Hotel Cash Controls
An industry veteran breaks down hotel financial management into digestible concepts using AI-generated podcast format to make accounting accessible to non-financial hospitality professionals.
News
Selina Hotels: When the Digital Nomad Dream Met Financial Reality
Selina's $1.2 billion valuation collapsed to near-zero when its digital nomad-focused model couldn't achieve profitability despite 163 destinations.
By Lucas Dupont de Dinechin, Student in a Master of Global Hospitality Business organized by EHL, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Houston, EHL
If You Value Hotels Using a DCF With an Overall Discount Rate- You Are Probably Not Getting the Correct Value- Here Are the Reasons Why
The article argues traditional single discount rate DCF models undervalue hotels and proposes using mortgage-equity valuation that reflects actual 55-75% debt financing structures.
By Stephen Rushmore, Hotel Valuation Expert and Founder of HVS, Hotel Valuation Software
Why Cost per Occupied Room Is the Metric That Will Shape Hotel Profitability in 2026
HotelData.com report analyzing 5,000 U.S. hotels shows labor CPOR rose 12.8% in 2025, with Q4 seeing 21.1% year-over-year increase amid softening demand.
By Sarah McCay Tams, Head of Editorial, Actabl
Understanding the Profit Picture: HotStats CEO Michael Grove at ITB Berlin
HotStats CEO explains why revenue growth doesn't always translate to stronger margins due to rising costs and evolving guest expectations.
Commercial intelligence: why the breakthrough only happens when you change how you think
Bartnick argues that revenue management breakthroughs come from reframing problems rather than gathering more data, using parenting and dating analogies to illustrate behavioral insights.
By Fabian Bartnick, Founder, Infinito
Hotel Discount Rates and Equity Yields: A Decade of Shifting Investor Expectations
HVS analysis shows equity yields fell 310 basis points for luxury hotels over the decade while discount rates remained stable, suggesting investor confidence has structurally increased.
By Katy Black, Senior Vice President at HVS Denver, HVS
The complete guide to dynamic pricing in the hotel industry
Comprehensive guide explains how independent hotels can implement data-driven dynamic pricing to increase RevPAR by an average of 21% through automated rate adjustments.
By Jonathan Gough, Content Team Lead, Lighthouse
How to build and analyze your hotel competitive set
The guide covers KPIs like MPI and RGI for benchmarking, plus strategies for creating seasonal and aspirational competitive sets.
Performance Clauses in Hotel Management Contracts
The guide breaks down how to structure enforceable performance clauses in hotel management contracts, covering test thresholds, cure rights, and termination triggers to protect owner investments.
By Stephen Rushmore, Hotel Valuation Expert and Founder of HVS, Hotel Valuation Software
How can hoteliers in Indianapolis capitalize on market demand for March Madness and the Indy 500?
Analysis shows Indianapolis hotels underpricing Final Four rooms at $169 versus $210 for Indy 500, despite comparable demand and STR rates of $585+.
By Jonathan Gough, Content Team Lead, Lighthouse
Explaining Accounting
An accountant shares real client examples of hotel accounting disasters, from untrained staff managing books to $42,000 in uncollectable guest receivables needing write-offs.
By David Lund, The Hotel Financial Coach, David Lund
Breaking Even in a High-Cost World: Smarter Expense Strategies for Hoteliers
In hospitality today, costs are climbing faster than revenues. Hoteliers are being asked to protect profitability while keeping the same high standard of service that defines their brand. Rising labor costs, energy expenses, and supply chain volatility are putting intense pressure on margins.
By David Kasten, Hotel Finance and Asset Management Expert, Strategic Solution Partners
Hotel competitors: The ultimate guide to building your perfect competitive set in 2026
The guide details 11 criteria for selecting 5-10 direct competitors, from location and price to amenities and online presence, with automated tracking solutions.
By Laure Cremers, Content Specialist, Lighthouse
OneJourney Launches SwiftPay - The World’s First Hospitality Payment Card (HPC) Platform
OneJourney's SwiftPay platform offers hospitality operators 1%+ cashback on supplier payments through bank-integrated payment cards with no setup fees.
The Revenue You Are Not Getting
TRAVHOTECH research shows luxury hotels miss 45-55% of revenue potential by failing to digitally integrate high-margin spa, dining, and wellness offerings with room bookings.
By Mark Fancourt and John Bowen
PATA and DevelopmentAid Partner for Stronger Cross-sector Collaboration between Development and Tourism Industries
The agreement provides PATA members with funding intelligence, training opportunities, and partner matchmaking services to enhance tourism sustainability projects.
Investors Return to Europe’s Hotel Sector as Transactions Exceed €27 Billion
European hotel transaction activity reached €27 billion across 1,050+ hotels in 2025, marking the strongest investment year since 2019.
Connecting Revenue and Profitability: Flow Through and Flex Explained
The article explains two key financial metrics that help hoteliers understand how revenue changes translate to profitability and cost management effectiveness.
FTARW - The Secret Formula for Creating Financial Leadership in Your Hotel and Career
A hotel finance expert with four decades of experience uses AI to transform his writings into podcast discussions aimed at demystifying hotel financial management.
David Lund, The Hotel Financial Coach, David Lund