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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - LaSalle Hotel Propertieslho-2015x930x10qxex311.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - LaSalle Hotel Propertieslho-2015x930x10qxex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - LaSalle Hotel Propertieslho-2015x930x10qxex312.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 10-Q 
___________________________________
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015
OR
¨
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 1-14045 
___________________________________
LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
___________________________________
Maryland
 
36-4219376
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
7550 Wisconsin Avenue, 10th Floor
Bethesda, Maryland
 
20814
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(301) 941-1500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 
___________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) 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 (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Check one:
Large accelerated filer
x
  
Accelerated filer
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common and preferred shares as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at October 22, 2015
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.01 par value)
 
112,929,159

7 ½% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares ($0.01 par value)
 
2,750,000

6 ⅜% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares ($0.01 par value)
 
4,400,000




LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
INDEX




PART I.
Financial Information
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Investment in hotel properties, net (Note 3)
$
3,825,815

 
$
3,428,556

Note receivable (Note 3)
80,000

 
0

Property under development
41,157

 
35,613

Cash and cash equivalents
23,323

 
114,131

Restricted cash reserves (Note 5)
26,038

 
21,570

Hotel receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $380 and $300, respectively)
52,550

 
30,338

Deferred financing costs, net
7,622

 
6,564

Deferred tax assets
1,855

 
1,447

Prepaid expenses and other assets
44,010

 
61,730

Total assets
$
4,102,370

 
$
3,699,949

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Borrowings under credit facilities (Note 4)
$
380,000

 
$
0

Term loans (Note 4)
477,500

 
477,500

Bonds payable (Note 4)
42,500

 
42,500

Mortgage loans (Note 4)
512,532

 
501,090

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
201,953

 
161,835

Advance deposits
33,883

 
19,447

Accrued interest
2,809

 
3,729

Distributions payable
53,926

 
45,462

Total liabilities
1,705,103

 
1,251,563

Commitments and contingencies

 

Equity:
 
 
 
Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value (liquidation preference of $178,750), 40,000,000 shares authorized; 7,150,000 shares issued and outstanding (Note 6)
72

 
72

Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 113,115,442 shares issued and 112,929,159 shares outstanding, and 112,828,536 shares issued and 112,824,508 shares outstanding, respectively (Note 6)
1,131

 
1,127

Treasury shares, at cost (Note 6)
(5,753
)
 
(138
)
Additional paid-in capital, net of offering costs of $80,155 and $80,124, respectively
2,681,859

 
2,673,888

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (Note 4)
(4,651
)
 
748

Distributions in excess of retained earnings
(278,633
)
 
(233,988
)
Total shareholders’ equity
2,394,025

 
2,441,709

Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
17

 
17

Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership (Note 6)
3,225

 
6,660

Total noncontrolling interests
3,242

 
6,677

Total equity
2,397,267

 
2,448,386

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,102,370

 
$
3,699,949

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1


LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotel operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Room
$
233,993

 
$
222,006

 
$
647,031

 
$
587,705

Food and beverage
68,688

 
63,399

 
205,083

 
189,921

Other operating department
24,472

 
21,291

 
64,049

 
56,105

Total hotel operating revenues
327,153

 
306,696

 
916,163

 
833,731

Other income
2,557

 
1,306

 
5,736

 
6,240

Total revenues
329,710

 
308,002

 
921,899

 
839,971

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotel operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Room
56,283

 
52,344

 
161,002

 
147,495

Food and beverage
48,268

 
45,986

 
142,455

 
137,830

Other direct
4,960

 
6,772

 
13,807

 
18,500

Other indirect (Note 8)
78,070

 
69,722

 
226,949

 
199,924

Total hotel operating expenses
187,581

 
174,824

 
544,213

 
503,749

Depreciation and amortization
46,208

 
38,821

 
135,002

 
115,887

Real estate taxes, personal property taxes and insurance
17,045

 
13,878

 
49,331

 
43,210

Ground rent (Note 5)
4,491

 
4,279

 
12,164

 
11,019

General and administrative
6,173

 
6,278

 
18,941

 
17,804

Acquisition transaction costs (Note 3)
55

 
0

 
499

 
1,851

Other expenses
9,149

 
573

 
12,753

 
6,830

Total operating expenses
270,702

 
238,653

 
772,903

 
700,350

Operating income
59,008

 
69,349

 
148,996

 
139,621

Interest income
1,294

 
2

 
1,301

 
1,801

Interest expense
(13,250
)
 
(14,499
)
 
(40,790
)
 
(43,043
)
Loss from extinguishment of debt (Note 4)
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2,487
)
Income before income tax benefit (expense)
47,052

 
54,852

 
109,507

 
95,892

Income tax benefit (expense) (Note 9)
490

 
(2,997
)
 
(216
)
 
(1,488
)
Income before gain on sale of properties
47,542

 
51,855

 
109,291

 
94,404

Gain on sale of properties (Note 3)
0

 
49,657

 
0

 
93,205

Net income
47,542

 
101,512

 
109,291

 
187,609

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
0

 
0

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership (Note 6)
(75
)
 
(297
)
 
(229
)
 
(557
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(75
)
 
(297
)
 
(237
)
 
(565
)
Net income attributable to the Company
47,467

 
101,215

 
109,054

 
187,044

Distributions to preferred shareholders
(3,043
)
 
(3,042
)
 
(9,127
)
 
(11,291
)
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares (Note 6)
0

 
(9
)
 
0

 
(951
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
44,424

 
$
98,164

 
$
99,927

 
$
174,802


2



LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - Continued
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)

 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings per Common Share - Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.39

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.88

 
$
1.68

Earnings per Common Share - Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.39

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.88

 
$
1.67

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
112,731,358

 
103,798,853

 
112,702,693

 
103,730,007

Diluted
113,137,284

 
104,133,553

 
113,113,859

 
104,059,030

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
47,542

 
$
101,512

 
$
109,291

 
$
187,609

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate derivative instruments (Note 4)
(4,245
)
 
1,551

 
(8,617
)
 
(4,721
)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income (Note 4)
1,071

 
1,113

 
3,210

 
3,297

 
44,368

 
104,176

 
103,884

 
186,185

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
0

 
0

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership (Note 6)
(71
)
 
