home culture meant that investors were still anxious.

Now, however, we’re seeing those conversations reignite. Business travel is back, people are traveling more freely, and families are booking stays again. Research suggests that, while interest rates continue to rise, any savings consumers do have are being spent on going away and travel.

There’s renewed demand for longer-stay hotel formats, such as mini apartments with kitchens that offer more flexibility for guest, and Velstone has a key role to play in delivering the surfaces that bring these spaces to life.

We are currently working on one such format with an architect in conjunction with a Globally renowned brand.

We’re not just supplying solid surfaces for bathroom vanities; we’re providing materials for kitchens and some shelving too. That means colour-matching, custom thicknesses, and finishes that align with a brand’s visual identity. It’s more complex, but that’s where Velstone thrives.

A price-conscious market still demanding quality

We’ve worked in the hotel sector since 2010, so we understand the practical realities of hotel construction and refurbishment. It’s rarely linear. Phased installations, live environments, tight turnaround times, it’s all part of the challenge.

What sets us apart is our ability to adapt to those pressures while still delivering high-quality, bespoke solutions thanks to our in-house ability to colour-match any RAL or Dulux shade and our 25mm solid surface, which eliminates the need for substrate fixing and on-site templating, unlike the standard 13mm, saving both time and money.

One challenge that hasn’t gone away yet post-Covid is budget sensitivity. Even now, hotel developers are asking: Will we get our return on investment? That’s why the cost-effectiveness of our 25mm product is so vital. It delivers premium aesthetics and durability (it can be seamlessly replaced and repaired if damaged, extending its lifespan) but without the inflated cost. We’re a one-stop shop – from bespoke fabrication to site delivery – which streamlines the entire process and reduces risk.

Looking ahead

We’re already engaged with three new hotel projects scheduled for early 2026. That kind of forward momentum wasn’t happening even 12 months ago. Importantly, these discussions aren’t limited to one brand or location, they’re spread across multiple chains and geographies.

We're not quite at pre-Covid levels yet, that will take another couple of years, but the pace of enquiry, the depth of engagement, and the return of long-term planning all tell us that hotel construction is not just recovering, it’s evolving.

At Velstone, we’re ready. We understand the unique demands of hospitality and the pressure developers are under to deliver on time, on brand, and on budget. Solid surfaces are just one part of the hotel puzzle, but when specified right, they make a lasting impact.

And as the sector continues to rebuild, that impact will be more important than ever.

From Holiday Inn and Ibis Styles to Fairfield by Marriott, Velstone is the trusted partner for some of the largest hotel brands for projects in the UK and Europe. For more information visit www.velstone.com or call 0208 861 4422.