New hotels in Fresno

Fresno has three new hotels in the pipeline, all announced rather than open, and all opening within about two years of each other: a full-service Courtyard by Marriott beside the downtown convention center in August 2026, a Hyatt House already open near Fresno State, and a dual-brand AC Hotel and Element by Westin at River Park targeting late 2027 or early 2028. Downtown suits a first visit built around the convention center and city hall; River Park works better for shopping, dining and a university-adjacent stay. Here's what's open, what's coming, and which hotel fits your trip.

What to do

A weekend in Fresno

Walk downtown Fresno past Fresno City Hall and the historic Old Fresno Water Tower, then spend an evening in the Tower District, the city's cultural and entertainment hub built around the 1939 Art Deco Tower Theatre, now a 761-seat venue for concerts, comedy and film. During the day, River Park's shopping center and one of the county's largest farmers markets make an easy stop for browsing and a meal.

A full week

With more time, Fresno serves as a practical base for day trips into Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, both roughly a 1.5 to 2-hour drive east into the Sierra Nevada foothills, or Yosemite National Park a similar distance north: few US cities this size sit within striking distance of three national parks. Closer to town, Roeding Park and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo fill a family afternoon, and the Forestiere Underground Gardens (a multi-level home and garden hand-carved out of hardpan by a Sicilian immigrant over four decades starting in 1906) is one of the more unusual half-day stops in the Central Valley. The Tower District's independent theaters and restaurants reward a slower evening than a first weekend allows.

Fresno sits in the middle of one of the country's most productive agricultural regions, and a drive out along Highway 99 or into the surrounding farmland (for a fruit stand, a raisin or citrus grower, or one of the county's wineries) is a genuine local activity rather than a manufactured tourist add-on.

Where to stay

Downtown Fresno

Courtyard by Marriott Fresno Downtown, confirmed for August 2026, is a 144-room hotel developed by Axis Hotel Group at 808 M Street directly beside the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center and across from the Saroyan Theatre: reported locally as the first full-service hotel built downtown in decades, pairing standard Courtyard amenities with a banquet hall aimed at convention business.

Near Fresno State

Hyatt House Fresno / Campus Pointe has opened as the brand's first Fresno property, completing developer Lance Kashian's long-running Campus Pointe development on the corner of Shaw and Chestnut avenues, next to Fresno State's Save Mart Center. The 138-suite, apartment-style extended-stay hotel (the final phase of a project that also added retail space and 530 residential units) targets event attendees, university visitors and business travelers tied to the Save Mart Center.

River Park

AC Hotel by Marriott Fresno River Park, a dual-brand project paired with an Element by Westin extended-stay hotel, is under construction near Nees Avenue and Highway 41 in the River Park retail and dining district, targeting late 2027 or early 2028: a four-story, roughly 108,000-square-foot building split into the two Marriott brands under one roof and a single street entrance, with the AC Hotel side marketed locally as Fresno's first four-star hotel and a rooftop lounge overlooking River Park. It's billed as the first dual-brand hotel development in Fresno and the first project of its kind in the Central Valley.

Which hotel for your trip

Convention and business travelers should look to Courtyard by Marriott Fresno Downtown once it opens in August 2026: the first hotel built specifically to serve the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center and Saroyan Theatre next door.

Longer stays, university visits and Save Mart Center events are best served today by Hyatt House Fresno / Campus Pointe, the market's only open extended-stay option with full kitchens.

Travelers who want Fresno's most design-forward option should wait for the AC Hotel side of the River Park dual-brand project, targeting late 2027 or early 2028 and marketed as the city's first four-star hotel.

Families and longer-stay travelers weighing River Park versus Fresno State should note that both projects are extended-stay-friendly: the Element by Westin side of the River Park development and Hyatt House Fresno / Campus Pointe both offer full kitchens, while Courtyard by Marriott Fresno Downtown is built for a shorter, downtown-focused stay.

Frequently asked questions

What is the newest hotel to open in Fresno?

Hyatt House Fresno / Campus Pointe, which opened in December 2025 next to Fresno State's Save Mart Center.

What hotel is confirmed to open next in Fresno?

Courtyard by Marriott Fresno Downtown, targeting August 2026 beside the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center.

Is there a hotel near the Fresno Convention Center?

Courtyard by Marriott Fresno Downtown, confirmed for August 2026, is being built directly beside it: reported as downtown's first full-service hotel in decades.

What is Fresno's first four-star hotel?

The AC Hotel side of a dual-brand AC Hotel/Element by Westin project under construction at River Park, targeting late 2027 or early 2028, is marketed locally as the city's first four-star property.

Can I use Fresno as a base for Yosemite or Sequoia National Park?

Yes: Yosemite is roughly a two-hour drive north and Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are about 1.5 to 2 hours east, making Fresno one of the few mid-sized US cities within day-trip range of three national parks.