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8-K/A - 8-K/A - ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INCd81198e8vkza.htm
EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INCd81198exv23w1.htm
EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INCd81198exv99w2.htm
Exhibit 99.1

 


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Index
         
 
  Page
 
       
Report of Independent Auditors
    1  
 
       
Combined Financial Statements
       
 
       
Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009
    2  
 
       
Combined Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
    3  
 
       
Combined Statements of Owner’s Equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
    4  
 
       
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
    5  
 
       
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    6  

 


 

Report of Independent Auditors
To Management of the Highland Hospitality Hotels:
In our opinion, the accompanying combined balance sheets and the related combined statements of operations, owner’s equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Highland Hospitality Hotels (the “Hotels”) at December 31, 2010 and December 2009, and the combined results of their operations, changes in owner’s equity, and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Hotels’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
         
     
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP      
McLean, VA     
April 5, 2011       

1


 

         
Highland Hospitality Hotels
Combined Balance Sheets
(in thousands of dollars)
                 
    As of December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
ASSETS
               
Investment in hotel properties, net
  $ 1,299,800     $ 1,419,938  
Cash and cash equivalents
    19,748       20,308  
Restricted cash
    100,531       52,159  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $221 and $290, respectively
    11,250       14,806  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    12,905       14,502  
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $14,678 and $11,674, respectively
    750       3,754  
 
           
 
Total assets
  $ 1,444,984     $ 1,525,467  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND OWNER’S EQUITY
               
Long-term debt
  $ 1,265,139     $ 1,269,740  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    46,222       31,941  
 
           
Total liabilities
    1,311,361       1,301,681  
 
           
 
               
OWNER’S EQUITY
    133,623       223,786  
 
               
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,444,984     $ 1,525,467  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

2


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Combined Statement of Operations
(in thousands of dollars)
                         
    Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
REVENUE
                       
Rooms
  $ 271,015     $ 261,368     $ 311,351  
Food and beverage
    98,910       97,588       120,273  
Other
    15,714       16,628       17,029  
 
                 
Total revenue
    385,639       375,584       448,653  
 
                 
 
                       
EXPENSES
                       
Hotel operating expenses:
                       
Rooms
    66,321       62,142       69,502  
Food and beverage
    70,777       68,693       81,696  
Other direct
    7,423       7,371       8,208  
Administrative and general
    34,249       33,917       38,102  
Advertising and sales
    30,332       27,616       31,474  
Repairs and maintenance
    17,871       17,529       18,311  
Utilities
    19,247       19,241       20,814  
Management fees
    11,584       11,485       15,727  
Franchise fees
    6,299       6,224       7,348  
Real estate taxes, insurance and leases
    25,049       26,762       26,887  
Other property-related costs
    1,386       1,283       1,077  
 
                 
Total hotel operating expenses
    290,538       282,263       319,146  
 
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    54,483       70,263       65,083  
Impairment of hotel properties
    77,657       388,103        
Corporate general and administrative
    2,184       422       403  
 
                 
Total operating expenses
    424,862       741,051       384,632  
 
                       
                         
 
                 
Operating (loss) income
    (39,223 )     (365,467 )     64,021  
 
                       
Interest income
    147       94       250  
Interest expense
    36,727       31,262       55,959  
 
                 
 
                       
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (75,803 )     (396,635 )     8,312  
 
                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
    502       (3,205 )     3,183  
 
                 
 
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (76,305 )   $ (393,430 )   $ 5,129  
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Combined Statements of Owner’s Equity
(in thousands of dollars)
         
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 641,810  
Net distribution
    (42,944 )
Net income
    5,129  
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2008
    603,995  
Net contribution
    13,221  
Net loss
    (393,430 )
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2009
    223,786  
Net distribution
    (13,858 )
Net loss
    (76,305 )
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 133,623  
 
     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of dollars)
                         
    Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (76,305 )   $ (393,430 )   $ 5,129  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    54,483       70,263       65,083  
Impairment of hotel properties
    77,657       388,103        
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    3,004       4,700       4,714  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable, net
    3,556       (70 )     2,889  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (209 )     1,629       (429 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    14,281       (5,565 )     (1,883 )
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    76,467       65,630       75,503  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Acquisition of hotel properties, net of cash acquired
                (230 )
Improvements and additions to hotel properties
    (10,196 )     (28,248 )     (53,182 )
Change in restricted cash
    (48,372 )     (44,035 )     9,084  
 
