Hybrid hotel group invests in new locations, digital services and guest experience
MEININGER Hotels has closed financial year 2026* with revenues in excess of EUR 200 million and is using this solid business performance as a foundation for its next phase of growth. With several new openings and market entries in the current financial year 2027, the hotel group continues to drive its expansion. At the same time, it is investing in the expansion of digital services, guest comfort, and the modernisation of existing properties. This reinforces the company's proven hybrid concept, combining hotel comfort with a hostel atmosphere.
Stable year-end results despite absence of major event effects
In the past financial year*, MEININGER Hotels again generated revenues of over EUR 200 million. The hotel group recorded around 4.6 million overnight stays, almost two per cent more than in the previous year, along with an average room occupancy of just under 80 per cent.
Ajit Menon, CEO of MEININGER Hotels: “We delivered robust year-over-year growth in both revenue and profit, overcoming a challenging environment marked by higher living costs and fewer major events. This strong performance highlights the structural strength of our business model and the dedication of our team.”
Group business remains a key growth driver, already accounting for around 20 to 25 per cent of revenues. In the past financial year, this segment grew by ten per cent; for 2026/27, MEININGER anticipates a similar increase.
Outlook 2027: New openings and strong demand
Against this backdrop, MEININGER Hotels turns its focus to financial year 2027, which will again be characterised by a higher density of events and additional demand drivers including international trade fairs, sporting events and concert tours by renowned artists. Overall, the company expects to generate around 5.0 million overnight stays. At the same time, competitive pressure remains high in many markets.
MEININGER expects further revenue growth, particularly from planned new openings and new market entries. The hotel group currently operates 37 hybrid hotels with approximately 6,000 rooms and around 21,200 beds across 27 European cities. By 2030, the company aims to expand its portfolio to 50 locations with a focus on Southern and Eastern Europe. The newest property in Barcelona opened on June 25. Other projects planned include Edinburgh and Tel Aviv in 2026, Strasbourg in 2027, as well as Madrid, Dublin, and Porto in 2028.
Expansion and optimization of digital processes
Digital transformation remains a central lever at MEININGER Hotels, encompassing the further development of digital infrastructure along the guest journey and internal processes.
The website chatbot MILA has successfully gone live and already handles a large proportion of recurring guest enquiries. Online check-in also simplifies the arrival process and creates more efficient workflows at reception.
Another important initiative was the first of a two-phase rollout of a new cloud-based HR platform designed to replace several standalone systems and create more standardised, scalable HR processes. Phase 1 established a central employee data foundation and streamlined recruitment processes. Building on this, Phase 2, going live this year, will consolidate additional HR functions into one integrated platform, creating a more seamless experience for employees and managers while further improving efficiency across the organisation.
A key focus for this financial year 2027 will also be the gradual rollout of Mobile Key. The solution, which enables room access via smartphone, is to be introduced in all hotels by the end of financial year 2028. In parallel, improvements are being made in the areas of B2B integration, payment processes, as well as enhanced web and self-service functions for group and corporate clients.
Investment in renovation and modernization
Alongside new openings, MEININGER Hotels continues to invest in its existing portfolio. Renovations were carried out in Frankfurt, Salzburg, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen, among others. A particularly notable project was the extensive redesign of MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus, where rooms were upgraded, the entrance area comprehensively modernised and extended with an in-house bar. Further renovation works are scheduled for 2027, including in Munich, Vienna, Marseille, and Paris.
“Our new properties are increasingly setting the benchmark for the entire portfolio. We are deliberately transferring these insights to existing locations and continuously developing them. This is not just about modernization, it is above all about creating a welcoming atmosphere and a consistent guest experience. In this way, we ensure that the MEININGER standard remains tangible across all our hotels,” comments Thomas Hagemann, COO of MEININGER Hotels.
Responsibility for employees and sustainability
MEININGER Hotels’ dynamic growth is built largely on strong teams and a consistent people strategy. The company places a strong focus on the long-term retention of its employees. In 2026, the employee retention rate increased by more than 10% compared to the previous year. At the same time, MEININGER Hotels recorded a 20% increase in job applications. Moreover, MEININGER continues to maintain an international workforce, with team members representing around 90 nationalities.
An integral part of the company’s sustainability management is the regular preparation of greenhouse gas inventories. These create transparency on developments over time, make progress measurable, and improve understanding of the main emission sources. They therefore provide the basis for the further development and evaluation of CO₂ reduction measures. In addition, the hotel group focuses on social responsibility, diversity, and accessibility. An overview of current ESG initiatives is available on MEININGER’s updated sustainability page.
For 2027, MEININGER plans to expand internal training to deepen employees’ environmental knowledge, as well as conducting a climate risk analysis for selected hotels to identify climate-related risks at an early stage and incorporate them into planning processes.
*This press release describes developments during the 2026 financial year (April 2025 to March 2026) and provides an outlook for the 2027 financial year (April 2026 to March 2027).
