Trends & influences that will drive the UK serviced apartment sector in 2026 / 2027
By Mark Harris
The UK serviced apartment sector is poised for strong growth in 2026 and beyond, driven by rising corporate relocations, longer stays, and the blending of business and leisure travel.
London remains the primary focus, however regional cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham are attracting more attention. Growth is also forecast in secondary locations like Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford, Nottingham, York, and Reading 1, with the potential for the sector to expand beyond urban centres into coastal and countryside locations, capitalising on the growing trend for blended travel. 2
Serviced apartments are on a precipice of opportunity.
- Karen Hutchings, Cobb & Hutch Consultants 3
Operators are adapting to the changing traveller and relocatee demographics through tech-enabled experiences, flexible apartment layouts, and ESG-focused developments, while investor interest continues to grow. These trends will reshape the UK serviced apartment market in the coming years.
Here’ s the GSAIR take on the key market trends and influences likely to drive the UK serviced apartment sector in 2026 and 2027, and their possible consequences, based on the most recent data and expert industry insight from 2025.
1 knightfrank. co. uk / research
2 ibid
3
See elsewhere in this report. 41