How much does it cost per square meter to build a guest room in an economy hotel?
I am Tony Zhao, an MEP engineering cost expert. The budget cost of economy hotel guest rooms you mentioned is a key benchmark parameter in project investment decisions and cost control, directly affecting the project's investment payback period and operational profitability. Based on my years of experience participating in chain economy hotel projects (such as Home Inn, Hanting, 7 Days Inn, etc.), this indicator needs to be comprehensively broken down from three dimensions—civil construction, decoration, and MEP—to derive a relatively accurate cost per square meter.
From the cost composition logic of GB 50500 "Code of Bills of Quantities and Valuation for Construction Works," the cost per square meter of economy hotel guest rooms (approximately 25-35㎡ standard rooms) typically includes three major parts: civil structure (including foundation), interior fine decoration, and MEP systems (HVAC, plumbing and drainage, electrical, fire protection, intelligent systems). According to statistics from the China Hotel Association and my project experience, the comprehensive cost per square meter of economy hotel guest rooms (including public area allocation) generally ranges between 2800-3500 RMB/㎡, of which MEP systems account for approximately 25%-30% (i.e., 700-1050 RMB/㎡), decoration accounts for approximately 40%-45%, and civil construction accounts for approximately 25%-30%. This ratio differs significantly from the 35%-45% MEP share of five-star hotels, mainly because economy hotels simplify the air-conditioning system (mostly using split-type air conditioners rather than central air conditioning), weaken intelligent systems (no RCU guest room intelligent control), and lower equipment grade and brand premium.
Specifically, the MEP system cost breaks down as follows:
- HVAC: approximately 250-350 RMB/㎡. Economy hotels typically use split-type air conditioners or small VRF systems; the cost of a single wall-mounted unit is approximately 2000-3000 RMB, allocated to guest room area at approximately 80-120 RMB/㎡; the fresh air system uses mechanical exhaust or small fresh air units, at approximately 50-80 RMB/㎡; there is no central cooling/heating source, and the initial investment is approximately 60% lower than that of five-star hotels.
- Electrical system: approximately 200-250 RMB/㎡. Including distribution boxes (independent circuits per guest room, incoming line BV-3×6mm², main switch 25-32A), lighting (LED downlights + wall lamps, no complex scene control), sockets (bedside USB charging ports + desk sockets, no RCU required), and weak current (network cabling, TV signal lines). Compared with five-star hotels (including intelligent control), the cost is nearly 40% lower.
- Plumbing and drainage system: approximately 120-150 RMB/㎡. Adopts same-floor drainage (low depressed slab cost), pipes use UPVC (not HDPE), sanitary fixtures use domestic brands (such as TOTO low-end series or Arrow), and the hot water system uses centralized gas-fired water heaters or air-source heat pumps; the initial investment is approximately 50% lower than that of five-star hotels.
- Fire protection system: approximately 80-100 RMB/㎡. In accordance with GB 50016 requirements, an automatic fire alarm system (using addressable smoke detectors and manual call points, no linkage control cabinet required), an automatic sprinkler system (wet system, standard response sprinklers), and a fire hydrant system are provided. Economy hotel guest room floor heights are generally 2.8-3.0m, and the sprinkler coverage area is large, but the system scale is small.
- Intelligent systems: approximately 50-80 RMB/㎡. Only basic network cabling (one network port + one telephone port per guest room), access control system (IC card door locks, not facial recognition), and surveillance system (corridors + lobby, not full coverage) are configured; there is no RCU, no guest room control system, and no background music; the cost is approximately 70% lower than that of five-star hotels.
Summary: The comprehensive cost per square meter of economy hotel guest rooms is approximately 2800-3500 RMB/㎡, of which MEP systems account for 25%-30% (approximately 700-1050 RMB/㎡). Within the MEP cost, the air-conditioning system's share drops to approximately 25% because split-type rather than central systems are used; the intelligent system's share drops to 5%-8% because there are no high-end configurations such as RCU. It is recommended to carry out limit design at the schematic design stage, allocating the MEP budget in the proportions of HVAC 30%-35%, electrical 25%-30%, plumbing and drainage 15%-20%, fire protection 10%-12%, and intelligent systems 5%-8%, and to give priority to domestic brand equipment (such as Midea air conditioners and Arrow sanitary fixtures) to control costs.
The above are reference opinions. The actual project situation still needs to be further comprehensively evaluated and implemented in combination with specific working conditions, site conditions, and other factors.