Hotel Pricing Soars as Institutions Vie

PORTSMOUTH, NH—Strong competition among large-scale buyers has helped fuel double-digit increases in per-room selling prices for hotels. Lodging Econometrics reported last week that average selling price per room soared 28% year-over-year to $150,223 per room in the first half of 2014, compared to $117,300/room in 1H 13. Prices for the first half of this year were also up 17% over the year-end average of $128,352 for ‘13.

“A complete economic recovery, a forecast for continued steady economic growth, receptive capital markets and a docile pipeline make it an interesting time for investors,” according to Portmouth, NH-based LE’s mid-year forecast. “Based on the makeup of their portfolios, it could be an ideal time to be both a seller of hotels, or conversely, an acquirer of additional assets. It could also be opportune to be a holder of existing assets seeking additional operating improvement and asset appreciation too.”