(305
)
 
(221
)
 
(553
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(71
)
 
(305
)
 
(229
)
 
(561
)
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company
$
44,297

 
$
103,871

 
$
103,655

 
$
185,624

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3


LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in thousands, except per share/unit data)
(unaudited)
 
Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest
 
Common
Shares of
Beneficial
Interest
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Distributions
in Excess of
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests in
Consolidated
Entities
 
Noncontrolling Interests of Common Units in Operating Partnership
 
Total Noncontrolling Interests
 
Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
95

 
$
1,039

 
$
(14
)
 
$
2,379,246

 
$
4,603

 
$
(281,578
)
 
$
2,103,391

 
$
18

 
$
6,054

 
$
6,072

 
$
2,109,463

Issuance of shares, net of offering costs
0

 
1

 
0

 
560

 
0

 
0

 
561

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
561

Redemption of preferred shares
(23
)
 
0

 
0

 
(57,757
)
 
0

 
(951
)
 
(58,731
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(58,731
)
Repurchase of common shares into treasury
0

 
0

 
(2,936
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2,936
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2,936
)
Deferred compensation, net
0

 
0

 
2,238

 
2,560

 
0

 
0

 
4,798

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
4,798

Adjustments to noncontrolling interests
0

 
0

 
0

 
24

 
0

 
0

 
24

 
0

 
(24
)
 
(24
)
 
0

Distributions on earned shares from share awards with market conditions
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(314
)
 
(314
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(314
)
Distributions on common shares/units ($1.03 per share/unit)
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(107,301
)
 
(107,301
)
 
0

 
(305
)
 
(305
)
 
(107,606
)
Distributions on preferred shares
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(11,291
)
 
(11,291
)
 
(9
)
 
0

 
(9
)
 
(11,300
)
Net income
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
187,044

 
187,044

 
8

 
557

 
565

 
187,609

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(4,708
)
 
0

 
(4,708
)
 
0

 
(13
)
 
(13
)
 
(4,721
)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
3,288

 
0

 
3,288

 
0

 
9

 
9

 
3,297

Balance, September 30, 2014
$
72

 
$
1,040

 
$
(712
)
 
$
2,324,633

 
$
3,183

 
$
(214,391
)
 
$
2,113,825

 
$
17

 
$
6,278

 
$
6,295

 
$
2,120,120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
72

 
$
1,127

 
$
(138
)
 
$
2,673,888

 
$
748

 
$
(233,988
)
 
$
2,441,709

 
$
17

 
$
6,660

 
$
6,677

 
$
2,448,386

Issuance of shares, net of offering costs
0

 
2

 
0

 
660

 
0

 
0

 
662

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
662

Repurchase of common shares into treasury
0

 
0

 
(7,424
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(7,424
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(7,424
)
Unit conversion
0

 
2

 
0

 
3,398

 
0

 
0

 
3,400

 
0

 
(3,400
)
 
(3,400
)
 
0

Deferred compensation, net
0

 
0

 
1,809

 
3,899

 
0

 
0

 
5,708

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
5,708

Adjustments to noncontrolling interests
0

 
0

 
0

 
14

 
0

 
0

 
14

 
0

 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
0

Distributions on earned shares from share awards with market conditions
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(334
)
 
(334
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(334
)
Distributions on common shares/units ($1.28 per share/unit)
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(144,238
)
 
(144,238
)
 
0

 
(242
)
 
(242
)
 
(144,480
)
Distributions on preferred shares
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(9,127
)
 
(9,127
)
 
(8
)
 
0

 
(8
)
 
(9,135
)
Net income
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
109,054

 
109,054

 
8

 
229

 
237

 
109,291

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(8,604
)
 
0

 
(8,604
)
 
0

 
(13
)
 
(13
)
 
(8,617
)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
3,205

 
0

 
3,205

 
0

 
5

 
5

 
3,210

Balance, September 30, 2015
$
72

 
$
1,131


$
(5,753
)

$
2,681,859


$
(4,651
)

$
(278,633
)

$
2,394,025


$
17


$
3,225


$
3,242


$
2,397,267

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4


LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
109,291

 
$
187,609

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
135,002

 
115,887

Amortization of deferred financing costs, mortgage premium and note receivable discount
1,799

 
599

Loss from extinguishment of debt
0

 
2,487

Gain on sale of properties
0

 
(93,205
)
Amortization of deferred compensation
5,708

 
4,798

Deferred income tax benefit
(408
)
 
(64
)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
80

 
89

Other
406

 
404

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash reserves
2,281

 
(80
)
Hotel receivables
(20,921
)
 
(22,893
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(9,650
)
 
622

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
31,091

 
4,419

Advance deposits
12,371

 
5,834

Accrued interest
(920
)
 
(298
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
266,130

 
206,208

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Additions to properties
(83,844
)
 
(57,480
)
Improvements to properties
(8,816
)
 
(4,583
)
Acquisition of properties
(439,157
)
 
(127,002
)
Deposit on acquisition
25,000

 
0

Purchase of office furniture and equipment
(137
)
 
(94
)
Acquisition of note receivable
(80,000
)
 
0

Repayment of note receivable
0

 
72,000

Restricted cash reserves
(6,749
)
 
(2,838
)
Proceeds from sale of properties
0

 
167,838

Property insurance proceeds
1,134

 
1,438

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(592,569
)
 
49,279

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings under credit facilities
789,895

 
468,820

Repayments under credit facilities
(409,895
)
 
(531,426
)
Proceeds from mortgage loan
225,000

 
0

Repayments of mortgage loans
(213,558
)
 
(12,158
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
(2,857
)
 
(5,138
)
Purchase of treasury shares
(7,424
)
 
(2,936
)
Payment of common offering costs
(201
)
 
(20
)
Distributions on earned shares from share awards with market conditions
(334
)
 
(314
)
Redemption of preferred shares
0

 
(58,722
)
Distributions on preferred shares
(9,135
)
 
(12,363
)
Distributions on common shares/units
(135,860
)
 
(97,534
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
235,631

 
(251,791
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(90,808
)
 
