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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex31_2.htm
EX-3.1 - EXHIBIT 3.1 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex3_1.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex21_1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex32_2.htm
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex12_1.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex31_1.htm
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex23_1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUSTex32_1.htm


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-K


(Mark One)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
 
Commission file number: 001-14765

HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland
 
251811499
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
44 Hersha Drive, Harrisburg, PA
 
17102
(Address of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (717) 236-4400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None
(Title of class)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes   x No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
o Yes   x No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (i) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (ii) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes  o No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer                x
Non-accelerated filer    o
Small reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). oYes   x No

The aggregate market value of the outstanding Class A Common Shares held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sale price at which Class A Common Shares were last sold on June 30, 2009, was approximately $121.8 million.

As of March 3, 2010, the number of Class A common shares of beneficial interest outstanding was 109,433,818 and there were no Class B common shares outstanding.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated herein by reference into Part III.
 


 
 

 

 
HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST

INDEX

 
 
Form 10-K
 
 
Report
Item No.
 
Page
 
 
 
PART I
Item 1.
1
Item 1A.
8
Item 1B.
18
Item 2.
19
Item 3.
20
PART II
 
 
Item 4.
21
Item 5.
23
Item 6.
25
Item 6A.
39
Item 7.
41
Item 8.
92
Item 8A.
92
Item 8B.
94
PART III
 
 
Item 9.
95
Item 10.
95
Item 11.
95
Item 12.
96
Item 13.
96
PART IV
 
 
Item 14.
97

 
i


PART I

Item 1.
Business

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to: (1) “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Hersha” mean Hersha Hospitality Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, taken as a whole; (2) “HHLP” and “our operating partnership” mean Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership; and (3) “common shares” mean our Class A common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share.

All brand names, trademarks and service marks appearing in this report are the property of their respective owners. This report may contain registered trademarks owned or licensed to companies other than us, including, but not limited to, Comfort Inn®, Courtyard® by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn®, Fairfield Inn® by Marriott®, Hampton Inn® Hawthorne Suites®, Hilton®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Hotels®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Homewood Suites®, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Hyatt Summerfield Suites®, Mainstay Suites®, Marriott®, Marriott Hotels & Resorts®, Residence Inn®, Residence Inn® by Marriott®, Sleep Inn® Springhill Suites® and Springhill Suites by Marriott®. None of the owners or licensees of any trademarks contained in this report or any of their respective present and future owners, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents or employees shall have any liability or responsibility for any financial statements or other financial information contained in this report.


CAUTIONARY FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements containing the words, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” and words of similar import. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events, our plans, strategies, prospects and future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should specifically consider the various factors identified in this report including, but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” that could cause actual results to differ. Statements regarding the following subjects are forward-looking by their nature:

·
our business or investment strategy;
·
our projected operating results;
·
our distribution policy;
·
our liquidity;
·
completion of any pending transactions;
·
our ability to obtain future financing arrangements;
·
our understanding of our competition;
·
market trends; and
·
projected capital expenditures.

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations, taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  The following factors could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements:

·
general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common shares;
·
changes in our business or investment strategy;
·
availability, terms and deployment of capital;
·
availability of qualified personnel;
·
changes in our industry and the market in which we operate, interest rates, or the general economy;
·
the degree and nature of our competition;
·
financing risks, including the risk of leverage and the corresponding risk of default on our mortgage loans and other debt and potential inability to refinance or extend the maturity of existing indebtedness;
·
the depth and duration of the current economic downturn;

 
1


·
levels of spending in the business, travel and leisure industries, as well as consumer confidence;
·
declines in occupancy, average daily rate and RevPAR and other hotel operating metrics;
·
hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, or fear of hostilities that affect travel;
·
financial condition of, and our relationships with, our joint venture partners, third-party property managers, franchisors and hospitality joint venture partners;
·
the degree and nature of our competition;
·
increased interest rates and operating costs;
·
risks associated with potential acquisitions, including the ability to ramp up and stabilize newly acquired hotels with limited or no operating history, and dispositions of hotel properties;
·
risks associated with our development loan portfolio, including the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding principal and accrued interest at maturity;
·
availability of and our ability to retain qualified personnel;
·
our failure to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
·
environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters;
·
changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates; and
·
the factors discussed in Item 1A of this report under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control, also could harm our results, performance or achievements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.


OVERVIEW

Hersha Hospitality Trust is a self-advised Maryland real estate investment trust that was organized in 1998 and completed its initial public offering in January of 1999. Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HT.” We invest primarily in institutional grade hotels in central business districts, primary suburban office markets and stable destination and secondary markets in the Northeastern United States and select markets on the West Coast. Our primary strategy is to continue to acquire high quality, upscale, mid-scale and extended-stay hotels in metropolitan markets with high barriers to entry in the Northeastern United States and other markets with similar characteristics.  We have operated and intend to continue to operate so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax reporting purposes.

In addition to the direct acquisition of hotels, historically we have made investments in hotels through joint ventures with strategic partners or through equity contributions, secured mezzanine loans and land leases. Although we may invest in hotels through secured development loans and land leases, we do not expect to continue to originate any new secured mezzanine loans or enter into any new land leases as part of our hotel investment strategy.
 
We seek to identify acquisition candidates located in markets with economic, demographic and supply dynamics favorable to hotel owners and operators. Through our extensive due diligence process, we select those acquisition targets where we believe selective capital improvements and intensive management will increase the hotel’s ability to attract key demand segments, enhance hotel operations and increase long-term value.

As of December 31, 2009, our portfolio consisted of 57 wholly owned limited and full service properties and interests in 17 limited and full service properties owned through joint venture investments.  Of the 17 limited and full service properties owned through our investment in joint ventures, two are consolidated with us for financial reporting purposes. These 74 properties, with a total of 9,392 rooms, are located in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia and operate under leading brands, such as Marriott ®, Courtyard by Marriott ®, Residence Inn ®, Fairfield Inn ®, Springhill Suites ®, TownePlace Suites ®,  Hilton ®, Hilton Garden Inn ®, Hampton Inn ®, Homewood Suites ®, Hyatt Summerfield Suites ®, Holiday Inn ®, Holiday Inn Express ®, Comfort Inn ®,  Mainstay Suites ®, Sleep Inn ®, Sheraton Hotel ®, and Hawthorn Suites ®.  In addition, some of our hotels operate as independent boutique hotels.

We are structured as an umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT, and we own our hotels and our investments in joint ventures through our operating partnership, Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership ,for which we serve as general partner. As of December 31, 2009, we owned an approximate 86.9% partnership interest in our operating partnership.

 
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Our wholly-owned hotels are managed by independent, third party qualified management companies, including Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P. (“HHMLP”), a private management company owned by certain of our affiliated trustees and executive officers and other unaffiliated third party investors. Third party qualified management companies, including HHMLP, manage the hotels that we own through joint venture interests. We lease our wholly-owned hotels to 44 New England Management Company (“44 New England”), our wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). Each of the hotels that we own through a joint venture investment is leased to another TRS that is owned by the respective joint venture or an entity owned in part by 44 New England.

Our principal executive office is located at 44 Hersha Drive, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102. Our telephone number is (717) 236-4400. Our website address is www.hersha.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this report.


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We make available free of charge through our website (www.hersha.com) our code of ethics, annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information available on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this report or incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC.


INVESTMENT IN HOTEL PROPERTIES
 
Our operating strategy focuses on increasing hotel performance for our portfolio. The key elements of this strategy are:
 
 
·
working together with our hotel management companies to increase occupancy levels and revenue per available room, or "RevPAR", through active property-level management, including intensive marketing efforts to tour groups, corporate and government extended stay customers and other wholesale customers and expanded yield management programs, which are calculated to better match room rates to room demand; and
 
 
·
maximizing our earnings by managing costs and positioning our hotels to capitalize on increased demand in the high quality, upper-upscale, upscale, mid-scale and extended-stay lodging segment, which we believe can be expected to follow from improving economic conditions.
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had 57 wholly owned limited and full service properties, with a total of 6,530 rooms.


INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

In addition to the direct acquisition of hotels, we may make investments in hotels through joint ventures with strategic partners. We have historically identified acquisition candidates located in markets with economic, demographic and supply dynamics favorable to hotel owners and operators.  We are not actively pursuing additional joint venture investments.

As of December 31, 2009, we maintain ownership interests in 17 hotels with a total of 2,862 rooms through joint ventures with third parties.  Of the 17 hotels owned through interests in joint ventures, 2 are consolidated with us for financial reporting purposes.


DEVELOPMENT LOANS

We take advantage of our relationships with hotel developers, including entities controlled by our officers or affiliated trustees, to identify development and renovation projects that may be attractive to us. While these developers have borne the risk of construction, we have historically invested in hotel development projects by providing secured mortgage or mezzanine financing to hotel developers. In many instances, we maintain a first right of refusal or right of first offer to purchase, at fair market value, the hotel for which we have provided development loan financing.  We are not actively pursuing additional development loan investments.

As of December 31, 2009, we had an investment of $46.1 million in loans to seven hotel development projects.


ACQUISITIONS
 
 
Our primary growth strategy is to selectively acquire high quality, upper- upscale, upscale, mid-scale and extended-stay hotels in metropolitan markets with high barriers-to-entry. Through our due diligence process, we select those acquisition targets where we believe selective capital improvements and intensive management will increase the hotel’s ability to attract key demand segments, enhance hotel operations and increase long-term value.  We believe that current market conditions are creating opportunities to acquire hotels at attractive prices. In executing our disciplined acquisition program, we will consider acquiring hotels that meet the following additional criteria:

 
3


 
·
nationally-franchised hotels operating under popular brands, such as Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, TownePlace Suites and Holiday Inn Express;
 
 
·
hotels in locations with significant barriers-to-entry, such as high development costs, limited availability of land and lengthy entitlement processes; and
 
 
·
hotels in our target markets where we can realize operating efficiencies and economies of scale.
 
Since our initial public offering in January 1999 and through December 31, 2009, we have acquired, wholly or through joint ventures, a total of 86 hotels, including 28 hotels acquired from entities controlled by certain of our affiliated trustees and executive officers. Of the 28 acquisitions from entities controlled by certain of our affiliated trustees and executive officers, 25 were newly constructed or substantially renovated by these entities prior to our acquisition. Because we do not develop properties, we take advantage of our relationships with entities that are developing or substantially renovating hotels, including entities controlled by certain of our affiliated trustees and executive officers, to identify future hotel acquisitions that we believe may be attractive to us. We intend to continue to acquire hotels from entities controlled by certain of our affiliated trustees and executive officers if approved by a majority of our independent trustees in accordance with our related party transaction policy.


DISPOSITIONS

We evaluate our hotels on a periodic basis to determine if these hotels continue to satisfy our investment criteria. We may sell hotels opportunistically based upon management’s forecast and review of the cash flow potential for the hotel and re-deploy the proceeds into debt reduction or acquisitions of hotels. We utilize several criteria to determine the long-term potential of our hotels. Hotels are identified for sale based upon management’s forecast of the strength of the hotel’s cash flows and its ability to remain accretive to our portfolio. Our decision to sell an asset is often predicated upon the size of the hotel, strength of the franchise, property condition and related costs to renovate the property, strength of market demand generators, projected supply of hotel rooms in the market, probability of increased valuation and geographic profile of the hotel. All asset sales are comprehensively reviewed by our Board of Trustees, including our independent trustees. A majority of the independent trustees must approve the terms of all asset sales. During the time since our initial public offering in 1999 through December 31, 2009, we have sold a total of 22 hotels.


FINANCING

The relative stability of the mid-scale and upscale segment of the limited service lodging industry allows us to increase returns to our shareholders through the prudent application of leverage. We may employ a higher amount of leverage at a specific hotel to achieve a desired return when warranted by that hotel's historical operating performance and may use greater leverage across our portfolio if and when warranted by prevailing market conditions.


PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

We work closely with our hotel management companies to operate our hotels and increase same hotel performance for our portfolio. Through our TRS and our investment in joint ventures, we have retained the following management companies to operate our hotels, as of December 31, 2009:

 
4


   
Wholly Owned
   
Joint Ventures
   
Total
 
Manager
 
Hotels
   
Rooms
   
Hotels
   
Rooms
   
Hotels
   
Rooms
 
HHMLP
    49       5,322       6       872       55       6,194  
Waterford Hotel Group
    -       -       9       1,708       9       1,708  
LodgeWorks
    7       1,005       -       -       7       1,005  
Jiten Management
    -       -       2       282       2       282  
Marriott
    1       203       -       -       1       203  
                                                 
Total
    57       6,530       17       2,862       74       9,392  

Each management agreement provides for a set term and is subject to early termination upon the occurrence of defaults and certain other events described therein. As required under the REIT qualification rules, all managers, including HHMLP, must qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” during the term of the management agreements.

Under the management agreements, the manager generally pays the operating expenses of our hotels. All operating expenses or other expenses incurred by the manager in performing its authorized duties are reimbursed or borne by our TRS to the extent the operating expenses or other expenses are incurred within the limits of the applicable approved hotel operating budget. Our managers are not obligated to advance any of their own funds for operating expenses of a hotel or to incur any liability in connection with operating a hotel.

For their services, the managers receive a base management fee, and if a hotel meets and exceeds certain thresholds, an additional incentive management fee. The base management fee for a hotel is due monthly and is generally equal to 3% of the gross revenues associated with that hotel for the related month.


CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, RENOVATION AND REFURBISHMENT

We have established capital reserves for our hotels to maintain the hotels in a condition that complies with their respective franchise licenses among other requirements. In addition, we may upgrade the hotels in order to capitalize on opportunities to increase revenue, and, as deemed necessary by our management, to seek to meet competitive conditions and preserve asset quality. We will also renovate hotels when we believe the investment in renovations will provide an attractive return to us through increased revenues and profitability and is in the best interests of our shareholders. We maintain a capital expenditures policy by which replacements and renovations are monitored to determine whether they qualify as capital improvements. All items that are deemed to be repairs and maintenance costs are expensed and recorded in Hotel Operating Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.


OPERATING PRACTICES

Our hotel managers utilize centralized accounting and data processing systems, which facilitate financial statement and budget preparation, payroll management, quality control and other support functions for the on-site hotel management team. Our hotel managers also provide centralized control over purchasing and project management (which can create economies of scale in purchasing) while emphasizing local discretion within specific guidelines.


DISTRIBUTIONS

We have made forty-four consecutive quarterly distributions to the holders of our common shares since our initial public offering in January 1999 and intend to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to our shareholders as approved by our Board of Trustees.  The following table sets forth distribution information for the last two calendar years.

 
5


Quarter to which Distribution Relates
 
Class A Common Shares and Limited Partnership Unit Per Share Distribution Amount
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Series A Preferred Per Share Distribution Amount
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
2009
                         
Fourth Quarter
  $ 0.05  
1/4/2010
 
1/15/2010
  $ 0.50  
1/1/2010
 
1/15/2010
 
Third Quarter
  $ 0.05  
9/30/2009
 
10/15/2009
  $ 0.50  
10/1/2009
 
10/15/2009
 
Second Quarter
  $ 0.05  
6/30/2009
 
7/15/2009
  $ 0.50  
7/1/2009
 
7/15/2009
 
First Quarter
  $ 0.18  
3/31/2009
 
4/15/2009
  $ 0.50  
4/1/2009
 
4/15/2009
 
2008
                             
Fourth Quarter
  $ 0.18  
1/5/2009
 
1/16/2009
  $ 0.50  
1/1/2009
 
1/15/2009
 
Third Quarter
  $ 0.18  
9/30/2008
 
10/16/2008
  $ 0.50  
10/1/2008
 
10/15/2008
 
Second Quarter
  $ 0.18  
6/30/2008
 
7/16/2008
  $ 0.50  
7/1/2008
 
7/15/2008
 
First Quarter
  $ 0.18  
3/31/2008
 
4/16/2008
  $ 0.50  
4/1/2008
 
4/15/2008
 

Our Board of Trustees will determine the amount of our future distributions in its sole discretion and its decision will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of funds from operations, our partnership’s financial condition, debt service requirements, capital expenditure requirements for our hotels, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and such other factors as the trustees deem relevant. Our ability to make distributions will depend on the profitability of and cash flow available from our hotels. There can be no assurance we will continue to pay distributions at the rates above or any other rate.  Additionally, we may, if necessary and allowable, pay taxable dividends of our shares or debt securities to meet the distribution requirements.  There are no assurances we will be able to continue to make quarterly distributions at the current rate.


SEASONALITY

Our hotels’ operations historically have been seasonal in nature, reflecting higher occupancy rates during the second and third quarters. This seasonality causes fluctuations in our quarterly operating revenues and profitability. Hotel revenue is generally greater in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth quarters.


COMPETITION

The upscale and mid-scale, limited service segment of the hotel business is highly competitive. Among many other factors, our hotels compete on the basis of location, room rates, quality, service levels, reputation, and reservation systems. There are many competitors in our market segments and new hotels are routinely being constructed.  Additions to supply create new competitors, in some cases without corresponding increases in demand for hotel rooms.

We also compete for hotel acquisitions with entities that have investment objectives similar to ours. This competition could limit the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us. It may also increase the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell to us, making it more difficult for us to acquire new properties on attractive terms.


EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2009, we had 24 employees who were principally engaged in managing the affairs of the company unrelated to property management. Our relations with our employees are satisfactory.


FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

We believe that the public’s perception of quality associated with a franchisor is an important feature in the operation of a hotel. Franchisors provide a variety of benefits for franchisees, which include national advertising, publicity and other marketing programs designed to increase brand awareness, training of personnel, continuous review of quality standards and centralized reservation systems. Most of our hotels operate under franchise licenses from national hotel franchisors, including:

 
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Franchisor
 
Franchises
Marriott International
 
Marriott, Residence Inn, Springhill Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn, TownePlace Suites
Hilton Hotels Corporation
 
Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites
Intercontinental Hotel Group
 
Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
 
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Hawthorn Suites
Starwood Hotels
 
Sheraton Hotels
Choice Hotels International
 
Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Mainstay Suites

We anticipate that most of the hotels in which we invest will be operated pursuant to franchise licenses.

The franchise licenses generally specify certain management, operational, record-keeping, accounting, reporting and marketing standards and procedures with which the franchisee must comply. The franchise licenses obligate our lessees to comply with the franchisors’ standards and requirements with respect to training of operational personnel, safety, maintaining specified insurance, the types of services and products ancillary to guest room services that may be provided by our lessees, display of signage, and the type, quality and age of furniture, fixtures and equipment included in guest rooms, lobbies and other common areas.  In general, the franchise licenses require us to pay the franchisor a fee typically ranging between 6.0% and 9.3% of our hotel revenues.


TAX STATUS

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1999. As long as we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our income that is currently distributed to shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to certain state and local taxes on our income and property and to federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

We own interest in several TRSs. We may own up to 100% of the stock of a TRS. A TRS is a taxable corporation that may lease hotels under certain circumstances, provide services to us, and perform activities such as third party management, development, and other independent business activities. Overall, no more than 25% of the value of our assets may consist of securities of one or more TRSs. In addition, no more than 25% of our gross income for any year may consist of dividends from one or more TRSs and income from certain non-real estate related sources.

A TRS is permitted to lease hotels from us as long as the hotels are operated on behalf of the TRS by a third party manager that qualifies as an "eligible independent contractor." To qualify for that treatment, the manager must satisfy the following requirements:

 
1.
such manager is, or is related to a person who is, actively engaged in the trade or business of operating “qualified lodging facilities” for any person unrelated to us and the TRS;

 
2. 
such manager does not own, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of our shares;

 
3.
no more than 35% of such manager is owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons owning 35% or more of our shares; and

 
4.
we do not directly or indirectly derive any income from such manager.

The deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to us is limited to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. A 100% excise tax is imposed on transactions between a TRS and us or our tenants that are not on an arm’s-length basis.


FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS
 
We are in the business of acquiring equity interests in hotels, and we manage our business in one reportable segment. See “Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for segment financial information.

 
7


Item 1A.
Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risks, together with the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations may suffer. As a result, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of any investment you have in our securities.
 
RISKS RELATED TO THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

Current economic conditions have adversely impacted the lodging industry.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the U.S. economy has been negatively impacted by financial industry turmoil, growing unemployment and declining consumer sentiment. As a result, the lodging industry is experiencing slowing growth or, in some markets, negative growth which will have a negative impact on our future results of operations and financial condition.  These factors are likely to reduce revenues of the hotels and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders in 2010 and in subsequent periods.

Our hotels are subject to general hotel industry operating risks, which may impact our ability to make distributions to shareholders.

Our hotels are subject to all operating risks common to the hotel industry. The hotel industry has experienced volatility in the past, as have our hotels, and there can be no assurance that such volatility will not occur in the future. These risks include, among other things, competition from other hotels; over-building in the hotel industry that could adversely affect hotel revenues and hotel values; increases in operating costs due to inflation and other factors, which may not be offset by increased room rates; reduction in business and commercial travel and tourism; strikes and other labor disturbances of hotel employees; increases in energy costs and other expenses of travel; adverse effects of general and local economic conditions; and adverse political conditions. These factors could reduce revenues of the hotels and adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

The value of our hotels depends on conditions beyond our control.

Our hotels are subject to varying degrees of risk generally incident to the ownership of hotels. The underlying value of our hotels, our income and ability to make distributions to our shareholders are dependent upon the operation of the hotels in a manner sufficient to maintain or increase revenues in excess of operating expenses. Hotel revenues may be adversely affected by adverse changes in national economic conditions, adverse changes in local market conditions due to changes in general or local economic conditions and neighborhood characteristics, competition from other hotels, changes in interest rates and in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage funds, the impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws, the ongoing need for capital improvements, particularly in older structures, changes in real estate tax rates and other operating expenses, adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, acts of God, including earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, acts of war, adverse changes in zoning laws, and other factors that are beyond our control. In particular, general and local economic conditions may be adversely affected by the previous terrorist incidents in New York and Washington, D.C. Our management is unable to determine the long-term impact, if any, of these incidents or of any acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide, on the U.S. economy, on us or our hotels or on the market price of our common shares.

Our investments are concentrated in a single segment of the hotel industry.

Our primary business strategy is to continue to acquire high quality, upscale and mid-scale limited service and extended-stay hotels in metropolitan markets with high barriers to entry in the Northeastern United States and other markets with similar characteristics. We are subject to risks inherent in concentrating investments in a single industry and in a specific market segment within that industry. The adverse effect on amounts available for distribution to shareholders resulting from a downturn in the hotel industry in general or the mid-scale segment in particular could be more pronounced than if we had diversified our investments outside of the hotel industry or in additional hotel market segments.

Operating costs and capital expenditures for hotel renovation may be greater than anticipated and may adversely impact distributions to shareholders.

Hotels generally have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements, particularly in older structures, including periodic replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment. Under the terms of our management agreements, we are obligated to pay the cost of expenditures for items that are classified as capital items under GAAP that are necessary for the continued operation of our hotels. If these expenses exceed our estimate, the additional cost could have an adverse effect on amounts available for distribution to shareholders. In addition, we may acquire hotels in the future that require significant renovation. Renovation of hotels involves certain risks, including the possibility of environmental problems, construction cost overruns and delays, uncertainties as to market demand or deterioration in market demand after commencement of renovation and the emergence of unanticipated competition from hotels.

 
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The hotel industry is highly competitive.

The hotel industry is highly competitive. Our hotels compete with other existing and new hotels in their geographic markets. Many of our competitors have substantially greater marketing and financial resources than we do. Effective marketing by our competitors may reduce our hotel revenue and adversely impact our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Risks of operating hotels under franchise licenses, which may be terminated or not renewed, may impact our ability to make distributions to shareholders.

The continuation of the franchise licenses is subject to specified operating standards and other terms and conditions. All of the franchisors of our hotels periodically inspect our hotels to confirm adherence to their operating standards. The failure to maintain such standards or to adhere to such other terms and conditions could result in the loss or cancellation of the applicable franchise license. It is possible that a franchisor could condition the continuation of a franchise license on the completion of capital improvements that the trustees determine are too expensive or otherwise not economically feasible in light of general economic conditions, the operating results or prospects of the affected hotel. In that event, the trustees may elect to allow the franchise license to lapse or be terminated.

There can be no assurance that a franchisor will renew a franchise license at each option period. If a franchisor terminates a franchise license, we may be unable to obtain a suitable replacement franchise, or to successfully operate the hotel independent of a franchise license. The loss of a franchise license could have a material adverse effect upon the operations or the underlying value of the related hotel because of the loss of associated name recognition, marketing support and centralized reservation systems provided by the franchisor. Our loss of a franchise license for one or more of the hotels could have a material adverse effect on our partnership’s revenues and our amounts available for distribution to shareholders.

The hotel industry is seasonal in nature.

The hotel industry is seasonal in nature. Generally, hotel revenues are greater in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth quarters. Our hotels’ operations historically reflect this trend.  As a result, our results of operations may vary on a quarterly basis, impairing comparability of operating data and financial performance on a quarter to quarter basis.

Future terrorist attacks or changes in terror alert levels could adversely affect travel and hotel demand.
 
Previous terrorist attacks and subsequent terrorist alerts have adversely affected the U.S. travel and hospitality industries over the past several years, often disproportionately to the effect on the overall economy.  The impact that terrorist attacks in the U.S. or elsewhere could have on domestic and international travel and our business in particular cannot be determined but any such attacks or the threat of such attacks could have a material adverse effect on our business, our ability to finance our business, our ability to insure our properties and our results of operations and financial condition.
 
The outbreak of influenza or other widespread contagious disease could reduce travel and adversely affect hotel demand.
 
The widespread outbreak of infectious or contagious disease in the U.S., such as the H1N1 influenza (swine flu), could reduce travel and adversely affect the hotel industry generally and our business in particular.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

A general economic recession or depression could have a serious adverse economic impact on us.
 
In 2009, general worldwide economic conditions declined due to sequential effects of the sub prime lending crisis, general credit market crisis, collateral effects on the finance and banking industries, concerns about inflation, slower economic activity, decreased consumer confidence, reduced corporate profits and capital spending, adverse business conditions and liquidity concerns.  Our business plans for 2010 and beyond depend on the general state of the global economy and specifically on the economies of the locations of our hotels. We cannot assure you that favorable economic conditions will exist in the future. A general economic recession or depression could have a serious adverse economic impact on us.
 
We face risks associated with the use of debt, including refinancing risk.

At December 31, 2009, we had outstanding long-term debt, excluding capital leases, of $745.4 million. We may borrow additional amounts from the same or other lenders in the future. Some of these additional borrowings may be secured by our hotels.  Our declaration of trust (as amended and restated, our “Declaration of Trust”) does not limit the amount of indebtedness we may incur. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet our debt service obligations and, to the extent that we cannot, we risk the loss of some or all of our hotels to foreclosure. Our indebtedness contains various financial and non-financial event of default covenants customarily found in financing arrangements.  Our mortgages payable typically require that specified debt service coverage ratios be maintained with respect to the financed properties before we can exercise certain rights under the loan agreements relating to such properties.  If the specified criteria are not satisfied, the lender may be able to escrow cash flow from the applicable hotels.

 
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There is also a risk that we may not be able to refinance existing debt or that the terms of any refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of the existing debt. If principal payments due at maturity cannot be refinanced, extended or repaid with proceeds from other sources, such as new equity capital or sales of properties, we may be forced to use operating income to repay such indebtedness, which would have a material adverse effect on our cash available for distribution in years when significant “balloon” payments come due.  In some such cases, we may lose the applicable hotels to foreclosure.  This risk is particularly significant.  See Item 6A for a detailed schedule of debt principal repayments.

Tightening credit markets have made financing development projects and acquiring new hotel properties more difficult.

The turmoil in the financial industry has caused credit to significantly tighten making it more difficult for hotel developers to obtain financing for development projects or for hotels without an operating history.  This could have a negative impact on the collectability of our portfolio of development loans receivable, which as of December 31, 2009 was approximately $46.1 million, if the hotel developers are unable to find financing to repay our development loans when development is complete.  In addition, the tightening credit markets have made it more difficult to finance the acquisition of new hotel properties.  These factors could have a negative impact on our future results of operations and financial condition.

If we cannot access the capital markets, we may not be able to grow the Company at our historical growth rates.

We may not be able to access the capital markets to obtain capital to fund future acquisitions and investments. The market for real estate related debt and equity capital could endure a prolonged period of volatility which may limit our ability to access new capital for acquisitions, investments and joint ventures. If we lack the capital to make future acquisitions or investments, we may not be able to continue to grow at historical rates.

We face high levels of competition for the acquisition of hotel properties and other assets, which may impede our ability to make future acquisitions or may increase the cost of these acquisitions.

We face competition for investment opportunities in high quality, upscale and mid-scale limited service and extended-stay hotels from entities organized for purposes substantially similar to our objectives, as well as other purchasers of hotels. We compete for such investment opportunities with entities that have substantially greater financial resources than we do, including access to capital or better relationships with franchisors, sellers or lenders. Our competitors may generally be able to accept more risk than we can manage prudently and may be able to borrow the funds needed to acquire hotels. Competition may generally reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us and increase the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell.

We do not operate our hotels and, as a result, we do not have complete control over implementation of our strategic decisions.

In order for us to satisfy certain REIT qualification rules, we cannot directly or indirectly operate or manage any of our hotels.  Instead, we must engage an independent management company to operate our hotels.  As of December 31, 2009, our TRSs and our joint venture partnerships have engaged independent management companies as the property managers for all of our wholly owned hotels leased to our TRSs and the respective hotels for the joint ventures, as required by the REIT qualification rules.  The management companies operating the hotels make and implement strategic business decisions with respect to these hotels, such as decisions with respect to the repositioning of a franchise or food and beverage operations and other similar decisions.  Decisions made by the management companies operating the hotels may not be in the best interests of a particular hotel or of our company.  Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the management companies will operate our hotels in a manner that is in our best interests.  In addition, the financial condition of the management companies could impact their future ability to operate our hotels.

Our acquisitions may not achieve expected performance, which may harm our financial condition and operating results.

We anticipate that acquisitions will largely be financed with the net proceeds of securities offerings and through externally generated funds such as borrowings under credit facilities and other secured and unsecured debt financing. Acquisitions entail risks that investments will fail to perform in accordance with expectations and that estimates of the cost of improvements necessary to acquire and market properties will prove inaccurate, as well as general investment risks associated with any new real estate investment. Because we must distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income each year to maintain our qualification as a REIT, our ability to rely upon income or cash flow from operations to finance our growth and acquisition activities will be limited. Accordingly, were we unable to obtain funds from borrowings or the capital markets to finance our growth and acquisition activities, our ability to grow could be curtailed, amounts available for distribution to shareholders could be adversely affected and we could be required to reduce distributions.

 
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Acquisition of hotels with limited operating history may not achieve desired results.

Many of our recent acquisitions are newly-developed hotels. Newly-developed or newly-renovated hotels do not have the operating history that would allow our management to make pricing decisions in acquiring these hotels based on historical performance. The purchase prices of these hotels are based upon management’s expectations as to the operating results of such hotels, subjecting us to risks that such hotels may not achieve anticipated operating results or may not achieve these results within anticipated time frames. As a result, we may not be able to generate enough cash flow from these hotels to make debt payments or pay operating expenses. In addition, room revenues may be less than that required to provide us with our anticipated return on investment. In either case, the amounts available for distribution to our shareholders could be reduced.

We may be unable to integrate acquired hotels into our operations or otherwise manage our planned growth, which may adversely affect our operating results.

