Valuing hotels as business entities

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of the theoretical context and practical application of different methods of hotel valuation, with particular emphasis on the methods related to the income-generating capacity of a hotel. The findings reveal a wide range of variation and complexity between methods, and that each method has benefits and limitations and requires adjustments and assumptions in different market conditions. However, it is concluded that the more sophisticated income-based income capitalization methods constitute the most effective basis for a framework on which to derive the open market value for a hotel as an ongoing business entity, but that one or more of the other main valuation approaches should be drawn upon in order to effect the reconciliation of a hotel's final value.