3,696

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
114,131

 
13,388

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
23,323

 
$
17,084

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5


LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except share/unit data)
(unaudited)
1.
Organization
LaSalle Hotel Properties (the “Company”), a Maryland real estate investment trust organized on January 15, 1998, primarily buys, owns, redevelops and leases upscale and luxury full-service hotels located in convention, resort and major urban business markets. The Company is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to federal corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that is currently distributed to its shareholders. The income of LaSalle Hotel Lessee, Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, “LHL”), the Company’s wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), is subject to taxation at normal corporate rates.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company owned interests in 47 hotels with over 12,000 guest rooms located in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Each hotel is leased to LHL (see Note 8) under a participating lease that provides for rental payments equal to the greater of (i) a base rent or (ii) a participating rent based on hotel revenues. The LHL leases expire between December 2015 and December 2017. Lease revenue from LHL is eliminated in consolidation. A third-party non-affiliated hotel operator manages each hotel pursuant to a hotel management agreement.
Substantially all of the Company’s assets are held directly or indirectly by, and all of its operations are conducted through, LaSalle Hotel Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. The Company owned, through a combination of direct and indirect interests, 99.9% of the common units of the Operating Partnership at September 30, 2015. The remaining 0.1% is held by limited partners who held 145,223 common units of the Operating Partnership at September 30, 2015. See Note 6 for additional disclosures related to common units of the Operating Partnership.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to interim financial information. As such, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These unaudited consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), consolidated statements of equity and consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015 due to seasonal and other factors. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, LHL and their subsidiaries in which they have a controlling interest, including joint ventures. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities, the amounts of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Substantially all of the Company’s revenues and expenses are generated by the operations of the individual hotels. The Company records revenues and expenses that are estimated by the hotel operators and reviewed by the Company to produce quarterly financial statements because the management contracts do not require the hotel operators to submit actual results within a time frame that permits the Company to use actual results when preparing its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for filing by the deadline prescribed by the SEC. Generally, the Company records actual revenue and expense amounts for the first two months of each quarter and estimated revenue and expense amounts for the last month of each quarter. Each quarter, the Company reviews

6


the estimated revenue and expense amounts provided by the hotel operators for reasonableness based upon historical results for prior periods and internal Company forecasts. The Company records any differences between recorded estimated amounts and actual amounts in the following quarter; historically, these differences have not been material. The Company believes the quarterly revenues and expenses, recorded on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) based on an aggregate estimate, are fairly stated.
Investment in Hotel Properties
Upon acquisition, the Company determines the fair value of the acquired long-lived assets, assumed debt and intangible assets and liabilities. The Company’s investments in hotel properties are carried at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 30 to 40 years for buildings, 15 years for building improvements, the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the related tenant lease for tenant improvements, 7 years for land improvements, 20 years for golf course land improvements, 20 years for swimming pool assets and 3 to 5 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. For investments subject to land and building leases that qualify as capital leases, assets are recorded at the estimated fair value of the right to use the leased property at acquisition and depreciated over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the term of the respective lease. Renovations and/or replacements that improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.
The Company is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives and classification of its properties for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation expense to reflect each year with respect to those properties. These assessments have a direct impact on the Company’s net income. Should the Company change the expected useful life or classification of particular assets, it would result in a change in depreciation expense and annual net income.
Share-Based Compensation
From time to time, the Company awards shares under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”), which has approximately eight years remaining, as compensation to executives, employees and members of the Board of Trustees (see Note 7). The shares issued to executives and employees generally vest over three years. The shares issued to members of the Board of Trustees vest immediately upon issuance. The Company recognizes compensation expense for nonvested shares with service conditions or service and market conditions on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based upon the fair value of the shares on the date of issuance, adjusted for forfeitures. Compensation expense for nonvested shares with service and performance conditions is recognized based on the fair value of the estimated number of shares expected to vest, as revised throughout the vesting period, adjusted for forfeitures. The 2014 Plan replaced the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (“2009 Plan”) in May 2014.
Noncontrolling Interests
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Such noncontrolling interests are reported on the consolidated balance sheets within equity, separately from the Company’s equity. On the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), revenues, expenses and net income or loss from less-than-wholly-owned subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amounts, including both the amounts attributable to the Company and noncontrolling interests. Income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on their weighted average ownership percentage for the applicable period. Consolidated statements of equity include beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.
However, the Company’s noncontrolling interests that are redeemable for cash or other assets at the option of the holder, not solely within the control of the issuer, must be classified outside of permanent equity. 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 evaluates whether the Company controls the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under share settlement of the contract.
As of September 30, 2015, the consolidated results of the Company include the following ownership interests held by owners other than the Company: (i) the common units in the Operating Partnership held by third parties, (ii) the outside preferred ownership interests in a subsidiary and (iii) the outside ownership interest in a joint venture.
Notes Receivable
Notes receivable are carried at cost, net of any premiums or discounts which are recognized as an adjustment of yield over the remaining life of the note using the effective interest method. Any costs related to notes receivable are expensed as incurred.

7


Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis consistent with the terms of the notes receivable. A note is deemed to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest contractually due. The Company considers historical payment patterns, general and industry specific economic factors and operating results in determining the probability of default. Interest previously accrued but not collected becomes part of the Company’s recorded investment in the note receivable for purposes of assessing impairment. The Company applies interest payments received on non-accrual notes receivable first to accrued interest and then as interest income. Notes receivable return to accrual status when contractually current and the collection of future payments is reasonably assured.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate the consolidation of limited partnerships, variable interests and similar entities. This standard will be effective for the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2015-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but believes it will not have a material impact on its financial reporting.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability. This standard will be effective for the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard will only affect the presentation of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
3.
Investment in Hotel Properties
Investment in hotel properties as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consists of the following:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Land
$
730,735

 
$
601,962

Buildings and improvements
3,603,600

 
3,295,233

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
691,523

 
596,879

Investment in hotel properties, gross
5,025,858

 
4,494,074

Accumulated depreciation
(1,200,043
)
 
