Check In. Cash Out: Why Investors are Turning to Resort Investment in 2026

The world of luxury real estate investment is undergoing a seismic shift. While traditional property markets face uncertainty, one asset class continues to defy expectations: luxury resort properties. The combination of record-breaking tourism numbers, ultra-wealthy demand, and constrained supply has created what industry experts are calling "the golden age of resort investing."

According to Colliers' Asia Pacific Hospitality Insights 2026, luxury resort assets are proving to be the ultimate wealth preservation tool, outperforming traditional real estate across every key metric. JLL's latest global forecast predicts a 15-25% surge in hotel investment volume this year, with luxury resorts leading the charge.

At Geonet, we offer investors opportunities to invest into resorts, by buying a single room or fraction, with options that match all investor’s budget and wealth goals. We partner with world-renowned hotel operators, and investors earn cash flow from room night stays, and in some cases, operational revenue as well. This rise in popularity among our clients follows the clear trends that are apparent in the hotel and resort investment data and sentiments over the past few years.

While residential real estate values fluctuate with interest rates and economic conditions, luxury resorts have remarkable resilience. The Colliers 2025 report reveals that high-end resort properties maintained or increased their value during three of the last four economic downturns.

This stability stems from three key factors:

First, affluent travelers prioritise experiences over cost. When economic uncertainty arises, the wealthy may cut back on speculative investments but rarely compromise on their luxury lifestyle. This creates consistent demand for premium resort experiences.

Read more: Luxury travelers will take 8 leisure trips on average in 2025, report says

Second, true luxury supply remains severely constrained. In prime destinations like Bali strict development regulations and limited beachfront availability mean new luxury resorts can't be built fast enough to meet demand.

Third, ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) are increasingly diversifying into tangible assets.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Global luxury RevPAR outperformed midscale hotels by 38% last year
• Resort transactions above $50 million increased 27% year-over-year.

When comparing investment returns, luxury resort properties consistently outperform traditional real estate by significant margins. Consider these 2025 benchmarks:

While residential properties in major Australian cities averaged 3.9% yields, well-managed luxury resorts in Bali delivered 14-17% annual returns. This is connected to Bali's luxury resorts achieving 8.9% ADR growth in Q4 2025.

This performance gap stems from resorts' unique multi-stream revenue model:

Unlike residential rentals that rely solely on occupancy, luxury resorts generate income through:

• Premium room rates (often $1,000+ per night)
• High-margin F&B operations (30-45% profit margins)
• Destination spas and wellness programs
• Exclusive events and celebrity partnerships

"The beauty of resort investing is that when one revenue stream slows, others compensate,” says Mark Reed from Geonet. “A dip in room bookings might coincide with a surge in wedding business or corporate retreats.

The global shift toward experience-driven travel is creating unprecedented opportunities for resort investors. According to American Express Travel, 78% of affluent travelers now prioritise unique experiences over material purchases, a trend directly benefiting luxury resorts.

Lifestyle resorts—properties that blend luxury with local culture and immersive programming—are particularly well-positioned. These properties command:

• 20-30% higher ADRs than traditional luxury hotels
• 15-20% longer average stays
• 40% repeat guest rates (vs 25% for conventional resorts)

In Bali, the lifestyle resort segment continues to steadily grow with seven new 5-star luxury properties slated to open by 2027.

Modern travellers are looking for more than a place to sleep—they want a destination that offers experience, style, and a sense of connection. Lifestyle resorts blend luxury, culture, and imaginative design to meet this demand. With unique features like locally inspired dining, social spaces, and immersive wellness zones, these resorts command higher rates and repeat guests. By 2026, lifestyle resorts are expected to make up 23.1% of new global openings, up from 11.7% in 2000—proving that this segment is a growing driver of returns in the luxury resort investment space.

According to the latest Luxury Travel Report by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, today’s affluent travellers aren’t just spending money—they’re seeking meaning. High-end guests now prioritise immersive, personalised experiences that offer emotional connection and cultural depth, moving away from generic offerings in favour of authentic, curated stays that feel both exclusive and memorable.

The operator behind a resort plays a critical role in determining its success. A beautiful property can still underperform if mismanaged. That’s why experienced resort investors prioritize partnerships with reputable hospitality brands that bring operational excellence, revenue strategy, and global distribution.

At Geonet, we work with brands like TUI Blue and SONO Hotels & Resorts, a Flight Centre brand. TUI Group manages over 400 resorts globally, known for their high occupancy and strong guest satisfaction. SONO Hotels is quickly expanding across Southeast Asia, leveraging Flight Centre’s vast customer base and global reach.

These partners provide more than just brand equity. Their expertise in revenue management, marketing, and guest experience is what ultimately drives the resort’s profitability. This makes brand and operator alignment a cornerstone of any successful resort investment strategy.

Read more: The Luxury Hospitality Boom: Data, Trends, and Investor Moves

Luxury resort investments offer strong potential for capital growth, especially in high-demand tourism markets like Bali. Limited supply, prime beachfront land, and increasing tourist arrivals have led to rising values in key areas such as Seminyak and Berawa.

According to the Q4 Colliers Report, Bali’s resort market saw a 3.7% increase in occupancy and an 8.9% jump in average daily rates—key indicators of rising investor value. With global resort stays reaching 4.8 billion room nights last year, and demand continuing to grow, luxury resort assets stand out for their ability to generate both operational income and long-term capital gains.

Three powerful forces are converging to make 2026 the ideal moment to enter the resort investment market. First, global tourism has fully recovered, with over 4.8 billion room nights booked in 2024—a record-breaking figure. Second, institutional investors are increasing allocations to luxury resorts, with CBRE reporting that 75% of hospitality-focused funds are targeting the high-end segment.

Finally, the supply pipeline is limited. Only seven new ultra-luxury resorts are scheduled to open in Bali in the next two years, catering to growing numbers of tourists from India, South Korea, and SE Asia, meaning demand will continue to outpace availability—supporting strong returns for those who invest early.

The data leaves no doubt: luxury resort properties offer higher returns, stronger cash flow, and better downside protection than nearly any other real estate asset class. With 14-17% yields in popular tourism markets and proven recession resistance, they represent what may be the most overlooked wealth-building tool available today.

Our team specialises in matching investors with premium resort opportunities. Whether you're considering fractional ownership or full asset acquisition, we provide exclusive access to the world's best-performing resort properties.

Contact us today and discover how resort investing can transform your portfolio.