Last Updated on July 27, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Cambria Hotels is an upscale hotel brand within Choice Hotels International, designed for both business and leisure travelers. The brand combines modern, locally influenced design with practical amenities, and its history shows how a hotel concept can change as guest expectations and development economics evolve. Understanding hotel ownership is especially important here because owning the Cambria brand is not the same as owning every individual Cambria property.
Quick Answer
Cambria Hotels is an upscale brand of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH). Choice primarily expands Cambria through franchising, but individual hotel ownership can vary because Choice also owns, manages, finances, or invests in some hotels. Its March 31, 2026 filing listed 77 Cambria hotels in the U.S. franchise system.
Key Takeaways
- Cambria Hotels is an upscale hotel brand within Choice Hotels International, not Marriott or Hilton.
- Choice launched Cambria Suites in 2005, and the first property opened near Boise Airport in April 2007 with 119 suites.
- The brand moved beyond its original all-suites format in 2014, giving guests a choice of standard rooms or suites.
- Choice introduced a formal conversion and adaptive-reuse strategy for Cambria in 2016 and has also used substantial development investment to support expansion.
- Choice reported 77 Cambria hotels with 10,296 rooms in its U.S. franchise system as of March 31, 2026.
- Amenities vary by property, but current Cambria brand hallmarks include locally influenced design, onsite dining, fitness facilities, meeting space, free Wi-Fi, and curated beverage programs.
Who Owns Cambria Hotels?
Choice Hotels International, Inc. owns and operates the Cambria Hotels brand within its portfolio. Choice is a publicly traded hospitality company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CHH. Cambria is one of the company’s upscale brands.
That does not mean Choice owns the land and building behind every Cambria hotel. Choice describes itself primarily as a hotel franchisor, meaning independent hotel owners can enter franchise agreements that let them operate under the Cambria name while following Choice’s brand standards.
However, it is no longer accurate to say that Choice never owns hotels directly. In its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, Choice said its U.S. operations included 17 open and operating owned hotels as well as managed properties. The filing also says its current hotel-development and ownership efforts focus on the Cambria Hotels and Everhome Suites brands.
Note: Brand ownership and property ownership are different. Choice owns the Cambria brand, while the owner of a specific Cambria building may be an independent franchisee, an investment entity, Choice itself, or another ownership structure. Check the individual property’s records when ownership of a particular hotel matters.
Cambria Hotels at a Glance
| Parent company | Choice Hotels International, Inc. |
| Stock ticker | NYSE: CHH |
| Hotel segment | Upscale |
| Brand launch | 2005 as Cambria Suites |
| First hotel | Cambria Suites Boise Airport, opened April 13, 2007 |
| Latest disclosed U.S. franchise count | 77 hotels and 10,296 rooms as of March 31, 2026 |
| Loyalty program | Choice Privileges |
The History and Background of Cambria Hotels
2005–2010: Cambria Suites Launches and Expands
Choice Hotels launched Cambria Suites in 2005 as an upscale, select-service, all-suites concept. Choice had previously launched MainStay Suites in 1996, and Cambria became another internally developed brand aimed at expanding the company’s reach beyond its traditional lodging segments.
The first Cambria Suites hotel opened on April 13, 2007, near Boise Airport in Idaho. Contrary to some later summaries, the first property had 119 suites, not 199 rooms. Choice said its suites were about 25% larger than standard hotel rooms at the time.
Four Cambria properties had opened by the end of 2007. The chain continued expanding during its early years and reached 22 open properties by November 2010. Growth was not perfectly linear, however, and the original all-suites model eventually proved restrictive as Choice pursued more markets and development partners.
2014: Cambria Moves Beyond the All-Suites Format
In May 2014, Choice announced a major Cambria repositioning. The company changed the name from Cambria Suites to Cambria Hotels & Suites and gave guests the option of a standard hotel room or a suite instead of requiring every property to follow an all-suite format.
The update also changed the brand’s visual identity, furniture, bathroom layouts, public spaces, and food-and-beverage experience. Choice said the redesign followed research involving business and leisure travelers, with particular attention at the time to Millennials entering the workforce.
2016 and Beyond: Conversions and Adaptive Reuse
The conversion strategy came later than the 2014 room-format change. In March 2016, Choice announced a new Cambria conversion strategy that included adaptive reuse of existing properties. This approach gave developers another path besides building every hotel from the ground up.
