Experts point to hotels as the next big investment in Spain

Spain's leading property investors, hoteliers and advisers have reached a clear conclusion: with the country's new housing rules now in force, the smart money is turning towards hotels.

That was the message from the Hospitality Real Estate Forum, held in Madrid this week, where around twenty of the sector's most experienced voices came together to discuss where to invest in Spain right now — and where to stay away from.

Why hotels, and why now

For the past few years, a great deal of investment has been aimed at residential property. The experts at the forum believe the new housing decree is about to change that. As the rules around short-term and seasonal lettings tighten, the capital that once chased apartments is expected to shift towards hotels, which offer a more stable and predictable home for investment.

The panel was candid about the effect of sudden regulation. One real estate lawyer on the stage put it simply: investors need certainty, and laws need to be predictable. When the rules change without warning, confidence takes a knock — and that matters for Spain's standing as an international investment destination. Hotels, by contrast, sit on firmer ground.

There was also a strong view that the well-regulated tourist apartment — run as a proper hospitality establishment — remains one of the most valuable products on the market, with family offices already active in that space.

Where the opportunities are

The experts didn't just talk in general terms. They pointed to real pockets of opportunity:

• Economy and mid-market hotels in Spain's busy destinations — the country has around sixteen or seventeen cities that each draw more than a million overnight stays a year, and several of them still offer room to invest.
• Prime locations with excellent transport links and services, where building and running a quality portfolio — rather than simply buying, refurbishing and selling on — is where the real long-term value lies.
• Repositioning projects, where tired or underused buildings are brought back to life. The banks are supportive, and flexible “white label” hotel arrangements are making these deals easier to put together.
• Ultra-luxury, which the panel agreed carries little doubt as a place to invest.

They were equally clear about where they would be cautious. Barcelona and Catalonia drew the most hesitation, with some investors noting that clients have been moving their attention to Madrid and to Spain's strong secondary destinations.

Where ABIS comes in

This is exactly the market ABIS works in every day.

Through our network across Spain, we have access to a wide range of hotel and hospitality opportunities — brand-new developments, established operating businesses, and off-market projects that never reach the open market. From coastal and resort hotels to city-centre buildings ripe for repositioning, and from turnkey operations to ground-up developments, we help investors find the right fit and move with confidence.

If the forum's experts are right — and the weight of opinion in the room says they are — Spanish hotels are moving into the spotlight. ABIS is already there, with the projects and the local knowledge to match.