Desks to Beds: China Office to Hotel Conversion 2026 Trend Surges Amid Vacancies

It's a stark reflection of the shifting real estate landscape: a single building in Hangzhou now houses 10 different hotels. As China's office market faces persistent headwinds, property owners are turning to hospitality to breathe life—and revenue—back into vacant floors.

Driving Factors Behind China Office to Hotel Conversion 2026

According to a report by SCMP on Jan 18, 2026, more economy and mid-range hotel operators are leasing office spaces for conversion. In Yongjin Plaza, located near the scenic West Lake, brands like Home Inn and Home Inn Plus—operated by BTG Hotel Group—share the building with photography studios and luxury second-hand stores.

This flexible, mixed-use model allows multiple hotel brands to co-lease separate floors. In some cases, three hotels share a single ground-floor reception area, optimizing operational costs while addressing the shortage of affordable, well-located accommodation.

A Win-Win for Landlords and Operators

James Macdonald, head of research at Savills China, notes that this trend is particularly common in Grade B office assets—older buildings where attracting traditional corporate tenants has become increasingly difficult. By pivoting to hotels, landlords can drastically reduce vacancy rates while operators secure prime locations at lower costs.