Asylum Seeker Hotel Closure: Which Hotels Are Closing

The UK government is phasing out the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, a policy shift that has already cut the number of active asylum hotels from a peak of around 400 to roughly 185 by mid‑2026. Chancellor Rachel Reeves projects that ending hotel use entirely by 2029 will save about £1 billion per year, though the transition to alternative accommodation has been marked by legal challenges and concerns over the treatment of residents. This article tracks the closures, the government’s replacement strategy, and the wider global refugee policy context.

Last checked: 2026-07-31

Current count: 185 active asylum hotels · Peak count: Approximately 400 · Recent closures: 31 hotels closed in 2026 · Government alternative: Moving to large sites and dispersal accommodation

Which asylum hotels are being closed?

The Home Office has been progressively closing hotels across the UK. In April 2026, 11 hotels were shut, including the Wool Merchant Hotel in Halifax, which had been used for asylum accommodation since 2022 (iNews). In June 2026, another 20 hotels were closed, bringing the total number of active asylum hotels to about 185, down from roughly 400 at the peak.

List of hotels closed in 2026

Among the hotels closed in 2026 are the Wool Merchant Hotel in Halifax, the Royal Hotel in Hull (due to close by autumn), and a hotel in Bangor, County Down, which ended its four‑year use as asylum accommodation in February (BBC News). The closures are part of a national programme to exit all hotels by 2029, as confirmed in the government’s asylum and returns policy statement.

Impact on asylum seekers

BBC investigations have described some hotel closures as “disorganised” and “inhumane”, with residents given short notice and moved to other accommodation without clear information (BBC News). Refugee Action, an advocacy group, has called the hotel‑based system “cruel by design”, citing isolation and restricted access to services (Refugee Action).

We are dying little by little here.

– Unnamed asylum seeker quoted by The Guardian

The bottom line: While the number of hotel closures has accelerated, the human cost of rapid, poorly coordinated moves remains a serious concern.

Which country takes in the most refugees worldwide?

Globally, Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees, with over 3.6 million registered under UNHCR protection. This is far more than any other country, including the UK, which ranks much lower in terms of refugee population per capita (UNHCR).

Top refugee‑hosting countries

According to UNHCR, the top five refugee‑hosting countries as of 2025 include Turkey, Colombia, Uganda, Pakistan, and Germany. The UK is not in the top ten, though it has seen a sharp increase in asylum applications during the 2020s.

UK’s position in global refugee statistics

The UK’s decision to move away from hotel accommodation and toward large sites and dispersal housing is part of a broader effort to manage asylum costs and capacity. The National Audit Office, however, has warned that early large sites like RAF Wethersfield and RAF Scampton are accommodating far fewer people than planned and may end up costing more than hotels (National Audit Office).

What countries do not accept asylum seekers?

Several countries, particularly in the Gulf region, do not have formal asylum systems or have not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, meaning they do not accept asylum seekers. The most notable examples are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Countries without asylum processes

These countries maintain that they are not signatories to the convention and therefore have no legal obligation to process asylum claims. Instead, they often provide temporary protection or residency on a case‑by‑case basis.

Reasons for non‑acceptance

The reasons are a mix of legal, political, and economic factors. Non‑signatory states argue that accepting refugees could strain their social systems or create security risks. Human rights organisations, however, criticise this stance as a violation of humanitarian principles.

Why does Saudi Arabia not accept refugees?

Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent countries that does not accept asylum seekers. It has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not have a domestic asylum system.

Saudi Arabia’s legal stance

The kingdom’s official position is that it provides aid and development assistance to refugee‑producing regions rather than hosting refugees on its soil. It also argues that its strict immigration laws already cover cases of temporary protection.

Criticism and humanitarian concerns

Critics, including Amnesty International, have pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s refusal to accept refugees places a disproportionate burden on neighbouring countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have been urged to reform their asylum policies.

For more information on hotel booking and industry analysis, see our guide to Best Hotel Reservation Websites: Top Sites Compared 2025 and the Fattal Hotel Group: Ownership, Brands, and Financials.