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (58,568 )     (72,283 )     (44,328 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Payment of deferred financing costs
                (86 )
Scheduled principal payments on mortgage debt
    (2,666 )     (2,510 )     (2,363 )
Principal payment on mezzanine debt
    (1,708 )            
Payment of capital lease obligations
    (227 )     (212 )     (203 )
Net (distributions) contributions
    (13,858 )     13,221       (42,944 )
 
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (18,459 )     10,499       (45,596 )
 
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (560 )     3,846       (14,421 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    20,308       16,462       30,883  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 19,748     $ 20,308     $ 16,462  
 
                 
Cash interest paid
    19,309       24,084       54,123  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
1.   Business and Basis of Presentation
 
    The accompanying combined financial statements include the following hotels comprising the Highland Hospitality Hotels (the “Hotels”) and certain associated debt. The Hotels represent a combination of certain entities holding interests in real estate and leasehold interests that are commonly owned and managed. Due to their common ownership and asset management, and consistent with ASC 810-10, Consolidated Financial Statements, these statements present the separate entities which own the hotels, leasehold interests and/or certain debt on a combined basis.
 
    The Hotels are owned by various wholly and partially owned subsidiaries of Blackjack Portfolio I Realty, Inc (“Blackjack Realty”) and Blackjack Portfolio II JV LLC (“Blackjack II” and collectively with Blackjack Realty, “Blackjack”). All of the Hotels are included in these financial statements for each of the three years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
             
    # of Rooms as    
Property   of 12/31/10   Location
 
 
  (unaudited)    
Nashville Renaissance
    673     Nashville, TN
Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Ravinia
    495     Atlanta, GA
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott
    491     Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Downtown
    444     Atlanta, GA
Renaissance Palm Springs
    410     Palm Springs, CA
Hilton Boston Back Bay
    390     Boston, MA
Hyatt Regency Long Island
    358     Hauppauge, NY
Hilton Parsippany
    354     Parsippany, NJ
Hyatt Regency Savannah
    351     Savannah, GA
Courtyard Boston Tremont
    315     Boston, MA
Sugar Land Marriott
    300     Sugar Land, TX
Omaha Marriott
    300     Omaha, NE
Westin Princeton
    294     Princeton, NJ
Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown
    254     Austin, TX
Plaza San Antonio Marriott
    251     San Antonio, TX
Portsmouth Renaissance
    249     Portsmouth, VA
The Melrose
    240     Washington, DC
Hilton Tampa Westshore
    238     Tampa, FL
Courtyard Gaithersburg-Washingtonian
    210     Gaithersburg, MD
Courtyard Denver Airport
    202     Denver, CO
Sheraton Annapolis
    196     Annapolis, MD
Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach
    176     Virginia Beach, VA
The Churchill
    173     Washington, DC
Hilton Garden Inn BWI Airport
    158     Linthicum, MD
Courtyard Savannah Historic District
    156     Savannah, GA
Hampton Inn Parsippany
    152     Parsippany, NJ
The Silversmith
    143     Chicago, IL
Residence Inn Tampa Downtown
    109     Tampa, FL
 
           
 
    8,082      
 
           
    Blackjack Realty, which owns 23 of the 28 hotel properties, has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all of Blackjack Realty’s assets are held by, and all of its operations are conducted through, Blackjack Portfolio I JV LLC (“Blackjack Portfolio I” or the “Operating Partnership”), a majority owned subsidiary of Blackjack

6


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    Realty. For Blackjack Realty to qualify as a REIT, it cannot operate hotels. Therefore, the Operating Partnership leases its hotels to HHC TRS Holding Corporation (the “TRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership. The TRS is treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary and subject to federal and state income taxes. As a REIT, Blackjack Realty generally will not be subject to federal and state income taxes on that portion of its income (loss) that does not relate to the TRS. Blackjack Portfolio II, which owns 5 of the 28 hotel properties, is a limited liability company and generally will not be subject to federal and state income taxes. Although the ownership entities and operating lessees presented are generally disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes, whose results would be otherwise allocated to the TRS, REIT or Blackjack II, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared by allocating taxes to these entities based on the separate return method.
 
    The borrowers for the Hotel’s mortgage debt and mezzanine debt, as such term is defined in the applicable loan documents, included in the combined financial statements, are structured as separate legal entities. The assets and credit of such entities are not available to satisfy the debts and obligations of other affiliated entities, and such entities have separate balance sheets.
 