(1,065,518
)
Investment in hotel properties, net
$
3,825,815

 
$
3,428,556

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, buildings and improvements included capital lease assets of $186,711 and accumulated depreciation included amounts related to capital lease assets of $19,571 and $15,513, respectively. Depreciation of the capital lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for all periods presented.
Depreciation expense was $46,080 and $134,622 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $38,715 and $115,573 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
Acquisitions
In connection with the acquisition of Hotel Vitale on April 2, 2014, the Company incurred acquisition transaction costs of zero and $1,787 that were expensed as incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, which expenses are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
On April 30, 2014, the Company acquired a parcel of land located adjacent to the Company’s Onyx Hotel in Boston, MA. The Company incurred transaction costs of zero and $64 that were expensed as incurred during the three and nine months ended

8


September 30, 2014, respectively, which expenses are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company acquired 100% interests in two full-service hotels, each of which is leased to LHL. The Company recorded the acquisitions at fair value using model-derived valuations, with the estimated fair value recorded to investment in hotel properties and hotel working capital assets and liabilities. In connection with the acquisitions, the Company incurred acquisition transaction costs that were expensed as incurred. The following is a summary of the acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition
Transaction Costs
Hotel Name
 
Acquisition Date
 
Number of
Rooms
 
Location
 
Purchase
Price
 
Manager
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2015
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015
Park Central San Francisco
 
January 23, 2015
 
681
 
San Francisco, CA
 
$
350,000

 
Highgate Hotels
 
$
0

 
$
230

The Marker Waterfront Resort
 
March 16, 2015
 
96
 
Key West, FL
 
96,250

 
Highgate Hotels
 
0

 
214

Total for 2015 Acquisitions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
446,250

 
 
 
0

 
444

Mezzanine Loan (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
55

 
55

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
55

 
$
499

(1) See “Note Receivable” below.
The sources of the funding for the January 23, 2015 acquisition were cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility. The source of funding for the March 16, 2015 acquisition was borrowings under the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility. The Company has not yet finalized its determination of fair value for the 2015 acquisitions. A final determination of required fair value adjustments will be made during 2015. Total revenues and net income from the hotels acquired during 2015 of $23,645 and $3,399 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $60,978 and $7,841 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Dispositions
On June 17, 2014, the Company sold the Hilton Alexandria Old Town for $93,380. This sale did not represent a strategic shift in the Company’s business plan or primary markets, and therefore, does not qualify as discontinued operations. The Company recognized a gain of zero and $43,548 related to the sale of this property, which is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The sale of the property was recorded on the full accrual method.
On September 10, 2014, the Company sold the Hotel Viking for $77,000. This sale did not represent a strategic shift in the Company’s business plan or primary markets, and therefore, does not qualify as discontinued operations. The Company recognized a gain of $49,657 related to the sale of this property, which is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The sale of the property was recorded on the full accrual method. In conjunction with the sale of Hotel Viking, the Company executed a reverse 1031 exchange with Hotel Vitale, which was purchased on April 2, 2014. The reverse 1031 exchange has no effect on the Company’s GAAP financial reporting and does not have a material impact on the Company’s tax positions and expected tax expense.
Note Receivable
On July 20, 2015, the Company provided a junior mezzanine loan (the “Mezzanine Loan”) secured by pledges of equity interests in the entities that own the hotel properties, Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar, in Santa Monica, CA. The Company entered into the Mezzanine Loan for a total purchase price of $80,000 before closing costs. The Mezzanine Loan bears interest at a variable interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 7.75%, which rate was 7.96% as of September 30, 2015. Interest-only payments are to be received monthly with the option of prepayment, pursuant to certain terms and conditions. The Mezzanine Loan matures on August 9, 2017 and has five one-year extension options, subject to conditions. The Mezzanine Loan is subordinate to a $235,000 first mortgage loan and a $90,000 senior mezzanine loan secured by the properties that also mature on August 9, 2017.

9


4.
Long-Term Debt
Debt Summary
Debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Outstanding as of
Debt                                                                                  
 
Interest
Rate
 
Maturity
Date
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Credit facilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior unsecured credit facility
 
Floating (a)
 
January 2018 (a)
 
$
380,000

 
$
0

LHL unsecured credit facility
 
Floating (b)
 
January 2018 (b)
 
0

 
0

Total borrowings under credit facilities
 
 
 
 
 
380,000

 
0

Term loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Term Loan
 
Floating (c)
 
May 2019
 
177,500

 
177,500

Second Term Loan
 
Floating (c)
 
January 2019
 
300,000

 
300,000

Total term loans
 
 
 
 
 
477,500

 
477,500

Massport Bonds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hyatt Boston Harbor (taxable)
 
Floating (d)
 
March 2018
 
5,400

 
5,400

Hyatt Boston Harbor (tax exempt)
 
Floating (d)
 
March 2018
 
37,100

 
37,100

Total bonds payable
 
 
 
 
 
42,500

 
42,500

Mortgage loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Westin Copley Place
 
5.28%
 
September 2015 (e)
 
0

 
210,000

Westin Michigan Avenue
 
5.75%
 
April 2016 (f)
 
131,800

 
133,347

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
 
5.99%
 
July 2016 (f)
 
96,467

 
97,528

The Roger
 
6.31%
 
August 2016 (f)
 
59,265

 
60,215

Westin Copley Place
 
Floating (g)
 
August 2018 (g)
 
225,000

 
0

Total mortgage loans
 
 
 
 
 
512,532

 
501,090

Total debt
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,412,532

 
$
1,021,090


(a) 
Borrowings bear interest at floating rates equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. As of September 30, 2015, the rate, including the applicable margin, for the Company’s outstanding LIBOR borrowings of $200,000 and $180,000 were 1.91% and 1.90%, respectively. There were no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2014. The Company has the option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, to extend the maturity date for two six-month extensions.
(b) 
Borrowings bear interest at floating rates equal to, at LHL’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. There were no borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. LHL has the option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, to extend the maturity date for two six-month extensions.
(c) 
Term loans bear interest at floating rates equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The Company entered into separate interest rate swap agreements for the full seven-year term of the First Term Loan (as defined below) and a five-year term ending in August 2017 for the Second Term Loan (as defined below), resulting in fixed all-in interest rates at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 of 3.62% and 2.38%, respectively, at the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements).
(d) 
The Massport Bonds are secured by letters of credit issued by U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”) that expire in September 2016. The letters of credit have two one-year extension options and are secured by the Hyatt Boston Harbor. The letters of credit cannot be extended beyond the Massport Bonds’ maturity date. The bonds bear interest based on weekly floating rates. The interest rates as of September 30, 2015 were 0.15% and 0.03% for the $5,400 and $37,100 bonds, respectively. The interest rates as of December 31, 2014 were 0.13% and 0.03% for the $5,400 and $37,100 bonds, respectively. The Company incurs an annual letter of credit fee of 1.35%.
(e) 
The Company repaid the mortgage loan on June 1, 2015 through borrowings on its senior unsecured credit facility.
(f) 
The Company intends to repay the mortgage loan upon maturity through either borrowings on its credit facilities, placement of corporate-level debt or proceeds from a property-level mortgage financing.