We have recently acquired a substantial number of hotels. We cannot assure you that we or HHMLP will be able to adapt our management, administrative, accounting and operational systems and arrangements, or hire and retain sufficient operational staff to successfully integrate these investments into our portfolio and manage any future acquisitions of additional assets without operational disruptions or unanticipated costs. Acquisition of hotels generates additional operating expenses that we will be required to pay. As we acquire additional hotels, we will be subject to the operational risks associated with owning new lodging properties. Our failure to integrate successfully any future acquisitions into our portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to shareholders or make other payments in respect of securities issued by us.

Most of our hotels are located in the Eastern United States and many are located in the area from Washington, DC to Boston, MA, which may increase the effect of any regional or local economic conditions.

Most of our hotels are located in the area from Washington, DC to Boston, MA.  Thirty-eight of our wholly owned hotels and thirteen of our joint venture hotels are located in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut. As a result, regional or localized adverse events or conditions, such as an economic recession around these hotels, could have a significant adverse effect on our operations, and ultimately on the amounts available for distribution to shareholders.

Our ownership of hotels in the New York City market exposes us to concentration risk, which may lead to increased volatility in our results of operations.
 
Our consolidated portfolio of hotels in New York City have historically accounted for approximately 35% of our consolidated earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and this percentage is expected to increase going forward with the acquisition during the first quarter of 2010 of three hotels located in Times Square.  The three Times Square hotels are newly-constructed hotels that opened for business in July 2009 and have limited operating history. As a result, our ability to forecast future operations accurately is limited and there is considerable risk the Times Square hotels may not generate sufficient revenue to cover the costs of their operations or provide attractive returns on our investment.  The operations of our consolidated portfolio of hotels in New York City will have a material impact on our overall results of operations.  Concentration risk with respect to our ownership of hotels in the New York City market may lead to increased volatility in our overall results of operations.  Our overall results of operations may be adversely affected and our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders could be negatively impacted in the event:

 
·
the current downturn in lodging fundamentals is more severe or prolonged in New York City compared to the United States as a whole;
 
·
we adopt an unsuccessful strategy to ramp up and stabilize operations at the three, newly-constructed Times Square hotels; or
 
·
New York City is impacted by other unforeseen events beyond our control, including, among others, terrorist attacks and travel related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics such as H1N1 influenza (swine flu), avian bird flu and SARS.

We own a limited number of hotels and significant adverse changes at one hotel may impact our ability to make distributions to shareholders.

As of December 31, 2009, our portfolio consisted of 57 wholly-owned limited and full service properties and joint venture investments in 17 hotels with a total of 9,392 rooms. However, certain larger hotels or hotels in certain locations disproportionately impact our performance.  Accordingly, significant adverse changes in the operations of any one of these hotels could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and on our ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders.

 
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We focus on acquiring hotels operating under a limited number of franchise brands, which creates greater risk as the investments are more concentrated.

We place particular emphasis in our acquisition strategy on hotels similar to our current hotels. We invest in hotels operating under a few select franchises and therefore will be subject to risks inherent in concentrating investments in a particular franchise brand, which could have an adverse effect on amounts available for distribution to shareholders. These risks include, among others, the risk of a reduction in hotel revenues following any adverse publicity related to a specific franchise brand or the failure of the franchisor to maintain a certain brand.

We depend on key personnel.

We depend on the services of our existing senior management team, including Jay H. Shah, Neil H. Shah, Ashish R. Parikh and Michael R. Gillespie, to carry out our business and investment strategies. As we expand, we will continue to need to attract and retain qualified additional senior management. We have employment contracts with certain of our senior management; however, the employment agreements may be terminated under certain circumstances. The termination of an employment agreement and the loss of the services of any of our key management personnel, or our inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.

We may engage in hedging transactions, which can limit our gains and increase exposure to losses.

We may enter into hedging transactions intended to protect us from the effects of interest rate fluctuations on floating rate debt and also intended to protect our portfolio of mortgage assets from interest rate and prepayment rate fluctuations. Our hedging transactions may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase such items, and futures and forward contracts. Hedging activities may not have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. No hedging activity can completely insulate us from the risks associated with changes in interest rates and prepayment rates. Moreover, interest rate hedging could fail to protect us or could adversely affect us because, among other things:

 
·
Available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought.
 
·
The duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability.
 
·
The party at risk in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay.
 
·
The credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction.
 
·
The value of derivatives used for hedging may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with accounting rules to reflect changes in fair value.

Downward adjustments, or “mark-to-market losses,” relating to hedging instruments may reduce our shareholders’ equity.

Hedging involves risk and typically involves costs, including transaction costs, which may reduce returns on our investments. These costs increase as the period covered by the hedging increases and during periods of rising and volatile interest rates. These costs will also limit the amount of cash available for distribution to shareholders. The REIT qualification rules may also limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions. We generally intend to hedge as much of our interest rate risk as our management determines is in our best interests given the cost of such hedging transactions and the requirements applicable to REITs. If we are unable to hedge effectively because of the cost of such hedging transactions or the limitations imposed by the REIT rules, we will face greater interest risk exposure than may be commercially prudent.

RISKS RELATED TO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT GENERALLY

Illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties and harm our financial condition.

Real estate investments are relatively illiquid. Our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in operating, economic and other conditions will be limited. No assurances can be given that the fair market value of any of our hotels will not decrease in the future.

If we suffer losses that are not covered by insurance or that are in excess of our insurance coverage limits, we could lose investment capital and anticipated profits.

We require comprehensive insurance to be maintained on each of the our hotels, including liability and fire and extended coverage in amounts sufficient to permit the replacement of the hotel in the event of a total loss, subject to applicable deductibles. However, there are certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and acts of terrorism, that may be uninsurable or not economically insurable. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors also might make it impracticable to use insurance proceeds to replace the applicable hotel after such applicable hotel has been damaged or destroyed. Under such circumstances, the insurance proceeds received by us might not be adequate to restore our economic position with respect to the applicable hotel. If any of these or similar events occur, it may reduce the return from the attached property and the value of our investment.

 
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Real estate is subject to property taxes.

Each hotel is subject to real and personal property taxes. The real and personal property taxes on hotel properties in which we invest may increase as property tax rates change and as the properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. Many state and local governments are facing budget deficits that have led many of them, and may in the future lead others to, increase assessments and/or taxes. If property taxes increase, our ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.

Environmental matters could adversely affect our results.

Operating costs may be affected by the obligation to pay for the cost of complying with existing environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, as well as the cost of future legislation. Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. The cost of complying with environmental laws could materially adversely affect amounts available for distribution to shareholders. Phase I environmental assessments have been obtained on all of our hotels. Nevertheless, it is possible that these reports do not reveal all environmental liabilities or that there are material environmental liabilities of which we are unaware.

Costs associated with complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1993 (ADA), all public accommodations are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. While we believe that our hotels are substantially in compliance with these requirements, a determination that we are not in compliance with the ADA could result in imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. In addition, changes in governmental rules and regulations or enforcement policies affecting the use and operation of the hotels, including changes to building codes and fire and life-safety codes, may occur. If we were required to make substantial modifications at the hotels to comply with the ADA or other changes in governmental rules and regulations, our ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.

RISKS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Due to conflicts of interest, many of our existing agreements may not have been negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and may not be in our best interest.

Some of our officers and affiliated trustees have ownership interests in HHMLP and in entities with which we have entered into transactions, including hotel acquisitions and dispositions and certain financings. Consequently, the terms of our agreements with those entities, including hotel contribution or purchase agreements, the Option Agreement between our operating partnership and some of the affiliated trustees and officers and our property management agreements with HHMLP may not have been negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and may not be in the best interest of all our shareholders.

Conflicts of interest with HHMLP may result in decisions that do not reflect our best interests.

The following officers and affiliated trustees own collectively approximately 70% of HHMLP: Hasu P. Shah, Jay H. Shah, Neil H. Shah, David L. Desfor and Kiran P. Patel.  Conflicts of interest may arise in respect to the ongoing operation of our hotels including, but not limited to, the enforcement of the contribution and purchase agreements, the Option Agreement and our property management agreements with HHMLP.  These officers and affiliated trustees also make decisions for our company with respect to property management.  Consequently, these officers and affiliated trustees may not act solely in the best interests of our shareholders relating to property management by HHMLP.

Conflicts of interest relating to sales or refinancing of hotels acquired from some of our affiliated trustees and officers may lead to decisions that are not in our best interest.

Some of our affiliated trustees and officers have unrealized gains associated with their interests in the hotels we have acquired from them and, as a result, any sale of these hotels or refinancing or prepayment of principal on the indebtedness assumed by us in purchasing these hotels may cause adverse tax consequences to such affiliated trustees and officers. Therefore, our interests and the interests of these individuals may be different in connection with the disposition or refinancing of these hotels.

 
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Agreements to provide financing of hotel development projects owned by some of our affiliated trustees and officers may not have been negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and may not be in our best interest.

Some of our officers and affiliated trustees have ownership interests in projects to develop hotel properties with which we have entered into agreements to provide financing. Consequently, the terms of our agreements with those entities, including interest rates and other key terms, may not have been negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and may not be in the best interest of all our shareholders.

Competing hotels owned or acquired by some of our affiliated trustees and officers may hinder these individuals from spending adequate time on our business.

Some of our affiliated trustees and officers own hotels and may develop or acquire new hotels, subject to certain limitations. Such ownership, development or acquisition activities may materially affect the amount of time these officers and affiliated trustees devote to our affairs. Some of our affiliated trustees and officers operate hotels that are not owned by us, which may materially affect the amount of time that they devote to managing our hotels. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, as amended, we have an option to acquire any hotels developed by our officers and affiliated trustees.

Need for certain consents from the limited partners may not result in decisions advantageous to shareholders.

Under our operating partnership’s amended and restated partnership agreement, the holders of at least two-thirds of the interests in the partnership must approve a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the partnership or a merger or consolidation of the partnership. Some of our officers and affiliated trustees own approximately 6.8% interest in the operating partnership on a fully-diluted basis. Their large ownership percentage may make it less likely that a merger or sale of our company that would be in the best interests of our shareholders will be approved.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE

There are no assurances of our ability to make distributions in the future.

We intend to pay quarterly dividends and to make distributions to our shareholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year, subject to certain adjustments, is distributed. However, our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by the risk factors described in this annual report. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board of Trustees and will depend upon our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and such other factors as our board may deem relevant from time to time. There are no assurances of our ability to pay dividends in the future.

An increase in market interest rates may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.

One of the factors that investors may consider in deciding whether to buy or sell our securities is our dividend rate as a percentage of our share or unit price, relative to market interest rates. If market interest rates increase, prospective investors may desire a higher dividend or interest rate on our securities or seek securities paying higher dividends or interest. The market price of our common shares likely will be based primarily on the earnings and return that we derive from our investments and income with respect to our properties and our related distributions to shareholders, and not from the market value or underlying appraised value of the properties or investments themselves. As a result, interest rate fluctuations and capital market conditions can affect the market price of our common shares. For instance, if interest rates rise without an increase in our dividend rate, the market price of our common shares could decrease because potential investors may require a higher dividend yield on our common shares as market rates on interest-bearing securities, such as bonds, rise. In addition, rising interest rates would result in increased interest expense on our variable rate debt, thereby adversely affecting cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and pay dividends.

Holders of our outstanding Series A preferred shares have dividend, liquidation and other rights that are senior to the rights of the holders of our common shares.

Our Board of Trustees has the authority to designate and issue preferred shares with liquidation, dividend and other rights that are senior to those of our common shares. As of December 31, 2009, 2,400,000 shares of our Series A preferred shares were issued and outstanding. The aggregate liquidation preference with respect to the outstanding preferred shares is approximately $60.0 million, and annual dividends on our outstanding preferred shares are approximately $4.8 million. Holders of our Series A preferred shares are entitled to cumulative dividends before any dividends may be declared or set aside on our common shares. Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, before any payment is made to holders of our common shares, holders of our Series A preferred shares are entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid distributions. This will reduce the remaining amount of our assets, if any, available to distribute to holders of our common shares. In addition, holders of our Series A preferred shares have the right to elect two additional trustees to our Board of Trustees whenever dividends are in arrears in an aggregate amount equivalent to six or more quarterly dividends, whether or not consecutive.

 
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Future offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing shareholders and may be senior to our common shares for the purposes of dividend distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of equity securities, including classes of preferred or common shares. Upon liquidation, holders of our preferred shares and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common shares. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common shares, or both. Our preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments that could limit our ability to make a dividend distribution to the holders of our common shares. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our shareholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting their share holdings in us.

Future sales of our common shares by IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, or IRSA, and its affiliates, could depress the market price of our common shares.

We cannot predict whether future sales of our common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our commons shares or the availability of these securities for resale in the open market will decrease the market price of our common shares.  Based on information known by us as of March 3, 2010, IRSA and its affiliates beneficially own 17,346,756 common shares, including 5,700,000 common shares issuable by us upon exercise of outstanding options.  These shares, which represent approximately 15.9% our common shares outstanding as of March 3, 2010, may be resold by IRSA and its affiliates in the public market pursuant to shelf registration statement that has become effective under the Securities Act, or pursuant to any available exemption from registration.  Sales of a substantial number of common shares by IRSA and its affiliates, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the common shares.

IRSA and its affiliates beneficially own a significant percentage of our common shares, which could result in significant influence over the outcome of matters submitted to the vote of our shareholders.

Based on information known by us as of March 3, 2010, IRSA and its affiliates beneficially own approximately 15.9% of our common shares outstanding as of this date.  In addition, Real Estate Investment Group, L.P., or REIG, an affiliate of IRSA, has certain preemptive rights to acquire additional shares of beneficial interest.  Eduardo Elsztain, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IRSA, also serves on our Board of Trustees.  Accordingly, IRSA and its affiliates have significant influence over us and the ownership level of IRSA and its affiliates may discourage or prevent others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer, including potential acquisitions that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders. This concentration of ownership may result in decisions affecting us that may not serve the best interest of all shareholders.

Our Board of Trustees may issue additional shares that may cause dilution or prevent a transaction that is in the best interests of our shareholders.

Our Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval, to:

 
·
amend the Declaration of Trust to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest or the number of shares of beneficial interest of any class or series that we have the authority to issue;
 
·
cause us to issue additional authorized but unissued common shares or preferred shares; and
 
·
classify or reclassify any unissued common or preferred shares and to set the preferences, rights and other terms of such classified or reclassified shares, including the issuance of additional common shares or preferred shares that have preference rights over the common shares with respect to dividends, liquidation, voting and other matters.

Any one of these events could cause dilution to our common shareholders, delay, deter or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the common shares or otherwise not be in the best interest of holders of common shares.

The Declaration of Trust contains a provision that creates staggered terms for our Board of Trustees.

Our Board of Trustees is divided into two classes, the terms of which expire every two years. Trustees of each class are elected for two-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year one class of trustees will be elected by the shareholders. The staggered terms of trustees may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer, a change in control of us or other transaction, even though such a transaction might be in the best interest of the shareholders.

 
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Maryland Business Combination Law may discourage a third party from acquiring us.

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (MGCL), as applicable to REITs, certain “business combinations” (including certain issuances of equity securities) between a Maryland REIT and any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the trust’s shares, or an affiliate thereof, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which this shareholder acquired at least ten percent of the voting power of the trust’s shares. Thereafter, any such business combination must be approved by two super-majority shareholder votes unless, among other conditions, the trust’s common shareholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its common shares. These provisions could delay, deter or prevent a change of control or other transaction in which holders of our equity securities might receive a premium for their shares above then-current market prices or which such shareholders otherwise might believe to be in their best interests.

Our Board of Trustees may change our investment and operational policies without a vote of the common shareholders.

Our major policies, including our policies with respect to acquisitions, financing, growth, operations, debt limitation and distributions, are determined by our Board of Trustees. The Trustees may amend or revise these and other policies from time to time without a vote of the holders of the common shares.

Our Board of Trustees and management make decisions on our behalf, and shareholders have limited management rights.

Our shareholders have no right or power to take part in our management except through the exercise of voting rights on certain specified matters. The board of trustees is responsible for our management and strategic business direction, and our management is responsible for our day-to-day operations. Certain policies of our board of trustees may not be consistent with the immediate best interests of our shareholders.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR TAX STATUS

If we fail to qualify as a REIT, our dividends will not be deductible to us, and our income will be subject to taxation, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

We have operated and intend to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. However, the federal income tax laws governing REITs are extremely complex, and interpretations of the federal income tax laws governing REITs are limited. Our continued qualification as a REIT will depend on our continuing ability to meet various requirements concerning, among other things, the ownership of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest, the nature of our assets, the sources of our income, and the amount of our distributions to our shareholders. Moreover, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and did not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to our shareholders in computing our taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of, and trading prices for, our shares. Unless entitled to relief under certain Internal Revenue Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. As a result, amounts available for distribution to shareholders would be reduced for each of the years involved. Although we currently intend to operate in a manner so as to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause our Board of Trustees, with the consent of holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares, to revoke the REIT election.

Failure to make required distributions would subject us to tax, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

In order to qualify as a REIT, each year we must distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. To the extent that we satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed income. In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our actual distributions in any year are less than the sum of:

 
·
85% of our REIT ordinary income for that year;
 
·
95% of our REIT capital gain net income for that year; and
 
·
100% of our undistributed taxable income required to be distributed from prior years.

 
We have distributed, and intend to continue to distribute, our income to our shareholders in a manner intended to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax. Differences in timing between the recognition of income and the related cash receipts or the effect of required debt amortization payments could require us to borrow money or sell assets to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in a particular year. In the past we have borrowed, and in the future we may borrow, to pay distributions to our shareholders and the limited partners of our operating partnership. Such borrowings subject us to risks from borrowing as described herein.  Additionally, we may, if necessary and allowable, pay taxable dividends of our shares or debt securities to meet the distribution requirements.
 
Under recently issued Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, guidance, we may pay taxable dividends of our common shares and cash, in which case shareholders may sell our common shares to pay tax on such dividends, placing downward pressure on the market price of our common shares.
 
Under recently issued IRS guidance, we may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash and common shares at the election of each shareholder. Under Revenue Procedure 2010-12, or the Revenue Procedure, up to 90% of any such taxable dividend paid with respect to our 2010 and 2011 taxable years could be payable in shares of our common shares. Taxable shareholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for federal income tax purposes. As a result, shareholders may be required to pay income tax with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received. If a U.S. shareholder sells the common shares that it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our common shares at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. shareholders, we may be required to withhold federal income tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in common shares. If we utilize the Revenue Procedure and a significant number of our shareholders determine to sell our common shares in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our common shares.  We do not currently intend to utilize the Revenue Procedure.
 
 
16


Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

The maximum tax rate applicable to income from “qualified dividends” payable to domestic stockholders taxed at individual rates has been reduced by legislation to 15% through the end of 2010. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Although this legislation does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are taxed at individual rates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common shares.
 
If the leases of our hotels to our TRSs are not respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes, we would fail to qualify as a REIT.

To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income tests, under which specified percentages of our gross income must be derived from certain sources, such as “rents from real property.”  Rents paid to our operating partnership by our TRSs pursuant to the lease of our hotels constitute substantially all of our gross income.  In order for such rent to qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the gross income tests, the leases must be respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes and not be treated as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. If our leases are not respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes, we would fail to qualify as a REIT.

The federal income tax laws governing REITs are complex.

We intend to continue to operate in a manner that will qualify us as a REIT under the federal income tax laws. The REIT qualification requirements are extremely complex, however, and interpretations of the federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT are limited. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in operating so we can continue to qualify as a REIT. At any time, new laws, interpretations, or court decisions may change the federal tax laws or the federal income tax consequences of our qualification as a REIT.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to sell otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy certain requirements with respect to the character of our assets.  If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct such failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter (by, possibly, selling assets not withstanding their prospects as an investment) to avoid losing our REIT status.  If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, and the failure exceeds a de minimis threshold, we may be able to preserve our REIT status if (a) the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, (b) we dispose of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identified the failure, (c) we file a schedule with the IRS describing each asset that caused the failure, and (d) we pay an additional tax of the greater of $50,000 or the product of the highest applicable tax rate multiplied by the net income generated on those assets.  As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
 
The prohibited transactions tax may limit our ability to engage in transactions, including dispositions of assets, that would be treated as sales for federal income tax purposes.
 
A REIT's net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. We may be subject to the prohibited transaction tax upon a disposition of real property.  Although a safe harbor to the characterization of the sale of real property by a REIT as a prohibited transaction is available, we cannot assure you that we can comply with the safe harbor or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.  Consequently, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of real property or may conduct such sales through a TRS.
 
Our share ownership limitation may prevent certain transfers of our shares.

In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities).  Our Declaration of Trust prohibits direct or indirect ownership (taking into account applicable ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code) of more than (a) 9.9% of the aggregate number of outstanding common shares of any class or series or (b) 9.9% of the aggregate number of outstanding preferred shares of any class or series of outstanding preferred shares by any shareholder or group (the “Ownership Limitation”).  Generally, the shares of beneficial interest owned by related or affiliated owners will be aggregated for purposes of the Ownership Limitation.  The ownership limitation could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control or other transaction in which holders of shares might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests.  Any transfer of shares of beneficial interest that would violate the Ownership Limitation, cause us to have fewer than 100 shareholders, cause us to be “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or cause us to own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the ownership interest in any tenant (other than a TRS) will be void, the intended transferee of such shares will be deemed never to have had an interest in such shares, and such shares will be designated “shares-in-trust.”  Further, we will be deemed to have been offered shares-in-trust for purchase at the lesser of the market price (as defined in the Declaration of Trust) on the date we accept the offer and the price per share in the transaction that created such shares-in-trust (or, in the case of a gift, devise or non-transfer event (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), the market price on the date of such gift, devise or non-transfer event).  Therefore, the holder of shares of beneficial interest in excess of the Ownership Limitation will experience a financial loss when such shares are purchased by us, if the market price falls between the date of purchase and the date of redemption.

 
17


We have, in limited instances from time to time, permitted certain owners to own shares in excess of the Ownership Limitation.  The Board of Trustees has waived the Ownership Limitation for such owners after following procedures set out in our Declaration of Trust, under which the owners requesting the waivers provided certain information and our counsel provided certain legal opinions.  These waivers established levels of permissible share ownership for the owners requesting the waivers that are higher than the Ownership Limitation.  If the owners acquire shares in excess of the higher limits, those shares are subject to the risks described above in the absence of further waivers.  The Board of Trustees is not obligated to grant such waivers and has no current intention to do so with respect to any owners who (individually or aggregated as the Declaration of Trust requires) do not currently own shares in excess of the Ownership Limitation.


Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 
18


Item 2.
Properties

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the 57 hotels we wholly owned as of December 31, 2009 which are consolidated on the Company’s financial statements.
 
 
Name
Year Opened
Number of Rooms
Comfort Inn
   
 
North Dartmouth, MA
1986
84
 
Harrisburg, PA
1998
81
Courtyard
   
 
Alexandria, VA
2006
203
 
Scranton, PA
1996
120
 
Langhorne, PA
2002
118
 
Brookline/Boston, MA*
2003
188
 
Wilmington, DE
1999
78
Fairfield Inn
   
 
Bethlehem, PA
1997
103
 
Laurel, MD
1999
109
Hampton Inn
   
 
Brookhaven, NY
2002
161
 
Chelsea/Manhattan, NY
2003
144
 
Hershey, PA
1999
110
 
Carlisle,PA
1997
95
 
Danville, PA
1998
72
 
Selinsgrove, PA
1996
75
 
Herald Square, Manhattan, NY
2005
136
 
Philadelphia, PA
2001
250
 
Seaport, NY
2006
65
 
Smithfield, RI
2008
101
 
West Haven, CT
2009
98
Hawthorn Suites
   
 
Franklin, MA
1999
100
Hilton Garden Inn
   
 
JFK Airport, NY*
2005
188
 
TriBeCa, NY
2009
151
 
Edison, NJ*
2003
132
Holiday Inn
   
 
Norwich, CT
2006
134
Holiday Inn Express
   
 
Hauppauge, NY
2001
133
 
Cambridge, MA
1997
112
 
Hershey, PA
1997
85
 
New Columbia, PA
1997
81
 
Malvern, PA
2004
88
 
Oxford Valley, PA
2004
88
 
Chester, NY
2006
80
 
Camp Springs, MD
2008
127
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
 
 
Harrisburg, PA
1997
77
 
King of Prussia, PA
2004
155
Independent
   
 
Wilmington, DE
1999
71
 
Fifth Ave, NY
2007
70
 
TriBeCa, NY
2008
45
 
Brooklyn, NY
2008
93
Mainstay
   
 
Valley Forge, PA
2000
69
Residence Inn
   
 
North Dartmouth, MA
2002
96
 
Tysons Corner, VA
1984
96
 
Framingham, MA
2000
125
 
Greenbelt, MD
2002
120
 
Norwood, MA
2006
96
 
Langhorne, PA
2007
100
 
Carlisle,PA
2007
78
 
 
 

 
 
Name
Year Opened
Number of Rooms
Sleep Inn
   
 
Valley Forge, PA
2000
87
Sheraton Hotel
   
 
JFK Airport, NY*
2008
150
Summerfield Suites
   
 
White Plains, NY
2000
159
 
Bridgewater, NJ
1998
128
 
Gaithersburg, MD
1998
140
 
Pleasant Hill, CA
2003
142
 
Pleasanton, CA
1998
128
 
Scottsdale, AZ
1999
164
 
Charlotte, NC
1989
144
TownePlace Suites
   
 
Harrisburg, PA
2008
107
TOTAL ROOMS
   
6,530

*      Our interests in these hotels are subject to ground leases which, in most cases, require monthly rental payment as determined by the applicable ground lease agreement.  These ground lease agreements typically have terms of between 75 and 99 years.  See Item 7, “Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies and Related Party Transactions” for a description of our obligations underground these ground leases.

 
19


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the 17 hotels we owned through joint ventures with third parties as of December 31, 2009.  Of the 17 properties owned through interests in joint ventures, two are consolidated.
 
 
Name
Year Opened
 
Number of Rooms
   
HHLP Ownership in Asset
   
HHLP Preferred Return
 
Consolidated/  Unconsolidated
Courtyard
                     
 
Norwich, CT
1997
    144       66.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
South Boston, MA**
2005
    164       50.0 %     N/A  
Unconsolidated
 
Warwick, RI
2003
    92       66.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
Ewing/Princeton, NJ
2004
    130       50.0 %     11.0 %
Unconsolidated
Hilton
                           
 
Hartford, CT
2005
    393       8.8 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
Homewood Suites
                           
 
Glastonbury, CT
2006
    136       48.0 %     10.0 %
Unconsolidated*
Marriott
                           
 
Mystic, CT
2001
    285       66.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
Hartford, CT
2005
    409       15.0 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
Residence Inn
                           
 
Danbury, CT
1999
    78       66.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
Mystic, CT
1996
    133       66.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
Southington, CT
2002
    94       44.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
Williamsburg, VA
2002
    108       75.0 %     12.0 %
Consolidated
Holiday Inn Express
                           
 
South Boston, MA**
1998
    118       50.0 %     N/A  
Unconsolidated
 
Manhattan, NY
2006
    228       50.0 %     N/A  
Unconsolidated
Hilton Garden Inn
                           
 
Glastonbury, CT
2003
    150       48.0 %     11.0 %
Unconsolidated*
Springhill Suites
                           
 
Waterford, CT
1998
    80       66.7 %     8.5 %
Unconsolidated
 
Williamsburg, VA
2002
    120       75.0 %     12.0 %
Consolidated
TOTAL ROOMS
      2,862                    

*              On January 1, 2010, we acquired our joint venture partner’s 52.0% membership interest in PRA Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT, and this hotel became one of our wholly-owned hotels. As part of this transaction, our joint venture partner acquired our 48.0% minority membership interest in PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC, the entity owning the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT, and assumed the outstanding mortgage debt secured by the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT.
**            The joint ventures interests in these hotels are subject to ground leases which, in most cases, require monthly rental payment as determined by the applicable ground lease agreements.  These ground lease agreements typically have terms of between 75 and 99 years.


Item 3.
Legal Proceedings

We are not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any other litigation threatened against us, other than routine actions for negligence or other claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are expected to be covered by liability insurance and all of which collectively are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations or business or financial condition.

 
20


PART II

Item 4.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

MARKET INFORMATION

Our common shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 5, 2008 under the symbol “HT.” Our common shares were previously traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “HT.”  As of March 3, 2010, the last reported closing price per common share on the New York Stock Exchange was $4.03. The following table sets forth the high and low sales price per common share reported on the American Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as traded and the dividends paid on the common shares for each of the quarters indicated.

Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
High
   
Low
   
Dividend Per Common Share
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 3.29     $ 2.33     $ 0.05  
Third Quarter
  $ 3.43     $ 2.16     $ 0.05  
Second Quarter
  $ 3.74     $ 1.64     $ 0.05  
First Quarter
  $ 3.05     $ 1.08     $ 0.18  


Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
High
   
Low
   
Dividend Per Common Share
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 7.25     $ 2.30     $ 0.18  
Third Quarter
  $ 8.61     $ 5.74     $ 0.18  
Second Quarter
  $ 10.41     $ 7.00     $ 0.18  
First Quarter
  $ 9.80     $ 7.61     $ 0.18  
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

At March 3, 2010 we had approximately 115 holders of record and 10,266 beneficial owners of our common shares. Units of limited partnership interest in our operating partnership (which are redeemable for common shares on a one for one basis subject to certain limitations) were held by approximately 51 entities and persons.

Our Declaration of Trust, subject to certain exceptions, provides that no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.9% of the number of outstanding common shares of any class or series of common shares or the number of outstanding preferred shares of any class or series of preferred shares. For this purpose, a person includes a “group” and a “beneficial owner” as those terms are used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any transfer of common or preferred shares that would result in any person owning, directly or indirectly, common or preferred shares in excess of the ownership limitation, result in the common and preferred shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution), result in our being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or cause us to own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant (other than a TRS) of our or our operating partnership’s real property, within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code, will be null and void, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such common or preferred shares.

Any person who acquires or attempts to acquire common or preferred shares in violation of the foregoing restrictions, or any person who owned common or preferred shares that were transferred to a trust, will be required to give written notice immediately to us of such event and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.

In addition, the trustees, upon receipt of advice of counsel or other evidence satisfactory to the trustees, in their sole and absolute discretion, may, in their sole and absolute discretion, exempt a person from the ownership limitation under certain circumstances. The foregoing restrictions continue to apply until the trustees determine that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT and there is an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the number of common and preferred shares entitled to vote on such matter at a regular or special meeting of our shareholders.

All certificates representing common or preferred shares bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
 
The restrictions on ownership and transfer described above could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control or other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of our common shares might receive a premium for their shares over the then-prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interest.

 
21


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

See Part III, Item 11, for a description of securities authorized for issuance under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.

DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

Future distributions, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Trustees and will depend on our actual cash flow, financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and such other factors as we may deem relevant. Our ability to make distributions will depend on our receipt of distributions from our operating partnership and lease payments from our lessees with respect to the hotels. We rely on the profitability and cashflows of our hotels to generate sufficient cash flow for distributions.  Additionally, we may, if necessary and allowable, pay taxable dividends of our shares or debt securities to meet the distribution requirements.

SHARE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
The following graph compares the yearly change in our cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares for the period beginning December 31, 2004 and ending December 31, 2009, with the yearly changes in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the S&P 500 Index), the Russell 2000 Index, and the SNL Hotel REIT Index (“Hotel REIT Index”) for the same period, assuming a base share price of $100.00 for our common shares, the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index and the Hotel REIT Index for comparative purposes. The Hotel REIT Index is comprised of publicly traded REITs which focus on investments in hotel properties. Total shareholder return equals appreciation in stock price plus dividends paid and assumes that all dividends are reinvested. The performance graph is not indicative of future investment performance. We do not make or endorse any predictions as to future share price performance.