Choice also supported expansion with significant capital. In 2018, the company said it had $475 million in capital support earmarked for Cambria. Choice said that support could help developers raise equity, secure debt, and build multiple properties.
The Unique Features and Amenities of Cambria Hotels
Cambria is positioned as an upscale brand that combines practical business-travel features with design and food-and-beverage elements aimed at leisure guests. According to the current Cambria brand press kit, common brand features include sophisticated guest rooms, locally influenced décor, premium bedding, customizable meeting and event space, fitness centers, onsite restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour marketplace.
Food and beverage remain important parts of Cambria’s identity. Current brand materials highlight locally influenced menus along with curated local craft beers, signature cocktails, and Cambria Estate Wines. Rooftop bars and outdoor spaces are also featured at a number of properties.
The original Cambria concept emphasized work areas, ergonomic seating, technology, and spacious rooms, and modern properties continue to target travelers who need both comfort and connectivity. Newer brand materials also highlight spa-inspired bathrooms and technology-focused room features.
Pro Tip: Check the individual Cambria hotel’s amenity page before booking. Rooftop bars, pools, parking, breakfast arrangements, pet policies, outdoor spaces, and specific room features can differ from one property to another.
The Target Audience and Market for Cambria Hotels
| Target Audience | What Cambria Offers |
| Business travelers | Wi-Fi, work-friendly rooms, meeting space, fitness facilities, and locations near business centers |
| Leisure travelers | Locally influenced design, restaurants, bars, and access to urban or leisure destinations |
| Younger and design-conscious travelers | Contemporary spaces, technology features, social areas, and local character |
| Families and couples | Upscale accommodations with room types and amenities that vary by destination |
| Meetings and events | Customizable event space and onsite food-and-beverage options at participating properties |
Cambria’s target market has broadened as the brand has evolved. The 2014 repositioning specifically discussed business travelers and Millennials, while current Choice materials describe Cambria more broadly as a brand for the “modern traveler.” Locations are often selected with access to corporate offices, convention centers, entertainment districts, and local attractions in mind.
In the upscale hotel segment, Cambria competes with brands that can include Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, and other business-and-leisure-focused upscale chains. Cambria tries to stand apart through stronger local design cues, restaurants and beverage programs, and a less standardized visual feel from market to market.
The Expansion and Growth of Cambria Hotels
Cambria’s footprint has expanded significantly from its early all-suites days. The most recent detailed brand count in Choice Hotels’ public SEC filings shows 77 Cambria hotels and 10,296 rooms in the U.S. franchise system as of March 31, 2026, compared with 76 hotels and 10,344 rooms one year earlier.
Choice Hotels reported 77 Cambria hotels and 10,296 rooms in its U.S. franchise system as of March 31, 2026.
That number should be read carefully. Choice’s SEC table is specifically labeled as its U.S. franchise system. The company separately reports owned and managed hotels at the corporate level, so 77 should not automatically be treated as a live count of every Cambria-branded building under every ownership structure.
Growth continues through multiple development paths. Cambria accepts new construction, conversions, and adaptive-reuse projects. Choice’s August 2025 Cambria update said the brand had nearly 60 additional properties in its development pipeline at that time, while its January 2026 development update described a conversion-ready Cambria guestroom and other programs intended to make future projects more efficient.
The Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives of Cambria Hotels
Cambria properties participate in Choice Hotels’ broader environmental framework rather than operating under a completely separate Cambria-only sustainability program. Choice’s Room to be Green program is built around energy conservation, water conservation, recycling and waste reduction, employee engagement, and more sustainable product use.
Choice states that its hotels are required to achieve at least Level 1 in the program. Example Level 1 requirements include utility-data reporting, basic energy- and water-saving measures, and designation of a Green Ambassador. Higher levels add measures such as occupancy sensors, food-waste programs, renewable energy, electric-vehicle charging, and other building practices.
This system-wide program is more precise than assuming every Cambria property has exactly the same recycling equipment, fixtures, or locally sourced products. Sustainability features can differ because properties vary in age, design, ownership, location, and program level.
The Awards and Recognition Received by Cambria Hotels
Cambria has received notable guest-satisfaction recognition, but the date matters. In the 2023 J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, Cambria Hotels & Suites ranked highest in the upscale segment with a score of 738.
That should not be presented as a current No. 1 ranking. In the 2026 study, released July 14, 2026, Drury Hotels ranked highest in the upscale segment for a second consecutive year.