10


(g) 
The mortgage loan matures on August 14, 2018 with three options to extend the maturity date to January 5, 2021, pursuant to certain terms and conditions. The interest-only mortgage loan bears interest at a variable rate ranging from LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.00%, depending on Westin Copley Place’s net cash flow (as defined in the loan agreement). The interest rate as of September 30, 2015 was LIBOR plus 2.00%, which equaled 2.21%. The mortgage loan allows for prepayments without penalty after one year, subject to certain terms and conditions.
Future scheduled debt principal payments as of September 30, 2015 are as follows:
2015
$
1,238

2016
286,294

2017
0

2018
647,500

2019
477,500

Total debt
$
1,412,532

A summary of the Company’s interest expense and weighted average interest rates for unswapped variable rate debt for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Interest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest incurred
$
12,735

 
$
14,003

 
$
39,479

 
$
41,545

Amortization of deferred financing costs
703

 
545

 
1,799

 
1,626

Capitalized interest
(188
)
 
(49
)
 
(488
)
 
(128
)
Interest expense
$
13,250

 
$
14,499

 
$
40,790

 
$
43,043

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Interest Rates for Unswapped Variable Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior unsecured credit facility
1.89
%
 
1.86
%
 
1.89
%
 
1.86
%
LHL unsecured credit facility
1.90
%
 
1.85
%
 
1.88
%
 
1.86
%
Massport Bonds
0.05
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.06
%
 
0.45
%
Mortgage loan (Westin Copley Place)
2.20
%
 
N/A

 
2.20
%
 
N/A

Credit Facilities
On January 8, 2014, the Company refinanced its $750,000 senior unsecured credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The credit facility matures on January 8, 2018, subject to two six-month extensions that the Company may exercise at its option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, including payment of an extension fee. The credit facility, with a current commitment of $750,000, includes an accordion feature which, subject to certain conditions, entitles the Company to request additional lender commitments, allowing for total commitments up to $1,050,000. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at floating rates equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. Additionally, the Company is required to pay a variable unused commitment fee of 0.25% or 0.30% of the unused portion of the credit facility, depending on the average daily unused portion of the credit facility.
On January 8, 2014, LHL also refinanced its $25,000 unsecured revolving credit facility to be used for working capital and general lessee corporate purposes. The LHL credit facility matures on January 8, 2018, subject to two six-month extensions that LHL may exercise at its option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, including payment of an extension fee. Borrowings under the LHL credit facility bear interest at floating rates equal to, at LHL’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. Additionally, LHL is required to pay a variable unused commitment fee of 0.25% or 0.30% of the unused portion of the credit facility, depending on the average daily unused portion of the LHL credit facility.
The Company’s senior unsecured credit facility and LHL’s unsecured credit facility contain certain financial covenants relating to net worth requirements, debt ratios and fixed charge coverage and other limitations that restrict the Company’s ability to make distributions or other payments to its shareholders upon events of default.

11


Term Loans
On May 16, 2012, the Company entered into a $177,500 unsecured term loan with a seven-year term maturing on May 16, 2019 (the “First Term Loan”). The First Term Loan bears interest at a variable rate, but was hedged to a fixed interest rate through May 16, 2019 based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 3.62% at September 30, 2015, for the full seven-year term (see “Derivative and Hedging Activities” below).
On January 8, 2014, the Company refinanced its $300,000 unsecured term loan (the “Second Term Loan”). The Second Term Loan includes an accordion feature, which subject to certain conditions, entitles the Company to request additional lender commitments, allowing for total commitments up to $500,000. The Second Term Loan has a five-year term maturing on January 8, 2019 and bears interest at variable rates, but was hedged to a fixed interest rate based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 2.38% at September 30, 2015, through August 2, 2017 (see “Derivative and Hedging Activities” below).
The Company’s term loans contain certain financial covenants relating to net worth requirements, debt ratios and fixed charge coverage and other limitations that restrict the Company’s ability to make distributions or other payments to its shareholders upon events of default.
Derivative and Hedging Activities
The Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Unrealized gains and losses on the effective portion of hedging instruments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of a cash flow hedge are recognized as interest expense. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCL”) related to currently outstanding derivatives are recognized as an adjustment to income (loss) as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable rate debt. Effective May 16, 2012, the Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $177,500 for the First Term Loan’s full seven-year term, resulting in a fixed all-in interest rate based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 3.62% at September 30, 2015. Effective August 2, 2012, the Company entered into five interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $300,000 for the Second Term Loan through August 2, 2017, resulting in a fixed all-in interest rate based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 2.38% at September 30, 2015. The Company has designated its pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swap derivatives as cash flow hedges. The interest rate swaps were entered into with the intention of eliminating the variability of the terms loans, but can also limit the exposure to any amendments, supplements, replacements or refinancings of the Company’s debt.
The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, including the location and amount of unrealized (loss) gain on outstanding derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative Instruments
 
Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(4,245
)
 
$
1,551

 
Interest expense
 
$
1,071

 
$
1,113


12


 
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in OCI on Derivative Instruments
 
Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(8,617
)
 