   
Period Ending December 31,
 
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
   
2009
 
Hersha Hospitality Trust
  $ 100.00     $ 84.77     $ 114.69     $ 100.79     $ 36.79     $ 44.38  
Russell 2000
    100.00       104.55       123.76       121.82       80.66       102.58  
Hotel REIT Index
    100.00       109.80       141.22       109.91       43.96       72.82  
S&P 500
    100.00       104.90       121.47       128.14       80.73       102.10  


 
 
22


Item 5.
Selected Financial Data

The following sets forth selected financial and operating data on a historical consolidated basis. The following data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  Where applicable, the operating results of certain real estate assets which have been sold or otherwise qualify as held for disposition are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.

HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Revenue:
                             
Hotel Operating Revenues
  $ 212,328     $ 236,162     $ 214,883     $ 117,705     $ 53,330  
Interest Income From Development Loans
    7,411       7,890       6,046       2,487       3,940  
Other Revenues
    751       1,141       980       737       529  
Total Revenue
    220,490       245,193       221,909       120,929       57,799  
Operating Expenses:
                                       
Hotel Operating Expenses
    124,433       133,817       119,499       65,915       29,465  
Hotel Ground Rent
    1,166       1,040       856       804       433  
Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes and Property Insurance
    13,879       12,384       10,803       5,492       2,848  
General and Administrative
    5,892       7,208       7,093       5,527       4,800  
Stock Based Compensation
    2,143       1,502       852       293       99  
Acquisition and Terminated Transaction Costs
    328       380       149       316       41  
Impairment of Development Loan Receivable and Other Asset
    21,408       21,004       -       -       -  
Depreciation and Amortization
    43,156       38,904       31,943       16,786       6,789  
Total Operating Expenses
    212,405       216,239       171,195       95,133       44,475  
Operating Income
    8,085       28,954       50,714       25,796       13,324  
Interest Income
    208       306       686       1,182       602  
Interest Expense
    43,359       41,218       40,237       23,500       10,687  
Other Expense
    165       129       83       102       12  
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
    -       1,568       -       1,485       -  
(Loss) Income before (Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments and Discontinued Operations
    (35,231 )     (13,655 )     11,080       1,891       3,227  
                                         
Net (Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments
    (7,190 )     (517 )     3,476       1,799       457  
                                         
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations
    (42,421 )     (14,172 )     14,556       3,690       3,684  
                                         
Discontinued Operations (Note 12):
                                       
Gain on Disposition of Hotel Properties
    1,869       2,888       4,248       784       1,323  
Loss from Impairment of Assets
    (17,703 )     -       -       -       -  
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations
    (203 )     855       1,368       1,330       (1,555 )
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations
    (16,037 )     3,743       5,616       2,114       (232 )
                                         
Net (Loss) Income
    (58,458 )     (10,429 )     20,172       5,804       3,452  
                                         
Loss (Income) Allocated to Noncontrolling Interests
    8,597       1,621       (2,325 )     (706 )     (155 )
Distributions to Preferred Unitholders
    -       -       -       -       -  
Preferred Distributions
    (4,800 )     (4,800 )     (4,800 )     (4,800 )     (1,920 )
                                         
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (54,661 )   $ (13,608 )   $ 13,047     $ 298     $ 1,377  
                                         
                                         
                                         
Basic (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.81 )   $ (0.38 )   $ 0.20     $ (0.05 )   $ 0.07  
Diluted (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders (1)
    (0.81 )     (0.38 )     0.20       (0.05 )     0.07  
Dividends declared per Common Share
    0.33       0.72       0.72       0.72       0.72  
                                         

 
23


   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Balance Sheet Data
                             
Net investment in hotel properties
  $ 938,954     $ 982,082     $ 893,297     $ 807,784     $ 317,980  
Assets Held for Sale
    21,073       -       -       -       3,407  
Noncontrolling Interests Common Units
    27,126       34,781       42,845       25,933       15,147  
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
    14,733       18,739       -       -       -  
Noncontrolling Interests Consolidated Joint Ventures
    267       1,854       1,908       3,092       2,079  
Shareholder's equity
    302,197       349,963       330,405       331,619       164,703  
Total assets
    1,111,044       1,178,405       1,067,607       968,208       455,355  
Total debt
    724,551       743,781       663,008       580,542       256,146  
Debt related to Assets Held for Sale
    20,892       -       -       -       375  
Other Data
                                       
Funds from Operations (2)
  $ (15,912 )   $ 31,441     $ 49,823     $ 25,936     $ 14,495  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 21,532     $ 53,894     $ 59,300     $ 27,217     $ 15,002  
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (8,921 )   $ (114,870 )   $ (46,027 )   $ (413,881 )   $ (190,825 )
Net cash (used in) provided by  financing activities
  $ (16,904 )   $ 64,346     $ (11,262 )   $ 388,200     $ 163,989  
Weighted average shares outstanding
                                       
Basic
    51,027,742       45,184,127       40,718,724       27,118,264       20,293,554  
Diluted (1)
    51,027,742       45,184,127       40,718,724       27,118,264       20,299,937  
 
(1)           Income allocated to noncontrolling interest in HHLP has been excluded from the numerator and Partnership units have been omitted from the denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share since the effect of including these amounts in the numerator and denominator would have no impact.
(2)           See Item 6 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Funds From Operations” for an explanation of FFO, why we believe FFO is a meaningful measure of our operating performance and a reconciliation of FFO to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP.

 
24


Item 6.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements appearing in this Item 6 are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Our actual results may differ materially. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. See Item 1, Part I (Business – CAUTIONARY FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS) for additional information regarding our forward-looking statements.

GENERAL

As of December 31, 2009, we owned interests in 74 hotels in the eastern United States including interests in 17 hotels owned through joint ventures. For purposes of the REIT qualification rules, we cannot directly operate any of our hotels. Instead, we must lease our hotels to a third party lessee or to a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), provided that the TRS engages an eligible independent contractor to manage the hotels.  As of December 31, 2009, we have leased all of our hotels to a wholly-owned TRS, a joint venture owned TRS, or an entity owned by our wholly-owned TRS.  Each of these TRS entities will pay qualifying rent, and the TRS entities have entered into management contracts with qualified independent managers, including HHMLP, with respect to our hotels. We intend to lease all newly acquired hotels to a TRS.

The TRS structure enables us to participate more directly in the operating performance of our hotels. The TRS directly receives all revenue from, and funds all expenses relating to hotel operations. The TRS is also subject to income tax on its earnings.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the U.S. economy has been influenced by financial industry turmoil, growing unemployment and declining consumer sentiment. The recessionary environment in 2009 has and is forecasted to continue to negatively impact overall lodging demand and our results of operations and financial condition.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, we have seen decreases in Average Daily Rate (“ADR”), occupancy, and Revenue Per Available Room (“RevPAR”) due to these economic factors as compared to the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.

The turmoil in the financial industry has caused credit to significantly tighten making it more difficult for hotel developers to obtain financing for development projects or for hotels with limited operating history.  This turmoil in the financial industry may continue to have a negative impact on the collectability of our portfolio of development loans receivable.  While we have the intent to pursue collection of amounts contractually due to us, we recorded an impairment charge of $21,408 during the year ended December 31, 2009 related to amounts due to us for two development loans receivable.  We monitor this portfolio to determine the collectability of the loan principal and interest accrued and will continue to monitor this portfolio on an on-going basis.  For more information, please see “Note 4 – Development Loans Receivable and Land Leases.”

In addition, the tightening credit markets have made it more difficult to finance the acquisition of new hotel properties or refinance existing hotel properties that do not have a history of profitable operations.  We monitor the maturity dates of our debt obligations and take steps in advance of the debt becoming due to extend or refinance the obligations.  Please refer to “Item 6A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for a discussion of our debt maturities.

We are planning for a continued downward trend in consumer and commercial spending and lodging demand during the first half of 2010.  However, we believe this downward trend may begin to show signs of stabilizing in the second half of 2010. We do not anticipate an improvement in lodging demand until the current economic trends reverse course, particularly the expected continued weakness in the overall economy and the lack of liquidity in the credit markets. The general economic trends discussed above make it difficult to predict our future operating results.  There can be no assurances that we will not experience further declines in hotel revenues, occupancy, ADR or RevPAR at our properties or experience defaults under our development loans for any number of reasons, including, but not limited to, greater than anticipated weakness in the economy, changes in travel patterns, the continued impact of the trends identified above and the limited availability of permanent financing to refinance or repay existing development loans, as well as other factors identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. of this Annual Report.
 
Notwithstanding general economic and industry conditions, we believe our company is positioned well to take part in the economic recovery anticipated to occur in the second half of 2010, both operationally and strategically.  As we enter this next cycle of the lodging industry and as a result of our company’s growth over the last five years, we expect to see our hotel acquisition strategy shift slightly from that employed in prior years.  We will continue to seek acquisition opportunities in central business districts, primary suburban markets and stable secondary markets.  However, we do not expect to actively pursue acquisitions made through joint ventures similar to those we own today, and will consider opportunities to acquire our joint venture partners’, or sell our, interests in existing joint ventures, as we did with our PRA Glastonbury joint ventures in January 2010.  In addition, we do not expect to actively pursue additional development loans and land leases as part of our hotel acquisition strategy.  While property joint ventures, development loans and land leases played an important role in our growth over the last five years, we do not expect them to play the same role in our near-term future growth, but we may pursue these types of investments in the future if we believe they present us with the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns.

 
 
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The following table outlines operating results for the Company’s portfolio of wholly owned hotels and those owned through joint venture interests that are consolidated in our financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

CONSOLIDATED HOTELS:
                         
 
 
                               
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
Year Ended
   
2008 vs. 2007
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
% Variance
   
2007
   
% Variance
 
                               
Rooms Available
    2,378,088       2,241,165       6.1 %     2,066,525       8.5 %
Rooms Occupied
    1,604,847       1,610,678       -0.4 %     1,528,539       5.4 %
Occupancy
    67.48 %     71.87 %     -4.4 %     73.97 %     -2.1 %
Average Daily Rate (ADR)
  $ 126.28     $ 140.59       -10.2 %   $ 134.56       4.5 %
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)
  $ 85.22     $ 101.04       -15.7 %   $ 99.53       1.5 %
                                         
Room Revenues
  $ 202,688,044     $ 226,443,272       -10.5 %   $ 205,686,215       10.1 %
Hotel Operating Revenues
  $ 212,327,816     $ 236,162,286       -10.1 %   $ 214,882,728       9.9 %
Hotel Operating Revenues from Discontinued Operations
  $ 7,816,286     $ 14,302,487       N/A     $ 21,263,000       N/A  


The following table outlines operating results for the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 for hotels we own through an unconsolidated joint venture interest. These operating results reflect 100% of the operating results of the property including our interest and the interests of our joint venture partners and other minority interest holders.

UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES:
                             
                               
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
Year Ended
   
2008 vs. 2007
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
% Variance
   
2007
   
% Variance
 
                               
Rooms Available
    961,407       963,892       -0.3 %     954,114       1.0 %
Rooms Occupied
    619,558       677,485       -8.6 %     682,169       -0.7 %
Occupancy
    64.44 %     70.29 %     -5.8 %     71.50 %     -1.2 %
Average Daily Rate (ADR)
  $ 131.86     $ 146.91       -10.2 %   $ 144.51       1.7 %
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)
  $ 84.98     $ 103.26       -17.7 %   $ 103.32       -0.1 %
                                         
Room Revenues
  $ 81,717,987     $ 99,530,317       -17.9 %   $ 98,580,629       1.0 %
Total Revenues
  $ 104,328,667     $ 127,874,193       -18.4 %   $ 130,167,451       -1.8 %


RevPAR for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased 15.7% for our consolidated hotels and decreased 17.7% for our unconsolidated hotels when compared to the same period in 2008.  This represents a reversal of the growth trend in RevPAR experienced during the year ended December 31, 2008 over the same period in 2007.  This reversal in the growth trend in RevPAR is primarily due to deteriorating economic conditions in 2009.

The increase in RevPAR during the year ended December 31, 2008 was due primarily to our broadened strategic portfolio focus on stronger central business districts and primary suburban office parks; the size of the recent acquisitions as a percentage of the portfolio; franchise affiliations with stronger brands, such as Hyatt Summerfield Suite, Hilton Garden Inn, Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott; and a focus on improving the ADR. The increase in both rooms and total revenue can be attributed primarily to the hotels acquired during the respective periods.


COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 TO DECEMBER 31, 2008
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Revenue

Our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 consisted of hotel operating revenues, interest income from our development loan program, and other revenue. Hotel operating revenues are recorded for wholly owned hotels that are leased to our wholly owned TRS and hotels owned through joint venture interests that are consolidated in our financial statements. Hotel operating revenues decreased $23,834, or 10.1%, from $236,162 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $212,328 for the same period in 2009.  This decrease resulted from decreases in both ADR and occupancy.  ADR decreased 10.2% from $140.59 for year ended December 31, 2008 to $126.28 during the same period in 2009.  Our occupancy rate decreased 439 basis points from approximately 71.87% during the year ended December 31, 2008 to approximately 67.48% for the same period in 2009.

 
26


The decrease in hotel operating revenues was only partially offset by the additional hotel operating revenues attributed to the following acquisitions consummated during the year ended December 31, 2009:

Brand
 
Location
 
Acquisition Date
 
Rooms
   
2009 Total Revenue
 
                     
Hilton Garden Inn
 
TriBeCa, New York, NY
  5/1/2009 *     151     $ 6,761  
Hampton Inn & Suites
 
West Haven, CT
 
11/4/2009
    98     $ 374  
                         
              249     $ 7,135  

*  We acquired a 49% interest in the entity that owns the property on May 1, 2009 and acquired the remaining 51% interest on June 30, 2009.
 
Revenues for both hotels were recorded from the date of acquisition as hotel operating revenues. Further, hotel operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 included revenues for a full year related to six hotels that were purchased during the year ended December 31, 2008. Hotels acquired during the year ended December 31, 2008 would have a full year of results included in the year ended December 31, 2009 but not necessarily a full year of results during the same period in 2008. We acquired interests in the following six consolidated hotels during the year ended December 31, 2008:

Brand
 
Location
 
Acquisition Date
 
Rooms
   
2009
Total Revenue
   
2008
Total Revenue
 
Duane Street Hotel (TriBeCa)
 
New York, NY
 
1/4/2008
    45     $ 2,836     $ 3,688  
TownePlace Suites
 
Harrisburg, PA
 
5/8/2008
    107       2,440       1,755  
Sheraton Hotel
 
JFK Airport, Jamaica, NY
 
6/13/2008
    150       7,869       3,931  
Holiday Inn Express
 
Camp Springs, MD
 
6/26/2008
    127       2,587       1,313  
nu Hotel
 
Brooklyn, NY
  7/7/2008 *     93       4,488       2,314  
Hampton Inn & Suites
 
Smithfield, RI
 
8/1/2008
    101       2,033       848  
                                 
              623     $ 22,253     $ 13,849  

* The property was purchased on January 14, 2008 but did not open for business until July 7, 2008.

We invest in hotel development projects by providing mortgage or mezzanine financing to hotel developers and through the acquisition of land that is then leased to hotel developers.  Interest income is earned on our development loans at rates ranging between 10.0% and 20.0%.  Interest income from development loans receivable was $7,411 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $7,890 for the same period in 2008.  The decrease in interest income from development loans receivable was due to a decrease in the average balance of development loans receivable outstanding in 2009 and cessation of interest accrual on certain loans that were deemed to be impaired, which resulted in a $479, or 6.1% decrease in interest income.

As hotel developers are engaged in constructing new hotels or renovating existing hotels the hotel properties are typically not generating revenue.  It is common for the developers to require construction type loans to finance the projects whereby interest incurred on the loan is not paid currently; rather it is added to the principal borrowed and repaid at maturity.  On June 30, 2009, we amended four development loans, with an aggregate principal balance of $40,000 prior to the amendment, to allow the borrower to elect, quarterly, to pay accrued interest in-kind by adding the accrued interest to the principal balance of the loan.  As a result, $4,502 in accrued interest on these loans was added to principal for the year ended December 31, 2009.

We monitor our development loan portfolio for indications of impairment considering the current economic environment, the borrowers’ access to other sources of financing to complete their hotel development projects, and the borrowers ability to repay amounts owed to us through the operation or eventual sale of the properties being financed by our loans receivable.  Based on our reviews, we determined that our development loans to Brisam East 52, LLC and Brisam Greenwich, LLC, which were secured by the equity interest in each entity, were permanently impaired as of December 31, 2009.  We ceased accruing interest on these two loans effective July 1, 2009.  As of December 31, 2009, we have determined that the fair value of these loan receivables are $0 and have incurred an impairment charge for the remaining principal on these loans in the aggregate amount of $21,408, which includes $1,408 of interest income paid in-kind.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded an impairment charge for one of our development loans to an unaffiliated developer for the remaining principal of $18,748, which is net of unamortized discount and loan fees in the amount of $1,252.  The loan was deemed to be fully impaired when the developer was unable to obtain additional construction financing to complete the project and consequently defaulted under his senior mortgage loan.  The project, located in Brooklyn, NY, was to include hotel, residential and retail components, however, the land acquisition financing and our loan were not sufficient to fund the ongoing construction.  A receivable for uncollected interest income of $569, which is net of unrecognized deferred loan fees of $143, was also recorded as an impairment charge.  In connection with the development loan, we also hold an option to acquire an interest in the hotel upon completion of the development project.  This option was valued at $1,687 at its inception and is deemed to be fully impaired.  The total impairment charge recorded during the year ended December 31, 2008 related to this development loan and option was $21,004.

 
27


Of the $46,094 in development loans receivable outstanding as of December 31, 2009, $15,000, or 32.5%, is invested in hotels that are currently operating and generating revenue and $31,094, or 67.5%, is invested in hotel construction projects with significant progress made toward completion.  We have written off and no longer reflect any value for development loans to hotel development projects that are in the early phase of development where development has been limited to land acquisition and site preparation.

Other revenue consists primarily of fees earned for asset management services provided to properties owned by certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures.  These fees are earned as a percentage of the revenues of the unconsolidated joint ventures’ hotels.  Other revenues decreased from $1,141 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $751 during the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily due to a decrease in asset management as a result of declining revenues at properties owned by certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures.

Expenses

Total hotel operating expenses decreased 7.0% to approximately $124,433 for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $133,817 for the year ended December 31, 2008. As a result of declining hotel operating revenues, our hotel operators implemented cost reduction and cost containment initiatives to reduce hotel operating expenses.  Decreases in our hotel operating expenses resulting from lower occupancies and our operators cost reduction initiatives were partially offset by increases in hotel operating expenses due to the acquisitions consummated since January 1, 2008, as mentioned above.  The acquisitions also resulted in an increase in depreciation and amortization from $38,904 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $43,156 for the year ended December 31, 2009. Similarly, real estate and personal property tax and property insurance increased $1,495, or 12.1%, in the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.

General and administrative expense decreased by approximately $1,316 from $7,208 in 2008 to $5,892 in 2009.  As of December 31, 2009, discretionary incentive compensation related to 2009 fiscal year had not been determined and, accordingly, no expense had been accrued.  General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 included a charge of $1,253 for incentive compensation related to the 2008 fiscal year.  Non-cash stock based compensation expense increased $641 when comparing the year ended December 31, 2009 to the same period in 2008 as a result of increased vesting of restricted shares and performance shares issued and earned during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments

For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded $7,190 in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures compared to $517 in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for the same period in 2008.

Included in the loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2009 was an impairment charge of $4,541.  Through our investment in Hiren Boston, LLC joint venture, we have a 50% interest the Courtyard, South Boston, MA.  We determined that our interest in this hotel was impaired and, as of December 31, 2009, we recorded an impairment loss of approximately $3,500 which represents our entire investment in the hotel.  Through our investment in PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC joint venture, we have a 48% interest the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT.  In 2009, we entered into an agreement to transfer our interest in this hotel to our joint venture partner as partial consideration for the purchase of our joint venture partner’s 52% interest in PRA Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT.  This transaction closed effective January 1, 2010.  We determined that the carrying value of our interest in the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT exceeded fair value and, as of December 31, 2009, and recorded an impairment loss of $1,041.  As a result of this transaction, as of January 1, 2010 we own a 100% interest in the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT and have no remaining interest in the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT.  We believe the purchase of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT in 2010 will result in a $1,918 gain as a result of applying purchase accounting and the subsequent remeasurement of our previously held 48% interest which will be recorded in the first quarter of 2010.

Through our investment in the Mystic Partners, LLC joint venture, we have an 8.8% interest in the Hilton Hotel in Hartford, CT.  In 2008, we determined that our interest in this hotel was impaired.  As of December 31, 2008, we recorded an impairment loss of approximately $1,890 which represents our entire investment in the hotel.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, loss from our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, excluding the impairment charges noted above, was $2,649.  This compares to income from our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, excluding the impairment charges noted above, of $1,373 for the same period in 2008.  This decrease was the result of deteriorating revenues in the hotels owned by our unconsolidated joint ventures.  The operating factors impacting the results of our hotels owned by our unconsolidated joint ventures are consistent with those described above in the discussion of our consolidated hotels, and include declining ADR, occupancy and RevPAR.

 
28


Net Income/Loss

Net loss applicable to common shareholders for year ended December 31, 2009 was $54,661 compared to net loss applicable to common shareholders of $13,608 for the same period in 2008.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $8,085 compared to operating income of $28,954 during the same period in 2008. The $20,869, or 72.1%, decrease in operating income was primarily the result of the impairment charge of $21,408 related to our investment in a development loan and an option to acquire the hotel property upon completion, noted above.

Also contributing to the net loss recorded during the year ended December 31, 2009 was an impairment charge of $17,703 recorded on two parcels of land and a hotel, each of which is classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2009.  Due to the economic challenges facing hotel development projects, especially those that are in the early phase of development, we decided during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 to exit our two remaining land leases and dispose of the related land parcels.  Effective July 1, 2009, we ceased accruing rents under these leases.  We determined that the carrying value of the land exceeded fair value and we recorded an impairment of $14,545.  We also determined that accrued rents under the leases were uncollectible and accrued rents receivable of $1,579 was expensed during the year ended December 31, 2009.  In addition, we committed to a plan to sell one of our hotels and determined that carrying value of this property exceeded fair value by $1,558 which was recorded as an impairment charge during the year ended December 31, 2009.

In addition, we recorded a gain of $2,888 on the disposition of hotel properties during the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to a $1,869 gain during the same period in 2009.

Interest expense increased $2,141 from $41,218 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $43,359 for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in interest expense is the result of mortgages placed on newly acquired properties and increased average balances on our line of credit.


COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 TO DECEMBER 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Revenue

Hotel operating revenues increased $21,279, or 9.9%, from $214,883 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $236,162 for the same period in 2008.  This increase resulted from increases in ADR, partially offset by decreases in occupancy.  ADR increased 4.5% from $134.56 per room for year ended December 31, 2007 to $140.59 per room during the same period in 2008.  Our occupancy rate decreased 210 basis points from approximately 73.97% during the year ended December 31, 2007 to approximately 71.87% for the same period in 2008.

In addition, we acquired interests in six consolidated hotels during the year ended December 31, 2008, as noted above.  Revenues for all six hotels were recorded from the date of acquisition as hotel operating revenues. Further, hotel operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 included revenues for a full year related to the following six hotels that were purchased during the year ended December 31, 2007:

Brand
 
Location
 
Acquisition Date
 
Rooms
   
2008 Total Revenue
   
2007 Total Revenue
 
                           
Residence Inn
 
Langhorne, PA
 
1/8/2007
    100     $ 4,062     $ 3,352  
Residence Inn
 
Carlisle, PA
 
1/10/2007
    78       2,417       2,091  
Holiday Inn Express
 
Chester, NY
 
1/25/2007
    80       2,337       2,367  
Hampton Inn
 
Seaport, NY
 
2/1/2007
    65       5,833       5,200  
Independent
 
373 Fifth Avenue
 
6/1/2007
    70       4,562       3,051  
Holiday Inn
 
Norwich, CT
 
7/1/2007
    134       3,297       1,689  
                                 
              527     $ 22,508     $ 17,750  

We invest in hotel development projects by providing secured first mortgage or mezzanine financing to hotel developers.  Interest income from development loans receivable was $7,890 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $6,046 for the same period in 2007.  The average balance of development loans receivable outstanding in 2008 was higher than the average balance outstanding in 2007. This resulted in a $1,844, or 30.5% increase in interest income.  In addition, we recorded an impairment charge of $21,004 for the remaining principal, accrued interest and option to acquire an interest in the property during the year ended December 31, 2008, as mentioned above.

 
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Other revenue consists primarily of fees earned for asset management services provided to properties owned by two of our unconsolidated joint ventures.  Other revenues increased from $980 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $1,141 during the year ended December 31, 2008.

Expenses

Total hotel operating expenses increased 12.0% to approximately $133,817 for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $119,499 for the year ended December 31, 2007. Consistent with the increase in hotel operating revenues, hotel operating expenses increased primarily due to the acquisitions consummated since the comparable period in 2007, as mentioned above. The acquisitions also resulted in an increase in depreciation and amortization from $31,943 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $38,904 for the year ended December 31, 2008. Similarly, real estate and personal property tax and property insurance increased $1,581, or 14.6%, in the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the same period in 2007.

General and administrative expense increased by $115, or 1.6%, from $7,093 in 2007 to $7,208 in 2008. Stock based Compensation increased $650 during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the same period in 2007, due primarily to the issuance of additional stock awards in June 2008.

Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments

As mentioned above, we recorded an impairment loss of approximately $1,890 on our investment in the Hilton Hotel in Hartford, CT which represents our entire investment in the hotel.  Offsetting this loss was approximately $1,373 in income from our unconsolidated joint venture investments.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately $3,476 in income from unconsolidated joint venture investments was recorded.  The decrease in income from unconsolidated joint ventures during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the same period in 2007 was due primarily to a decrease of $1,957 in income from the Mystic Partners, LLC joint venture and a decrease of $493 in income from the Hiren Boston, LLC joint venture.  These decreases were  partially offset by an increase in income recognized from the Metro 29th Street Associates, LLC joint venture, which was acquired on February 1, 2007.

Net Income/Loss

Net loss applicable to common shareholders for year ended December 31, 2008 was $13,608 compared to net income applicable to common shareholders of $13,047 for the same period in 2007.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $28,954 compared to operating income of $50,714 during the same period in 2007. The $21,760, or 42.9%, decrease in operating income was primarily the result of the impairment charge of $21,004 related to our investment in a development loan and an option to acquire the hotel property upon completion, noted above.

Interest expense increased $981 from $40,237 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $41,218 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in interest expense is the result of mortgages placed on newly acquired properties and increased average balances on our line of credit. For the year ended December 31, 2008, interest income decreased $380 compared to the same period in 2007. Increased levels of interest income in 2007 resulted from higher levels of interest bearing deposits related to the acquisition of hotel properties during 2007.

Included in net loss applicable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 is $3,743 in income from discontinued operations compared to $5,616 in income during the same period in 2007.  Discontinued operations was driven primarily by a gain of $2,888 resulting from the sale of the Holiday Inn Conference Center in New Cumberland, PA in October 2008 and a gain of $4,248 results from the sale of the Fairfield Inn, Mt. Laurel, NJ and Hampton Inn, Linden, NJ in November 2007.


LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND EQUITY OFFERINGS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Debt and Equity Offerings

The current recession and related financial crisis has resulted in deleveraging attempts throughout the global financial system.  As banks and other financial intermediaries reduce their leverage and incur losses on their existing portfolio of loans, the ability to originate or refinance existing loans has become very restrictive for all borrowers, regardless of balance sheet strength.  As a result, it is a very difficult borrowing environment, even for those borrowers that have strong balance sheets.  While we maintain a portfolio of what we believe to be high quality assets and we believe our leverage to be at acceptable levels, the market for new debt origination and refinancing of existing debt remains very challenging and there is little visibility on the length of debt terms, the loan to value parameters and loan pricing on new debt originations.

 
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Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of indebtedness that we may incur. In the current economic environment, the fair market value of certain of our hotel properties may have declined causing some of our indebtedness to exceed the percentage of an individual hotel property’s fair market value our Board of Trustees intended at the time we acquired the property.

Our ability to incur additional debt is dependent upon a number of factors, including the current state of the overall credit markets, our degree of leverage and borrowing restrictions imposed by existing lenders.  Our ability to raise funds through the issuance of debt and equity securities is dependent upon, among other things, capital market volatility, risk tolerance of investors, general market conditions for REITs and market perceptions related to the Company’s ability to generate cash flow and positive returns on its investments.

We maintain a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders that have committed up to $135,000.  The line of credit expires December 31, 2011 and includes an option extend to extend the maturity until December 31, 2012.  This option may be exercised at the sole discretion of the lenders.  As of December 31, 2009 remaining borrowing capacity under the Line of Credit was $51,982.  We intend to repay indebtedness incurred under the line of credit from time to time, for acquisitions or otherwise, out of cash flow and from the proceeds of issuances of additional common shares and other securities.

We will continue to monitor our debt maturities to manage our liquidity needs.  However, no assurances can be given that we will be successful in refinancing all or a portion of our future debt obligations due to factors beyond our control or that, if refinanced, the terms of such debt will not vary from the existing terms. As of December 31, 2009, we have $37,406 in debt coming due on or before December 31, 2010 and we currently expect that cash requirements for all debt that is not refinanced by our existing lenders will be met through a combination of refinancing the existing debt with new lenders, draws on the remaining capacity on our existing credit facility, and issuing public debt or equity.

In 2009, we entered into a sales agreement with a broker dealer acting as a sales agent which allows us to sell Class A common shares in “at the market” offerings and in privately negotiated transactions.  The sales agreement allows us to instruct the broker to solicit sales of our common shares in quantities and at prices we determine.  The agreement also allows us discretion to suspend the solicitation of sales of our common shares.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold 2,742,300 shares.  Net proceeds from these sales after the payment of fees but before expenses of the program were $8,258 for the year ended December 31, 2009.

On August 4, 2009, we sold to Real Estate Investment Group, LP (“REIG”), an affiliate of IRSA, 5,700,000 Class A common shares of beneficial interest at a price of $2.50 per share and an option to buy up to an additional 5,700,000 common shares at a price of $3.00 per share.  The option is exercisable through August 4, 2014.  If at any time after August 4, 2011 the closing price for the our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange exceeds $5.00 for 20 consecutive trading days, we may call in and cancel the option in exchange for issuance of common shares with an aggregate value equal to the volume weighted average price per common share for the 20 trading days prior to the exercise of the option, less the $3.00 option price, multiplied by the number of common shares remaining under the option.  Proceeds from this offering were used to pay down amounts outstanding under our line of credit.

On May 16, 2008, we completed a public offering of 6,000,000 common shares at $9.90 per share.  On May 20, 2008, the underwriters exercised a portion of their over-allotment option with respect to that offering, and we issued an additional 600,000 common shares at $9.90 per share.  Proceeds to us, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, were approximately $61,845.  Immediately upon closing the offering, we contributed all of the net proceeds of the offering to the Partnership in exchange for additional Partnership interests.  The net offering proceeds were used to repay indebtedness.

On January 21, 2010, we completed a public offering of 51,750,000 common shares, including 6,750,000 common shares subject to an overallotment option exercised by the underwriters, for proceeds of approximately $148,955 net of underwriting discounts and commissions. Immediately upon closing the offering, we contributed all of the net proceeds of the offering to the Partnership in exchange for additional Partnership interests.  The net offering proceeds were used as partial consideration to acquire a Hampton Inn, a Holiday Inn Express and a Candlewood Suites located in the area of Times Square, New York, NY.

