Hotels had a good May. Events made the difference.
Despite fuel costs and cautious consumers, US hotels grew revenue per room. The biggest winners were markets with strong event calendars.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 24 June 2026
Key takeaways
- US hotel occupancy reached 65.7% in May 2026, with ADR at $168.51 and RevPAR at $110.76, up 4.0%.
- Las Vegas led with RevPAR up 17.9%, thanks to a strong events calendar.
- 20 of the top 25 markets saw RevPAR rise.
Rates, not occupancy, drove most of the growth. That means guests are willing to pay for the right dates, especially around events.
What happened
CoStar's monthly figures, published via Hospitality Net, showed broad gains, with Philadelphia posting the largest occupancy increase. Hotel Management also covered the results.
What it means for hotels
- Events lift rates. Plan pricing around local calendars.
- World Cup is next. June and July bring more event peaks.
- Direct share matters. High-rate nights are where commission hurts most.
Event revenue tactics
| Tactic | Why |
|---|---|
| Local events calendar on your site | Ranks for "hotels near" event searches. |
| Event packages | Add value and lift average spend. |
| Direct-booking perks | Keep commission on peak nights. |
| Fast replies to group enquiries | Win group blocks first. |
Frequently asked questions
How did US hotels perform in May 2026?CoStar reported occupancy of 65.7%, ADR of $168.51 and RevPAR of $110.76, up 4.0% year on year.
CoStar reported occupancy of 65.7%, ADR of $168.51 and RevPAR of $110.76, up 4.0% year on year.
Which market grew most?Las Vegas, with ADR up 13.5% and RevPAR up 17.9%, driven by events.
Las Vegas, with ADR up 13.5% and RevPAR up 17.9%, driven by events.
How can an independent hotel benefit from local events?Publish event pages, offer packages and give guests clear reasons to book direct.
Publish event pages, offer packages and give guests clear reasons to book direct.
Turn every local event into direct bookings.
Event pages, packages and fast direct booking for independent hotels.
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