$
(4,721
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
3,210

 
$
3,297

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any hedge ineffectiveness or amounts that were excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness recorded in earnings.
As of September 30, 2015, there was $4,657 in cumulative unrealized loss of which $4,651 was included in AOCL and $6 was attributable to noncontrolling interests. As of December 31, 2014, there was $750 in cumulative unrealized gain of which $748 was included in AOCL and $2 was attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company expects that approximately $4,217 will be reclassified from AOCL and noncontrolling interests and recognized as a reduction to income in the next 12 months, calculated as estimated interest expense using the interest rates on the derivative instruments as of September 30, 2015.
Extinguishment of Debt
As discussed above, on January 8, 2014, the Company refinanced its senior unsecured credit facility and Second Term Loan and LHL refinanced its unsecured revolving credit facility. The refinancing arrangements for the senior unsecured credit facility and Second Term Loan were considered substantial modifications. The Company recognized a loss from extinguishment of debt of $2,487, which is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The loss from extinguishment of debt represents a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs incurred when the original agreements were executed.
Mortgage Loans
The Company’s mortgage loans are secured by the respective properties. The mortgages are non-recourse to the Company except for fraud or misapplication of funds.
On June 1, 2015, the Company repaid without fee or penalty the Westin Copley Place mortgage loan in the amount of $210,000 plus accrued interest through borrowings under its senior unsecured credit facility. The loan was due to mature in September 2015. On July 20, 2015, the Company entered into a new $225,000 mortgage loan secured by the Westin Copley Place. The mortgage loan matures on August 14, 2018 with three options to extend the maturity date to January 5, 2021, pursuant to certain terms and conditions. The interest-only mortgage loan bears interest at a variable rate ranging from LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.00%, depending on Westin Copley Place’s net cash flow (as defined in the loan agreement). The mortgage loan allows for prepayments without penalty after one year, subject to certain terms and conditions.
The mortgage loans contain debt service coverage ratio tests related to the mortgaged properties. If the debt service coverage ratio for a specific property fails to exceed a threshold level specified in the mortgage, cash flows from that hotel will automatically be directed to the lender to (i) satisfy required payments, (ii) fund certain reserves required by the mortgage and (iii) fund additional cash reserves for future required payments, including final payment. Cash flows may be directed to the lender (“cash trap”) until such time as the property again complies with the specified debt service coverage ratio or the mortgage is paid off.
Financial Covenants
Failure of the Company to comply with the financial covenants contained in its credit facilities, term loans and non-recourse secured mortgages could result from, among other things, changes in its results of operations, the incurrence of additional debt or changes in general economic conditions.
If the Company violates the financial covenants contained in any of its credit facilities or term loans described above, the Company may attempt to negotiate waivers of the violations or amend the terms of the applicable credit facilities or term loans with the lenders thereunder; however, the Company can make no assurance that it would be successful in any such negotiations or that, if successful in obtaining waivers or amendments, such amendments or waivers would be on terms attractive to the Company. If a default under the credit facilities or term loans were to occur, the Company would possibly have to refinance the debt through additional debt financing, private or public offerings of debt securities, or additional equity financings. If the Company is unable

13


to refinance its debt on acceptable terms, including at maturity of the credit facilities and term loans, it may be forced to dispose of hotel properties on disadvantageous terms, potentially resulting in losses that reduce cash flow from operating activities. If, at the time of any refinancing, prevailing interest rates or other factors result in higher interest rates upon refinancing, increases in interest expense would lower the Company’s cash flow, and, consequently, cash available for distribution to its shareholders.
A cash trap associated with a mortgage loan may limit the overall liquidity for the Company as cash from the hotel securing such mortgage would not be available for the Company to use. If the Company is unable to meet mortgage payment obligations, including the payment obligation upon maturity of the mortgage borrowing, the mortgage securing the specific property could be foreclosed upon by, or the property could be otherwise transferred to, the mortgagee with a consequent loss of income and asset value to the Company.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company is in compliance with all debt covenants, current on all loan payments and not otherwise in default under the credit facilities, term loans, bonds payable or mortgage loans.
5.
Commitments and Contingencies
Ground, Land and Building, and Air Rights Leases
A summary of the Company’s hotels subject to non-cancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2015 is as follows:
Lease Properties
 
Lease Type
 
Lease Expiration Date
Southernmost Beach Resort Key West (formerly Southernmost Hotel Collection) (Restaurant facility)
 
Ground lease
 
April 2019 (1)
Hyatt Boston Harbor
 
Ground lease
 
March 2026 (2)
The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa
 
Ground lease
 
December 2045
San Diego Paradise Point Resort and Spa
 
Ground lease
 
May 2050
Hotel Vitale
 
Ground lease
 
March 2056 (3)
Viceroy Santa Monica
 
Ground lease
 
September 2065
Westin Copley Place (4)
 
Air rights lease
 
December 2077
The Liberty Hotel
 
Ground lease
 
May 2080
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (5)
 
Ground lease
 
June 2099 (5)
Hotel Solamar
 
Ground lease
 
December 2102
(1) The Company can begin negotiating a renewal one year in advance of the lease expiration date.
(2) The Company has options, subject to certain terms and conditions, to extend the ground lease for 51 years to 2077.
(3) The Company has the option, subject to certain terms and conditions, to extend the ground lease for 14 years to 2070.
(4) No payments are required through maturity.
(5) Requires future ground rent payments of one dollar per year. The Company has options, subject to certain terms and conditions, to extend the ground lease for 50 years to 2149.
The ground leases at Viceroy Santa Monica, The Liberty Hotel and Hotel Vitale are subject to minimum annual rent increases, resulting in noncash straight-line rent expense of $483 and $1,463 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $498 and $1,323 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, which is included in total ground rent expense below.
The Roger, Harbor Court Hotel and Hotel Triton are subject to capital leases of land and building which expire in December 2044, April 2048 and January 2048, respectively. At acquisition, the estimated fair value of the remaining rent payments of $4,892, $18,424 and $27,752, respectively, were recorded as capital lease obligations. These obligations, net of amortization, are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

14


Total ground rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $4,491 and $12,164, respectively. Total ground rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $4,279 and $11,019, respectively. Certain rent payments are based on the hotel’s performance. Actual payments of rent may exceed the minimum required rent due to meeting specified thresholds.
Future minimum rent payments, including capital lease payments, (without reflecting future applicable Consumer Price Index increases) are as follows:
2015
$
3,120