Development Loans Receivable

This borrowing environment has made it difficult for our development loan borrowers to obtain or renew construction financing to complete certain hotel development projects for which we have provided development loan financing.  As of December 31, 2009 we have $46,094 in development loan principal receivable and $2,451 in accrued interest receivable on these loans.  Most of our development loans have options to extend the maturity of the loan for periods up to three years from the original maturity date of the loan.  We expect certain development loan borrowers to take advantage of these extension options.

In addition, we have modified the contractual terms of four development loans to allow borrowers the option to add accrued interest to the loan principal in lieu of making current interest payments.  As a result of these amendments, $4,502 of accrued interest was added to loan principal for the year ended December 31, 2009.  As noted above, we ceased accruing interest on two of these development loans effective July 1, 2009.  During 2009, we determined that the fair value of these loans receivable is $0 and have incurred an impairment charge for the remaining principal on these loans in the aggregate amount of $21,408, which includes $1,408 of interest income paid in-kind.  We do not expect the payments of principal or accrued interest on the development loans to be a significant source of liquidity over the next twelve to eighteen months.

 
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Acquisitions

Each of our development loans provides us with a right of first offer on hotels constructed through the development loan program.  We converted $18,000 in principal and $1,555 in interest due to us on certain development loans into equity interests in the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY.  We paid approximately $3,100 of cash and converted $2,000 in principal and $200 in interest due to us on certain development loans into equity interests in the Hampton Inn and Suites, West Haven, CT.  We plan to convert the principal and interest due to us on additional development loans into equity interests in the hotels developed allowing us to acquire new hotel properties, reducing the amount of cash necessary to complete an acquisition.

On January 1, 2010, we acquired our joint venture partner’s 52% membership interest in PRA Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT, and this hotel became one of our wholly-owned hotels. The consideration provided to our joint venture partner in exchange for its 52% membership interest consisted of:
 
·
cash of $253;
 
·
our 48% minority membership interest in PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT;
 
·
our forgiveness of a $1,408 loan made to our former joint venture partner; and
 
·
our assumption of the $13,141 outstanding mortgage debt secured by the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT.

On February 9, 2010 we completed the acquisition of a Hampton Inn, a Holiday Inn Express and a Candlewood Suites located in the area of Times Square, New York, NY with an aggregate purchase price of $165,000.  We used cash of $160,500 generated primarily from the net proceeds of our recently completed public offering of common shares and borrowings under our line of credit.  In addition we issued of 1,451,613 Common Units to the seller.

Some of the purchase agreements for some of our previous acquisitions contain certain earn-out provisions that entitle the seller to a payment based on operating metrics of the hotel properties.  One such earn-out provision expired on December 31, 2009 and the thresholds stipulated in the agreement were not met.  As such, no amounts are payable under this earn-out provision.

We intend to invest in additional hotels only as suitable opportunities arise and adequate sources of financing are available. We expect that future investments in hotels will depend on and will be financed by, in whole or in part, our existing cash, the proceeds from additional issuances of common shares, issuances of Common Units or other securities or borrowings.

Operating Liquidity and Capital Expenditures

We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements generally through net cash provided by operations, existing cash balances and, if necessary, short-term borrowings under our line of credit.  We believe that the net cash provided by operations in the coming year will be adequate to fund the Company’s operating requirements, monthly recurring debt service and the payment of dividends in accordance with REIT requirements of the federal income tax laws.  Beginning with the second quarter of 2009, the Company reduced its quarterly dividend payment by approximately 72% in order to preserve cash. This action is anticipated to strengthen our liquidity.  Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $21,532 while cash used for the payment of distributions and dividends was $31,462.  This shortfall was partially offset by $8,524 in proceeds from the sale of hotel properties during the year and utilization of cash and cash equivalents.  We believe our cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient over the next twelve months to fund the payment of our dividend at its current reduced level.  However, our Board of Trustees continues to evaluate the dividend policy in the context of our overall liquidity and market conditions.

Owning hotels is a capital intensive enterprise.  Hotels are expensive to acquire or build and require regular significant capital expenditures to satisfy guest expectations.  However, even with the current depressed cash flows, we project that our operating cash flow and existing credit facility will be sufficient to pay for almost all of our liquidity and other capital needs that we must undertake over the next twelve to eighteen months.

We make available to the TRS of our hotels 4% (6% for full service properties) of gross revenues per quarter, on a cumulative basis, for periodic replacement or refurbishment of furniture, fixtures and equipment at each of our hotels. We believe that a 4% (6% for full service hotels) reserve is a prudent estimate for future capital expenditure requirements. Our operators have implemented a policy of limiting capital expenditures in the current year to only those projects that impact safety of our guests or preserve the value of our assets.  As such, we have reduced amounts spent on capital improvements during the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008 and we do expect to increase amounts spent on capital improvements over the next twelve months.  While we have reduced the amounts we are spending on capital expenditures, we may be required to comply with the reasonable requirements of any franchise license under which any of our hotels operate and otherwise to the extent we deem such expenditures to be in our best interests.

 
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CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Comparison of year ended December 31, 2009 to year ended December 31, 2008

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2009, and 2008, was $21,532 and $53,894, respectively. Primarily as a result of declining ADR and occupancy at our wholly owned hotel properties, income before impairment charges, depreciation and amortization, and debt extinguishment decreased $27,380 during the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.  In addition, the modification of four development loans to allow borrowers the option to add accrued interest to the loan principal in lieu of making current interest payments resulted in $3,253 in current year development loan interest income that was added to principal and is not currently a source of operating cash.  Cash from operating activities of $3,770 has also been used to fund increases in our escrow deposits.  The increase in our escrow deposits is a result of reduced access to these funds due to decreases in our capital expenditures.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased $105,949, from $114,870 in the year ended December 31, 2008 to $8,921 for the year ended December 31, 2009.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, we acquired six properties for a total purchase price of $115,859, including the assumption of $30,790 in mortgage debt, the issuance of a $500 note payable, the assumption of $318 of operating liabilities and the issuance of units in our operating partnership valued at $21,624 resulting in net cash paid for acquisitions of $63,626.  During the same period in 2009, we acquired two properties for a total purchase price of $80,000, including the assumption of $37,524 in mortgage debt, the assumption of $3,043 of operating liabilities, the conversion of $20,000 in development loans and accrued interest, the conveyance of land and accrued rent receivable with a net value of $10,118 and cash held back at settlement of $1,200 resulting in net cash paid for acquisitions of $9,315.  We used $1,200 of the cash held back at settlement to facilitate the conveyance of land to the seller of the property during the year ended December 31, 2009.  We decreased our capital expenditures from $19,226 during the year ended December 31, 2008 to $6,138 during the same period in 2009. This decrease was the result of our initiatives to defer capital expenditures where appropriate, reducing capital expenditures on a year over year basis.  In addition, cash used to invest in development loans receivable, net of repayments, was $41,784 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $1,500 for the same period in 2009.  In addition, the sale of hotel properties during the year ended December 31, 2009 provided $8,524 in cash proceeds compared to $6,456 provided during 2008.  Net cash distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $2,509 from net distributions received of $2,017 during 2008 to net contributions made of $492 in 2009, primarily as a result of declining operating results in the hotels owned by our unconsolidated joint ventures.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $16,904 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $64,346 for the year ended December 31, 2008.  During year ended December 31, 2008, we issued 6,600,000 common shares resulting in net proceeds of $61,845. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we issued 8,442,300 common shares resulting in net proceeds of $21,339.  The Company reduced its quarterly common dividend rate by 72% from $0.18 per share to $0.05 per share beginning with the dividend and distribution payment in July of 2009.  Total dividends and distributions decreased $11,249 during the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008 due to the decrease in the rate of dividends and distributions, partially offset by an increase in dividend due to an increased number of shares outstanding.  Net proceeds from mortgages and notes payable were $1,735 during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net proceeds of $2,923 for the same period in 2009.  Net repayments of our credit facility were $9,221 during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to net proceeds of $44,721 during the same period in 2008.  The decrease in borrowings from our credit facility is a result of a decrease in acquisition activity requiring short term borrowings and an effort to lower debt levels.

Comparison of year ended December 31, 2008 to year ended December 31, 2007

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, was $53,894 and $59,300, respectively. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of a decrease in distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures, an increase in due from related parties, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $68,843, from $46,027 in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $114,870 for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net cash used for the purchase of hotel properties increased $30,968 in 2008 over 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we acquired nine properties for a total purchase price of $129,717 including the assumption of $70,564 in mortgage debt, the conversion of a $2,100 deposit made in 2006, the issuance of units in our operating partnership valued at $25,781 plus $798 paid for the operating assets of the hotel and $588 for the noncontrolling interests in the Hampton Inn, Philadelphia, PA resulting in net cash paid for acquisitions of $32,658.  During the same period in 2008, we acquired six properties for a total purchase price of $115,859 , including the assumption of $30,790 in mortgage debt, the issuance of a $500 note payable, the assumption of $318 of operating liabilities and the issuance of units in our operating partnership valued at $21,624 resulting in net cash paid for acquisitions of $63,626.  Also, cash provided by the disposition of hotel assets held for sale was $6,456 in 2008 compared to $11,905 in 2007. Cash provided by distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $4,372 while advances and capital contributions for unconsolidated joint ventures decreased from $2,309 in 2007 to $96 in 2008. We increased our capital expenditures from $16,773 in 2007 to $19,226 in 2008.  This increase was primarily related to $6,420 in new construction costs related to a building located in Brooklyn, in New York, NY we acquired in the first quarter of 2008 and opened as the nu Hotel in July of 2008.

 
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Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $64,346 compared to cash used in financing activities of $11,262 for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Included in cash provided by financing activities in 2008 were net proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $61,845.  Also, the increase in cash provided by financing activities is the result of proceeds from our credit facility and mortgages and notes payable, net of repayments, of $46,456 in 2008 compared to net proceeds of $27,526 in 2007.  Dividends paid on common shares and our common partnership units increased $4,878 in 2008, from $33,033 during the year ended December 31, 2007 to $37,911 during the same period in 2008.


OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.


FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share data)

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) developed Funds from Operations (“FFO”) as a non-GAAP financial measure of performance of an equity REIT in order to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined under GAAP. We calculate FFO applicable to common shares and Partnership units in accordance with the April 2002 National Policy Bulletin of NAREIT, which we refer to as the White Paper. The White Paper defines FFO as net income (loss) (computed in accordance with GAAP) excluding extraordinary items as defined under GAAP and gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated assets, plus certain non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Our interpretation of the NAREIT definition is that minority interest in net income (loss) should be added back to (deducted from) net income (loss) as part of reconciling net income (loss) to FFO. Our FFO computation may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not compute FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition, or that interpret the NAREIT definition differently than we do.

The GAAP measure that we believe to be most directly comparable to FFO, net income (loss) applicable to common shares, includes depreciation and amortization expenses, gains or losses on property sales, minority interest and preferred dividends. In computing FFO, we eliminate these items because, in our view, they are not indicative of the results from our property operations.

FFO does not represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of Hersha’s performance or to cash flow as a measure of liquidity or ability to make distributions. We consider FFO to be a meaningful, additional measure of operating performance because it excludes the effects of the assumption that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, and because it is widely used by industry analysts as a performance measure. We show both FFO from consolidated hotel operations and FFO from unconsolidated joint ventures because we believe it is meaningful for the investor to understand the relative contributions from our consolidated and unconsolidated hotels. The display of both FFO from consolidated hotels and FFO from unconsolidated joint ventures allows for a detailed analysis of the operating performance of our hotel portfolio by management and investors. We present FFO applicable to common shares and Partnership units because our Partnership units are redeemable for common shares. We believe it is meaningful for the investor to understand FFO applicable to all common shares and Partnership units.

 
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The following table reconciles FFO for the periods presented to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income, for the same periods.

   
Twelve Months Ending
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
                   
Net (loss) income applicable to common shares
  $ (54,661 )   $ (13,608 )   $ 13,047  
(Loss) income allocated to noncontrolling interest
    (8,597 )     (1,621 )     2,325  
Loss (income) from unconsolidated joint ventures
    7,190       517       (3,476 )
Gain on sale of assets
    (1,869 )     (2,888 )     (4,248 )
Depreciation and amortization
    43,156       38,904       31,943  
Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations
    1,129       2,514       3,187  
FFO related to the noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures (1)
    (98 )     (240 )     (652 )
Funds from consolidated hotel operations applicable to common shares and Partnership units
    (13,750 )     23,578       42,126  
                         
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures
    (7,190 )     (517 )     3,476  
Add:
                       
Depreciation and amortization of purchase price in excess of historical cost (2)
    2,137       2,093       2,055  
Interest in deferred financing costs written off in unconsolidated joint venture debt extinguishment
    -       -       (2,858 )
Interest in depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated joint venture (3)
    2,891       6,287       5,024  
Funds from unconsolidated joint ventures operations applicable to common shares and Partnership units
    (2,162 )     7,863       7,697  
                         
Funds from Operations applicable to common shares and Partnership units
  $ (15,912 )   $ 31,441     $ 49,823  
                         
Weighted Average Common Shares and Units Outstanding
                       
Basic
    51,027,742       45,184,127       40,718,724  
Diluted
    51,027,742       53,218,864       46,183,394  
 
 
(1)
Adjustment made to deduct FFO related to the noncontrolling interest in our consolidated joint ventures; Represents the portion of net income and depreciation allocated to our joint venture partners.
 
(2)
Adjustment made to add depreciation of purchase price in excess of historical cost of the assets in the unconsolidated joint venture at the time of our investment.
 
(3)
Adjustment made to add our interest in real estate related depreciation and amortization of our unconsolidated joint ventures.

Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2008

FFO was a deficit of $15,912 for the year ended December 31, 2009, which was a decrease of $47,353 or 150.6%, over FFO in the comparable period in 2008, which was $31,441. FFO for year ended December 31, 2009 was negatively impacted by total impairment charges of $43,652 recognized during 2009 compared to $22,894 in 2008.  Other than these impairment charges, the decrease in FFO was primarily a result of worsening economic conditions which has caused occupancies and average daily rates to decline at our hotel properties.  The decrease in revenues has only been partially offset by decreases in operating expenses resulting from declines in occupancy and our hotel operators cost reduction initiatives.

FFO was also negatively impacted by increases in our interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2007

FFO was $31,441 for the year ended December 31, 2008, which was a decrease of $18,381 or 36.9%, over FFO in the comparable period in 2007, which was $49,823. The decrease in FFO was primarily a result of an impairment of development loan receivable and other asset of $21,004 and an impairment of our interest in an unconsolidated joint venture of $1,890. Partially offsetting the effect of these impairment charges were increases in operating income due to increases in RevPAR and due to hotel acquisitions consummated in 2007 and 2008.

FFO was negatively impacted by increases in our interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2008.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

 
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On an on-going basis, estimates are evaluated by us, including those related to carrying value of investments in hotel properties. Our estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Revenue Recognition

Approximately 95% of our revenues are derived from hotel room revenues and revenue from other hotel operating departments. We directly recognize revenue and expense for all consolidated hotels as hotel operating revenue and hotel operating expense when earned and incurred. These revenues are recorded net of any sales or occupancy taxes collected from our guests. All revenues are recorded on an accrual basis, as earned. We participate in frequent guest programs sponsored by the brand owners of our hotels and we expense the charges associated with those programs, as incurred.

Revenue for interest on development loan financing is recorded in the period earned based on the interest rate of the loan and outstanding balance during the period. Development loans receivable and accrued interest on the development loans receivable are evaluated to determine if outstanding balances are collectible.  Interest is recorded only if it is determined the outstanding loan balance and accrued interest balance are collectible.

Other revenues consist primarily of fees earned for asset management services provided to hotels we own through unconsolidated joint ventures. Fees are earned as a percentage of the hotels revenue and are recorded in the period earned.

Investment in Hotel Properties

Investments in hotel properties are recorded at cost. Improvements and replacements are capitalized when they extend the useful life of the asset. Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of up to 40 years for buildings and improvements, two to seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. We are required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our properties for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation to record on an annual basis with respect to our investments in hotel properties. These assessments have a direct impact on our net income because if we were to shorten the expected useful lives of our investments in hotel properties we would depreciate these investments over fewer years, resulting in more depreciation expense and lower net income on an annual basis.

Most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill related to hotel properties acquired in a business combination are recorded at full fair value.  Estimating techniques and assumptions used in determining fair values involve significant estimates and judgments.  These estimates and judgments have a direct impact on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities which can directly impact the amount of depreciation expense recorded on an annual basis and could have an impact on our assessment of potential impairment of our investment in hotel properties.

The operations related to properties that have been sold or properties that are intended to be sold are presented as discontinued operations in the statement of operations for all periods presented, and properties intended to be sold are designated as “held for sale” on the balance sheet.

Based on the occurrence of certain events or changes in circumstances, we review the recoverability of the property’s carrying value. Such events or changes in circumstances include the following:

 
·
a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset;
 
·
a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset is being used or in its physical condition;
 
·
a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator;
 
·
an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset;
 
·
a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset; and
 
·
a current expectation that, it is more likely than not that, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

We review our portfolio on an on-going basis to evaluate the existence of any of the aforementioned events or changes in circumstances that would require us to test for recoverability. In general, our review of recoverability is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to result from the property’s use and eventual disposition. These estimates consider factors such as expected future operating income, market and other applicable trends and residual value expected, as well as the effects of hotel demand, competition and other factors. If impairment exists due to the inability to recover the carrying value of a property, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the property. We are required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the values of our investments in hotel properties. These assessments have a direct impact on our net income because recording an impairment loss results in an immediate negative adjustment to net income.

 
36


Investment in Joint Ventures

Properties owned in joint ventures are consolidated if the determination is made that we are the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity (VIE) or we maintain control of the asset through our voting interest or other rights in the operation of the entity. We evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest in a VIE through means other than voting rights and determine whether we should include the VIE in our consolidated financial statements. Our examination of each joint venture consists of reviewing the sufficiency of equity at risk, controlling financial interests, voting rights, and the obligation to absorb expected losses and expected gains, including residual returns. Control can also be demonstrated by the ability of the general partner to manage day-to-day operations, refinance debt and sell the assets of the partnerships without the consent of the limited partners and the inability of the limited partners to replace the general partner. This evaluation requires significant judgment.

If it is determined that we do not have a controlling interest in a joint venture, either through our financial interest in a VIE or our voting interest in a voting interest entity, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize our share of net earnings or losses of the affiliates as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received, limited to the extent of our investment in, advances to and commitments for the investee. Pursuant to our joint venture agreements, allocations of profits and losses of some of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be allocated disproportionately as compared to nominal ownership percentages due to specified preferred return rate thresholds.

The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures to determine if circumstances exist indicating impairment to the carrying value of the investment that is other than temporary. When an impairment indicator is present, we will estimate the fair value of the investment.  Our estimate of fair value takes into consideration factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other factors.  This determination requires significant estimates by management, including the expected cash flows to be generated by the assets owned and operated by the joint venture. Subsequent changes in estimates could impact the determination of whether impairment exists. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of our investment in the unconsolidated joint venture.

Development Loans Receivable

The Company accounts for the credit risk associated with its development loans receivable by monitoring the portfolio for indications of impairment.  Our methodology consists of the following:

 
·
Identifying loans for individual review. In general, these consist of development loans that are not performing in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan.
 
·
Assessing whether the loans identified for review are impaired. That is, whether it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  We determine the amount of impairment by calculating the estimated fair value, discounted cash flows or the value of the underlying collateral.

Any charge to earnings necessary based on our review is recorded on our income statement as an impairment of development loan receivable.  Our assessment of impairment is based on information known at the time of the review. Changes in factors underlying the assessment could have a material impact on the amount of impairment to be charged against earnings. Such changes could impact future results.

Accounting for Derivative Financial Investments and Hedging Activities

We use derivatives to hedge, fix and cap interest rate risk and we account for our derivative and hedging activities by recording all derivative instruments at fair value on the balance sheet. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction. Cash flow hedges that are considered highly effective are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability, with a corresponding amount recorded in other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity. Amounts are reclassified from other comprehensive income to the income statements in the period or periods the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.

Under cash flow hedges, derivative gains and losses not considered highly effective in hedging the change in expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in the income statement. For hedge transactions that do not qualify for the short-cut method, at the hedge’s inception and on a regular basis thereafter, a formal assessment is performed to determine whether changes in the cash flows of the derivative instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items and whether they are expected to be highly effective in the future.

 
37


RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting Standards Codification

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a pronouncement that established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP.  This standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Company has adopted this standard in accordance with US GAAP.

Subsequent Events

In May 2009, the FASB issued a pronouncement that sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date.  Our adoption of this statement did not impact our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued a pronouncement that amends existing US GAAP as follows: (a) to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity and to identify the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, (b) to require ongoing reassessment of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, rather than only when specific events occur, (c) to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, (d) to amend certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity, (e) to add an additional reconsideration event when changes in facts and circumstances pertinent to a variable interest entity occur, (f) to eliminate the exception for troubled debt restructuring regarding variable interest entity reconsideration, and (g) to require advanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity.  This pronouncement is effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009.  Earlier adoption is prohibited.  The Company will adopt this pronouncement on January 1, 2010.  Management does not believe adoption of this pronouncement will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We have entered into a number of transactions and arrangements that involve related parties. For a description of the transactions and arrangements, please see Note 7, “Commitments and Contingencies and Related Party Transactions,” to the consolidated financial statements.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts, such as debt and lease agreements, as of December 31, 2009.

Contractual Obligations
                                   
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
Thereafter
 
Long Term Debt
  $ 37,406     $ 58,208     $ 44,107     $ 31,989     $ 43,935     $ 450,648  
Interest Expense on Long Term Debt
    38,404       35,628       32,181       30,167       27,448       122,772  
Credit Facility
    -       79,200       -       -       -       -  
Interest Expense on Credit Facility
    3,366       3,366       -       -       -       -  
Hotel Ground Rent
    904       935       975       981       986       92,175  
Total
  $ 80,080     $ 177,337     $ 77,263     $ 63,137     $ 72,369     $ 665,595  

 
38


Item 6A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (in thousands, except per share data)

Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates on our variable rate debt. At December 31, 2009 we are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to our outstanding borrowings under our variable rate line of credit and certain variable rate mortgages and notes payable.  At December 31, 2009, we had total variable rate debt outstanding of $160,756, consisting of outstanding borrowings of $79,200 under our line of credit and outstanding borrowings of $81,556 under variable rate mortgages and notes payable.  At December 31, 2009, our variable rate debt outstanding had a weighted average interest rate of 4.57%.    The effect of a 100 basis point increase or decrease in the interest rate on our variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2009, would be an increase or decrease in our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $1,381.

Our interest rate risk objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we manage our exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates for a portion of our borrowings through the use of fixed rate debt instruments to the extent that reasonably favorable rates are obtainable with such arrangements. We have also entered into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps or caps, and in the future may enter into treasury options or locks, to mitigate our interest rate risk on a related financial instrument or to effectively lock the interest rate on a portion of our variable rate debt. Currently, we have two interest rate swaps related to debt on the nu Hotel, Brooklyn, NY and Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ and one interest rate cap related to debt on the Hotel 373, New York, NY. As of December 31, 2009, the principal balance of variable rate debt that is fixed or capped by instruments was $46,594.  We do not intend to enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.

Approximately 86.7% of our outstanding mortgages and notes payable are subject to fixed rates, including variable rate debt that is effectively fixed through our use of a derivative instrument, while approximately 13.3% of our outstanding mortgages payable are subject to floating rates.

The Company estimated the fair value of its fixed rate debt to be approximately $521,050 as of December 31, 2009.  Changes in market interest rates on our fixed-rate debt impact the fair value of the debt, but it has no impact on interest incurred for cash flow. If interest rates rise 100 basis points and our fixed rate debt balance remains constant, we expect the fair value of our debt to decrease. The sensitivity analysis related to our fixed-rate debt assumes an immediate 100 basis point move in interest rates from their December 31, 2009 levels, with all other variables held constant. A 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in the fair value of our fixed-rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2009 to be approximately $482,579, and a 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in the fair value of our fixed-rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2009 to be approximately $561,593.

We regularly review interest rate exposure on our outstanding borrowings in an effort to minimize the risk of interest rate fluctuations. For debt obligations outstanding at December 31, 2009, the following table presents expected principal repayments and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates (in thousands):

Mortgages & Notes Payable
 
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                           
Fixed Rate Debt
  $ 14,834     $ 30,492     $ 15,104     $ 31,806     $ 41,853     $ 450,647     $ 584,736  
Average Interest Rate
    6.02 %     6.12 %     6.13 %     6.11 %     6.09 %     6.09 %     6.09 %
                                                         
Floating Rate Debt
  $ 22,572     $ 27,716     $ 29,003     $ 183     $ 2,082     $ 0     $ 81,556  
Average Interest Rate
    6.98 %     8.30 %     2.98 %     2.98 %     2.98 %     N/A       4.04 %
subtotal
  $ 37,406     $ 58,208     $ 44,107     $ 31,989     $ 43,935     $ 450,647     $ 666,292  
                                                         
Credit Facility
                                                       
      -       79,200       -       -       -       -     $ 79,200  
Average Interest Rate
            4.25 %                                     4.25 %
TOTAL
  $ 37,406     $ 137,408     $ 44,107     $ 31,989     $ 43,935     $ 450,647     $ 745,492  

The table incorporates only those exposures that existed as of December 31, 2009 and does not consider exposure or positions that could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss with respect to interest rate fluctuations will depend on the exposures that arise during the future period, prevailing interest rates, and our hedging strategies at that time.

 
39


The following table illustrates total principal repayments during certain periods, as adjusted to reflect (in each case as further described in the footnotes following the table):

 
·
debt assumed in the Company’s acquisition of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT
 
·
the refinance of mortgage debt secured by the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY
 
·
the Company’s exercise of each of the extension options within its discretion,
 
·
the Company’s exercise of each of the extension options subject to lender approval, and
 
·
the lender’s extension of the maturity of the revolving line of credit extension options.

   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                           
Principal repayments due as of December 31, 2009, as noted above
  $ 37,406     $ 137,408     $ 44,107     $ 31,989     $ 43,935     $ 450,647     $ 745,492  
Adjustments: (1)
                                                       
Assumption of debt in connection with January 1, 2010 acquisition of  Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT (2)
    -       -       -       -       -       13,141       13,141  
Refinance of debt on Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY (3)
    -       -       (29,632 )     -       -       32,000       2,368  
Extension Options
                                                       
Hotel 373 - 5th Avenue, New York, NY (4)
    (22,000 )     -       22,000       -       -       -       -  
nu Hotel - Brooklyn, New York, NY (5)
    -       (18,000 )     -       18,000       -       -       -  
Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ (6)
    -       (5,250 )     5,250       -       -       -       -  
TownePlace Suites, Harrisburg, PA (7)
    -       (9,250 )     9,250       -       -       -       -  
Hampton Inn, West Haven, CT (8)
    -       -       (7,688 )     -       -       7,688       -  
Residence Inn, Carlisle, PA (9)
    -       -       -       (6,857 )     -       6,857       -  
Line of Credit Facility (10)
    -       (79,200 )     79,200       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Pro Forma Principal Repayments
  $ 15,406     $ 25,708     $ 122,487     $ 43,132     $ 43,935     $ 510,333     $ 761,001  

 
(1)
Adjustments reflect principal balances as of December 31, 2009.  Adjustments do not include amortization of principal scheduled to occur subsequent to December 31, 2009 through maturity date or extended maturity date if options are exercised.
 
(2)
On January 1, 2010, we acquired our joint venture partner’s 52% membership interest in PRA Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT, and this hotel became one of our wholly-owned hotels.  We assumed the outstanding mortgage debt secured by the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT, which has an outstanding principal balance of approximately $13,141 as of December 31, 2009, bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.98% per annum and has an anticipated maturity date of April 1, 2016.
 
(3)
On January 29, 2010 we refinanced the mortgage debt secured by the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY.  The refinanced mortgage balance equals $32,000, interest rate is fixed at 8.25% and the loan matures on February 10, 2015.
 
(4)
Represents mortgage debt on the Hotel 373, 5th Avenue, New York, NY which contains two one-year extension options, which can be exercised at our discretion, effectively extending the maturity from May of 2010 to May of 2012.
 
(5)
Represents mortgage debt on the nu Hotel, Brooklyn, New York, NY which contains two one-year extension options, which can be exercised at our discretion, effectively extending the maturity from January of 2011 to January of 2013.
 
(6)
Represents mortgage debt on the Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ which contains a one-year extension option, which can be exercised at our discretion, effectively extending the maturity from January of 2011 to January of 2012.
 
(7)
Represents the mortgage debt on the TownePlace Suites, Harrisburg, PA which contains a one-year extension option, which can be exercised at our discretion, effectively extending the maturity from July of 2011 to July of 2012.
 
(8)
Represents the mortgage debt on the Hampton Inn, West Haven, CT, which contains a three-year extension option, which is subject to the lender's approval in its discretion, effectively extending the maturity from November of 2012 to November of 2015.
 
(9)
Represents the mortgage debt on the Residence Inn, Carlisle, PA, which contains a three-year extension option, which is subject to the lender's approval in its discretion, effectively extending the maturity from January of 2013 to January of 2016.
 
(10)
Represents the revolving line of credit, which contains a one-year extension option, which is subject to the lender's approval in its discretion, effectively extending the maturity from December of 2011 to December of 2012.