    As of December 31, 2010, the Hotels were in violation of certain covenants contained in the loan agreements, including maintaining a minimum debt yield, and a maturity default on the Mezzanine indebtedness occurring in August 2010, which were not cured as of December 31, 2010.
 
    On July 23, 2010, Blackjack received a notice of default from PIM Ashford Subsidiary II (“PIM Ashford”), a holder of one of the tranches of the Hotel’s mezzanine indebtedness, relating to the failure to make the full interest payment due on such debt. On August 10, 2010, Blackjack received a Notice of Acceleration from PIM Ashford, relating to the failure to repay the mezzanine debt at maturity on August 9, 2010. In addition, on September 2, 2010, Blackjack received a Notice of Foreclosure from PIM Ashford, with an initial foreclosure date of October 15, 2010. The foreclosure notice was extended several times between September 2, 2010 and December 31, 2010. On March 10, 2011 the Hotels were acquired via a foreclosure by PIM Ashford.
 
    The TRS engages independent hotel management companies to operate the hotels pursuant to long-term management contracts and the majority of the hotel properties operate pursuant to long-term franchise agreements with major brand companies. In connection with the foreclosure by PIM Ashford, PIM Ashford has elected to terminate certain of these management agreements, and replace those third party managers with an affiliate of PIM Ashford.
 
    All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in combination.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
    Basis of Presentation
 
    The accompanying financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the combined accounts of the companies and their subsidiaries. The Hotels are considered entities under common control for financial reporting purposes. The accompany combined financial statements are prepared as a going concern. As discussed in Note 5, certain entities were in default of their Mezzanine indebtedness and had received a Notice of Foreclosure as of December 31, 2010. As discussed in Note 1, as of March 10, 2011 the debt was restructured and all of the entities included in these financial statements were acquired by PIM Ashford.
 
    Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
    The Hotels consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

7


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
 
    Restricted Cash
 
    Restricted cash includes reserves held in escrow for hotel renovations, normal replacements of furniture, fixtures and equipment, real estate taxes, insurance, and executive severance, pursuant to certain requirements in the Hotel’s hotel management, franchise, and loan agreements. Cash held in escrow related to the failure of the debt yield financial covenants is also included as restricted cash.
 
    Investment in Hotel Properties
 
    Investments in hotel properties are recorded at acquisition cost and allocated to land, property, and equipment and identifiable intangible assets in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Replacements and improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Upon the sale or retirement of a fixed asset, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Hotels’ accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statement of operations.
 
    Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 15 to 40 years for buildings and building improvements and three to ten years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the useful lives of the related assets.
 
    The Hotels review their investments in hotel properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the hotel properties may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that may cause a review include, but are not limited to, adverse changes in the demand for lodging at the properties due to declining national or local economic conditions and/or new hotel construction in markets where the Hotels are located. When such conditions exist, management performs an analysis to determine if the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from operations and the proceeds from the ultimate disposition of a hotel property exceed its carrying value. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an adjustment to reduce the carrying amount to the related hotel property’s estimated fair market value is recorded and an impairment loss recognized. The Companies recognized approximately $388 million in impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2009, relating to 16 of the 28 Hotels, and approximately $78 million relating to 8 of the 28 Hotels for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
    Hotel are classified as held for sale in the period in which the decision has been made to dispose of the hotel property, a binding agreement to purchase the property has been signed under which the buyer has committed a significant amount of nonrefundable cash, and no significant financing contingencies exist which could cause the transaction not to be completed in a timely manner. If these criteria are met, depreciation of the hotel property will cease and an impairment loss will be recorded if the fair value of the hotel property, less the costs to sell, is lower than the carrying amount of the hotel property. The Hotels will classify the loss, together with the related results of operations, as discontinued operations in the statement of operations and classify the assets and related liabilities as held for sale in the balance sheet. As of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 there were no discontinued operations.
 
    Deferred Financing Costs
 
    Deferred financing costs are recorded at cost and consist of loan fees and other costs incurred in issuing debt. Amortization of deferred financing costs is computed using a method that approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related debt and is reported in interest expense in the statement of operations.
 
    Income Taxes
 
    Blackjack accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under ASC 740, the companies account for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Valuation allowances are provided if based upon the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

8


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    Revenue Recognition
 
    Revenues from operations of the hotels are recognized when the services are provided. Revenues consist of room sales, food and beverage sales, and other hotel department revenues, such as parking, telephone, and gift shop sales.
 
