Independent Hotel Show London 2026 Returns to Olympia

The Independent Hotel Show London 2026 returns to Olympia on 5-6 October. The event, themed 'Shaping Tomorrow' and partnered with James Hallam Insurance Brokers, will host technology provider roommaster at Booth 2335.

It focuses on the future of independent hospitality. The show addresses changing guest expectations, technological advances, and commercial pressures. It aims to protect individuality, creativity, and personal service in the sector. Exhibitors span interior design, furniture, technology, guest amenities, linen, food and drink, and hospitality services. Named exhibitors include SiteMinder, Coach House, For-Sight CRM, Focus on Hospitality by Focus Group, Mint Linen, and PCL Corporatewear.

The seminar programme includes the Hotel Business Stage in partnership with eviivo and designed by Merav Bustan Design. The Innovation Stage is in partnership with Agilysys and designed by Obradov Studio. The Social Business Space is in partnership with Zennio and designed by Design Command. TUNTU will design the Members Suite for senior hotel leaders.

Sessions will feature leaders from Grantley Hall, Watergate Bay Hotel, Another Place, SeaSpace, The Tawny, Foxhills Club & Resort, Calcot Hotels, Kilmartin Castle, and The Headland Hotel. Programme topics include AI and automation, evolving guest expectations, profitable food and beverage operations, sustainability, and wellbeing-led design. Other highlights cover tourist taxes, thoughtful refurbishment for long-term value, and preserving hotel identity within larger management companies.

Design will have a strong presence, focusing on intelligent decisions that improve operations, strengthen identity, and deliver commercial value. A specially created hotel bedroom was developed with charity partner Furnishing Futures to reuse surplus furnishings and reduce waste. The Independent Hotel Show Awards are in partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Awards categories include Independent Hotel of the Year, Hotel Rising Star, and Hotel Design of the Year. Winners will be revealed during the show. The event lasts two days.

Technology Focus

Roommaster will shows its unified platform and AI Suite at Booth 2335. The company has been developing technology for more than 30 years. Its platform is aimed at independent hotels where small teams handle many tasks across disconnected systems.

Roommaster claims its unified platform speeds up guest check-in by 50% and cuts admin tasks by 40%. The Reimagined roommaster PMS runs three times faster than previous versions. It also requires 60% fewer clicks and offers 99.95% uptime. Training time for new staff is reduced by roughly 50%.

The integrated Booking Engine and Channel Manager keep rates aligned across hundreds of OTAs. This integration can deliver up to a 40% increase in direct bookings for properties. The roommaster AI Suite includes an AI voice agent called roommaster Concierge. AI Guest Management handles web-chat, WhatsApp, and email interactions from pre-booking through post-stay follow-up. Roommaster Revenue Management can boost RevPAR by up to 35% by adjusting rates in real time.

Hotels can schedule advance meetings with roommaster’s expert crew, with limited slots for working sessions. Personalized demos can be booked before the London show.

Design and Innovation

The Innovation Stage, designed by Obradov Studio in partnership with Agilysys, features sustainable materials and a jewellery-box-inspired aesthetic. Creative Director Jelena Obradov explained the stage was first created for the Independent Hotel Show in Amsterdam. After Amsterdam, the IHS team requested the stage be brought to London.

The London stage footprint is different from the Amsterdam version. New local suppliers are being worked with for the London installation. Decospan supplied walnut veneer for the organic shaped backwall. Van Besouw created the organic shaped carpet design that flows off the stage. Artimo supplied the burgundy velvet curtain.

The stage design combines hospitality and stage design principles. The concept aims to feel like opening a jewellery box in deep green tones. The design uses layered walls and materials to create depth and warmth. It was designed to feel like a place, not only a set, despite being viewed from one side. Layering and shaping wall panels and carpet were prioritized before adding furniture. Achieving the right balance of depth and warmth took time. Reusing the stage from Amsterdam to London is rare in the trade show world.

Jelena Obradov believes hoteliers must avoid 'sameness' and stay true to local story and location. Local makers and materials are key differentiators in hotel design. Hotel design must deliver an offline experience, not only look good online. The future of hotel design includes lighting, scent, sound, and service beyond spatial design.

Hospitality professionals can register for a free trade ticket at independenthotelshow.co.uk to attend the show and visit roommaster’s Booth 2335.