The Independent Hotel Show, in partnership with James Hallam Insurance Brokers, returns to Olympia on 5-6 October 2026, bringing together the people, ideas and suppliers shaping the luxury, boutique and independent hotel sector.
Created for independent hotel owners, operators, general managers, architects, designers and senior decision-makers, the show offers two days of product discovery, practical insight and networking. Visitors can explore products and services spanning interiors, furniture, lighting, technology, amenities and guest experience.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Shaping Tomorrow’, reflecting how the sector is responding to changing guest expectations, emerging technologies and commercial pressures while retaining the character and individuality that distinguish independent hotels.
Design will be central to the visitor experience. The content programme will take place across the Hotel Business Stage, in partnership with eviivo, designed by Merav Bustan Design; the Innovation Stage, in partnership with Agilysys, designed by Obradov Studio; and the Social Business Space, in partnership with Zennio, designed by Design Command. TUNTU will design the Members Suite, an exclusive environment in which senior hotel leaders can meet, work and relax during the show.
The seminar programme will examine how design can create memorable, inclusive and commercially successful hotel experiences. ‘Spaces without boundaries: The future of hotel design’ will bring together Ben Harper of Watergate Bay Hotel, Another Place and SeaSpace; Francesca Toman of Ches & Co; Jordan Parke of Wayfair Professional; and Matt Hulme of Dynargh Design. Moderated by Hospitality Interiors Editor Vicky Doe, the session will explore flexible workspaces, multifunctional public areas and environments that encourage connection and wellbeing.
In ‘Designed to feel good: Putting wellbeing at the heart of hotels’, interior designer Gail Race will be joined by Caroline Milns of Zulufish, designer and hotelier Dee Gibson of Kalukanda House and Sneha Holis of Implicit Atelier to discuss how thoughtful interiors can influence the way guests feel.
The commercial impact of design will be addressed in ‘From refurbishment to return: Designing for long-term value’. Moderated by Scot Turner of Auden Hospitality, the panel will include Jan Janecek of Office of Contemporary Design, Lesley Annison of RBH Hospitality, Miroslava McDermott of Foxhills Hotel & Country Club and Shaun Bowles of The Castle Hotel Windsor and The Francis, Bath.
Gerri Hansen, Founder and Director of BrandSensory, will also present ‘The feeling factor: What are hotels forgetting to design?’, exploring the emotional and sensory elements that help create a memorable hotel brand.
Across the show floor, exhibitors relevant to architecture and design will include Abbey Glass, AKANTE, Coach House, The Cotswold Company, Bramblecrest, Brewers Decorator Centres, CHRISTY, BC SoftWear, Belmont Fine Arts and Greenhome Furnishing.
The show will support charity partners including Hospitality Action and Furnishing Futures. Furnishing Futures will create a bedroom installation highlighting its work furnishing the homes of women and children who have escaped domestic abuse.
The first day will culminate in the Independent Hotel Show Awards, in partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, recognising outstanding hotels, people and design projects.
The Independent Hotel Show takes place on 5-6 October at Olympia. Register for your free trade ticket at independenthotelshow.co.uk.