    Use of Estimates
 
    The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
3.   Intangibles/Pre-paid Ground Lease
 
    Blackjack acquired the 28 Hotels via an acquisition in July 2007. In conjunction with the acquisition, Blackjack assumed a lease agreement for the land underlying the Westin Princeton hotel with an initial term ending April 2056. Rent for the term of the ground lease was paid in full by a previous lessee, and as a result, the Hotel’s recorded a $6.4 million favorable lease asset as part of the allocation of the purchase price. The asset is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the balance sheets and being amortized over the lease term. A $1.8 million impairment charge was recognized on this asset at December 31, 2010. Future amortization of such asset is projected as follows:
 
(in thousands of dollars)
         
Year   Amount  
 
       
2011
  $ 113  
2012
    113  
2013
    113  
Thereafter
    3,715  
 
     
 
  $ 4,054  
 
     
4.   Investment in Hotel Properties
 
    Investment in hotel properties as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following:
 
(in thousands of dollars)
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
 
Land and land improvements
  $ 153,086     $ 155,222  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    1,246,035       1,307,115  
Furniture, fixture and equipment
    115,051       115,084  
Construction-in-progress
    2,686       5,091  
 
           
 
    1,516,857       1,582,512  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (217,057 )     (162,574 )
 
           
 
  $ 1,299,800     $ 1,419,938  
 
           

9


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    For the year ending December 31, 2009 impairment losses were recognized on the following 16 hotels: Boston Tremont Courtyard, Courtyard Denver, Crowne Plaza Ravinia, Hampton Parsippany, Hilton Parsippany, Hilton Tampa Westshore, Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott, Omaha Marriott, Plaza San Antonio Marriott, Renaissance Nashville, Portsmouth Renaissance, Ritz Carlton Atlanta, Sheraton Annapolis, Chicago Silversmith Hotel, Melrose Hotel, and Renaissance Palm Springs. The $388.1 million impairment losses were allocated across land ($38.1 million), building ($318.8 million), and furniture and equipment ($31.2 million).
 
    For the year ending December 31, 2010 impairment losses were recognized on the following 8 hotels: Courtyard Gaithersburg — Washingtonian, Courtyard Savannah Historic District, Hilton Garden Inn BWI Airport, Hyatt Regency Long Island, Hyatt Regency Savannah, Sugar Land Marriott, Residence Inn Tampa Downtown and Westin Princeton. The $77.7 million impairment losses were allocated across land ($3.7 million), building ($62.9 million), furniture and equipment ($9.2 million) and favorable ground lease ($1.8 million).
 
    The impairment charges were caused generally by a decline in current and expected future operating results and profits of the Hotels. In determining the estimated fair values of the Hotels, a number of factors were considered, including, but not limited to, public company trading statistics, multiples paid in comparable hotel transactions, and a projected discounted cash flow analysis. The projected discounted cash flow analysis generally assumed a discount rate of about 10% and exit cap rates in the range of 7.25% to 10.25%
 
5.   Long-Term Debt
 
    As of December 31, 2010, the Hotels were in violation of certain covenants contained in the loan agreements, including maintaining a minimum debt yield, and a maturity default on the Mezzanine indebtedness occurring in August 2010, which was not cured as of December 31, 2010. In addition, the violation of the debt yield covenant, allowed the lenders to redirect cash flow, such that cash flows from the hotel properties in excess of debt service will be retained by the lender in escrow until the earlier of (1) satisfying the debt yield financial covenant for two consecutive quarters or (2) full repayment of the loans.
 
    On July 23, 2010, Blackjack received a notice of default from PIM Ashford, a holder of one of the tranches of the Hotel’s mezzanine indebtedness, relating to the failure to make the full interest payment due on such debt. On August 10, 2010, Blackjack received a Notice of Acceleration from PIM Ashford, relating to the failure to repay the mezzanine debt at maturity on August 9, 2010. In addition, on September 2, 2010, Blackjack received a Notice of Foreclosure from PIM Ashford, with an initial foreclosure date of October 15, 2010. The foreclosure notice was extended several times between September 2, 2010 and December 31, 2010. On March 10, 2011 the Hotels were acquired via a foreclosure by PIM Ashford.

