Comfort, hygiene, digital services and sustainability are increasingly shaping the modern hotel experience. At the same time, hotel operators are under growing pressure to reduce energy consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions while delivering the standards guests expect.
Against this backdrop, ISH 2027, the world’s leading trade fair for HVAC + Water, will focus on how intelligent building technologies can help create efficient, sustainable and flexible hospitality environments. The event will take place from 15 to 19 March 2027 at Messe Frankfurt, bringing together solutions for hotel planning, construction, modernisation and long-term operation.
Hotels operate continuously and incorporate a diverse range of spaces, including guest rooms, restaurants, conference areas, laundries, kitchens, pools and wellness facilities. Each requires carefully coordinated systems for water, heating, cooling, ventilation and building automation. ISH 2027 will demonstrate how these technologies can be integrated to improve operational efficiency without compromising guest comfort.
The exhibition will present solutions across eight dedicated solution fields, covering the full spectrum of modern building technology. The focus will extend from new-build projects to refurbishment, repositioning and conversion of existing properties.
Bathroom Design Meets Technology
The hotel bathroom is a crucial part of the guest experience, with materials, lighting, sanitaryware and fittings contributing to first impressions. Behind the visible design, installation systems, ventilation, sound insulation and accessible maintenance infrastructure play an equally important role.
The “Bathrooms” solution field, located in Halls 3, 4.1 and 4.2, will showcase solutions focused on hygiene, comfort and resource efficiency. These include water-saving fittings, level-access showers and intelligent bathroom functions.
Prefabricated installation systems and bathroom modules can also help reduce construction time while supporting consistent quality. Easier access to technical systems can simplify maintenance and modernisation while reducing room downtime.
The special show “Pop up my Bathroom – Solution Spaces”, initiated by the German Sanitary Industry Association (VDS), will demonstrate how design and technology can be combined to create integrated hotel bathroom and wellness concepts.
Wellness Facilities Demand Greater Technical Precision
Pools, saunas, steam rooms and experience showers have become important differentiators for many hotels. However, maintaining these facilities requires sophisticated coordination between water treatment, ventilation, dehumidification and other technical systems.
The “Pools & Spas” area in Hall 3.0 will cover approximately 1,000 square metres, showcasing solutions for hotel spas, wellness facilities and swimming pools. The focus will be on attractive design, hygiene, water efficiency and energy-conscious operation.
Managing Water Quality Across Changing Occupancy Levels
Hotels must maintain safe and hygienic water supplies regardless of occupancy. Fluctuating guest numbers, long pipe runs and temporarily unused rooms can create additional technical challenges.
The “Water-bearing Systems” solution field in Halls 4.0 and 5.0 will feature piping, water treatment, circulation systems and digital water management technologies. Continuous monitoring can provide operators with greater visibility into consumption, identify irregularities early and support preventive maintenance.
Water-saving fittings, along with the use of non-potable or rainwater where appropriate, can further help hotels reduce overall water consumption.
Heating and Indoor Air Quality for 24/7 Hotels
Different hotel areas have different heating and cooling requirements. Guest rooms, kitchens, restaurants, conference spaces and wellness facilities may operate under significantly different temperature conditions.
Heat recovery technologies can capture energy that would otherwise be lost through exhaust air, wastewater or refrigeration systems and reuse it for hot-water production and other applications.
Indoor air quality is equally important to guest comfort. Temperature, humidity, air movement and noise can all influence how guests experience bedrooms, lobbies, spas and conference areas.
The “Indoor Air” solution field in Halls 8 and 10.1 will feature centralised and decentralised ventilation systems, heat recovery, filtration, cooling and dehumidification technologies. Compact, low-noise and easily retrofitted systems will be particularly relevant for hotel refurbishment projects.
Meanwhile, the “Heat Generation” solution field will explore renewable and hybrid heating systems, heat pumps, thermal storage and local and district heating networks that can help hotels reduce energy use, emissions and operating costs.
Intelligent Building Management Connects Operations
Digital connectivity is becoming increasingly important to efficient hotel operations. When property management systems communicate with building automation systems, technical infrastructure can respond dynamically to occupancy, energy demand and maintenance requirements.
For example, unoccupied rooms can automatically shift into energy-saving modes and return to the desired temperature before guests arrive. Sensors and digital monitoring can also help identify faults early and manage energy demand.
The “Intelligent Building Management” solution field in Hall 11.1 will showcase building automation, energy management, IoT applications and digital maintenance solutions.
For hotel operators and facility managers, transparent consumption data can support ESG strategies, sustainability reporting and certification processes. For investors, efficient systems can contribute to lower operating costs, long-term asset value and greater flexibility as building requirements evolve.
Hospitality Day to Focus on Hotel Development
ISH 2027 will dedicate 18 March 2027 to the hospitality sector with a special Hospitality Day. Organised in cooperation with the Hotel Real Estate Working Group (Arbeitskreis Hotelimmobilien), the programme will include a half-day specialist conference at Messe Frankfurt’s Congress Center followed by a guided tour of selected exhibitors.
The programme is designed to connect strategic perspectives from hotel development, architecture, planning, investment and operations with practical building technology solutions.
Andreas Martin, co-founder of the Hotel Real Estate Working Group, highlights the growing importance of sustainability in hospitality, particularly in Europe, where regulatory requirements are accelerating the shift towards more responsible building practices. He points to future-ready BIM-based planning, environmentally responsible materials, renewable energy, water-saving technologies and integrated property management and building automation systems as important components of modern hotel development.
With its broad technology portfolio and dedicated hospitality programme, ISH 2027 will demonstrate how building services can move beyond simply supporting hotel operations to actively shaping the guest experience, sustainability performance and long-term value of hospitality properties.
