REVPAR FOR U.S. hotels recovered to 83.2 percent of 2019 levels in 2021, according to STR. Also, in December 2021, ADR and RevPAR hit all-time highs.
U.S. hotel occupancy in 2021 was 57.6 percent, down 12.6 percent when compared to 2019. ADR for the year was $124.67, down just 4.8 percent from 2019. RevPAR at $71.87, down 16.8 percent when compared to two years ago.
“In addition to 2020, U.S. hotel occupancy failed to reach 60 percent for just the second time since 2011,” STR said. “On a nominal basis, 2021 ADR was the fourth highest on record. The country’s RevPAR level was its second lowest in eight years behind only 2020.”
According to the report, none of the top 25 markets experienced an occupancy increase last year over 2019. Tampa reported the highest occupancy at 68.4 percent, down 5.2 percent from 2019.
The largest ADR increase in 2021 was in Miami, up 14.7 percent to $223.49, compared to 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach registered the highest growth in RevPAR, up 7.7 percent to $72.31.
Minneapolis registered the lowest occupancy for the year at 44.4 percent followed by San Francisco/San Mateo at 47.7 percent.
In 2021, the largest RevPAR deficits were in San Francisco/San Mateo, down 64.2 percent to $72.97, followed by Washington D.C., fell 48.9 percent to $57.86. The top 25 markets showed lower occupancy but higher ADR than all other markets.
Solid performance in December
U.S. demand reached 90.8 million room nights sold in December, which was just above December 2019’s 90.6 million and the highest for any December on record, STR report said.
Occupancy for December reached 53.3 percent, down from 57.6 percent in November and down 1.4 percent when compared to 2019. ADR was $135.28, up from $128.50 the month before and a 6.7 percent increase over December 2019. RevPAR during the last month of 2021 was $72.15, down from $74.03 in November, but increased 5.2 percent when compared to same month in 2019.
Among STR’s top 25 markets, Oahu Island experienced the highest occupancy level at 75 percent, down 9.8 percent over 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach saw the largest occupancy increase during the month, up 7 percent to 51 percent when compared to two years ago.
Minneapolis recorded the lowest occupancy in December at 41.8 percent, followed by Washington, D.C. at 45.3 percent. San Francisco/San Mateo, California, reported the sharp decline in occupancy, down 25.6 percent when compared to 2019.
Overall, the top 25 markets showed higher occupancy and ADR than all other markets, STR said.