 
40


Item 7.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Hersha Hospitality Trust
 

   
Page
Hersha Hospitality Trust
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  42
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
  43
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  44
Consolidated Statements of Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  46
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  47
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  48
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2009
  89

 
41


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Trustees and Stockholders of
Hersha Hospitality Trust:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hersha Hospitality Trust and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index.  These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of Hersha Hospitality Trust’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hersha Hospitality Trust and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Hersha Hospitality Trust and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 4, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 4, 2010

 
42



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS]
 


   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Assets:
           
Investment in Hotel Properties, net of Accumulated Depreciation
  $ 938,954     $ 982,082  
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
    39,182       46,283  
Development Loans Receivable
    46,094       81,500  
Cash and Cash Equivalents
    11,404       15,697  
Escrow Deposits
    16,174       12,404  
Hotel Accounts Receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $34 and $120
    7,103       6,870  
Deferred Financing Costs, net of Accumulated Amortization of $4,262 and $3,606
    8,696       9,157  
Due from Related Parties
    2,394       3,595  
Intangible Assets, net of Accumulated Amortization of $803 and $595
    7,542       7,300  
Other Assets
    12,428       13,517  
Assets Held for Sale
    21,073       -  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 1,111,044     $ 1,178,405  
                 
Liabilities and Equity:
               
Line of Credit
  $ 79,200     $ 88,421  
Mortgages and Notes Payable, net of unamortized discount of $49 and $61
    645,351       655,360  
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
    16,216       17,745  
Dividends and Distributions Payable
    4,293       11,240  
Due to Related Parties
    769       302  
Liabilities Related to Assets Held for Sale
    20,892       -  
                 
Total Liabilities
    766,721       773,068  
                 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Common Units (Note 1)
  $ 14,733     $ 18,739  
                 
Equity:
               
Shareholders' Equity:
               
Preferred Shares - 8% Series A, $.01 Par Value, 2,400,000 Shares Issued and Outstanding (Aggregate Liquidation Preference $60,000) at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    24       24  
Common Shares - Class A, $.01 Par Value, 150,000,000 and 80,000,000 Shares Authorized at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, 57,682,917 and 48,276,222 Shares Issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    577       483  
Common Shares - Class B, $.01 Par Value, 1,000,000 Shares Authorized, None Issued and Outstanding
    -       -  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
    (160 )     (109 )
Additional Paid-in Capital
    487,481       463,772  
Distributions in Excess of Net Income
    (185,725 )     (114,207 )
Total Shareholders' Equity
    302,197       349,963  
                 
Noncontrolling Interests (Note 1):
               
Noncontrolling Interests - Common Units
    27,126       34,781  
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Joint Ventures
    267       1,854  
Total Noncontrolling Interests
    27,393       36,635  
                 
Total Equity
    329,590       386,598  
                 
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 1,111,044     $ 1,178,405  


The Accompanying Notes Are an Integral Part of These Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
43



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]
 


   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenue:
                 
Hotel Operating Revenues
  $ 212,328     $ 236,162     $ 214,883  
Interest Income from Development Loans
    7,411       7,890       6,046  
Other Revenues
    751       1,141       980  
Total Revenues
    220,490       245,193       221,909  
                         
Operating Expenses:
                       
Hotel Operating Expenses
    124,433       133,817       119,499  
Hotel Ground Rent
    1,166       1,040       856  
Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes and Property Insurance
    13,879       12,384       10,803  
General and Administrative
    5,892       7,208       7,093  
Stock Based Compensation
    2,143       1,502       852  
Acquisition and Terminated Transaction Costs
    328       380       149  
Impairment of Development Loans Receivable
    21,408       21,004       -  
Depreciation and Amortization
    43,156       38,904       31,943  
Total Operating Expenses
    212,405       216,239       171,195  
                         
Operating Income
    8,085       28,954       50,714  
                         
Interest Income
    208       306       686  
Interest Expense
    43,359       41,218       40,237  
Other Expense
    165       129       83  
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
    -       1,568       -  
(Loss) Income before (Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments and Discontinued Operations
    (35,231 )     (13,655 )     11,080  
                         
(Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments
    (7,190 )     (517 )     3,476  
                         
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations
    (42,421 )     (14,172 )     14,556  
                         
Discontinued Operations  (Note 12):
                       
Gain on Disposition of Hotel Properties
    1,869       2,888       4,248  
Impairment of Assets Held for Sale
    (17,703 )     -       -  
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations
    (203 )     855       1,368  
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations
    (16,037 )     3,743       5,616  
                         
Net (Loss) Income
    (58,458 )     (10,429 )     20,172  
                         
Loss (Income) Allocated to Noncontrolling Interests
    8,597       1,621       (2,325 )
Preferred Distributions
    (4,800 )     (4,800 )     (4,800 )
                         
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (54,661 )   $ (13,608 )   $ 13,047  


The Accompanying Notes Are an Integral Part of These Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
44



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


                   
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Earnings Per Share:
                 
BASIC
                 
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.81 )   $ (0.38 )   $ 0.20  
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.27 )     0.07       0.12  
                         
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (1.08 )   $ (0.31 )   $ 0.32  
                         
DILUTED
                       
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.81 )  *   $ (0.38 )  *   $ 0.20 *
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.27 )  *     0.07 *     0.12 *
                         
Net (Loss) Income ap#plicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (1.08 )  *   $ (0.31 ) *   $ 0.32 *

*
Income allocated to noncontrolling interest in Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership has been excluded from the numerator and units of limited partnership interest in Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership have been omitted from the denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share since the effect of including these amounts in the numerator and denominator would have no impact. Weighted average units of limited partnership interest in Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were 8,724,725, 8,034,737 and 5,464,670, respectively.  Unvested stock awards and options to acquire our common shares have been omitted from the denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 since the effect of including these awards in the denominator would be anti-dilutive to income from continuing operations applicable to common shareholders.
 
 
The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
45



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARES]



   
Shareholders' Equity
   
Noncontrolling Interests
   
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
 
   
Class A
Common Shares
   
Class B
Common Shares
   
Series A
Preferred Shares
                           
Common Units
                     
Common Units
 
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
Distributions
in Excess
of Net
Earnings
   
Total Shareholders' Equity
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Consolidated Joint Ventures
   
Total Noncontrolling Interests
   
Total Equity
   
Shares
   
Dollars
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
    40,671,950     $ 405       -     $ -       2,400,000     $ 24     $ 381,592     $ 233     $ (50,635 )   $ 331,619       3,835,586     $ 25,933     $ 3,092     $ 29,025     $ 360,644       -     $ -  
Unit Conversion
    306,460       3       -       -       -       -       2,366       -       -       2,369       (306,460 )     (2,369 )     -       (2,369 )     -       -       -  
Unit Conversion Costs
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (142 )     -       -       (142 )     -       -       -       -       (142 )     -       -  
Common Units Issued for Acquisitions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       2,895,789       33,530       -       33,530       33,530       -       -  
Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest
    -       -       -       -       -       -       12,422       -       -       12,422       -       (12,422 )     -       (12,422 )     -       -       -  
Dividends declared:
                                                                                                                                       
Common Stock ($0.72 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (29,547 )     (29,547 )     -       (4,222 )     -       (4,222 )     (33,769 )     -       -  
Preferred Stock ($2.00 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (4,800 )     (4,800 )     -       -       -       -       (4,800 )     -       -  
Consolidated Joint Ventures:
                                                                                                                                       
Acquisitions of Remaining Interest in Consolidated Joint Ventures
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (587 )     (587 )     (587 )     -       -  
Distributions from Consolidated Joint Ventures
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (527 )     (527 )     (527 )     -       -  
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    2,620       1       -       -       -       -       29       -       -       30       -       -       -       -       30       -       -  
Stock Based Compensation
                                                                                                                                       
Restricted Share Award Grants
    214,582       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Restricted Share Award Vesting
    -       2       -       -       -       -       766       -       -       768       -       -       -       -       768       -       -  
Share Grants to Trustees
    8,000       1       -       -       -       -       94       -       -       95       -       -       -       -       95       -       -  
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
                                                                                                                                       
Other Comprehensive Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (256 )     -       (256 )     -       -       -       -       (256 )     -       -  
Net Income
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       17,847       17,847       -       2,395       (70 )     2,325       20,172       -       -  
Total Comprehensive Income
                                                                            17,591       -       2,395       (70 )     2,325       19,916       -       -  
Balance at December 31, 2007
    41,203,612     $ 412       -     $ -       2,400,000     $ 24     $ 397,127     $ (23 )   $ (67,135 )   $ 330,405       6,424,915     $ 42,845     $ 1,908     $ 44,753     $ 375,158       -     $ -  
Common Stock Issuance
    6,600,000       66       -       -       -       -       62,007       -       -       62,073       -       -       -       -       62,073       -       -  
Issuance Costs
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (228 )     -       -       (228 )     -       -       -       -       (228 )     -       -  
Unit Conversion
    175,843       2       -       -       -       -       1,370       -       -       1,372       (175,843 )     (1,372 )     -       (1,372 )     -       -       -  
Common Units Issued for Acquisitions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       2,497,228       21,624       -       21,624       21,624       -       -  
Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest
    -       -       -       -       -       -       1,966       -       -       1,966       -       (683 )     -       (683 )     1,283       -       (1,283 )
Reclassification of Noncontrolling Interests
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (3,064,252 )     (20,670 )     -       (20,670 )     (20,670 )     3,064,252       20,670  
Dividends declared:
                                                                                                                                       
Common Stock ($0.72 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (33,464 )     (33,464 )     -       (5,492 )     -       (5,492 )     (38,956 )     -       (552 )
Preferred Stock ($2.00 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (4,800 )     (4,800 )     -       -       -       -       (4,800 )     -       -  
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    5,092       -       -       -       -       -       31       -       -       31       -       -       -       -       31       -       -  
Stock Based Compensation
                                                                                                                                       
Restricted Share Award Grants
    281,675       3       -       -       -       -       (3 )     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Restricted Share Award Vesting
    -       -       -       -       -       -       1,411       -       -       1,411       -       -       -       -       1,411       -       -  
Share Grants to Trustees
    10,000       -       -       -       -       -       91       -       -       91       -       -       -       -       91       -       -  
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
                                                                                                                                       
Other Comprehensive Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (86 )     -       (86 )     -       -       -       -       (86 )     -       -  
Net Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (8,808 )     (8,808 )     -       (1,471 )     (54 )     (1,525 )     (10,333 )     -       (96 )
Total Comprehensive Loss
                                                                            (8,894 )     -       (1,471 )     (54 )     (1,525 )     (10,419 )     -       (96 )
Balance at December 31, 2008
    48,276,222     $ 483       -     $ -       2,400,000     $ 24     $ 463,772     $ (109 )   $ (114,207 )   $ 349,963       5,682,048     $ 34,781     $ 1,854     $ 36,635     $ 386,598       3,064,252     $ 18,739  
Common Stock Issuance
    8,442,300       84       -       -       -       -       22,423       -       -       22,507       -       -       -       -       22,507       -       -  
Issuance Costs
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,165 )     -       -       (1,165 )     -       -       -       -       (1,165 )     -       -  
Unit Conversion
    44,490       -       -       -       -       -       255       -       -       255       (44,490 )     (255 )     -       (255 )     -       -       -  
Common Units Issued for Acquisitions
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Dividends and Distributions declared:
                                                                                                                                       
Distribution to Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Ventures
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (124 )     (124 )     (124 )     -       -  
Common Stock ($0.33 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (16,857 )     (16,857 )     -       (1,871 )     -       (1,871 )     (18,728 )     -       (1,010 )
Preferred Stock ($2.00 per share)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (4,800 )     (4,800 )     -       -       -       -       (4,800 )     -       -  
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    9,943       -       -       -       -       -       25       -       -       25       -       -       -       -       25       -       -  
Stock Based Compensation
                                                                                                                                       
Restricted Share Award Grants
    862,462       9       -       -       -       -       (9 )     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Restricted Share Award Vesting
    -       -       -       -       -       -       2,039       -       -       2,039       -       -       -       -       2,039       -       -  
Share Grants to Trustees
    47,500       1       -       -       -       -       141       -       -       142       -       -       -       -       142       -       -  
Disposition of JV
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,391 )     (1,391 )     (1,391 )     -       -  
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
                                                                                                                                       
Other Comprehensive Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (51 )     -       (51 )     -       -       -       -       (51 )     -       -  
Net Loss
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (49,861 )     (49,861 )     -       (5,529 )     (72 )     (5,601 )     (55,462 )     -       (2,996 )
Total Comprehensive Loss
                                                                            (49,912 )     -       (5,529 )     (72 )     (5,601 )     (55,513 )     -       (2,996 )
Balance at December 31, 2009
    57,682,917     $ 577       -     $ -       2,400,000     $ 24     $ 487,481     $ (160 )   $ (185,725 )   $ 302,197       5,637,558     $ 27,126     $ 267     $ 27,393     $ 329,590       3,064,252     $ 14,733  


The Accompanying Notes Are an Integral Part of These Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
46



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS],


                   
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Operating activities:
                 
Net (loss) income
  $ (58,458 )   $ (10,429 )   $ 20,172  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Gain on disposition of hotel assets held for sale
    (1,869 )     (2,888 )     (4,248 )
Impairment of development loan receivable, other asset and assets held for sale
    39,111       21,004       -  
Depreciation
    44,002       41,219       34,963  
Amortization
    2,285       1,958       1,812  
Debt extinguishment
    -       1,587       -  
Development loan interest added to principal
    (3,253 )     -       -  
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated joint ventures
    7,190       517       (3,476 )
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures
    400       3,036       4,501  
Loss (gain) recognized on change in fair value of derivative instrument
    (172 )     71       (89 )
Stock based compensation expense
    2,143       1,502       852  
Change in assets and liabilities:
                       
(Increase) decrease in:
                       
Hotel accounts receivable
    (312 )     420       (2,500 )
Escrows
    (3,770 )     1,302       1,845  
Other assets
    (3,727 )     (1,132 )     (261 )
Due from related party
    2,159       (3,251 )     3,691  
Increase (decrease) in:
                       
Due to related party
    (634 )     (1,115 )     (1,291 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (3,563 )     93       3,329  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    21,532       53,894       59,300  
                         
Investing activities:
                       
Purchase of hotel property assets
    (9,315 )     (63,626 )     (32,658 )
Capital expenditures
    (6,138 )     (19,226 )     (16,773 )
Proceeds from disposition of hotel assets held for sale
    8,524       6,456       11,905  
Cash paid for franchise fee intangible
    -       (57 )     (11 )
Repayment of notes receivable
    -       1,350       34  
Investment in development loans receivable
    (2,000 )     (64,200 )     (65,700 )
Repayment of development loans receivable
    500       22,416       53,000  
Distributions from unconsolidated joint venture
    261       2,113       6,485  
Advances and capital contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures
    (753 )     (96 )     (2,309 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (8,921 )     (114,870 )     (46,027 )
                         
Financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from (repayments of) borrowings under line of credit, net
    (9,221 )     44,721       19,700  
Principal repayment of mortgages and notes payable
    (39,232 )     (57,421 )     (20,717 )
Proceeds from mortgages and notes payable
    42,155       59,156       28,543  
Cash paid for deferred financing costs
    (362 )     (1,244 )     (286 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
    21,342       61,845       -  
Stock issuance costs related to conversion of partnership units
    -       -       (143 )
Distributions to partners in consolidated joint ventures
    (124 )     -       (526 )
Dividends paid on common shares
    (22,640 )     (32,169 )     (29,424 )
Dividends paid on preferred shares
    (4,800 )     (4,800 )     (4,800 )
Distributions paid on common partnership units
    (4,022 )     (5,742 )     (3,609 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (16,904 )     64,346       (11,262 )
                         
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,293 )     3,370       2,011  
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
    15,697       12,327       10,316  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year
  $ 11,404     $ 15,697     $ 12,327  
 
 
The Accompanying Notes Are an Integral Part of These Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
47



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Hersha Hospitality Trust (“we” or the “Company”) was formed in May 1998 as a self-administered, Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes.

The Company owns a controlling general partnership interest in Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership (“HHLP” or  the “Partnership”), which owns a 99% limited partnership interest in various subsidiary partnerships. Hersha Hospitality, LLC (“HHLLC”), a Virginia limited liability company, owns a 1% general partnership interest in the subsidiary partnerships and the Partnership is the sole member of HHLLC.

The Partnership formed a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), 44 New England Management Company (“44 New England” or “TRS Lessee”), to lease certain of the Company’s hotels.

On May 5, 2008, we transferred the listing of our common shares of beneficial interest and 8.0% Series A preferred shares of beneficial interest from the American Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).  Hersha’s common shares now trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "HT" and its Series A preferred shares now trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "HT PR A."

As of December 31, 2009, the Company, through the Partnership and subsidiary partnerships, wholly owned fifty-seven limited and full service hotels. All of the wholly owned hotel facilities are leased to the Company’s TRS, 44 New England.

In addition to the wholly owned hotel properties, as of December 31, 2009, the Company owned joint venture interests in another seventeen properties. The properties owned by the joint ventures are leased to a TRS owned by the joint venture or to an entity owned by the joint venture partners and 44 New England. The following table lists the properties owned by these joint ventures:

Joint Venture
 
Ownership
 
Property
 
Location
 
Lessee/Sublessee
                 
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
               
Inn America Hospitality at Ewing, LLC
 
50.0%
 
Courtyard
 
Ewing/Princeton, NJ
 
Hersha Inn America TRS Inc.
PRA Glastonbury, LLC
 
48.0%
 
Hilton Garden Inn
 
Glastonbury, CT
 
Hersha PRA TRS, Inc
PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC
 
48.0%
 
Homewood Suites
 
Glastonbury, CT
 
Hersha PRA LLC
Mystic Partners, LLC
 
66.7%
 
Marriott
 
Mystic, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
8.8%
 
Hilton
 
Hartford, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
66.7%
 
Courtyard
 
Norwich, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
66.7%
 
Courtyard
 
Warwick, RI
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
66.7%
 
Residence Inn
 
Danbury, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
66.7%
 
Residence Inn
 
Mystic, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
44.7%
 
Residence Inn
 
Southington, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
66.7%
 
Springhill Suites
 
Waterford, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
   
15.0%
 
Marriott
 
Hartford, CT
 
Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC
Hiren Boston, LLC
 
50.0%
 
Courtyard
 
South Boston, MA
 
South Bay Boston, LLC
SB Partners, LLC
 
50.0%
 
Holiday Inn Express
 
South Boston, MA
 
South Bay Sandeep, LLC
Metro 29th Street Associates, LLC.
 
50.0%
 
Holiday Inn Express
 
New York, NY
 
Metro 29th Sublessee, LLC
                 
Consolidated Joint Ventures
               
LTD Associates One, LLC
 
75.0%
 
Springhill Suites
 
Williamsburg, VA
 
HT LTD Williamsburg One LLC
LTD Associates Two, LLC
 
75.0%
 
Residence Inn
 
Williamsburg, VA
 
HT LTD Williamsburg Two LLC

Mystic Partners, LLC owns an interest in nine hotel properties. Our interest in Mystic Partners, LLC is relative to our interest in each of the nine properties owned by the joint venture as defined in the joint venture’s governing documents. Each of the nine properties owned by Mystic Partners, LLC is leased to a separate entity that is consolidated in Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC which is owned by 44 New England and our joint venture partner in Mystic Partners, LLC.

The properties are managed by eligible independent management companies, including Hersha Hospitality Management, LP (“HHMLP”). HHMLP is owned in part by three of the Company’s executive officers, two of its affiliated trustees and other third party investors.

 
48



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include all of our accounts as well as accounts of the Partnership, subsidiary partnerships and our wholly owned TRS Lessee. All significant inter-company amounts have been eliminated.

Consolidated properties are either wholly owned or owned less than 100% by the Partnership and are controlled by the Company as general partner of the Partnership. Properties owned in joint ventures are also consolidated if the determination is made that we are the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity (VIE) or we maintain control of the asset through our voting interest in the entity. Control can be demonstrated by the ability of the general partner to manage day-to-day operations, refinance debt and sell the assets of the partnerships without the consent of the limited partners and the inability of the limited partners to replace the general partner. Control can be demonstrated by the limited partners if the limited partners have the right to dissolve or liquidate the partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without cause or have rights to participate in the significant decisions made in the ordinary course of the partnership’s business.

We evaluate each of our investments and contractual relationships to determine whether they meet the guidelines of consolidation. Our examination consists of reviewing the sufficiency of equity at risk, controlling financial interests, voting rights, and the obligation to absorb expected losses and expected gains, including residual returns. Based on our examination, the following entities were determined to be VIE’s: Mystic Partners, LLC; Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC; Hersha PRA LLC; South Bay Boston, LLC; HT LTD Williamsburg One LLC; HT LTD Williamsburg Two LLC; Metro 29th Sublessee, LLC; Hersha Statutory Trust I; and Hersha Statutory Trust II. Mystic Partners, LLC is a VIE entity, however because we are not the primary beneficiary it is not consolidated by the Company. Our maximum exposure to losses due to our investment in Mystic Partners, LLC is limited to our investment in the joint venture which is $27,043 as of December 31, 2009.  Also, Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC; Hersha PRA LLC; South Bay Boston, LLC; HT LTD Williamsburg One LLC; HT LTD Williamsburg Two LLC, and Metro 29th Sublessee, LLC lease hotel properties from our joint venture interests and are variable interest entities. These entities are consolidated by the lessors, the primary beneficiaries of each entity. Hersha Statutory Trust I and Hersha Statutory Trust II are VIEs but HHLP is not the primary beneficiary in these entities. The accounts of Hersha Statutory Trust I and Hersha Statutory Trust II are not consolidated with and into HHLP.

We have consolidated the operations of the Logan Hospitality Associates, LLC; LTD Associates One, LLC; and LTD Associates Two, LLC joint ventures because each entity is a voting interest entity and the Company owns a majority voting interest in the venture.

We allocate resources and assess operating performance based on individual hotels and consider each one of our hotels to be an operating segment.  None of individual operating segments meets the threshold for a reportable segment. All of our other real estate investment activities are immaterial and meet the aggregation criteria, and thus, we report one segment: investment in hotel properties.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we made are reasonable and appropriate, as discussed in the applicable sections throughout these Consolidated Financial Statements, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact our reported results. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions and changes in market conditions could impact our future operating results.

 
49



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Investment in Hotel Properties

The Company allocates the purchase price of hotel properties acquired based on the fair value of the acquired real estate, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and intangible assets and the fair value of liabilities assumed, including debt. The Company’s investments in hotel properties are carried at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Building and Improvements
 
7 to 40 Years
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
 
2 to 7 Years
 
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of each hotel to determine if circumstances indicate impairment to the carrying value of the investment in the hotel or that depreciation periods should be modified. If facts or circumstances support the possibility of impairment, the Company will prepare an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows, without interest charges, of the specific hotel.  Based on the properties undiscounted future cash flows, the Company will determine if the investment in such hotel is recoverable. If impairment is indicated, an adjustment will be made to the carrying value of the hotel to reflect the hotel at fair value.
 
We consider a hotel to be held for sale when management and our independent trustees commit to a plan to sell the property, the property is available for sale, management engages in active program to locate a buyer for the property and it is probable the sale will be completed within a year of the initiation of the plan to sell.

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

If it is determined that we do not have a controlling interest in a joint venture, either through our financial interest in a VIE or our voting interest in a voting interest entity, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize our share of net earnings or losses of the affiliates as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received, limited to the extent of our investment in, advances to and commitments for the investee. Pursuant to our joint venture agreements, allocations of profits and losses of some of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be allocated disproportionately as compared to the ownership percentages due to specified preferred return rate thresholds.

The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures to determine if circumstances indicate impairment to the carrying value of the investment that is other than temporary.  When an impairment indicator is present, we will estimate the fair value of the investment.  Our estimate of fair value takes into consideration factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other factors.  This determination requires significant estimates by management, including the expected cash flows to be generated by the assets owned and operated by the joint venture. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of our investment in the unconsolidated joint venture.

Development Loans Receivable

The Company provides secured first-mortgage and mezzanine financing to hotel developers. Development loans receivable are recorded at cost and are reviewed for potential impairment at each balance sheet date. The Company’s development loans receivable are each secured by various hotel or hotel development properties or partnership interests in hotel or hotel development properties. We have determined that development loans receivable do not constitute a financial interest in a VIE and do not consolidate the operating results of the borrower in our consolidated financial statements.  Our evaluation consists of reviewing the sufficiency of the borrower’s equity at risk, controlling financial interests in the borrower, voting rights of the borrower, and the borrower’s obligation to absorb expected losses and expected gains, including residual returns. The analysis utilized by the Company in evaluating the development loans receivable involves considerable management judgment and assumptions.

A development loan receivable is considered impaired when it becomes probable, based on current information, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan’s contractual terms. The amount of impairment, if any, is measured by comparing the recorded amount of the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows or the fair value of the collateral. If a loan was deemed to be impaired, the Company would record a charge to income for any shortfall.

 
50



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand and in banks plus short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Escrow Deposits

Escrow deposits include reserves for debt service, real estate taxes, and insurance and reserves for furniture, fixtures, and equipment replacements, as required by certain mortgage debt agreement restrictions and provisions.

Hotel Accounts Receivable

Hotel accounts receivable consists primarily of meeting and banquet room rental and hotel guest receivables. The Company generally does not require collateral. Ongoing credit evaluations are performed and an allowance for potential losses from uncollectible accounts is provided against the portion of accounts receivable that is estimated to be uncollectible.

Deferred Costs

Deferred loan costs are recorded at cost and amortized over the terms of the related indebtedness using the effective interest method.
 
Due from/to Related Parties

Due from/to Related Parties represents current receivables and payables resulting from transactions related to hotel management and project management with affiliated entities. Due from related parties results primarily from advances of shared costs incurred. Due to affiliates results primarily from hotel management and project management fees incurred. Both due to and due from related parties are generally settled within a period not to exceed one year.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of leasehold intangibles for above-market and below-market value of in-place leases and deferred franchise fees.  The leasehold intangibles are amortized over the remaining lease term. Deferred franchise fees are amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the franchise agreement.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest in the Partnership represents the limited partner’s proportionate share of the equity of the Partnership. Income (loss) is allocated to noncontrolling interest in accordance with the weighted average percentage ownership of the Partnership during the period. At the end of each reporting period the appropriate adjustments to the income (loss) are made based upon the weighted average percentage ownership of the Partnership during the period. Our ownership interest in the Partnership as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was 86.9%, 84.5%, and 86.4%, respectively.

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted a new accounting standard which defines a noncontrolling interest as the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.  Under this standard, such noncontrolling interests are reported on the consolidated balance sheets within equity, but separately from the shareholders’ equity.  Revenues, expenses and net income or loss attributable to both the Company and noncontrolling interests are reported on the consolidated statements of operations.

 
51



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
In accordance with US GAAP, we classify securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets at the option of the holder, or not solely within the control of the issuer, outside of permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheet.  The Company makes this determination based on terms in applicable agreements, specifically in relation to redemption provisions.  Additionally, with respect to noncontrolling interests for which the Company has a choice to settle the contract by delivery of its own shares, the Company considers the guidance in US GAAP to evaluate whether the Company controls the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of common shares that could be required to be delivered at the time of settlement of the contract.

We have reclassified the noncontrolling interests of our consolidated joint ventures from the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets to equity.  These noncontrolling interests totaled $267 as of December 31, 2009 and $1,854 as of December 31, 2008.  In addition, certain common units of limited partnership interests in HHLP (“Nonredeemable Common Units”) were reclassified from the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets to equity.  These noncontrolling interests of Nonredeemable Common Units totaled $27,126 as of December 31, 2009 and $34,781 as of December 31, 2008.  As of December 31, 2009, there were 5,637,558 Nonredeemable Common Units outstanding with a fair market value of $17,702, based on the price per share of our common shares on the NYSE on such date.  These units are only redeemable by the unit holders for common shares on a one-for-one basis or, at our option, cash.

Certain common units of limited partnership interests in HHLP (“Redeemable Common Units”) have been pledged as collateral in connection with a pledge and security agreement entered into by the Company and the holders of the Redeemable Common Units.  The redemption feature contained in the pledge and security agreement where the Redeemable Common Units serve as collateral contains a provision that could result in a net cash settlement outside of the control of the Company.  As a result, the Redeemable Common Units will continue to be classified in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets as they do not meet the requirements for equity classification under US GAAP.  The carrying value of the Redeemable Common Units equals the greater of carrying value based on the accumulation of historical cost or the redemption value.  As of December 31, 2009, there were 3,064,252 Redeemable Common Units outstanding with a redemption value equal to the fair value of the Redeemable Common Units, or $9,622.  The redemption value of the Redeemable Common Units is based on the price per share of our common shares on the NYSE on such date.  As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Redeemable Common Units were valued on the consolidated balance sheets at carrying value based on historical cost of $14,733 and $18,739, respectively, since historical cost exceeded the Redeemable Common Units redemption value as of each such date.

We also maintain noncontrolling interests for the equity interest owned by third parties in LTD Associates One, LLC and LTD Associates Two, LLC. Third parties own a 25% interest in each of LTD Associates One LLC and LTD Associates Two, LLC. We allocate the income (loss) of these joint ventures to the noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures based upon the ownership of the entities, preferences in distributions of cash available and the terms of each venture agreement.

Net income or loss attributed to Nonredeemable Common Units and Redeemable Common Units (collectively, “Common Units”), as well as the net income or loss related to the noncontrolling interests of our consolidated joint ventures, is included in net income or loss in the consolidated statements of operations.  Net income or loss attributed to the Common Units and the noncontrolling interests of our consolidated joint ventures is excluded from net income or loss applicable to common shareholders in the consolidated statements of operations.

Shareholders’ Equity

On August 4, 2009, we entered into a purchase agreement with Real Estate Investment Group L.P. (“REIG”), pursuant to which we sold 5,700,000 Class A common shares of beneficial interest at a price of $2.50 per share to REIG for gross proceeds of $14,250.  REIG is a Bermuda limited partnership, whose general partner and majority limited partner is Tyrus S.A., a stock corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Uruguay that is wholly-owned by IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anуnima, a stock corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Argentina (“IRSA”).  We also granted REIG the option to buy up to an additional 5,700,000 common shares at a price of $3.00 per share, which is exercisable through August 4, 2014.  If at any time after August 4, 2011 the closing price for our common shares on the NYSE exceeds $5.00 for 20 consecutive trading days, we may call in and cancel the option in exchange for issuance of common shares to REIG with an aggregate value equal to the volume weighted average price per common share for the 20 trading days prior to the exercise of the option, less the $3.00 option price, multiplied by the number of common shares remaining under the option.

 
52



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
On June 12, 2009, we entered into a sales agreement with a broker-dealer acting as a sales agent, under which it may offer and sell up to 15,000,000 Class A common shares of beneficial interest.  Sales of shares under this agreement, if any, may be made by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” and in privately negotiated transactions.  The sales agent is to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practice to sell the shares as directed by the Company.  The sales agent is entitled to compensation equal to 2.75% of the gross sales price per share for any shares sold under the agreement.  Under the sales agreement, during the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold 2,742,300 shares with net proceeds of $8,258.

On May 16, 2008, we completed a public offering of 6,000,000 common shares at $9.90 per share.  On May 20, 2008, the underwriters exercised a portion of their over-allotment option with respect to that offering, and we issued an additional 600,000 common shares at $9.90 per share.  Proceeds to us, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, were approximately $61,845.  Immediately upon closing the offering, we contributed all of the net proceeds of the offering to the Partnership in exchange for additional Partnership interests.  The net offering proceeds were used to repay indebtedness.

Stock Based Compensation

We measure the cost of employee service received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The compensation cost is amortized on a straight line basis over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.  The compensation cost related to performance awards that are contingent upon market based criteria being met is recorded at the fair value of the award on the date of the grant and amortized over the performance period.

Derivatives and Hedging

The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and interest rate caps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges limit the Company’s exposure to increased cash payments due to increases in variable interest rates.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue and expense for all consolidated hotels as hotel operating revenue and hotel operating expense when earned and incurred. These revenues are recorded net of any sales or occupancy taxes collected from our guests. We participate in frequent guest programs sponsored by the brand owners of our hotels and we expense the charges associated with those programs, as incurred.

Interest income on development loan financing is recorded in the period earned based on the interest rate of the loan and outstanding balance during the period. Development loans receivable and accrued interest on the development loans receivable are evaluated to determine if outstanding balances are collectible.  Interest is recorded only if it is determined the outstanding loan balance and accrued interest balance are collectible.

Other revenues consist primarily of fees earned for asset management services provided to hotels we own through unconsolidated joint ventures. Fees are earned as a percentage of the hotels revenue and are recorded in the period earned to the extent of the noncontrolling interest ownership.

 
53



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
Income Taxes

The Company qualifies as a REIT under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), as amended, and intends to continue to qualify as a REIT. In general, under such provisions, a trust which has made the required election and, in the taxable year, meets certain requirements and distributes to its shareholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income will not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent of the income which it distributes. Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of dividends to shareholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due primarily to differences in depreciation of hotel properties for Federal income tax purposes.

Deferred income taxes relate primarily to the TRS Lessee and are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities of the TRS Lessee and their respective tax bases and for their operating loss and tax credit carry forwards based on enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. However, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realized based on consideration of available evidence, including tax planning strategies and other factors.

Although the TRS Lessee is expected to operate at a profit for Federal income tax purposes in future periods, the utilization of the deferred tax asset is not determinable. Therefore, any deferred tax assets have been reserved as we have not concluded that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realizable.

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Codification

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a pronouncement that established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP.  This standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Company has adopted this standard in accordance with US GAAP.

