The Changing Role of Hotels: Hotels as Safe Spaces in Cities

The hospitality industry has undergone a transformation, shifting from its traditional role as provider of overnight accommodation to multifunctional service hubs. With this change, hotels’ potential to contribute to healthy, livable, and resilient neighborhoods and urban quarters has increased widely. This development is driven by the erosion of urban infrastructure and social services, such as the decline in local shopping infrastructure for daily needs, the lack of care services, the closure of public swimming pools and libraries, and the decease of pubs with a corresponding increase in loneliness among the German population, to name just a few examples. At the same time, society's need for places to stay, meet and exchange ideas across social milieus is increasing. Since 2008 the research project FutureHotel Innovation Network has examined trends and developments in the hospitality industry and most recently focused on the changing role of hotels, particularly in the context of urban resilience and social sustainability. Empirical findings from a survey of 4,880 respondents reveal that hotels increasingly function as nodes of security, inclusion, and emergency support in urban environments. Research identifies three primary ways in which hotels act as safe spaces: First, hotels serve as urban sanctuaries, providing secure and accessible spaces for diverse stakeholders extending from guests to employees, business partners, and local communities. This positions hotels as integrated elements of the urban fabric. Empirical data shows that public access to safe and quiet environments is increasingly valued, particularly for individuals facing urban stressors such as noise, heat, or personal distress. Hotels function as non-discriminatory, accessible spaces that foster social cohesion and psychological well-being. Second, hotels demonstrate high adaptability in crisis situations, acting as temporary shelters during natural disasters, extreme weather events, or social unrest. Their existing infrastructure, professional staff, and round-the-clock availability enable hotels to respond swiftly to urgent community needs. Case studies highlight that hotels have been utilized as emergency shelters, vaccination centers, and safe havens for vulnerable populations. This suggests an underutilized potential for hotels to be formally integrated into urban resilience planning, particularly in cities facing climate-related or social instability challenges. Third, hotels are emerging as providers of essential services in urban and rural settings, particularly in areas with inadequate public infrastructure. Survey findings indicate that public restrooms, secure gathering spaces, and temporary refuge areas are among the most in-demand services that hotels could offer beyond their core hospitality function. Innovative business models are already experimenting with hybrid hospitality concepts, where hotels provide workspaces, wellness services, and communal facilities to both guests and non-guests. These multi-functional roles position hotels as critical service hubs in urban ecosystems, fostering livable and resilient communities. The primary purpose of this article is to shine light on the mechanisms by which hotels function as safe spaces for urban environments. Ultimately, the role of hotels as safe spaces redefines their importance for neighborhoods, highlighting their potential to foster resilience and social cohesion in increasingly complex cities.