The Hotel Boom in Sweden: More Guests, Higher Prices – and What It Means for Your Weekend

The Scandiweekend Editorial Team · 1 October 2026

The Swedish hotel industry is currently stronger than most of the economy. More rooms are being occupied, average prices are rising, and investors have begun to show interest in hotel properties again. This is revealed in a new review of the market by the real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield. For travelers, this is a mixed message: the competition for the best rooms is intensifying, but the broader demand has also enriched the hotel supply in the country.

Record Revenues and Continued Upswing

In 2025, 70.8 million commercial guest nights were registered in Sweden, an increase of 2.5 percent from the previous year. The hotels' revenue from lodging reached 40.9 billion kronor (SEK) – the highest level recorded. This trend has continued during the first half of 2026.

One measure the industry closely monitors is RevPAR, or revenue per available room. Nationally, it rose from 641 to 701 kronor when comparing the first half of 2026 to the same period the year before. The increase is driven primarily by higher prices rather than a significant increase in room occupancy.

International Guests Drive Growth

The fastest-growing group is visitors from other countries. During the twelve months leading up to July, foreign guest nights increased by 8.9 percent. Germany remains the largest foreign market, followed by Norway and Denmark, and the number of American travelers continues to rise. In 2025, foreign guests accounted for 27.3 percent of all guest nights – a higher proportion than before the pandemic.

The interest is also spreading beyond the three major cities. The report particularly highlights Norrbotten, where the Northern Lights, arctic activities, and vast nature attract more and more travelers from around the world. This includes places like Treehotel in Harads, just under an hour's drive from Luleå Airport, which has become one of the most renowned examples of how Northern Swedish nature and architecture can become a destination in itself.

Mines, Industry, and Defense Fill Weekdays

A less obvious explanation for the upturn can be found among business travelers. In Kiruna, Gällivare, Luleå, and Skellefteå, mining, industry, energy projects, and large investments are filling rooms with consultants, contractors, and suppliers – often for several years in a row. At the same time, demand is increasing in cities with a strong military presence, such as Boden, Karlskrona, Linköping, and Skövde, as defense investments grow.

For hotels, this means a more stable foundation that does not rely solely on vacation trips and conferences. For leisure travelers, it can also mean that rooms in these cities are in demand even when it is not peak season.

Stockholm – Most Occupied and Most Expensive

The capital stands out among the larger markets. During the first half of 2026, occupancy in Stockholm rose from 70 to 72 percent, while the average room price increased from 1,987 to 2,052 kronor. RevPAR increased by 6.5 percent, the highest level among the larger cities. Several regional destinations also show clear growth, although from lower levels.

Investors Are Returning

The strong development is also visible in the real estate market. Swedish hotel properties changed hands for approximately 4.3 billion kronor in 2025. This year, the deals have been smaller and more focused on individual buildings and development projects – including Revelop's acquisition of ten Good Morning hotels and Norwegian Eiendomsspar's purchase of Scandic Malmö City for 318 million kronor, with a reported yield of around 6 percent. More capital usually leads to renovations, new concepts, and more hotels to choose from in the long run.

How to Plan Your Weekend

Higher demand means that those who plan ahead have the most to gain. This is especially true in Stockholm during weekends with major events and in Northern Sweden during the Northern Lights season, where the most distinctive accommodations often have few rooms available. At the same time, it’s worth looking beyond the price ranges on booking sites: many of the most memorable places are smaller, independent hotels that seldom appear at the top of the lists.

Weekend Tip: Sweden has become a more sought-after destination – book Northern Lights, big cities, and popular weekends well in advance, and choose a genuinely good place rather than what appears first in the search results.

Photo: Treehotel

The information is based on Cushman & Wakefield's report Hospitality Sweden and reporting in Realtid (October 1, 2026).