10


 

Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    The following details the Hotels’ allocated long-term debt as of December 31, 2010:
                                     
    Encumbered                       Principal  
    Hotels   Interest Rate   Maturity   Balance  
 
Mortgage loan
  25 hotels   LIBOR + .55%   Variable   August 2011(1)   $ 560,000  
Mortgage loan
  25 hotels   LIBOR + .55%   Variable   August 2011(1)     140,000  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 1.25%   Variable   August 2010(2)     115,797  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 1.25%   Variable   August 2010(2)     28,949  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 1.50%   Variable   August 2010(2)     110,236  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 1.50%   Variable   August 2010(2)     27,559  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 1.80%   Variable   August 2010(2)     94,488  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 1.80%   Variable   August 2010(2)     23,622  
Mezzanine loan
  None   LIBOR + 2.00%   Variable   August 2010(2)     18,425  
Mortgage loan
  1 hotel   5.96%   Fixed   January 2013     65,346  
Mortgage loan
  1 hotel   5.97%   Fixed   February 2013     33,194  
Mortgage loan
  1 hotel   6.11%   Fixed   April 2013     47,233  
Capital leases
  None   6.33% - 7.22%   Fixed   Varying     290  
 
                                 
 
                              $ 1,265,139  
 
                                 
 
(1)   In accordance with the consensual restructuring with the existing senior lenders and PIM Ashford on March 10, 2011, PIM Ashford paid down the debt for $170,000 with a three year maturity for the first mortgage.
(2)   In addition to the restructuring of the first mortgage, certain lenders will provide $419,000 of mezzanine financing to replace the original mezzanine debt eliminated in the consensual foreclosure by PIM Ashford.
    As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the weighted-average interest rate on the Hotel’s long-term debt, before the impact of any potential default interest related to the debt defaults, was 1.73% and 1.71%, respectively (based on 1-month LIBOR of 0.261% and .231%, respectively). Default interest accrues at an additional 3% on the mezzanine indebtedness. Future scheduled principal payments of debt obligations as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
         
Year   Amount  
 
2011
  $ 1,122,136  
2012
    3,066  
2013
    139,937  
 
     
 
  $ 1,265,139  
 
     

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Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
6.   Income Taxes
    The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
                         
    For Year Ending  
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
Current
                       
Federal
  $     $ (3,279 )   $ 2,038  
State
    502       399       1,133  
 
                 
 
    502       (2,880 )     3,171  
 
                 
Deferred
                       
Federal
          (398 )     84  
State
          73       (71 )
 
                 
 
          (325 )     12  
 
                 
Income tax expense / (benefit)
  $ 502     $ (3,205 )   $ 3,183  
 
                 
    As significant uncertainty exists as to the future realization of certain tax assets, the Hotels recorded valuation allowances for certain tax attributes at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Income tax expense is presented net of such allowances.
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
    Ground and Building Operating Leases
    The Hotels lease the Portsmouth Renaissance hotel and adjoining conference center pursuant to two separate lease agreements, each with an initial term ending May 2049, with four ten-year renewal options and one nine-year renewal option. Base rent under the hotel lease is $50,000 per year. Annual percentage rent, if any, is equal to 100% of available net cash flow after payment of all hotel operating expenses, the base rent, real estate taxes, insurance, and a cumulative priority annual return to the Hotels of approximately $2 million, up to $0.2 million, then 50% of any remaining net cash flow until the landlord has been paid percentage (and additional) rent of $10 million in aggregate, and thereafter 10% of net cash flow annually. If the lease is sold or assigned, an additional rent payment equal to 50% of the net sales proceeds in excess of the capital investment in the hotel and unpaid annual return of 15% on the investment will be due. Annual rent under the conference center lease is equal to the lesser of $75,000 per year or the maximum amount of rent allowable under tax regulations so as to preserve the tax-exempt status of the Portsmouth Industrial Development Authority bonds issued in connection with the hotel and conference center.
    The Hotels lease the conference center and parking facility adjoining the Sugar Land Marriott hotel pursuant to a lease agreement with an initial term ending October 2102. The minimum rent is $1 per year, plus an incentive rent payment for the first 25 years of the term of the lease. If during any of those first 25 years, the cumulative IRR on investment in the hotel exceeds 15%, then incentive rent is due in an amount equal to 36% of the net cash flow for the applicable year in excess of the amount of net cash flow that would be necessary to generate a cumulative IRR of 15%.
    The Hotels lease the land underlying the Nashville Renaissance hotel and a portion of the adjoining convention center pursuant to a lease agreement with an initial term ending June 2017, with seven 10-year renewal options. Base rent under the lease is $0.5 million per year. Annual percentage rent is equal to 20% of available net cash flow after payment of all hotel operating expenses, the base rent, real estate taxes, insurance, debt service, property improvement reserve funding, and a priority annual return of 15% of the capital investment in the hotel. If the lease is sold or assigned, an additional payment equal to 20% of the net sales proceeds in excess of the capital investment in the hotel will be due. In addition, if the debt secured by the hotel is refinanced, an additional payment equal to 20% of the net cash proceeds will be due.