2016
12,682

2017
12,952

2018
13,138

2019
13,114

Thereafter
602,619

 
$
657,625

Reserve Funds for Future Capital Expenditures
Certain of the Company’s agreements with its hotel managers, franchisors and lenders have provisions for the Company to provide funds, generally 4.0% of hotel revenues, sufficient to cover the cost of (a) certain non-routine repairs and maintenance to the hotels and (b) replacements and renewals to the hotels’ capital assets. Certain of the agreements require that the Company reserve this cash in separate accounts. As of September 30, 2015, $20,946 was available in restricted cash reserves for future capital expenditures. The Company has sufficient cash on hand and availability on its credit facilities to cover capital expenditures under agreements that do not require that the Company separately reserve cash.
Restricted Cash Reserves
At September 30, 2015, the Company held $26,038 in restricted cash reserves. Included in such amounts are (i) $20,946 of reserve funds for future capital expenditures, (ii) $2,883 deposited in mortgage escrow accounts pursuant to mortgage obligations to pre-fund a portion of certain operating expenses and debt payments and (iii) $2,209 held by insurance and management companies on the Company’s behalf to be refunded or applied to future liabilities.
Litigation
The nature of hotel operations exposes the Company and its hotels to the risk of claims and litigation in the normal course of their business. The Company is not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to the Company’s knowledge, is any litigation threatened against the Company, 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 the liquidity, results of operations, business or financial condition of the Company.
6.
Equity
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
On January 1, 2015, the Company issued 11,682 common shares of beneficial interest and authorized an additional 4,183 deferred shares to the independent members of its Board of Trustees for their 2014 compensation. These common shares of beneficial interest were issued under the 2014 Plan. Additionally, the Company issued 9,757 common shares of beneficial interest, related to the resignation of a former trustee, for the second of five payouts of his accumulated deferred shares granted as compensation for years 1999 through 2013. These common shares of beneficial interest were issued under the 2009 Plan.
On January 1, 2015, the Company issued 108,779 nonvested shares with service conditions to executives related to the nonvested share awards with market conditions granted on January 26, 2012 (see Note 7 for additional details including vesting information). These common shares of beneficial interest were issued under the 2009 Plan.
On March 19, 2015, the Company issued 62,742 nonvested shares with service conditions to the Company’s executives and employees. The nonvested shares will vest in three annual installments starting January 1, 2016, subject to continued employment. These common shares of beneficial interest were issued under the 2014 Plan.

15


On May 18, 2015, the Company issued 933 nonvested shares with service conditions to an employee of the Company. The nonvested shares will vest in three annual installments starting January 1, 2016, subject to continued employment. These common shares of beneficial interest were issued under the 2014 Plan.
On February 20, 2013, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “2013 Agreement”) with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (the “Manager”). Under the terms of the 2013 Agreement, the Company may issue from time to time through or to the Manager, as sales agent or principal, the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest with aggregate gross proceeds totaling up to $250,000. The offering of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest under the 2013 Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of common shares having an aggregate offering price of $250,000 or (ii) the termination of the 2013 Agreement by the Manager or Company. No shares were sold year-to-date 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had availability under the 2013 Agreement to issue and sell common shares of beneficial interest having an aggregate offering price of up to $230,057. The Company is not currently authorized by its Board of Trustees to issue and sell common shares under the 2013 Agreement. If authorized by its Board of Trustees, the Company may resume using the 2013 Agreement on a future date.
Common Dividends
The Company paid the following dividends on common shares/units during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:
Dividend per
Share/Unit
 (1)
 
For the Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payable Date
$
0.38

 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2014
 
January 15, 2015
$
0.38

 
March 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
April 15, 2015
$
0.45

 
June 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2015
 
July 15, 2015
(1) Amounts are rounded to the nearest whole cent for presentation purposes.
Treasury Shares
Treasury shares are accounted for under the cost method. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company received 55,577 common shares of beneficial interest related to employees surrendering shares to pay minimum withholding taxes at the time nonvested shares vested and forfeiting nonvested shares upon resignation.
The Company’s Board of Trustees previously authorized a share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to acquire up to $100,000 of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest, with repurchased shares recorded at cost in treasury. In August 2015, the Company repurchased 184,742 common shares of beneficial interest under the Repurchase Program for a total of $5,697, including commissions of $6. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had availability under the Repurchase Program to acquire up to $69,807 of common shares of beneficial interest. The Company is currently authorized by its Board of Trustees to repurchase or offer to repurchase any common shares.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company re-issued 58,064 treasury shares related to the grants of nonvested shares.
At September 30, 2015, there were 186,283 common shares of beneficial interest in treasury.
Preferred Shares
On July 3, 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining 2,348,888 7 ¼% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series G Preferred Shares”) for $58,722 ($25.00 per share) plus accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date, July 3, 2014, of $1,100. The redemption value of the Series G Preferred Shares exceeded their carrying value by $951, of which $9 and $951 are included in the determination of net income attributable to common shareholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The $951 represents the offering costs related to the redeemed Series G Preferred Shares.
The following preferred shares of beneficial interest were outstanding as of September 30, 2015:
Security Type                                             
 
Number of
Shares
7 ½% Series H Preferred Shares
 
2,750,000

6 ⅜% Series I Preferred Shares
 
4,400,000

The 7 ½% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series H Preferred Shares”) and the 6 ⅜% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series I Preferred Shares”) (collectively, the “Preferred Shares”) rank senior to

16


the common shares of beneficial interest and on parity with each other with respect to payment of distributions. The Company will not pay any distributions, or set aside any funds for the payment of distributions, on its common shares of beneficial interest unless it has also paid (or set aside for payment) the full cumulative distributions on the Preferred Shares for all past dividend periods and, with respect to the Series H Preferred Shares, for the current dividend period. The outstanding Preferred Shares do not have any maturity date, and are not subject to mandatory redemption. The difference between the carrying value and the redemption amount of the Preferred Shares are the offering costs. In addition, the Company is not required to set aside funds to redeem the Preferred Shares.
The Company may not optionally redeem the Series H Preferred Shares and Series I Preferred Shares prior to January 24, 2016 and March 4, 2018, respectively, except in limited circumstances relating to the Company’s continuing qualification as a REIT or as discussed below. After those dates, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series H Preferred Shares and Series I Preferred Shares, in whole or from time to time in part, by payment of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated, accrued and unpaid distributions to and including the date of redemption. In addition, upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the Company’s charter), the result of which the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest and the common securities of the acquiring or surviving entity are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE MKT LLC or the NASDAQ Stock Market, or any successor exchanges, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Preferred Shares in whole or in part within 120 days after the change of control occurred, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions to and including the date of redemption. If the Company does not exercise its right to redeem the Preferred Shares upon a change of control, the holders of Series H Preferred Shares and Series I Preferred Shares have the right to convert some or all of their shares into a number of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest based on a defined formula subject to a cap of 4,680,500 common shares and 8,835,200 common shares, respectively.
Preferred Dividends
The Company paid the following dividends on preferred shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:
 