Subsequent Events

In May 2009, the FASB issued a pronouncement that sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date.  Our adoption of this statement did not impact our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

 
54



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued a pronouncement that amends existing US GAAP as follows: (a) to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity and to identify the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, (b) to require ongoing reassessment of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, rather than only when specific events occur, (c) to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, (d) to amend certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity, (e) to add an additional reconsideration event when changes in facts and circumstances pertinent to a variable interest entity occur, (f) to eliminate the exception for troubled debt restructuring regarding variable interest entity reconsideration, and (g) to require advanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity.  This pronouncement is effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009.  Earlier adoption is prohibited.  The Company will adopt this pronouncement on January 1, 2010.  Management does not believe adoption of this pronouncement will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 
55



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT IN HOTEL PROPERTIES

Investment in hotel properties consists of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
Land
  $ 161,449     $ 184,879  
Buildings and Improvements
    814,461       802,760  
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
    122,174       121,991  
      1,098,084       1,109,630  
                 
Less Accumulated Depreciation
    (159,130 )     (127,548 )
                 
Total Investment in Hotel Properties
  $ 938,954     $ 982,082  

Depreciation expense was $44,002, $41,219 and $34,895 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009 we acquired the following wholly owned hotel properties:

Hotel
 
Acquisition Date
 
Land
   
Buildings and Improvements
   
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment
   
Franchise Fees, Loan Costs, and Leasehold Intangible
   
Total Purchase Price
   
Fair Value of Assumed Debt
 
Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY
 
6/30/2009
  $ 21,077     $ 42,955     $ 2,668     $ 300     $ 67,000     $ 29,824  
Hampton Inn, West Haven, CT
 
11/4/2009
    1,053       10,751       1,196       -       13,000       7,700  
Total
      $ 22,130     $ 53,706     $ 3,864     $ 300     $ 80,000     $ 37,524  

On May 1, 2009, we acquired, from an unaffiliated seller, a 49% membership interest in York Street, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY.  In connection with the acquisition of our 49% interest in York Street, LLC, we also entered into an option agreement to acquire the seller’s remaining 51% interest in York Street, LLC.  On June 30, 2009, we exercised the option and acquired the remaining 51% interest in York Street, LLC making the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY, wholly owned.  Consideration given as of the purchase date to acquire our 100% interest in York Street, LLC included:

Cash paid to seller
  $ 4,794  
Amounts payable to seller
    1,387 (1)
Settlement of development loans receivable and accrued interest income on development loans
    19,555 (2)
Land and mortgage transferred to seller
    10,118 (3)
Assumption of York Street, LLC mortgage loan payable
    29,824 (4)
Net hotel working capital liabilities assumed
    1,322  
         
Total consideration given
  $ 67,000  

 
(1)
“Cash payable to the seller” of $1,387 was held back at settlement pending the seller’s completion of certain capital expenditures and the delivery on the Company’s obligation to transfer land to the seller.

 
56



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT IN HOTEL PROPERTIES (continued)

 
(2)
“Settlement of development loans receivable and accrued interest income on development loans” consists of principal and accrued interest receivable reductions with respect to development loans made to York Street, LLC and Maiden Hotel, LLC, an entity controlled by the seller.  See “Note 4 – Development Loans Receivable and Land Leases” for more information related to the development loans made to York Street, LLC and Maiden Hotel, LLC.
 
(3)
“Land and mortgage transferred to seller” consisted of our investment in real property at 440 West 41st Street, New York, NY, and related land lease revenue receivable.  This parcel was acquired on July 28, 2006 and leased to Metro Forty First Street, LLC, an entity controlled by the seller. In connection with our acquisition of the membership interests in York Street, LLC, we transferred this property to Metro Forty First Street, LLC, and that entity assumed our obligations under the $12,100 mortgage loan encumbering the property.
 
(4)
The mortgage loan assumed in connection with the acquisition of York Street, LLC, which is secured by the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY, was refinanced on August 7, 2009 with a $29,824 first mortgage loan which matures in July 2012 and bears interest at the Wall Street Journal variable prime rate plus 2.0% subject to an interest rate floor of 8.75%.

We recorded an intangible asset for the lease of restaurant space located in the Hilton Garden Inn, TriBeCa, New York, NY that was in place at the time of acquisition.  The lease is with an unrelated third party and has 15 years remaining until expiration with one five year extension option.  We earn fixed rent under this lease at a minimum of $300 per annum for the first five years of the lease and a minimum of $336 and $376 per annum for the second and third five-year periods of the lease, respectively.

On November 4, 2009, we entered into a contribution agreement and closed on the acquisition of 100% of the membership interests in 44 West Haven Hospitality, LLC, the owner of the Hampton Inn and Suites, West Haven, CT.  The aggregate purchase price paid for the membership interests in 44 West Haven Hospitality, LLC was approximately $13,000, including the assumption of $7,700 of existing mortgage debt secured by a first lien on the Hampton Inn and Suites, West Haven, CT, the release of $2,000 of existing mezzanine financing provided by us to 44 West Haven Hospitality, LLC, the cancellation of approximately $200 in accrued interest related to the existing mezzanine financing and approximately $3,100 of cash.  The assumed mortgage debt bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% and matures in November 2012, with a three year extension subject to approval by the lenders.  In addition, we paid the lenders a modification fee of $39.  Certain of our officers and affiliated trustees had direct or indirect interests in 44 West Haven Hospitality, LLC.  As a related party transaction, the transaction was approved by all of our independent trustees.  HHMLP will continue to manage the Hampton Inn and Suites, West Haven, CT.

Included in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 are total revenues for Hilton Garden Inn, Tribeca, NY and Hampton Inn, West Haven, CT of approximately $6,761 and $370, respectively, and net income of $764 and net loss of $123, respectively, since the date of the acquisition.

During the year ended December 31, 2008 we acquired the following wholly owned hotel properties:

Hotel
Acquisition Date
 
Land
   
Buildings and Improvements
   
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment
   
Franchise Fees, Loan Costs, and Leasehold Intangible
   
Total Purchase Price
   
Fair Value of Assumed Debt
 
Duane Street Hotel, TriBeCa, New York, NY
1/4/2008
  $ 8,213     $ 12,869     $ 2,793     $ -     $ 23,875     $ -  
nu Hotel, Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2008
    -       17,343       -       -       17,343       -  
TownePlace Suites, Harrisburg, PA
5/8/2008
    1,238       10,182       1,792       42       13,254       -  
Sheraton Hotel, JFK Airport, Jamaica, NY
6/13/2008
    -       27,584       4,413       2,893       34,890       23,800  
Holiday Inn Express, Camp Springs, MD
6/26/2008
    1,629       11,115       931       5       13,680       -  
Hampton Inn, Smithfield, RI
8/1/2008
    2,057       9,502       1,156       102       12,817       6,990  
Total
    $ 13,137     $ 88,595     $ 11,085     $ 3,042     $ 115,859     $ 30,790  

In connection with the acquisitions made during the year ended December 31, 2008, we acquired $344 in working capital assets and assumed $662 in working capital liabilities.

 
57



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT IN HOTEL PROPERTIES (continued)

Interest rates on debt assumed in the acquisitions of the Sheraton Hotel, JFK Airport, Jamaica, NY and the Hampton Inn, Smithfield, RI were at market rates.  In connection with the acquisition of the Sheraton Hotel, the Company assumed a $23,800 variable rate mortgage which accrued interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum.  This debt was repaid in October 2008 with borrowings from our revolving line of credit, and this property now serves as collateral for borrowings under our revolving line of credit.  In connection with the acquisition of the Sheraton Hotel, we assumed a lease for the underlying land with a remaining term of approximately 94 years.  The remaining lease payments were determined to be below market value and, as a result, $2,171 of the purchase price was allocated to a leasehold intangible asset.  This asset is recorded in intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheet and is being amortized over the remaining life of the lease.

In connection with the acquisition of the Duane Street Hotel, the Company entered into a $15,000 fixed rate mortgage with interest at 7.15%.  The mortgage matures in February 2018 and is interest only for the first three years.  Upon acquisition of the nu Hotel, located in Brooklyn, NY, we commenced renovations to fit out the building prior to its opening.  Costs associated with the building while it was being renovated, including interest, were capitalized.  On July 7, 2008, the property opened and all renovation costs were capitalized to building and improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment and are being depreciated over the useful lives of these assets.  In connection with the acquisition of the nu Hotel the Company entered into an $18,000 variable rate mortgage debt facility with interest at LIBOR plus 2.00%.  Principal of $13,240 was drawn on the date of acquisition, while the remainder of the balance has been drawn as renovations progressed and as interest was incurred.  The mortgage requires the payment of interest only and matures in January of 2011.

In connection with the acquisition of the Hampton Inn, Smithfield, RI, the Company assumed a $6,990 fixed rate mortgage which accrues interest at 6.98%.  The mortgage matures on December 12, 2016.  In connection with the acquisition of the property, the sellers provided a $500 note payable which accrued interest at a rate of 7.00% per annum.  This note was repaid prior to September 30, 2008.

The Duane Street Hotel, New York, NY was acquired from entities that are owned by certain of the Company’s executives and affiliated trustees.  Included in the consideration paid for the Duane Street Hotel were 779,585 Common Units valued at $6,862. The Common Units were issued to certain executives and affiliated trustees of the Company.  The Sheraton Hotel, JFK Airport, Jamaica, NY, was acquired from entities that are owned by certain of the Company’s executives and affiliated trustees and an unrelated third party.  Included in the consideration paid for the Sheraton Hotel were 1,177,306 Common Units valued at $10,596.  The Common Units were issued to certain executives and affiliated trustees of the Company and an unrelated third party.  The Holiday Inn Express, Camp Springs, MD, was acquired from entities that are owned by certain of the Company’s executives and affiliated trustees and an unrelated third party.  Included in the consideration paid for the Holiday Inn Express were 540,337 Common Units valued at $4,166.  The Common Units were issued to certain executives and affiliated trustees of the Company and an unrelated third party.

Our newly acquired hotels are leased to 44 New England and all are managed by HHMLP.

 
58



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT IN HOTEL PROPERTIES (continued)

Earn-out Provisions

The purchase agreements for some of our acquisitions contain certain provisions that entitle the seller to an earn-out payment based on the Net Operating Income of the properties, as defined in each purchase agreement.  The following table summarizes our existing earn-out provisions:

Acquisition Date
 
Acquisition Name
 
Maximum Earn-Out Payment Amount
 
Earn-Out Period Expiration
 
12/28/2006
 
Summerfield Suites Portfolio
  $ 6,000,000   December 31, 2009 *
6/26/2008
 
Holiday Inn Express, Camp Springs, MD
    1,905,000  
December 31, 2010
 
8/1/2008
 
Hampton Inn & Suites, Smithfield, RI
    1,515,000  
December 31, 2010
 
 
*  As of December 31, 2009 the Summerfield Suites Portfolio earn-out period expired without meeting the required Net Operating Income thresholds established in the properties’ purchase agreement.  As such, no amounts are payable under this earn-out provision.

We are currently unable to determine whether amounts will be paid under the remaining two earn-out provisions since significant time remains until the expiration of the earn-out periods.  Due to uncertainty of the amounts that will ultimately be paid, no accrual has been recorded on the consolidated balance sheet for amounts due under these earn-out provisions. In the event amounts are payable under these provisions, payments made will be recorded as additional consideration given for the properties.

Pro Forma Operating Results (Unaudited)

The following condensed pro forma financial data is presented as if all 2009 and 2008 acquisitions had been consummated as of January 1, 2008. Properties acquired without any operating history are excluded from the condensed pro forma operating results. The condensed pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what actual results of operations of the Company would have been assuming the acquisitions had been consummated at the beginning of the year presented, nor does it purport to represent the results of operations for future periods.

   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Pro Forma Total Revenues
  $ 224,681     $ 247,656  
                 
Pro Forma (Loss) income from Continuing Operations
  $ (43,519 )   $ (14,108 )
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
    (16,037 )     3,743  
Pro Forma Net (Loss) income
    (59,556 )     (10,365 )
Loss (Income) allocated to Noncontrolling Interest
    8,757       1,611  
Preferred Distributions
    (4,800 )     (4,800 )
Pro Forma Net (Loss) income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (55,599 )   $ (13,554 )
                 
Pro Forma (Loss) income applicable to Common Shareholders per Common Share
               
Basic
  $ (1.09 )   $ (0.30 )
Diluted
  $ (1.09 )   $ (0.30 )
                 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
               
Basic
    51,027,742       45,184,127  
Diluted
    51,027,742       45,184,127  

 
59



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 3 — INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES

As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures consisted of the following:

Joint Venture
 
Hotel Properties
 
Percent Owned
   
Preferred Return
   
December 31,2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
                             
PRA Glastonbury, LLC
 
Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT
    48.0 %  
11.0%
cumulative
    $ 561     $ 738  
Inn American Hospitality at Ewing, LLC
 
Courtyard by Marriott, Ewing, NJ
    50.0 %  
11.0%
cumulative
      459       736  
Hiren Boston, LLC
 
Courtyard by Marriott, Boston, MA
    50.0 %   N/A       -       3,960  
SB Partners, LLC
 
Holiday Inn Express,  Boston, MA
    50.0 %   N/A       1,934       2,091  
Mystic Partners, LLC
 
Hilton and Marriott branded hotels in CT and RI
    8.8%-66.7 %  
8.5%
non-cumulative
      27,043       27,977  
PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC
 
Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT
    48.0 %  
10.0%
non-cumulative
      1,754       2,800  
Metro 29th Street Associates, LLC
 
Holiday Inn Express, New York, NY
    50.0 %   N/A       7,431       7,981  
                                   
                      $ 39,182     $ 46,283  

During the year ended December 31, 2009, we determined that our investment in the Courtyard by Marriot, Boston, MA was impaired.  As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $3,500 which is included in loss from unconsolidated joint venture investments on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.  This charge reduced our investment in the Courtyard by Marriot, Boston, MA to $0.

On January 1, 2010, we acquired our joint venture partner’s 52.0% membership interest in PRA Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT, and this hotel became one of our wholly-owned hotels. The consideration provided to our joint venture partner in exchange for its 52% membership interest consisted of:

 
·
cash of $253,
 
·
our 48% minority membership interest in PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC, the owner of the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT;
 
·
settlement of a note receivable and accrued interest made to our former joint venture partner with a principal balance of $1,267 and accrued interest receivable of  $141; and
 
·
our assumption of the outstanding mortgage debt secured by the Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT which has an outstanding principal balance of $13,141 as of December 31, 2009, bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.98% per annum and has an anticipated maturity date of April 1, 2016.
 
As a result of this transaction, our joint venture partner acquired our 48.0% minority membership interest in PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC, the entity owning the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT, and assumed the outstanding mortgage debt secured by the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT.  As of December 31, 2009, we determined that our investment in the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT was impaired.  As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,041 which is included in loss from unconsolidated joint venture investments on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.  This charge reduced our investment in the Homewood Suites, Glastonbury, CT to $1,754.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we determined that our investment in the Hartford Hilton, part of the Mystic Partners joint venture portfolio, was impaired.  As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,890 which is included in loss from unconsolidated joint venture investments on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.  This charge reduced our investment in the Hartford Hilton to $0.

 
60



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 3 — INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES (continued)
 
Income from our unconsolidated joint ventures is allocated to us and our joint venture partners consistent with the allocation of cash distributions in accordance with the joint venture agreements. Any difference between the carrying amount of these investments and the underlying equity in net assets is amortized over the expected useful lives of the properties and other intangible assets. Income (loss) recognized during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 for our Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures is as follows:

   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
12/31/2009
   
12/31/2008
   
12/31/2007
 
PRA Glastonbury, LLC
  $ (77 )   $ 94     $ 47  
Inn American Hospitality at Ewing, LLC
    (127 )     20       73  
Hiren Boston, LLC
    (460 )     (189 )     304  
SB Partners, LLC
    (156 )     80       191  
Mystic Partners, LLC
    (1,686 )     (345 )     1,612  
PRA Suites at Glastonbury, LLC
    (6 )     (8 )     (7 )
Metro 29th Street Associates, LLC
    (137 )     1,721       1,256  
      (2,649 )     1,373       3,476  
Less:  Impairment of Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Venture
    (4,541 )     (1,890 )     -  
                         
(Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments
  $ (7,190 )   $ (517 )   $ 3,476  

The SB Partners, LLC and Hiren Boston, LLC joint venture agreements provided for a 10% preferred return during the first two years of the ventures based on our equity interest in the ventures.  The preferred return period expired on July 1, 2007 for Hiren Boston, LLC and October 1, 2007 for SB Partners, LLC.  Subsequent to this initial two year period, cash distributions are made 50% to us and 50% to our joint venture partners in the ventures.

The Mystic Partners, LLC joint venture agreement provides for an 8.5% non-cumulative preferred return based on our contributed equity interest in the venture. Cash distributions will be made from cash available for distribution, first, to us to provide an 8.5% annual non-compounded return on our unreturned capital contributions and then to our joint venture partner to provide an 8.5% annual non-compounded return of their unreturned contributions. Any remaining cash available for distribution will be distributed to us 10.5% with respect to the net cash flow from the Hartford Marriott, 7.0% with respect to the Hartford Hilton and 56.7%, with respect to the remaining seven properties. Mystic Partners, LLC allocates income to us and our joint venture partner consistent with the allocation of cash distributions in accordance with the joint venture agreements.

Each of the Mystic Partners, LLC hotel properties, except the Hartford Hilton, is under an Asset Management Agreement with 44 New England to provide asset management services. Fees for these services are paid monthly to 44 New England and recognized as income in the amount of 1% of operating revenues, except for the Hartford Marriott which is 0.25% of operating revenues.

The Company and our joint venture partner in Mystic Partners, LLC jointly and severally guarantee the performance of the terms of a loan to Adriaen’s Landing Hotel, LLC, owner of the Hartford Marriott, in the amount of $50,000, and 315 Trumbull Street Associates, LLC, owner of the Hartford Hilton, in the amount of $27,000, if at any time during the term of the note and during such time as the net worth of Mystic Partners falls below the amount of the guarantee.  We have determined that the probability of incurring loss under this guarantee is remote and the value attributed to the guarantee is de minimis.

 
61



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 3 — INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES (continued)

The following tables set forth the total assets, liabilities, equity and components of net income, including the Company’s share, related to the unconsolidated joint ventures discussed above as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

Balance Sheets
           
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
           
Investment in hotel properties, net
  $ 196,842     $ 209,468  
Other Assets
    28,473       25,334  
Total Assets
  $ 225,315     $ 234,802  
                 
Liabilities and Equity
               
Mortgages and notes payable
  $ 218,116     $ 219,889  
Other liabilities
    18,219       11,636  
Equity:
               
Hersha Hospitality Trust
    44,178       44,938  
Joint Venture Partner(s)
    (55,198 )     (41,661 )
Total Equity
    (11,020 )     3,277  
                 
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 225,315     $ 234,802  


Statements of Operations
     
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
12/31/2009
   
12/31/2008
   
12/31/2007
 
Room Revenue
  $ 81,718     $ 99,530     $ 98,581  
Other Revenue
    22,427       28,344       31,586  
Operating Expenses
    (68,389 )     (82,327 )     (81,873 )
Interest Expense
    (16,326 )     (13,442 )     (15,421 )
Debt Extinguishment
    -       -       (2,858 )
Loss on Impairment of Building and Equipment
    (7 )     (9,171 )     -  
Lease Expense
    (5,647 )     (5,538 )     (5,332 )
Property Taxes and Insurance
    (6,596 )     (6,459 )     (6,159 )
Federal and State Income Taxes
    -       121       (141 )
General and Administrative
    (7,332 )     (7,835 )     (7,446 )
Loss Allocated to Noncontrolling Interests
    705       -       -  
Depreciation and Amortization
    (14,423 )     (16,171 )     (16,680 )
                         
Net loss
  $ (13,870 )   $ (12,948 )   $ (5,743 )

 
62



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 3 — INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES (continued)

The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s share in the unconsolidated joint ventures’ equity to the Company’s investment in the unconsolidated joint ventures as presented on the Company’s balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Company's share of equity recorded on the joint ventures' financial statements
  $ 44,178     $ 44,938  
Adjustment to reconcile the Company's share of equity recorded on the joint ventures' financial statements to our investment in unconsoldiated joint ventures(1)
    (4,996 )     1,345  
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
  $ 39,182     $ 46,283  

(1)   Adjustment to reconcile the Company's share of equity recorded on the joint ventures' financial statements to our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures consists of the following:
- cumulative impairment of our investment in joint ventures not reflected on the joint ventures' financial statements,
- our basis in the investment in joint ventures not recorded on the joint ventures' financial statements, and
- accumulated amortization of our equity in joint venture that reflects our portion of the excess of the fair value of joint ventures' assets on the date of our investment over the carrying value of the assets recorded on the joint ventures finanical statements.  This excess investment is amortized over the life of the properties, and the amortization is included in (Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture Investments on our consolidated statement of operations.

 
63



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 4 - DEVELOPMENT LOANS RECEIVABLE AND LAND LEASES

Development Loans

We have approved first mortgage and mezzanine lending to hotel developers, including entities in which our executive officers and affiliated trustees own an interest, to enable such entities to construct hotels and conduct related improvements on specific hotel projects at interest rates ranging from 10% to 20%. As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had Development Loans Receivable of $46,094 and $81,500, respectively. Interest income from development loans was $7,411, $7,890, and $6,046 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  Accrued interest on our development loans receivable was $2,451 as of December 31, 2009 and $2,785 as of December 31, 2008.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, our development loans receivable consisted of the following:

Hotel Property
 
Borrower
 
Principal Outstanding 12/31/2009
   
Principal Outstanding 12/31/2008
   
Interest Rate
   
Maturity Date (1)
 
Operational Hotels
                           
Independent Hotel - New York, NY
 
Maiden Hotel, LLC
  $ 7,000     $ 10,000       20 %  
July 31, 2010
 
Renaissance by Marriott - Woodbridge, NJ
 
Hersha Woodbridge Associates, LLC
    5,000       5,000       11 %  
April 1, 2010
 *
Element Hotel - Ewing, NJ
 
American Properties @ Scotch Road, LLC
    2,000       -       11 %  
August 6, 2010
 *
Hilton Garden Inn - Dover, DE
 
44 Aasha Hospitality Associates, LLC
    1,000       1,000       10 %  
November 1, 2010
 *
Hampton Inn & Suites - West Haven, CT
 
44 West Haven Hospitality, LLC
    -       2,000       10 %   N/A  
Hilton Garden Inn - New York, NY
 
York Street, LLC
    -       15,000       11 %   N/A  
Homewood Suites - Newtown, PA
 
Reese Hotels, LLC
    -       500       11 %   N/A  
                                   
Construction Hotels
                                 
Lexington Avenue Hotel - New York, NY
 
44 Lexington Holding, LLC
    11,591 (2)     10,000       11 %  
December 31, 2010*
 
Union Square Hotel - New York, NY
 
Risingsam Union Square, LLC
    11,503 (2)     10,000       10 %  
December 31, 2010
 
32 Pearl - New York, NY
 
SC Waterview, LLC
    8,000       8,000       10 %  
December 31, 2010
 
                                   
Early Phase Development
                                 
Hyatt Place - New York, NY
 
Brisam East 52, LLC
    - (2)     10,000       10 %   N/A  
Greenwich Street Courtyard - New York, NY
 
Brisam Greenwich, LLC
    - (2)     10,000       10 %   N/A  
                                   
Total Development Loans Receivable
 
 
  $ 46,094     $ 81,500                

* Indicates borrower is a related party

(1)
Represents current maturity date in effect. Agreements for our development loans receivable typically allow for two one-year extensions which can be exercised by the borrower if the loan is not in default.  As these loans typically finance hotel development projects, it is common for the borrower to exercise their options to extend the loans, in whole or in part, until the project has been completed and the project provides cash flow to the developer or is refinanced by the developer.
(2)
We amended the following development loans to allow the borrower to elect, quarterly, to pay accrued interest in-kind by adding the accrued interest to the principal balance of the loan as of December 31, 2009:

Borrower
 
Interest Income Year Ended December 31, 2009
   
Cumulative Interest Income Paid In-Kind
 
Risingsam Union Square, LLC
  $ 1,069     $ 1,503  
Brisam East 52, LLC
    503       672  
44 Lexington Holding, LLC
    1,178       1,591  
Brisam Greenwich, LLC
    503       736  
                 
Total
  $ 3,253     $ 4,502  

 
64



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 4 - DEVELOPMENT LOANS RECEIVABLE AND LAND LEASES (continued)

Advances and repayments on our development loans receivable consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007:

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 81,500     $ 58,183     $ 47,016  
New advances
    2,000       64,200       65,700  
Interest added to principal
    4,502       -       -  
Repayments
    (500 )     (22,416 )     (53,000 )
Principal exchanged for interest in hotel properties
    (20,000 )     -       -  
Discount recorded
    -       -       (1,687 )
Amortization of discount
    -       281       154  
Impairments, net of discount
    (21,408 )     (18,748 )     -  
Balance at December 31,
  $ 46,094     $ 81,500     $ 58,183  
 
Impairment of Development Loans

We monitor our portfolio of development loans on an on-going basis to determine collectability of the loan principal and accrued interest.  We determined that our development loans to Brisam East 52, LLC and Brisam Greenwich, LLC, which were secured by the equity interest in each entity, were permanently impaired.  We ceased accruing interest on the loans effective July 1, 2009.  As of December 31, 2009, we determined that the fair value of each loan receivable is $0 and have incurred an impairment charge for the remaining principal on these loans in the aggregate amount of $21,408, which includes $1,408 of interest income that had been added to the principal balance of the loan.

In 2008, we determined that the developer of the Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites – Brooklyn, NY had failed to make payments to the senior lender on the property’s first mortgage.   After discussions with the developer and the senior lender, we determined that the fair value of the loan receivable and discount was $0 as of December 31, 2008.  As a result, we incurred an impairment charge for the remaining principal of $18,748, which is net of unamortized discount in the amount of $1,252.  A receivable for uncollected interest income of $569, which is net of unrecognized deferred loan fees of $143, was also recorded as an impairment charge.

 
65



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 4 - DEVELOPMENT LOANS RECEIVABLE AND LAND LEASES (continued)

Land Leases

We have acquired land and improvements and leased them to entities, including entities in which our executive officers and affiliated trustees own an interest, to enable such entities to construct hotels and related improvements on the leased land.

On July 20, 2009, we entered into a modification and extension agreement for a mortgage loan on our land parcel located at 39th Street and 8th Avenue, New York, NY.  As a result of this agreement we paid $1,250, reducing the principal balance from $13,250 to $12,000, and the interest rate was modified from a fixed rate of 7.75% to a floating rate equal to the Wall Street Journal variable prime rate plus 1.00%, with a minimum interest rate of 6.875%.  Payments required under this loan continue to be interest-only and the maturity date was extended to July 1, 2011.

Also on July 20, 2009, we entered into a modification and extension agreement for a mortgage loan on our land parcels located on Nevins Street, in Brooklyn, NY.  These parcels are leased to an entity that is owned, in part, by certain excutive officers and affiliated trustees of the Company.  As a result of this agreement we paid $500, reducing the principal balance from $6,500 to $6,000.  The agreement also modified the interest rate from a floating rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 2.70%, with a minimum of 8.06%, to a floating rate equal to the Wall Street Journal variable prime rate plus 1.00%, with a minimum interest rate of 6.875%.  Payments required under this loan continue to be interest-only and the maturity date was extended to August 1, 2011.

On September 24, 2009, our land parcel located at 440 West 41st Street, New York, NY, was transferred to the lessee, an entity controlled by the seller of York Street, LLC, as partial consideration for our acquisition of York Street, LLC, the owner of the Hilton Garden Inn, Tribeca, New York, NY, as noted in Note 2, “Investment in Hotel Properties.”

During the year ended December 31, 2009, we decided to exit our two remaining land leases and dispose of the related land parcels located at 39th Street and 8th Avenue, New York, NY and Nevins Street, Brooklyn, NY.  Effective July 1, 2009, we ceased accruing rents under these leases.  The parcels of land are recorded as “assets held for sale” and our mortgage debt on the property is recorded as “liabilities related to assets held for sale” on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009.  We determined that the carrying values of the two land parcels exceeded their respective fair values and we recorded an impairment charge of $14,545 as of December 31, 2009.  We also determined that accrued rents under the leases were uncollectible and accrued rents receivable of $1,581 was expensed during the year ended December 31, 2009.  See Note 12, “Discontinued Operations” for further discussion of the land parcels recorded as assets held for sale.

Each parcel of land had been leased under fixed lease agreements which earned rents at a minimum rental rate of 10% of our net investment in the leased property. Additional rents were paid by the lessee for the interest on the mortgage, real estate taxes and insurance. Revenues from our land leases were recorded in land lease revenue on our consolidated statement of operations.  All expenses related to the land leases are recorded in operating expenses as land lease expense.  Land lease revenues and land lease expense have been reclassified to discontinued operations on our consolidated statement of operations as a result of our decision to sell these parcels of land.

 
66



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 5 — OTHER ASSETS

Other Assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Transaction Costs
  $ 292     $ 237  
Investment in Statutory Trusts
    1,548       1,548  
Notes Receivable
    1,412       1,267  
Due from Lessees
    -       1,907  
Prepaid Expenses
    4,468       3,182  
Interest Receivable from Development Loans to Non-Related Parties
    1,573       2,024  
Deposits on Property Improvement Plans
    167       149  
Hotel Purchase Option
    933       933  
Other
    2,035       2,270  
    $ 12,428     $ 13,517  


Transaction Costs - Transaction costs include legal fees and other third party transaction costs incurred relative to entering into debt facilities and issuances of equity securities which are recorded in other assets prior to the closing of the respective transactions.

Investment in Statutory Trusts - We have an investment in the common stock of Hersha Statutory Trust I and Hersha Statutory Trust II. Our investment is accounted for under the equity method.

Notes Receivable – Notes receivable as of December 31, 2009 includes a loan, and related accrued interest, made to one of our unconsolidated joint venture partners.  The $1,267 note bears interest at 11% and matures on December 31, 2009.  See Note 3 “Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures” for information regarding subsequent events affecting this note.

Due from Lessees - Due from lessees represent rents due under our land leases, See Note 4, “Development Loans Receivable and Land Leases” for information regarding our land leases.

Prepaid Expense - Prepaid expenses include amounts paid for property tax, insurance and other expenditures that will be expensed in the next twelve months.

Interest Receivable from Development Loans to Non-Related Parties – Interest receivable from development loans to non-related parties represents interest income receivable from loans extended to non-related parties that are used to enable such entities to construct hotels and conduct related improvements on specific hotel projects.  This excludes interest receivable from development loans from loans extended to related parties in the amounts of $878 and $761, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which is included in the Due from Related Parties on the consolidated balance sheets.

Deposits on Property Improvement Plans – Deposits on property improvement plans consists of amounts advanced to Hersha Construction Services that is to be used to fund capital expenditures as part of our property improvement programs at certain properties.

Hotel Purchase Option We have an option to acquire a 50% interest in the entity that owns the Holiday Inn Express-Manhattan.  The option is exercisable after February 1, 2012 or upon termination of Metro 29th Street’s lease of the hotel and expires at the end of the lease term.

 
67



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 6 - DEBT

Mortgages and Notes Payable

The Company has a total mortgages payable balance at December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, of $614,401 and $603,538, respectively, and consisted of mortgages with fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 2.23% to 8.94% as of December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2009, the maturities for the outstanding mortgage loans ranged from April 2010 to September 2023. Aggregate interest expense incurred under the mortgages payable totaled $35,878, $34,855 and $33,767 during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The mortgages are secured by first deeds of trust on various hotel properties with a combined net book value of $892,825 and $919,815 as of December 31, 2009, and 2008, respectively.  Our indebtedness contains various financial and non-financial event of default covenants customarily found in financing arrangements.  Our mortgages payable typically require that specified debt service coverage ratios be maintained with respect to the financed properties before we can exercise certain rights under the loan agreements relating to such properties.  If the specified criteria are not satisfied, the lender may be able to escrow cash flow generated by the property securing the applicable mortgage loan.  As of December 31, 2009 we were in compliance with all event of default covenants under the applicable loan agreements.
 