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Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    Percentage and incentive rent is accrued when it becomes probable that the specified thresholds will be achieved. No percentage or incentive rent was recognized in the financial statements, as the thresholds were not met.
    The Hotels lease the land underlying the Sheraton Annapolis hotel pursuant to a lease agreement with an initial term ending September 2059. Annual rent due under the lease is approximately $0.3 million and increases each year over the remaining term of the lease by 40% of the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for that year. In addition, the land will be appraised every five years and the annual rent will be increased to an amount equal to the product of the appraised value and 12%. However, annual rent will not be increased by an amount greater than 10% of the annual rent for the preceding year.
    The Hotels lease the land underlying the Renaissance Palm Springs hotel pursuant to a sub-lease agreement with an initial term ending December 2059, with a 25-year renewal option. Annual rent due under the lease is the greater of base rent or percentage rent. Annual base rent for the years 2008 through 2010 is approximately $0.9 million. Base rent increases every five years over the remaining term of the lease by the increase in the CPI over that same five-year period; however, the increase in base rent every five years will not be increased by an amount greater than 30% of the base rent for the preceding five-year period. Annual percentage rent is equal to the sum of 4% of rooms gross receipts, 2% of food and beverage gross receipts, and 10% of tenant rentals.
    Total rent expense, including ground leases and other hotel operating leases, for the year ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are $4,275, $3,881 and $4,134, respectively.
    Management Agreements
    As of December 31, 2010, the hotel properties operated pursuant to long-term agreements with six management companies, including Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc., Marriott International, Inc., Hyatt Corporation, McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc., Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Davidson Hotel Company. Each management company receives a base management fee generally between 2% and 4% of hotel revenues. The management companies are also eligible to receive an incentive management fee if hotel operating income, as defined in the management agreements, exceeds certain performance thresholds. The incentive management fee is generally calculated as a percentage of hotel operating income after the Hotels have received a priority return on their investment in the hotel.
    In connection with the foreclosure by PIM Ashford, PIM Ashford has elected to terminate certain of these management agreements, and replace such third party manager with an affiliate of PIM Ashford.
    Franchise Agreements
    As of December 31, 2010, 16 of the 28 hotels operated pursuant to franchise agreements from national hotel companies. Pursuant to the franchise agreements, the hotels pay a royalty fee generally between 4% and 5% of room revenues, plus additional fees for marketing, central reservation systems, and other franchisor costs that amount to between 3% and 4% of room revenues from the hotels. Nine of the hotel properties, which include the Hyatt Regency Savannah hotel, the Hyatt Regency Long Island hotel, the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott hotel, the Nashville Renaissance hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Downtown hotel, the Courtyard Boston Tremont hotel, the Courtyard Denver Airport hotel, the Courtyard Gaithersburg Washingtonian Center hotel, and the Hilton Boston Back Bay hotel, are managed by Hyatt Corporation, Marriott International, Inc., or Hilton Hotels Corporation. The management agreements for these nine hotel properties allow the hotel properties to operate under the respective brand. The other three hotel properties, The Churchill hotel, The Melrose hotel, and The Silversmith hotel operate as independent hotels.

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Highland Hospitality Hotels
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
    Property Improvement Reserves
    Pursuant to their management, franchise, and loan agreements, the Hotels are required to establish a property improvement reserve for each hotel to cover the cost of replacing furniture, fixtures and equipment at the hotels. Contributions to the property improvement reserve are based on a percentage of gross revenues or receipts at each hotel, generally in the range of 3% to 5% of gross revenues each month over the term of the agreements. Total FF&E reserves as of December 31, 2010 were $22,553.
    Litigation
    From time to time the Hotels may be exposed to litigation arising from the operations of their business. At this time, the Hotels do not believe that resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Hotels financial condition or results of operation.
8.   Subsequent Events
    The Companies have evaluated all subsequent events through April 5, 2011, the date the combined financial statements were available to be issued.
    Subsequent events related to the foreclosure by PIM Ashford are disclosed in Notes 1, 5 and 7.

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