Individual Cambria properties have also received design recognition. For example, the Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville was named a winner in the LIV Hospitality Design Awards’ Architectural Design Hotel – Midscale & Lifestyle category, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on architecture and locally responsive design.
The Future Plans and Developments for Cambria Hotels
Choice continues to treat Cambria as an important part of its upscale portfolio. In its January 2026 development update, the company said it was working on a conversion-ready Cambria guestroom, updated property-improvement strategies, new amenity solutions, and the Cambria Boost performance program. Choice also said its broader domestic upscale pipeline across Ascend Collection, Cambria, and Radisson had reached 133 hotels, with more openings expected during 2026.
Choice is still using financial support to accelerate Cambria and Everhome Suites development, although its March 2026 SEC filing says it expects the pace of those investments to decline as the brands approach larger scale. The same filing says Choice may develop or acquire hotels and later sell them to franchisees under long-term franchise agreements, which helps explain why Cambria property ownership can change over time.
Digital booking and loyalty tools also remain part of the guest experience. Cambria participates in Choice Privileges, and guests can use Choice’s website and app for tasks such as finding participating properties, making eligible reservations, and managing loyalty activity. For more information about digital arrival features in the broader hotel industry, see this guide to booking and loyalty management.
If you’re planning a trip to stay at a Cambria hotel, packing cubes can also make it easier to keep clothing and smaller items organized. This guide to 5 Must-Have Packing Cubes for Your Spring 2025 Getaway covers several options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cambria Hotels?
Cambria Hotels is an upscale hotel brand within Choice Hotels International. It focuses on modern accommodations, locally influenced design, food and beverage, fitness facilities, meeting space, and technology-friendly features for business and leisure travelers.
Who owns Cambria Hotels?
The Cambria Hotels brand belongs to Choice Hotels International, Inc., a publicly traded hospitality company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CHH. Ownership of individual Cambria hotel properties can vary.
Does Choice Hotels own every Cambria hotel building?
No. Choice is primarily a hotel franchisor, so many Cambria properties are owned by independent hotel owners or investment groups. Choice also owns, manages, finances, or invests in some hotels, and its current hotel-development and ownership efforts include the Cambria and Everhome Suites brands.
Is Cambria Hotels a franchise?
Cambria is a Choice Hotels brand that grows largely through franchising. Independent owners can operate hotels under the Cambria name through franchise agreements, while Choice sets brand standards and provides systems such as reservations, marketing, and loyalty support.
Is Cambria part of Marriott or Hilton?
No. Cambria Hotels is part of Choice Hotels International, not Marriott International or Hilton. Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn are competitors in the broader upscale hotel market.
Is Cambria considered a luxury hotel?
Cambria is generally positioned in the upscale segment rather than the luxury segment. It offers upgraded design, dining, fitness, meeting, and room features without being positioned in the same category as traditional luxury brands.
How many Cambria Hotels are there?
Choice Hotels reported 77 Cambria hotels with 10,296 rooms in its U.S. franchise system as of March 31, 2026. That figure is the latest detailed franchise-system count in Choice’s public SEC filing, not necessarily a live count of every Cambria property under every ownership structure.
Where are Cambria Hotels located?
Cambria Hotels are found in urban, suburban, airport, and leisure markets across the United States. Choice selects markets based on factors that can include nearby corporate businesses, convention centers, entertainment areas, and local attractions.
What amenities do Cambria Hotels offer?
Common Cambria brand features include design-forward rooms, premium bedding, spa-inspired bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, fitness centers, onsite dining, meeting and event space, locally influenced drinks, and 24-hour marketplaces. Rooftop bars, outdoor spaces, pools, parking, and other amenities vary by property.
Sources
- Choice Hotels International Form 10-Q — March 31, 2026 — current U.S. Cambria franchise count, Choice’s franchising model, hotel ownership, and development investment.
- Choice Hotels — First Cambria Suites Hotel Opens in Boise — first opening date, 119-suite property size, and original all-suites concept.
- Choice Hotels — 2014 Cambria Brand Repositioning — move from an all-suites format to standard rooms and suites and the updated guest experience.
- Choice Hotels — 2016 Cambria Conversion Strategy — conversions, adaptive reuse, and urban development strategy.
- Cambria Hotels — Official Press Kit — current positioning, rooms, dining, fitness, meeting space, rooftop areas, beverages, Wi-Fi, and other brand features.
- Choice Hotels — Room to be Green and J.D. Power 2023 Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study — sustainability program requirements and Cambria’s documented 2023 upscale guest-satisfaction ranking.