We have two junior subordinated notes payable in the aggregate amount of $51,548 to the Hersha Statutory Trusts pursuant to indenture agreements. The $25,774 note issued to Hersha Statutory Trust I will mature on June 30, 2035, but may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, beginning on June 30, 2010 in accordance with the provisions of the indenture agreement. The $25,774 note issued to Hersha Statutory Trust II will mature on July 30, 2035, but may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, beginning on July 30, 2010 in accordance with the provisions of the indenture agreement. The note issued to Hersha Statutory Trust I bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.34% per annum through June 30, 2010, and the note issued to Hersha Statutory Trust II bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.173% per annum through July 30, 2010. Subsequent to June 30, 2010 for notes issued to Hersha Statutory Trust I and July 30, 2010 for notes issued to Hersha Statutory Trust II, the notes bear interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 3.0% per annum.  Interest expense in amount of $3,766, $3,729 and $3,793 was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

As part of the acquisition of the Hyatt Summerfield Suites Portfolio, HHLP entered into a management agreement with Lodgeworks, L.P. (“Lodgeworks”).  Lodgeworks extended a $498 interest-free loan to HHLP for working capital contributions that are due at either the termination or expiration of the management agreement.  Because the interest rate on the note payable is below the market rate of interest at the date of the acquisition, a discount was recorded on the note payable.  The discount reduced the principal balances recorded in the mortgages and notes payable and is being amortized over the remaining life of the loan and is recorded as interest expense.  The balance of the note payable, net of unamortized discount, was $294 as of December 31, 2009 and $274 as of December 31, 2008.

Aggregate annual principal payments for the Company’s mortgages and notes payable for the five years following December 31, 2009 and thereafter are as follows:
 
 
Year Ending December 31,
 
Amount
 
       
2010
    37,406  
2011
    58,208  
2012
    44,107  
2013
    31,989  
2014
    43,935  
Thereafter
    450,647  
Net Unamortized Discount
    (49 )
    $ 666,243  

 
68



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 6 – DEBT (continued)

Revolving Line of Credit

On October 14, 2008, we entered into a Revolving Credit Loan and Security Agreement with T.D. Bank, NA and various other lenders.   The credit agreement provides for a revolving line of credit in the principal amount of up to $175,000, including a sub-limit of $25,000 for irrevocable stand-by letters of credit. The existing bank group has committed $135,000, and the credit agreement is structured to allow for an increase of an additional $40,000 under the line of credit, provided that additional collateral is supplied and additional lenders join the existing bank group.

Borrowings under the line of credit provided by T.D. Bank, NA may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including payment of distributions or dividends and for the future purchase of additional hotels.  The line of credit expires on December 31, 2011, and, provided no event of default has occurred and remains uncured, we may request that T.D. Bank, NA and the other lenders renew the line of credit for an additional one-year period.

The line of credit is collateralized by a first lien-security interest in all existing and future assets of HHLP, a collateral assignment of all hotel management contracts of the management companies in the event of default, and title-insured, first-lien mortgages on the following properties:
 
- Hampton Inn, Danville, PA
 
- Holiday Inn Express, New Columbia, PA
- Hampton Inn, Philadelphia, PA
 
- Mainstay Suites and Sleep Inn, King of Prussia, PA
- Holiday Inn, Norwich, CT
 
- Residence Inn, Langhorne, PA
- Holiday Inn Express, Camp Springs, MD
 
- Residence Inn, Norwood, MA
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Harrisburg, PA
 
- Sheraton Hotel, JFK Airport, New York, NY

At our option, borrowings under the line of credit may be prime rate loans or LIBOR rate loans.  On December 11, 2009, we amended the credit agreement to modify certain financial covenants, resulting in the following changes to the annual interest rate incurred on prime rate and LIBOR rate loans borrowed under the line of credit:

 
·
The annual interest rate on prime rate loans was increased from the Wall Street Journal variable prime rate to the Wall Street Journal variable prime rate plus 1.50%.
 
·
The annual interest rate on LIBOR rate loans was increased from LIBOR plus 2.50% to the greater of (i) LIBOR plus 3.50% or (ii) 4.25%.

Hersha paid the lenders a fee of $338 in connection with the amendment the credit agreement.  As amended. the credit agreement includes certain financial covenants and requires that we maintain (1) a minimum tangible net worth of $300,000; (2) a maximum accounts and other receivables from affiliates of $125,000; (3) annual distributions not to exceed 95% of adjusted funds from operations; (4) maximum variable rate indebtedness to total debt of 30%; and (5) certain financial ratios, including the following:

 
·
a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00;
 
·
a total funded liabilities to gross asset value ratio of not more than 0.67 to 1.00; and
 
·
a EBITDA to debt service ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.00;
 
·
The sum of the aggregate amount of outstanding loans and letter of credit obligations may not exceed the lesser of the committed amount of $135,000 or 67% of the appraised value of the hotel properties pledged as collateral.  In the event the aggregate amount of outstanding loans and letter of credit obligations exceeds this amount, we will be required to repay a portion of the outstanding loans and letter of credit obligations or provide additional collateral to the lenders.

The Company is in compliance with each of the covenants listed above as of December 31, 2009.

The outstanding principal balance under the line of credit was $79,200 at December 31, 2009 and $88,421 at December 31, 2008. The Company recorded interest expense of $3,235, $3,094 and $4,239 related to the line of credit borrowings, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on our Line of Credit during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was 3.25%, 5.07%, and 7.30%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009 we had $3,818 in irrevocable letters of credit issued and our remaining borrowing capacity under the Line of Credit was $51,982.

 
69



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 6 – DEBT (continued)

Fair Value of Debt

The Company estimates the fair value of its fixed rate debt and the credit spreads over variable market rates on its variable rate debt by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at estimated market rates or credit spreads consistent with the maturity of the debt obligation with similar credit policies. Credit spreads take into consideration general market conditions and maturity.   As of December 31, 2009, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s debt was $745,443 and $688,662, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s debt was $743,781 and $695,330, respectively.

Capitalized Interest

We utilize mortgage debt and our revolving line of credit to finance on-going capital improvement projects at our properties.  Interest incurred on mortgages and the revolving line of credit that relates to our capital improvement projects is capitalized through the date when the assets are placed in service.  For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, we capitalized $10, $544 and $389, respectively, of interest expense related to these projects.

Deferred Costs

Costs associated with entering into mortgages and notes payable and our revolving line of credit are deferred and amortized over the life of the debt instruments. Amortization of deferred costs is recorded in interest expense. As of December 31, 2009, deferred costs were $8,696, net of accumulated amortization of $4,262.  Deferred costs were $9,157, net of accumulated amortization of $3,606, as of December 31, 2008. Amortization of deferred costs for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $2,059, $2,030 and $1,724, respectively.

Debt Extinguishment

On July 1, 2008, we settled on the defeasance of loans associated with four of our properties.  These mortgage loans had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $11,028 as of June 30, 2008.  As a result of this extinguishment, we expensed $1,399 in unamortized deferred costs and defeasance premiums for three of the four properties, which are included in the Debt Extinguishment caption on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 and now serve as collateral for our revolving credit facility entered into on October 14, 2008. The fourth property, the Holiday Inn Conference Center, New Cumberland, PA was sold on October 30, 2008 and $19 in unamortized deferred costs expensed as a result of the debt extinguishment is included in the Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations caption on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

On September 30, 2008, we repaid $8,188 on our mortgage with M&T Bank for the Holiday Inn Express, Cambridge property as a result of debt refinancing.  The new debt of $11,000 has a fixed interest rate of 6.625% and a maturity date of September 30, 2023.  As a result of this extinguishment, we expensed $17 in unamortized deferred costs, which are included in the Loss on Debt Extinguishment caption on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

On October 14, 2008, we replaced our previous line of credit with Commerce Bank and various other lenders with a new credit facility with T.D. Bank, NA and various other lenders.  As a result of the termination of the existing line of credit, we expensed $152 in unamortized deferred costs related to the origination of the original Commerce Bank Line of Credit, which are included in the Loss on Debt Extinguishment caption on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 
70



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]
 

 
NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We are the sole general partner in our operating partnership subsidiary, HHLP, which is indirectly the sole general partner of the subsidiary partnerships. At December 31, 2009, there were 8,701,810 non-controlling Common Units outstanding with a fair market value of $27,324, based on the price per share of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.  These units are redeemable by the unitholders for common shares on a one-for-one basis or, at our option, cash.

Management Agreements

Our wholly-owned TRS, 44 New England engages eligible independent contractors in accordance with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Federal income tax laws, including HHMLP, as the property managers for hotels it leases from us pursuant to management agreements. HHMLP is owned, in part, by certain executives and affiliated trustees of the Company. Our management agreements with HHMLP provide for five-year terms and are subject to early termination upon the occurrence of defaults and certain other events described therein. As required under the REIT qualification rules, HHMLP must qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” during the term of the management agreements. Under the management agreements, HHMLP generally pays the operating expenses of our hotels. All operating expenses or other expenses incurred by HHMLP in performing its authorized duties are reimbursed or borne by our TRS to the extent the operating expenses or other expenses are incurred within the limits of the applicable approved hotel operating budget. HHMLP is not obligated to advance any of its own funds for operating expenses of a hotel or to incur any liability in connection with operating a hotel.  Management agreements with other unaffiliated hotel management companies have similar terms.

For its services, HHMLP receives a base management fee, and if a hotel exceeds certain thresholds, an incentive management fee. The base management fee for a hotel is due monthly and is equal to 3% of gross revenues associated with each hotel managed for the related month. The incentive management fee, if any, for a hotel is due annually in arrears on the ninetieth day following the end of each fiscal year and is based upon the financial performance of the hotels.   For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, base management fees incurred totaled $5,485, $6,136 and $5,571, respectively and are recorded as Hotel Operating Expenses.  For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, incentive management fees of $0, $363, and $0, respectively, were recorded as Hotel Operating Expenses.

Franchise Agreements

Our branded hotel properties are operated under franchise agreements assumed by the hotel property lessee. The franchise agreements have 10 to 20 year terms but may be terminated by either the franchisee or franchisor on certain anniversary dates specified in the agreements. The franchise agreements require annual payments for franchise royalties, reservation, and advertising services, and such payments are based upon percentages of gross room revenue. These payments are paid by the hotels and charged to expense as incurred.  Franchise fee expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $14,019, $17,041 and $16,333 respectively.  The initial fees incurred to enter into the franchise agreements are amortized over the life of the franchise agreements.

Accounting and Information Technology Fees

Each of the wholly owned hotels and consolidated joint venture hotel properties managed by HHMLP incurs a monthly accounting and information technology fee.   Monthly fees for accounting services are $2 per property and monthly information technology fees are $0.5 per property. In addition, each of the wholly owned hotels not managed by HHMLP, but for which the accounting is provided by HHMLP incurs a monthly accounting fee of $3.   For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred accounting fees of $1,459, $1,426 and $1,408, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred information technology fees of $325, $316 and $276, respectively. Accounting fees and information technology fees are included in General and Administrative expenses.

 
71



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

Capital Expenditure Fees

HHMLP charges a 5% fee on all capital expenditures and pending renovation projects at the properties as compensation for procurement services related to capital expenditures and for project management of renovation projects.  For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we incurred fees of $158, $271, and $292, respectively, which were capitalized with the cost of fixed asset additions.

Acquisitions from Affiliates

We have entered into an option agreement with each of our officers and affiliated trustees such that we obtain a right of first refusal to purchase any hotel owned or developed in the future by these individuals or entities controlled by them at fair market value. This right of first refusal would apply to each party until one year after such party ceases to be an officer or trustee of our Company. Our Acquisition Committee of the Board of Trustees is comprised solely of independent trustees, and the purchase prices and all material terms of the purchase of hotels from related parties are approved by the Acquisition Committee.

Hotel Supplies

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we incurred expenses of $996, $1,588 and $2,113, respectively, for hotel supplies from Hersha Hotel Supply, an unconsolidated related party, which are expenses included in Hotel Operating Expenses. Approximately $2 and $39 is included in accounts payable at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Due From Related Parties

The Due from Related Party balance as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was approximately $2,394 and $3,595, respectively. The balances primarily consisted of accrued interest due on our development loans, and the remaining due from related party balances are receivables owed from our unconsolidated joint ventures.

Due to Related Parties

The Due to Related Parties balance as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was approximately $769 and $302, respectively. The balances consisted of amounts payable to HHMLP for administrative, management, and benefit related fees.

Hotel Ground Rent

During 2003, in conjunction with the acquisition of the Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ, we assumed a land lease from a third party with an original term of 75 years. Monthly payments as determined by the lease agreement are due through the expiration in August 2074. On February 16, 2006, in conjunction with the acquisition of the Hilton Garden Inn, JFK Airport, we assumed a land lease with an original term of 99 years.  Monthly payments are determined by the lease agreement and are due through the expiration in July 2100.  On June 13, 2008, in conjunction with the acquisition of the Sheraton Hotel, JFK Airport, we assumed a land lease with an original term of 99 years.  Monthly payments are determined by the lease agreement and are due through the expiration in November 2103.  Each land leases provide rent increases at scheduled intervals. We record rent expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease from the beginning of the lease term. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we incurred $1,166, $1,040, and $856 respectively, in hotel ground rent from continuing operations under the agreements.

 
72



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

Future minimum lease payments (without reflecting future applicable Consumer Price Index increases) under these agreements are as follows:

Year Ending December 31,
 
Amount
 
       
2010
  $ 904  
2011
    935  
2012
    975  
2013
    981  
2014
    986  
Thereafter
    92,175  
    $ 96,956  


Litigation

We are not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any other litigation threatened against us, other than routine actions for negligence or other claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are expected to be covered by liability insurance and all of which collectively are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations or business or financial condition.

 
73



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 8 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 
Fair Value Measurements

Our determination of fair value measurements are based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, we utilize a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s derivative instruments represented the only financial instruments measured at fair value.  Currently, the Company uses derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps and caps, to manage its interest rate risk.   The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs.

We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and its counterparties.  However, as of December 31, 2009, we have assessed the significance of the effect of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Instruments

On January 15, 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that fixes the interest rate on the variable rate mortgage, bearing interest at one month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 2.0%, originated to finance the acquisition of the nu Hotel, Brooklyn, NY.  Under the terms of this interest rate swap, we pay fixed rate interest of 3.245% on the $13,240 notional amount and we receive floating rate interest equal to the one month U.S. dollar LIBOR, effectively fixing our interest at a rate of 5.245%.

On January 9, 2009, we renewed our interest rate swap agreement that effectively fixed the interest rate on a variable rate mortgage on the nu Hotel, Brooklyn, NY, which bears interest at one month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 2.0%.  Under the terms of the interest rate swap, we pay fixed rate interest of 1.1925% on the $18,000 notional amount and we receive floating rate interest equal to the one month U.S. dollar LIBOR, effectively fixing our interest on the mortgage debt at a rate of 3.1925%.

 
74



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 8 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (continued)

On February 1, 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that fixes the interest rate on a $40,000 portion of our floating revolving credit facility with Commerce Bank, which bears interest at one month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 2.5%.  Under the terms of this interest rate swap, we pay fixed rate interest of 2.6275% on the $40,000 notional amount and we receive floating rate interest equal to the one month U.S. dollar LIBOR, effectively fixing our interest on this portion of the line of credit at a rate of 5.1275%.  This interest rate swap agreement matured on February 1, 2009, and we did not replace it with another agreement.

On December 31, 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that fixes the interest rate on a variable rate mortgage, bearing interest at one month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 3.0%, originated upon the refinance of the debt associated with the Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ.  Under the terms of this interest rate swap, we pay fixed rate interest of 1.37% and we receive floating rate interest equal to the one month U.S. dollar LIBOR, effectively fixing our interest at a rate of 4.37%.  The notional amount amortizes in tandem with the amortization of the underlying hedged debt and is $5,250 as of December 31, 2009.

We maintain an interest rate cap that effectively fixes interest payments when LIBOR exceeds 5.75% on our debt financing Hotel 373, New York, NY.  The notional amount of the interest rate cap is $22,000 and equals the principal of the variable interest rate debt being hedged.

We maintained an interest rate swap that fixed our interest rate on a variable rate mortgage on the Sheraton Four Points, Revere, MA.  Under the terms of this interest rate swap, we paid fixed rate interest of 4.73% of the notional amount and we received floating rate interest equal to the one month U.S. dollar LIBOR.  Prior to January 1, 2008, the hedge relationship was deemed to be effective and the change in fair value related to the effective portion of the interest rate swap was recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Balance Sheet.  Subsequent to January 1, 2008, the hedge relationship was no longer deemed to be effective.  This swap matured on July 23, 2009.  The change in fair value of the interest rate swap for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 resulted in a gain of $172 and was recorded in income (loss) from discontinued operations.

At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the fair value of the interest rate swaps and cap were:

               
Value
 
Date of Transaction
 
Hedged Debt
 
Type
 
Maturity Date
 
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
January 15, 2008
 
Variable Rate Mortgage - Nu Hotel, Brooklyn, NY
 
Swap
 
January 10, 2011
  $ (103 )   $ (6 )
December 31, 2008
 
Variable Rate Mortgage - Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ
 
Swap
 
January 1, 2011
    (53 )     (25 )
July 1, 2007
 
Variable Rate Mortgage - Hotel 373, New York, NY
 
Cap
 
May 9, 2010
    -       -  
July 2, 2004
 
Variable Rate Mortgage - Sheraton Four Points, Revere, MA
 
Swap
 
July 23, 2009
    -       (172 )
February 1, 2008
 
Revolving Variable Rate Credit Facility
 
Swap
 
February 1, 2009
    -       (74 )
                $ (156 )   $ (277 )

The fair value of the derivative instrument is included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

The change in fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges was a loss of $51, $86, and $256 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  These unrealized losses were reflected on our Balance Sheet in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Hedge ineffectiveness of $1, $1, and $15 on cash flow hedges was recognized in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. The change in net unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges reflects a reclassification of $313 of net unrealized gains/losses from accumulated other comprehensive income as an increase to interest expense during 2009.  During 2010, the Company estimates that an additional $166 will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

 
75



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 9 - SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

In May 2008, the Company established the Hersha Hospitality Trust 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) for the purpose of attracting and retaining executive officers, employees, trustees and other persons and entities that provide services to the Company. Prior to the 2008 Plan, the Company made awards pursuant to the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”).  Upon approval of the 2008 Plan by the Company’s shareholders on May 22, 2008, the Company terminated the 2004 Plan.  Termination of the 2004 Plan did not have any effect on equity awards and grants previously made under that plan.

Executives

On August 5, 2009, the Company’s Compensation Committee awarded an aggregate of 354,250 performance shares pursuant to the 2008 Plan to our executive officers.  Performance shares are earned based on the Company’s Class A common shares maintaining a closing price in excess of defined thresholds over a defined period of time and are settled in an equivalent number of Class A common shares.  A portion of the performance shares may be earned upon completion of the performance period, subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  Unearned performance shares expire August 4, 2010.  On September 25, 2009, the first defined threshold was met and an aggregate of 108,334 Class A common shares were issued upon settlement of an equivalent number of earned performance shares.

Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and performance share awards issued to executives of the Company of $2,039, $1,411 and $766 was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, related to the restricted share awards and is recorded in stock based compensation expense on the statement of operations. Unearned compensation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $4,614 and $4,118, respectively.  The following table is a summary of all of the grants issued to executives under the 2004 and 2008 Plans:


                   
Shares Vested
   
Unearned Compensation
 
Original Issuance Date
 
Shares Issued
 
Share Price on date of grant
 
Vesting Period
 
Vesting Schedule
 
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
June 1, 2005
  71,000   $ 9.60  
 4 years
 
25%/year
  $ 71,000     $ 53,250     $ -     $ 71  
June 1, 2006
  89,500   $ 9.40  
 4 years
 
25%/year
    67,125       44,750       87       298  
June 1, 2007
  214,582   $ 12.32  
 4 years
 
25%/year
    107,291       53,645       935       1,597  
June 2, 2008
  278,059   $ 8.97  
 4 years
 
25%/year
    69,515       -       1,506       2,130  
September 30, 2008
  3,616   $ 7.44  
  1-4 years
 
25-100%/year
    654       -       6       22  
June 1, 2009
  744,128   $ 2.80  
 4 years
 
25%/year
    -       -       1,780       -  
September 10, 2009
  108,334   $ 2.96  
 1 year
 
100%/year
    -       -       280       -  
September 25, 2009
  10,000   $ 3.06  
 1 year
 
100%/year
    -       -       20       -  
Total
  1,519,219                 $ 315,585     $ 151,645     $ 4,614     $ 4,118  

 
76



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 9 - SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

Trustees

Compensation expense related to stock awards issued to the Board of Trustees of $104, $91, and $86 was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively and is recorded in stock based compensation on the statement of operations.  All shares issued to the Board of Trustees are immediately vested.  The following table is a summary of all of the grants issued to trustees under the 2004 and 2008 Plans:


Date of Award Issuance
 
Shares Issued
   
Share Price on date of grant
 
March 1, 2005
    2,095     $ 11.97  
January 3, 2006
    5,000       9.12  
January 2, 2007
    4,000       11.44  
July 2, 2007
    4,000       12.12  
January 2, 2008
    4,000       9.33  
June 2, 2008
    6,000       8.97  
January 2, 2009
    12,500       2.96  
June 1, 2009
    17,000       2.80  
December 31, 2009
    18,000       3.14  
Total
    72,595          

 
77



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 10 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table is a reconciliation of the income (numerator) and weighted average shares (denominator) used in the calculation of basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share.  The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below.

   
Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Numerator:
                 
BASIC AND DILUTED*
                 
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations
  $ (42,421 )   $ (14,172 )   $ 14,556  
Loss (Income) from Continuing Operations allocated to Noncontrolling Interests
    6,205       2,134       (1,612 )
Distributions to 8.0% Series A Preferred Shareholders
    (4,800 )     (4,800 )     (4,800 )
Dividends Paid on Unvested Restricted Shares
    (255 )     (329 )     (197 )
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
    (41,271 )     (17,167 )     7,947  
                         
Discontinued Operations
                       
Income from Discontinued Operations
    (16,037 )     3,743       5,616  
Income from Discontinued Operations allocated to Noncontrolling Interests
    2,392       (513 )     (713 )
Income from Discontinued Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
    (13,645 )     3,230       4,903  
                         
Net (Loss) Income  applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (54,916 )   $ (13,937 )   $ 12,850  
                         
                         
Denominator:
                       
Weighted average number of common shares - basic
    51,027,742       45,184,127       40,718,724  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock awards
    - **     - **     - **
Weighted average number of common shares - diluted*
    51,027,742       45,184,127       40,718,724  

* Income allocated to minority interest in the Partnership has been excluded from the numerator and OP Units have been omitted from the denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share since the effect of including these amounts in the numerator and denominator would have no impact. Weighted average OP Units outstanding for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were 8,724,725, 8,034,737 and 5,464,670 respectively.

** Unvested stock awards have been omitted from the denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 since the effect of including these awards in the denominator would be anti-dilutive to income from continuing operations applicable to common shareholders.

 
78



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 10 - EARNINGS PER SHARE (continued)

   
Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Earnings Per Share:
                 
BASIC
                 
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.81 )   $ (0.38 )   $ 0.20  
Income from Discontinued Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
    (0.27 )     0.07       0.12  
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (1.08 )   $ (0.31 )   $ 0.32  
                         
DILUTED*
                       
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.81 )   $ (0.38 )   $ 0.20  
Income from Discontinued Operations applicable to Common Shareholders
    (0.27 )     0.07       0.12  
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (1.08 )   $ (0.31 )   $ 0.32  


* Income allocated to minority interest in the Partnership has been excluded from the numerator and OP Units have been omitted from the denominator for the purpose of computing diluted earnings per share since the effect of including these amounts in the numerator and denominator would have no impact. Weighted average OP Units outstanding for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were 8,724,725, 8,034,737 and 5,464,670 respectively.

 
79



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]
 

 
NOTE 11 - CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES AND NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Interest paid in 2009, 2008 and 2007 totaled $42,471, $41,797 and $40,594, respectively. The following non-cash investing and financing activities occurred during 2009, 2008 and 2007:
                   
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Common Shares issued as part of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan
  $ 25     $ 31     $ 30  
Issuance of Common Shares to the Board of Trustees
    141       91       95  
Issuance of Common Units for acquisitions of hotel properties
    -       21,624       25,781  
Development loan accrued interest revenue receivable paid in-kind by adding balance to development loan principal
    4,502       -       -  
Debt assumed in acquisition of  hotel properties
    37,524       30,790       70,564  
Settlement of development loans receivable principal and accrued interest revenue receivable in connection with acquisition of hotel properties
    21,760       -       -  
Land and mortgage transferred to seller as part of acquisition of hotel property     10,118       -       -  
Issuance of Common Units for acquisition of unconsolidated joint venture
    -       -       6,817  
Issuance of Common Units for acquisition of option to acquire interest in hotel property
    -       -       933  
Conversion of Common Units to Common Shares
    255       1,372       2,369  
Reallocation to noncontrolling interest
    -       1,966       12,422  

 
80



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 12 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The operating results of certain real estate assets which have been sold or otherwise qualify as held for disposition are included in discontinued operations in the statements of operations for all periods presented.

In September of 2007, our Board of Trustees authorized management of the Company to sell the Hampton Inn, Linden, NJ (Hampton Inn) and Fairfield Inn, Mt. Laurel, NJ (Fairfield Inn).  The Company acquired the Hampton Inn in October 2003 and the Fairfield Inn in January 2006.   The operating results for these hotels have been reclassified to discontinued operations in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Proceeds from the sales were $29,500, and the gain on the sale was $4,248, of which $503 was allocated to noncontrolling interest in HHLP.

In October 2008, the Company sold the Holiday Inn Conference Center, New Cumberland, PA (Holiday Inn).  We leased this hotel to an unrelated party and the lease agreement contained a purchase provision by the lessee.  The operating results for this hotel have been reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operation for years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.  Proceeds from the sale of this property were $6,456 and the gain on this sale was $2,888, of which $436 was allocated to noncontrolling interest in HHLP.

In May 2009, our Board of Trustees authorized management of the Company to sell the Mainstay Suites, Frederick, MD (Mainstay Suites) and the Comfort Inn, Frederick, MD (Comfort Inn). The operating results for these hotels were reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The Mainstay Suites was acquired by the Company in January 2002 and the Comfort Inn in May 2004. These two properties were sold to an unrelated buyer in July 2009.  These properties were sold for $10,250 and the gain on the sale was approximately $1,496.

In May 2009, our Board of Trustees authorized management of the Company to sell its 55% interest in its consolidated joint venture that owns the Sheraton Four Points, Revere, MA. The operating results for this hotel were reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Our interest in the hotel was acquired in March 2004 and was sold to our joint venture partner in July 2009. Proceeds from the sale were $2,500 and the gain on the sale was approximately $165.

In June 2009, our Board of Trustees authorized management of the Company to sell the Hilton Garden Inn, Gettysburg, PA. The operating results for this hotel were reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The hotel was acquired by the Company in July 2004 and was sold to an unrelated buyer in July 2009 for $7,750. The gain on the sale was approximately $208.

On September 24, 2009, we transferred our investment in the land parcel located at 440 West 41st Street, New York, NY to Metro Forty First Street, LLC, an entity controlled by a non-affiliated third party. This land parcel was part of the consideration given to acquire our 100% interest in York Street, LLC. The operating results from this land parcel were reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The land parcel was acquired in June 2007.  See “Note 2 – Investment in Hotel Properties” for more information related to the acquisition of York Street, LLC.

Our Board of Trustees authorized management of the Company to sell the Comfort Inn, North Dartmouth, MA. The operating results for this hotel were reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The hotel was acquired by the Company in May 2006. During 2009, we determined that carrying value of the property exceeded fair value and we recorded an impairment charge.  The impairment charge on this property is approximately $1,577.  The fair value of this property was determined using Level 3 inputs, which are typically unobservable and are based on our own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity.  The property has a mortgage loan in the amount of $3,031 which is classified as “Liabilities Related to Assets Held for Sale” on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009.

 
81



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 12 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (continued)

Our Board of Trustees authorized management of the Company to sell our two remaining land parcels located at 39th Street and 8th Avenue, New York, NY and Nevins Street, Brooklyn, NY. The operating results from these land parcels were reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The land parcels were acquired in July 2007. During 2009, we determined that carrying value of these land parcels exceeded fair value and we recorded an impairment charge on these land parcels of approximately $14,545.  The fair value of these land parcels was determined using Level 3 inputs, which are typically unobservable and are based on our own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity.  The land parcels have mortgage loans in the aggregate amount of $17,861 which are classified as “Liabilities Related to Assets Held for Sale” on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009.

We allocate interest and capital lease expense to discontinued operations for debt that is to be assumed or that is required to be repaid as a result of the disposal transaction. We allocated $1,772, $2,083, and $3,154 of interest and capital lease expense to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Assets held for sale consisted of the following as of December 31, 2009:

   
December 31, 2009
 
       
Land
  $ 18,389  
Buildings and Improvements
    2,912  
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
    531  
Intangible Assets
    50  
      21,882  
         
Less Accumulated Depreciation & Amortization
    (809 )
         
Assets Held for Sale
  $ 21,073  
 
 
82



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 12 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (continued)

The following table sets forth the components of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:


   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenue:
                 
Hotel Operating Revenues
  $ 7,816     $ 14,302     $ 21,263  
Hotel Lease Revenue
    -       628       781  
Land Lease Revenue
    2,624       5,276       4,860  
Total Revenue
    10,440       20,206       26,904  
                         
Expenses:
                       
Hotel Operating Expenses
    6,202       11,155       15,411  
Land Lease Expense
    1,455       2,939       2,720  
Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes and Property Insurance
    548       634       1,056  
Depreciation and Amortization
    1,129       2,514       3,187  
General and Administrative
    (463 )     7       8  
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
    -       19       -  
Interest Expense
    1,772       2,083       3,154  
      10,643       19,351       25,536  
Total Expenses
                       
                         
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations
    (203 )     855       1,368  
Gain on Disposition of Hotel Properties
    1,869       2,888       4,248  
Impairment of Assets Held for Sale
    (17,703 )     -       -  
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations
  $ (16,037 )   $ 3,743     $ 5,616  

 
83



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 13 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN PARTNERSHIP

Common Shares

The Company’s common shares are duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable. Common shareholders are entitled to receive dividends if and when authorized and declared by the Board of Trustees of the Company out of assets legally available and to share ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to its shareholders in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of, or adequate provision for, all known debts and liabilities of the Company.
 
Preferred Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes our Board of Trustees to classify any unissued preferred shares and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued preferred shares of any series from time to time in one or more series, as authorized by the Board of Trustees. Prior to issuance of shares of each series, the Board of Trustees is required by Maryland REIT Law and our Declaration of Trust to set for each such series, subject to the provisions of our Declaration of Trust regarding the restriction on transfer of shares of beneficial interest, the terms, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each such series. Thus, our Board of Trustees could authorize the issuance of additional preferred shares with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control in us that might involve a premium price for holders of common shares or otherwise be in their best interest.

