MARKET INSIGHT
Why branded residence's are fast becoming a go to investment strategy
November 27, 2025 • Author: Richard Bradstock
Share On:
According to Knight Frank’s most recent Wealth Report, branded residences are the third-most sought-after real estate sector investment amongst HNWIs and Family Offices, behind the Living Sectors and Industrial/Logistics. This global sector, first pioneered by the Four Seasons in North America, is expected to double over the next seven years, expanding across 100 countries. So, are branded residences a good buy for property investors? And where and with whom should you invest?
What Are Branded Residences?
Branded residences are exactly what the name suggests – residential properties that are built, developed and managed under the insignia of a brand. This can be a hospitality marque like The Four Seasons, or it could be a luxury label like Armani, but hotel brands dominate the market, accounting for 79% of branded residences globally, which one would expect given that they have the competitive advantage. Owners usually benefit from hotel-quality amenities and conveniences and often have the opportunity to enter into a rental pool, the latter a win-win for investors, as unlike more traditional buy-to-let properties, there is the opportunity to enjoy personal use of the property on holiday or as a second home.
Like any branded good, they offer an instant barometer of quality, a level of quality assurance that you know what you are getting, although, this hasn’t been the case with every brand, a word of caution that investors should be choosy about the brands they spend their money with.
Similarly, like any brand they come with a premium price tag, on average 33% higher than the local market they operate in (Savills). But, as anyone who has dabbled in Vinted or eBay recently will know, branded goods can increase exponentially over time. Remember that vintage three-stripe Adidas tracksuit you so proudly cherished as a teenager? Well, you can probably get double what you paid for it now if you still own it. But the cheap market shell suit you once rocked, not so much. And so too it goes for branded residential properties – they come with a certain amount of cache.
A Globally Appealing Asset
The advantage of owning a branded residence, or rather we might say the right kind of branded residence, is their global and cross-cultural appeal. Just as Nike is equally as popular amongst British teenagers as Filipino ones, so too is the certain branded residence in the eyes of HNWIs whether they are from Manchester, Manilla or Moscow. To this end, not only do branded residences have a global rental pool, but they are an easily disposable asset for the short to medium term investor, largely because the global appeal of the brand inures them somewhat against any local market volatility.
“We predict that, as the global economy continues, producing HNWIs with international lifestyles, there will be an ever-increasing demand for branded residences.”
Savills, July 2024
THE BENEFITS OF BRANDED RESIDENCE
1
Hassle free ownership
Often referred to as a lock-up-and-leave, owners of branded residences place all the running and management with the operating company.
2
Top rents = higher returns
Branded residences command a higher rental premium and often deliver higher yields than other residential investment property.
3
VALUE PROTECTED
The brand affords value protection, helping the asset to appreciate over time.
4
OFFSET COSTS
Access to a rental pool enables you to enjoy the asset personally as well as offset the costs of ownership.
5
Your level of expectation met
A branded residence not only anchors your level of experience, but that of your expectations too. No more Airbnb disasters.
Get expert guidance on buying international property
FEATURED PROPERTY
skypark elara
From THB 8,500,000
20% Downpayment
About the author
RPA’s founder, Richard has worked in residential development investment for 20 years and oversees the general running of the business ensuring the RPA Group retains true to its founding principles. Over his career Richard has built an incredible network of international property investors and like-minded industry professionals.
Founder & Managing Director
richard bradstock
READ OUR PREVIOUS BLOG POST
Trusted by Our Clients
Discover why our clients love working with us and how our expert guidance helps them navigate the UK property investment market with confidence.
