<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000091741
<NAME> SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 32,498
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 6,643
<ALLOWANCES> 275
<INVENTORY> 1,519
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 44,151
<PP&E> 118,496
<DEPRECIATION> 33,350
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 132,390
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18,620
<BONDS> 76,285
0
294
<COMMON> 4,882
<OTHER-SE> 24,522
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 132,390
<SALES> 14,407
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 56,922
<CGS> 3,374
<TOTAL-COSTS> 22,532
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 26,695
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,476
<INCOME-PRETAX> 6,566
<INCOME-TAX> 2,519
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,047
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 274
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,773
<EPS-BASIC> $1.01
<EPS-DILUTED> $1.01
</TABLE>