Common Units

Units of interest in our limited partnership, or Common Units are issued in connection with the acquisition of wholly owned hotels and joint venture interests in hotel properties.  The total number of Common Units outstanding as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was 8,701,810, 8,746,300 and 6,424,915 respectively. These units can be converted to common shares which are issuable to the limited partners upon exercise of their redemption rights. The number of shares issuable upon exercise of the redemption rights will be adjusted upon the occurrence of stock splits, mergers, consolidation or similar pro rata share transactions, that otherwise would have the effect of diluting the ownership interest of the limited partners or our shareholders. During 2009 and 2008, 44,490 and 175,843 common units were converted to Class A Common Shares, respectively.

 
84



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1999. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it currently distribute at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income to its shareholders. It is the Company’s current intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that is currently distributed to shareholders. If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. Even if the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income.

Taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through taxable REIT subsidiaries is subject to federal, state and local income taxes. 44 New England and Revere Hotel Group LLC (“Revere”), a 55% owned taxable REIT subsidiary, (collectively “Consolidated TRS”) are both entities subject to income taxes at the applicable federal, state and local tax rates.  On July 23, 2009 we sold our interest in Revere to our joint venture partner.

In 2009, 2008 and 2007, 44 New England generated net operating losses of $6,555, $2,554, and $707, respectively. In 2008, 2007 and 2006, Revere generated net operating (income) losses of ($5), $265, and $313, respectively.  There was no income tax expense (benefit) recognized by the Consolidated TRS for 2009, 2008 and 2007.

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following differences:

   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Computed "Expected" federal tax expense (benefit) of TRS, at 35%
  $ (1,061 )   $ (1,251 )   $ (270 )
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect
    (421 )     (181 )     (66 )
Changes in valuation allowance
    1,482       1,432       336  
                         
Total income tax expense
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
 

The components of consolidated TRS’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

   
as of December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Net operating loss carryforward
  $ 3,558     $ 3,185  
Depreciation
    (48 )     (29 )
Net deferred tax assets
    3,510       3,156  
Valuation allowance
    (3,510 )     (3,156 )
Deferred tax assets
  $ -     $ -  

Upon the sale of our interest in Revere, we relinquished deferred tax assets related to Revere’s net operating loss carry forwards of $1,128 and a valuation allowance in the same amount.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Consolidated TRS will not realize the benefits of these deferred tax assets at December 31, 2009.

 
85



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]


 
NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

Earnings and profits, which will determine the taxability of dividends to shareholders, will differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to the differences for federal tax purposes in the estimated useful lives and methods used to compute depreciation. The following table sets forth certain per share information regarding the Company’s common and preferred share distributions for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.


   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Preferred Shares - 8% Series A
                 
Ordinary income
    0.00 %     86.46 %     81.98 %
Capital Gain Distribution
    100.00 %     13.54 %     18.02 %
Common Shares - Class A
                       
Ordinary income
    0.00 %     44.61 %     48.25 %
Return of Capital
    100.00 %     48.40 %     41.14 %
Capital Gain Distribution
    0.00 %     6.99 %     10.61 %

 
86



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]
 


NOTE 15 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                         
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
Total Revenues
  $ 45,083     $ 60,082     $ 61,906     $ 53,627  
Total Expenses
    54,261       58,747       83,256       59,665  
(Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
    (1,329 )     (395 )     (606 )     (4,860 )
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations
    (10,507 )     940       (21,956 )     (10,898 )
                                 
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations (including Gain on Disposition of Hotel Properties)
    (176 )     544       (15,979 )     (426 )
Net (Loss) Income
    (10,683 )     1,484       (37,935 )     (11,324 )
                                 
(Loss) Income Allocated to Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
    (2,053 )     451       (5,560 )     (1,435 )
Preferred Distributions
    1,200       1,200       1,200       1,200  
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (9,830 )   $ (167 )   $ (33,575 )   $ (11,089 )
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
                               
(Loss) Income from continuing operations applicable to common shareholders
  $ (0.21 )   $ 0.00     $ (0.39 )   $ (0.19 )
Discontinued Operations
    -       -       (0.26 )     (0.01 )
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.21 )   $ 0.00     $ (0.65 )   $ (0.20 )
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
                               
Basic
    47,786,503       47,964,818       51,878,482       56,488,607  
Diluted
    47,786,503       47,964,818       51,878,482       56,488,607  
                                 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
                         
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
Total Revenues
  $ 51,397     $ 66,053     $ 70,383     $ 57,663  
Total Expenses
    54,016       58,032       65,040       82,062  
(Loss) Income from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
    (738 )     1,360       1,629       (2,768 )
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations
    (3,357 )     9,381       6,972       (27,167 )
                                 
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations (including Gain on Disposition of Hotel Properties)
    (528 )     581       788       2,901  
Net (Loss) Income
    (3,885 )     9,962       7,760       (24,266 )
                                 
(Loss) Income Allocated to Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
    (1,006 )     1,737       1,425       (3,777 )
Preferred Distributions
    1,200       1,200       1,200       1,200  
Net (Loss) Income applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (4,079 )   $ 7,025     $ 5,135     $ (21,689 )
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
                               
(Loss) Income from continuing operations applicable to common shareholders
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.15     $ 0.10     $ (0.51 )
Discontinued Operations
    (0.01 )     0.01       0.01       0.05  
Net Loss (Income) applicable to Common Shareholders
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.16     $ 0.11     $ (0.46 )
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
                               
Basic
    40,891,140       44,253,641       47,764,168       47,770,780  
Diluted
    40,891,140       44,253,641       47,764,168       47,770,780  

 
87



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
[IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS]



NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The following events occurred subsequent to December 31, 2009:

On January 21, 2010, we completed a public offering of 51,750,000 common shares, including 6,750,000 common shares subject to an overallotment option exercised by the underwriters, for proceeds of approximately $148,955 net of underwriting discount. Immediately upon closing the offering, we contributed all of the net proceeds of the offering to the Partnership in exchange for additional Partnership interests.

On January 29, 2010 we refinanced the mortgage debt secured by the Hilton Garden Inn - TriBeCa, New York, NY.  The refinanced debt is a $32,000 amortizing non-recourse mortgage obligation, carrying fixed rate interest at 8.25%.  The loan matures on February 10, 2015.  The refinanced debt replaces a $29,632 variable rate debt at a rate of prime plus 2.00%, subject to an 8.75% floor, that matured in July of 2012.

On February 9, 2010, we closed on the acquisition of three hotels in New York City, including:

·
a Hampton Inn located at 337 West 39th Street, New York (the “Hampton Inn Times Square”) from Metro Eleven LLC;
·
a Candlewood Suites located at 339 West 39th Street, New York (the “Candlewood Suites Times Square”) from Metro Eleven LLC; and
·
a Holiday Inn Express located at 343 West 39th Street, New York (the “Holiday Inn Express Times Square”) from M&R Hotel LLC and Lincoln Avenue Center, LLC.

The sellers of the three hotels are related to each other, but not affiliated with the Company.  The total purchase price for the three hotels was $165,000, which consisted of $160,500 in cash and 1,451,613 units of limited partnership in HHLP.  As a result, the total purchase price for each hotel was as follows:

Hotel
Total Purchase Price
Hampton Inn Times Square
$  56,000
Candlewood Suites Times Square
$  51,000
Holiday Inn Express Times Square
$  58,000

In addition, we paid $4,260 of closing costs and real estate taxes and assumed approximately $398 in net working capital liabilities.  The cash portion of the purchase price, closing costs and real estate taxes paid by us at closing was funded with net proceeds from our recently completed public offering and with borrowings drawn on our revolving credit facility.

 
88



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009
[IN THOUSANDS]
 

 
         
Initial Costs
   
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
   
Gross Amounts at which Carrried at Close of Period
         
Accumulated
   
Net Book Value
   
                                                   
Depreciation
   
Land
   
Description
 
Encumbrances
   
Land
   
Buildings & Improvements
   
Land
   
Buildings & Improvements
   
Land
   
Buildings & Improvements
   
Total
   
Buildings & Improvements*
   
Buildings & Improvements
 
Date of Acquisition
                                                               
                                                               
Hampton Inn, Carlisle, PA
  $ (3,383 )   $ 300     $ 3,109     $ 200     $ 2,181     $ 500     $ 5,290     $ 5,790     $ (1,653 )   $ 4,137  
06/01/97
Holiday Inn Exp, Hershey, PA
    (5,970 )     426       2,645       410       3,782       836       6,427       7,263       (1,973 )     5,290  
10/01/97
Holiday Inn Exp,  New Columbia, PA
    -       94       2,510       66       780       160       3,290       3,450       (999 )     2,451  
12/01/97
Comfort Inn, Harrisburg, PA
    (2,055 )     -       2,720       214       1,189       214       3,909       4,123       (1,164 )     2,959  
05/15/98
Hampton Inn, Selinsgrove, PA
    (2,826 )     157       2,511       93       2,359       250       4,870       5,120       (1,718 )     3,402  
09/12/96
Hampton Inn, Danville, PA
    -       300       2,787       99       1,183       399       3,970       4,369       (1,177 )     3,192  
08/28/97
Holiday Inn Exp & Suites, Harrisburg, PA
    -       213       1,934       81       1,093       294       3,027       3,321       (889 )     2,432  
03/06/98
Hampton Inn, Hershey, PA
    (2,812 )     807       5,714       4       1,038       811       6,752       7,563       (1,868 )     5,695  
01/01/00
Mainstay Suites & Sleep Inn, King of Prussia, PA
    -       1,133       7,294       -       347       1,133       7,641       8,774       (1,663 )     7,111  
06/01/01
Hilton Garden Inn, Edison, NJ
    (5,250 )     -       12,159       -       331       -       12,490       12,490       (1,993 )     10,497  
10/01/04
Residence Inn, Framingham, MA
    (8,639 )     1,325       12,737       -       827       1,325       13,564       14,889       (2,092 )     12,797  
03/26/04
Hampton Inn, New York, NY
    (25,791 )     5,472       23,280       -       107       5,472       23,387       28,859       (2,939 )     25,920  
04/01/05
Residence Inn, Greenbelt, MD
    (11,773 )     2,615       14,815       -       255       2,615       15,070       17,685       (2,109 )     15,576  
07/16/04
Fairfield Inn,  Laurel, MD
    (7,313 )     927       6,120       -       994       927       7,114       8,041       (1,027 )     7,014  
01/31/05
Holiday Inn Exp, Langhorne, PA
    (6,390 )     1,088       6,573       -       76       1,088       6,649       7,737       (784 )     6,953  
05/26/05
Holiday Inn Exp, Malvern, PA
    (3,971 )     2,639       5,324       654       109       3,293       5,433       8,726       (631 )     8,095  
05/24/05
Holiday Inn Exp, King of Prussia, PA
    (12,634 )     2,557       13,339       -       348       2,557       13,687       16,244       (1,620 )     14,624  
05/23/05
Courtyard Inn, Wilmington, DE
    (7,805 )     988       10,295       -       729       988       11,024       12,012       (1,401 )     10,611  
06/17/05
McIntosh Inn, Wilmington, DE
    (4,615 )     898       4,515       -       782       898       5,297       6,195       (755 )     5,440  
06/17/05
Residence Inn, Williamsburg, VA
    (7,277 )     1,911       11,625       (1 )     610       1,910       12,235       14,145       (2,525 )     11,620  
11/22/05
Springhill Suites, Williamsburg, VA
    (4,955 )     1,430       10,293       -       85       1,430       10,378       11,808       (2,064 )     9,744  
11/22/05
Courtyard Inn, Brookline, MA
    (38,913 )     -       47,414       -       929       -       48,343       48,343       (5,516 )     42,827  
06/15/05
Courtyard Inn, Scranton, PA
    (6,101 )     761       7,193       -       1,120       761       8,313       9,074       (1,003 )     8,071  
02/01/06
Courtyard Inn, Langhorne, PA
    (15,075 )     3,064       16,068       -       421       3,064       16,489       19,553       (1,657 )     17,896  
01/03/06
Fairfield Inn, Bethlehem, PA
    (6,025 )     1,399       6,778       -       341       1,399       7,119       8,518       (800 )     7,718  
01/03/06
Residence Inn, Tyson's Corner, VA
    (8,824 )     4,283       14,475       -       286       4,283       14,761       19,044       (1,482 )     17,562  
02/02/06
Hilton Garden Inn,  JFK Airport, NY
    (21,000 )     -       25,018       -       830       -       25,848       25,848       (2,592 )     23,256  
02/16/06
Hawthorne Suites, Franklin, MA
    (8,302 )     1,872       8,968       -       113       1,872       9,081       10,953       (863 )     10,090  
04/25/06
Residence Inn, Dartmouth, MA
    (8,449 )     1,933       10,434       -       252       1,933       10,686       12,619       (997 )     11,622  
05/01/06
Holiday Inn Exp, Cambridge, MA
    (10,794 )     1,956       9,793       -       653       1,956       10,446       12,402       (1,045 )     11,357  
05/03/06
Residence Inn, Norwood, MA
    -       1,970       11,761       -       153       1,970       11,914       13,884       (1,027 )     12,857  
07/27/06

 
89



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 (continued)
[IN THOUSANDS]


 
         
Initial Costs
   
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
   
Gross Amounts at which Carrried at Close of Period
         
Accumulated
   
Net Book Value
   
                                                   
Depreciation
   
Land
   
Description
 
Encumbrances
   
Land
   
Buildings & Improvements
   
Land
   
Buildings & Improvements
   
Land
   
Buildings & Improvements
   
Total
   
Buildings & Improvements*
   
Buildings & Improvements
 
Date of Acquisition
                                                               
Hampton Inn, Brookhaven, NY
  $ (14,442 )   $ 3,130     $ 17,345     $ 1     $ 870     $ 3,131     $ 18,215     $ 21,346     $ (1,638 )   $ 19,708  
09/06/06
Holiday Inn Exp, Hauppage, NY
    (9,613 )     2,737       14,080       -       694       2,737       14,774       17,511       (1,352 )     16,159  
09/01/06
Residence Inn, Langhorne, PA
    -       1,463       12,094       93       889       1,556       12,983       14,539       (953 )     13,586  
01/08/07
Hampton Inn, Chelsea, NY
    (35,938 )     8,905       33,500       -       723       8,905       34,223       43,128       (2,924 )     40,204  
09/29/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Bridgewater, NJ
    (14,492 )     3,373       19,685       -       165       3,373       19,850       23,223       (1,498 )     21,725  
12/28/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Charlotte, NC
    (7,330 )     770       7,315       -       1,636       770       8,951       9,721       (968 )     8,753  
12/28/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Gaithersburg, MD
    (13,720 )     2,912       16,001       -       352       2,912       16,353       19,265       (1,306 )     17,959  
12/28/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Pleasant Hills, CA
    (20,160 )     6,216       17,229       -       143       6,216       17,372       23,588       (1,312 )     22,276  
12/28/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Pleasanton, CA
    (14,490 )     3,941       12,560       -       155       3,941       12,715       16,656       (965 )     15,691  
12/28/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Scottsdale, AZ
    (16,778 )     3,060       19,968       -       203       3,060       20,171       23,231       (1,525 )     21,706  
12/28/06
Hyatt Summerfield Suites, White Plains, NY
    (33,030 )     8,823       30,273       -       182       8,823       30,455       39,278       (2,300 )     36,978  
12/28/06
Holiday Inn Exp & Suites, Chester, NY
    (6,700 )     1,500       6,671       -       47       1,500       6,718       8,218       (491 )     7,727  
01/25/07
Residence Inn, Carlisle, PA
    (6,857 )     1,015       7,511       -       25       1,015       7,536       8,551       (564 )     7,987  
01/10/07
Hampton Inn, Seaport, NY
    (19,672 )     7,816       19,040       -       145       7,816       19,185       27,001       (1,412 )     25,589  
02/01/07
Hotel 373-5th Ave, New York, NY
    (22,000 )     14,239       16,778       -       81       14,239       16,859       31,098       (1,098 )     30,000  
06/01/07
Holiday Inn, Norwich, CT
    -       1,984       12,037       -       381       1,984       12,418       14,402       (788 )     13,614  
07/01/07
Sheraton Hotel, JFK Airport, NY
    -       -       27,315       -       210       -       27,525       27,525       (1,076 )     26,449  
06/13/08
Hampton Inn, Philadelphia, PA
    -       3,490       24,382       -       2,803       3,490       27,185       30,675       (5,184 )     25,491  
02/15/06
Duane Street, Tribeca, NY
    (15,000 )     8,213       12,869       -       358       8,213       13,227       21,440       (706 )     20,734  
01/04/08
NU Hotel, Brooklyn, NY
    (18,000 )     -       22,042       -       15       -       22,057       22,057       (815 )     21,242  
01/14/08
Towneplace Suites, Harrisburg, PA
    (9,250 )     1,237       10,136       -       45       1,237       10,180       11,417       (420 )     10,997  
05/08/08
Holiday Inn Express, Camp Springs, MD
    -       1,629       11,094       -       248       1,629       11,342       12,971       (450 )     12,521  
06/26/08
Hampton Inn, Smithfield, RI
    (6,818 )     2,057       9,486       -       18       2,057       9,503       11,560       (336 )     11,224  
08/01/08
Hilton Garden Inn, Tribeca, NY
    (29,632 )     -       -       21,077       42,964       21,077       42,963       64,040       (716 )     63,324  
05/01/09
Hampton Inn, West Haven, CT
    (7,688 )     -       -       1,053       10,751       1,053       10,750       11,803       (45 )     11,758  
11/04/09
Courtyard Inn, Alexandria, VA
    (24,957 )     6,376       26,089       -       359       6,377       26,447       32,824       (2,217 )     30,607  
09/29/06
                                                                                   
Total Investment in Real Estate
  $ (593,509 )   $ 137,404     $ 725,701     $ 24,044     $ 88,765     $ 161,449     $ 814,461     $ 975,910     $ (83,085 )   $ 892,825    
                                                                                   
Assets Held for Sale
                                                                                 
Comfort Inn, Dartmouth
    (3,031 )     902       3,525       (282 )     (720 )     620       2,805       3,425       (455 )     2,970  
05/01/06
8th Ave Land, New York City, NY
    (11,913 )     21,575       -       (9,754 )     108       11,821       108       11,929       (16 )     11,913  
06/28/06
Nevins Street Land,  Brooklyn, NY
    (5,948 )     10,650       -       (4,702 )     -       5,948       -       5,948       -       5,948  
6/11/07 &
 07/11/07
Total Assets Held for Sale
    (20,892 )     33,127       3,525       (14,738 )     (612 )     18,389       2,913       21,302       (471 )     20,831    
                                                                                   
Total Real Estate
  $ (614,401 )   $ 170,531     $ 729,226     $ 9,306     $ 88,153     $ 179,838     $ 817,374     $ 997,212     $ (83,556 )   $ 913,656    


*  Assets are depreciated over a 7 to 40 year life, upon which the latest income statement is computed

 
90



HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 (continued)
[IN THOUSANDS]



   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Reconciliation of Real Estate
                 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 987,639     $ 878,099     $ 776,609  
Additions during the year
    79,170       114,596       125,175  
Dispositions during the year
    (53,493 )     (5,056 )     (23,685 )
Changes in Assets Held for Sale
    (37,406 )     -       -  
Investment in Real Estate
    975,910       987,639       878,099  
Assets Held for Sale, net of impairment
    21,302       -       -  
Total Real Estate
  $ 997,212     $ 987,639     $ 878,099  
                         
Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation
                       
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 67,824     $ 49,091     $ 33,373  
Depreciation for year
    22,667       20,965       17,252  
Accumulated depreciation on assets sold
    (6,935 )     (2,232 )     (1,534 )
Balance at the end of year
  $ 83,556     $ 67,824     $ 49,091  


The aggregate cost of land, buildings and improvements for Federal income tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is approximately $911,634, $894,596, and $817,805 respectively.

Depreciation is computed for buildings and improvements using a useful life for these assets of 7 to 40 years.

 
91


Item 8.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 8A.
Controls and Procedures

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. A control system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined within Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting refers to the processes designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes policies and procedures that:

·
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
·
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
·
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria contained in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.

 
92


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Hersha Hospitality Trust:

We have audited Hersha Hospitality Trust and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Hersha Hospitality Trust's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Hersha Hospitality Trust maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Hersha Hospitality Trust and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and our report dated March 4, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 4, 2010

 
93


CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 8B.
Other Information
 
None.

 
94


PART III

Item 9.
Trustees, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
 
The required information is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the year covered by this Form 10-K with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF OUR BYLAWS

On March 3, 2010, our Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”), approved and adopted an amendment and restatement of our bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”).  The Amended and Restated Bylaws became effective upon adoption by the Board of Trustees.  The Committee recommended the amendment and restatement as part of its normal review of our corporate governance practices in an effort to bring them current with prevailing market provisions.  The Amended and Restated Bylaws implement certain clarifying and modernizing provisions and, among other things:

·
establish procedures for shareholders calling special meetings, including a requirement to request a record date to call a special meeting and granting the Board of Trustees certain limited authority to refuse to call a special meeting;
·
increase the number of shareholders necessary to call a special meeting from twenty-five percent to a majority;
·
clarify that previously scheduled meetings of shareholders may be postponed or cancelled by the Board of Trustees, authorize the chairman of the meeting to adjourn a meeting of the shareholders and clarify that a majority of the shares, excluding abstentions, may vote to adjourn a meeting in the absence of a quorum;
·
elaborate upon the advance notice procedures and requirements that apply to the nominations of persons for election to the Board of Trustees and the proposal of any other business to be considered at a meeting of shareholders;
·
require persons nominated for election to the Board of Trustees to complete a written questionnaire and make certain representations to us relating to voting commitments and other economic arrangements and future compliance with our corporate governance and other applicable policies and guidelines applicable to trustees;
·
authorize the Board of Trustees to appoint persons as “Advisory Trustees” or “Emeritus Trustees”;
·
modify the provisions relating to indemnification and advancement of expenses to, among other things, to provide that indemnification is available for expenses incurred as a witness in any proceeding, clarify that any adverse modifications to the indemnification and advancement rights may only be made prospectively; and
·
make other technical and conforming changes.

The foregoing is a brief summary of the changes effected by the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

CHANGES TO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Effective March 3, 2010, our longstanding trustee, Michael A. Leven (Class II trustee), resigned from the Board, citing his increased duties and responsibilities and extensive international travel required his role as President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands.  The resignation was not related to any disagreement with the company.  Mr. Leven has been a Class II Trustee since May of 2001 and has provided valuable counsel to us throughout our growth during that period.  In light of Mr. Leven’s extensive hospitality industry experience and expertise, the Board of Trustees has appointed Mr. Leven to serve as an Emeritus Trustee, with such responsibilities as outlined in the Amended and Restated Bylaws, and he has graciously accepted that appointment.  Mr. Leven will not receive any compensation for his services as an Emeritus Trustee.

Item 10.
Executive Compensation
 
The required information is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the year covered by this Form 10-K with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
Item 11.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Certain of the required information is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the year covered by this Form 10-K with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

SECURITIES ISSUABLE PURSUANT TO EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

As of December 31, 2009, no options or warrants to acquire our securities pursuant to equity compensation plans were outstanding. The following table sets forth the number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights; weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights; and the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2009:

 
95


Plan Category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans(1)
   
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
             
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
 -
 
 -
 
1,660,364
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
 -
 
 -
 
 -
Total
 
 -
 
 -
 
1,660,364
 
 
(1)
Shares indicated are the aggregate of those issuable under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.

Item 12.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Trustee Independence
 
The required information is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the year covered by this Form 10-K with respect to our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 13.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The required information is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the year covered by this Form 10-K with respect to our 2010Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 
96


PART IV

Item 14.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)
Documents filed as part of this report.
 
1.
Financial Statements:

The following financial statements are included in this report on pages 42 to 88:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
2.
Financial Statement Schedules:
 
The following financial statement schedules is included in this report on pages 89 to 91: Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2009
 
3.
Exhibits
 
The following exhibits listed are filed as a part of this report:

INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No.
  Description
     
 
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended and supplemented (filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 7, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws.**
     
4.1
 
Form of Common Share Certificate.*
     
4.2
 
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2005, between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
4.3
 
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2005, among the Company, as depositor, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as property trustee, Chase Bank USA, National Association, as Delaware trustee, the Administrative Trustees named therein and the holders of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
4.4
 
Form of Junior Subordinated Note (included in Exhibit 4.2 hereto).
     
4.5
 
Form of Trust Preferred Security Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.3 hereto).
     
4.6
 
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of May 31, 2005, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).

 
97


Exhibit
No.
  Description
4.7
 
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2005, among the Company, as depositor, Wilmington Trust Company, as property trustee and Delaware trustee, the Administrative Trustees named therein and the holders of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
4.8
 
Form of Junior Subordinated Note (included in Exhibit 4.6 hereto).
     
4.9
 
Form of Trust Preferred Security Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.7 hereto).
     
4.10
 
Form of 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Share certificate (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the Form 8-A filed on August 3, 2005  and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.1
 
Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership.*
     
10.2
 
Option Agreement dated as of June 3, 1998, among Hasu P. Shah, Jay H. Shah, Neil H, Shah, Bharat C. Mehta, K.D. Patel, Rajendra O. Gandhi, Kiran P. Patel, David L. Desfor, Madhusudan I. Patni and Manhar Gandhi, and the Partnership.*†
     
10.3
 
Amendment to Option Agreement dated December 4, 1998.*†
     
10.4
 
Form of Percentage Lease.*
     
10.5
 
Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, dated as of April 21, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.6
 
Second Amendment to Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on February 24, 2004 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.7
 
Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2005, among the Company, the Trust and Merrill Lynch International (previously filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.8
 
Placement Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2005, among the Company, the Trust and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.9
 
Membership Interests Contribution Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, by and among Waterford Hospitality Group, LLC, Mystic Hotel Investors, LLC and Hersha Hospitality Group Limited Partnership (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.10
 
Form of Limited Liability Company Agreement of Mystic Partners, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.11
 
Form of Management Agreement between Lessee and Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2005  and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.12
 
Form of Limited Liability Company Agreement of Leaseco, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.13
 
Third Amendment to Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, by and between Hersha Hospitality Trust and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, dated August 5, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein).

 
98


Exhibit
No.
  Description
10.14
 
Sixth Amendment to Membership Interests Contribution Agreement, dated February 8, 2006, by and among Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, Mystic Hotel Investors, LLC; Waterford Hospitality Group, LLC and First American Title Insurance Company (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.15
 
Second Amendment to Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Mystic Partners, LLC, dated February 8, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.16
 
First Amendment to Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Mystic Partners Leaseco, LLC, dated February 8, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.17
 
Conditional Payment Guaranty, dated February 8, 2006, made by Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership and Mystic Hotel Investors, LLC to and for the benefit or Merrill Lynch Capital (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.18
 
Conditional Payment Guaranty, dated February 8, 2006, made by Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership and Mystic Hotel Investors, LLC to and for the benefit or Merrill Lynch Capital (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.19
 
Supplemental Limited Joinder, dated February 8, 2006, made by Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership and Mystic Hotel Investors LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.20
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of the 18th day of December, 2006, between Bridgeworks Hotelworks Associates, L.P., Charlotte Hotelworks Associates, L.P., Gaithersburg Hotelworks Associates, L.P., Pleasant Hill Lodging Partners, L.P., Pleasanton Hotelworks Associates, L.P., Scottsdale Hotelworks Associates, L.P., and Harrison Hotelworks Associates, L.P., and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 18, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.21
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2007, by and between the Company and Hasu P. Shah (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.22
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2007, by and between the Company and Jay H. Shah (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.23
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2007, by and between the Company and Neil H. Shah (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.24
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2007 by and between the Company and Ashish R. Parikh (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.25
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2007 by and between the Company and Michael R. Gillespie (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).†

 
99


Exhibit
No.
  Description
10.26
 
Contribution Agreement, dated as of January 8, 2008, by and among Shree Associates, Kunj Associates, Shanti III Associates, Trust FBO Sajni Mehta Browne under the Bharat and Devyani Mehta 2005 Trust dated January 13, 2006, Trust FBO Neelay Mehta under the Bharat and Devyani Mehta 2005 Trust dated January 13, 2006, Trust FBO Jay H Shah under the Hasu and Hersha Shah 2004 Trust dated August 18, 2004, Trust FBO Neil H Shah under the Hasu and Hersha Shah 2004 Trust dated August 18, 2004, PLM Associates LLC, David L. Desfor and Ashish R. Parikh and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on form 8-K filed January 10, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.27
 
Hersha Hospitality Trust 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix B to the Company’s  Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 18, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.28
 
Form of Stock Award Agreement under the Hersha Hospitality Trust 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.29
 
Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2008, by and among Shree Associates, Kunj Associates, Devi Associates, Shanti III Associates, Trust FBO Jay H Shah under the Hasu and Hersha Shah 2004 Trust dated August 18, 2004, Trust FBO Neil H Shah under the Hasu and Hersha Shah 2004 Trust dated August 18, 2004, PLM Associates LLC, David L. Desfor and Ashish R. Parikh and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.30
 
Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2008, by and among Akshar Limited Liability Company and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on July 2, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.31
 
Contribution Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2008, by and among Hersha Northeast Associates, LLC, Kirit Patel, K&D Investment Associates, LLC, and Ashwin Shah, as contributors, and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership and Hersha Smithfield Managing Member, LLC, as acquirer (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on August 7, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.32
 
Revolving Credit Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 14, 2008, by and between Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, Hersha Hospitality Trust and TD   Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on October 14, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.33
 
Purchase Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and among Hersha Hospitality Trust, Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership and Real Estate Investment Group L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on August 6, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.34
 
Investor Rights and Option Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and among Hersha Hospitality Trust, Real Estate Investment Group L.P. and IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anónima. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on August 6, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.35
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and among Hersha Hospitality Trust, Real Estate Investment Group L.P. and IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anónima (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on August 6, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.36
 
Trustee Designation Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and among Hersha Hospitality Trust, Real Estate Investment Group L.P. and IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anónima (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on August 6, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).

 
100


Exhibit
No.
  Description
10.37
 
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).†
     
10.38
 
Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2009, by and among Hersha Northeast Associates, LLC and Kirit Patel, as Contributors, and Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, as Acquirer (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
10.39
 
Amendment to Revolving Credit Loan and Security Agreement, dated December 11, 2009, by and among Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership, Hersha Hospitality Trust, TD Bank, N.A, as Agent, and the other lenders (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on December 15, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
 
Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends.**
     
14.1
 
Hersha Hospitality Trust Code of Ethics Adopted May 1, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 5, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein).
     
 
List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.**
     
 
Consent of KPMG LLP.**
     
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
     
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
     
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
     
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
     
     
*
 
Filed as an exhibit to Hersha Hospitality Trust’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, as amended, filed June 5, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein.
**
 
Filed herewith.
 
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
101


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


 
HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
 
 
 
 
March 4, 2010
/s/ Jay H. Shah
 
 
Jay H. Shah
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ Hasu P. Shah
 
Chairman and Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
Hasu P. Shah
       
         
   
Chief Executive Officer and Trustee
   
/s/ Jay H. Shah
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 4, 2010
Jay H. Shah
       
         
   
President and Chief Operating Officer
   
/s/ Neil H. Shah
 
(Chief Operating Officer)
 
March 4, 2010
Neil H. Shah
       
         
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
/s/ Ashish R. Parikh
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
March 4, 2010
Ashish R. Parikh
       
         
   
Chief Accounting Officer
   
/s/ Michael R. Gillespie
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
March 4, 2010
Michael R. Gillespie
       
         
/s/ Donald J. Landry
 
Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
Donald J. Landry
       
         
/s/ Thomas S. Capello
 
Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
Thomas S. Capello
       
         
   
Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
Eduardo S. Elsztain
       
         
/s/ Thomas J. Hutchison III
 
Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
Thomas J. Hutchison III
       
         
/s/ Kiran P. Patel
 
Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
Kiran P. Patel
       
         
/s/ John M. Sabin
 
Trustee
 
March 4, 2010
John M. Sabin
       
 
 
102