 
Dividend per
 
For the
 
 
 
 
Security Type        
 
Share (1)
 
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payable Date
7 ½% Series H
 
$
0.47

 
December 31, 2014
 
January 1, 2015
 
January 15, 2015
6 ⅜% Series I
 
$
0.40

 
December 31, 2014
 
January 1, 2015
 
January 15, 2015
7 ½% Series H
 
$
0.47

 
March 31, 2015
 
April 1, 2015
 
April 15, 2015
6 ⅜% Series I
 
$
0.40

 
March 31, 2015
 
April 1, 2015
 
April 15, 2015
7 ½% Series H
 
$
0.47

 
June 30, 2015
 
July 1, 2015
 
July 15, 2015
6 ⅜% Series I
 
$
0.40

 
June 30, 2015
 
July 1, 2015
 
July 15, 2015
(1) 
Amounts are rounded to the nearest whole cent for presentation purposes.
Noncontrolling Interests of Common Units in Operating Partnership
On May 13, 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 151,077 common shares of beneficial interest in connection with the redemption of 151,077 common units of limited partnership interest held by certain limited partners of the Operating Partnership. These common shares of beneficial interest were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Company relied on the exemption under Section 4(2) based upon factual representations given by the limited partners who received the common shares of beneficial interest.
As of September 30, 2015, the Operating Partnership had 145,223 common units of limited partnership interest outstanding, representing a 0.1% partnership interest held by the limited partners. As of September 30, 2015, approximately $4,123 of cash or the equivalent value in common shares, at the Company’s option, would be paid to the limited partners of the Operating Partnership if the partnership were terminated. The approximate value of $4,123 is based on the Company’s closing common share price of $28.39 on September 30, 2015, which is assumed to be equal to the value provided to the limited partners upon liquidation of the Operating Partnership. Subject to certain limitations, the outstanding common units of limited partnership interest are redeemable for cash, or at the Company’s option, for a like number of common shares of beneficial interest of the Company.

17


The following schedule presents the effects of changes in the Company’s ownership interest in the Operating Partnership on the Company’s equity:
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
99,927

 
$
174,802

Increase in additional paid-in capital from adjustments to noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership
14

 
24

Change from net income attributable to common shareholders and adjustments to noncontrolling interests
$
99,941

 
$
174,826

7.
Equity Incentive Plan
The common shareholders approved the 2014 Plan at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 7, 2014, which permits the Company to issue equity-based awards to executives, employees, non-employee members of the Board of Trustees and any other persons providing services to or for the Company and its subsidiaries. The 2014 Plan provides for a maximum of 2,900,000 common shares of beneficial interest to be issued in the form of share options, share appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted share awards, phantom shares, performance awards, incentive awards, other share-based awards, or any combination of the foregoing. In addition, the maximum number of common shares subject to awards of any combination that may be granted under the 2014 Plan during any fiscal year to any one individual is limited to 500,000 shares. The 2014 Plan terminates on February 17, 2024. The 2014 Plan authorized, among other things: (i) the grant of share options that qualify as incentive options under the Code, (ii) the grant of share options that do not so qualify, (iii) the grant of common shares in lieu of cash for trustees’ fees, (iv) grants of common shares in lieu of cash compensation and (v) the making of loans to acquire common shares in lieu of compensation (to the extent permitted by law and applicable provisions of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002). The exercise price of share options is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees, but may not be less than 100% of the fair value of the common shares on the date of grant. Restricted share awards and options under the 2014 Plan vest over a period determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees, generally a three year period. The duration of each option is also determined by the Compensation Committee, subject to applicable laws and regulations. At September 30, 2015, there were 2,801,294 common shares available for future grant under the 2014 Plan. Upon the approval of the 2014 Plan by the common shareholders on May 7, 2014, the 2014 Plan replaced the 2009 Plan. The Company will no longer make any grants under the 2009 Plan (although awards previously made under the 2009 Plan that are outstanding will remain in effect in accordance with the terms of that plan and the applicable award agreements).
Nonvested Share Awards with Service Conditions
From time to time, the Company awards shares under the 2014 Plan to executives, employees and members of the Board of Trustees. The nonvested shares issued to executives and employees generally vest over three years based on continued employment. The shares issued to the members of the Board of Trustees vest immediately upon issuance. The Company determines the grant date fair value of the nonvested shares based upon the closing stock price of its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant and number of shares per the award agreements. Compensation costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and are included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
A summary of the Company’s nonvested share awards with service conditions as of September 30, 2015 is as follows:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted -
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2015
256,379

 
$
31.00

Granted
63,675

 
38.82

Vested
(78,483
)
 
28.60

Forfeited
(12,736
)
 
27.31

Nonvested at September 30, 2015 (1)
228,835

 
$
33.29

(1) 
Amount excludes 84,401 share awards with market conditions which were earned but nonvested due to a service condition as of September 30, 2015.
As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were $4,732 and $5,113, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested share awards with service conditions. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014,

18


these costs were expected to be recognized over a weighted–average period of 1.5 and 1.9 years, respectively. The total intrinsic value of shares vested (calculated as number of shares multiplied by vesting date share price) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was zero and $3,152, respectively, and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was zero and $5,602, respectively. Compensation costs (net of forfeitures) related to nonvested share awards with service conditions that have been included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income were $818 and $2,505 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $740 and $2,220 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
Nonvested Share Awards with Market or Performance Conditions
On January 26, 2012, the Company’s Board of Trustees granted a target of 79,823 nonvested share awards with market conditions to executives. On January 1, 2015, the executives earned 136.3% of their 79,823 target number of shares, or 108,779 shares. Of the shares earned, 36,261 shares vested immediately on January 1, 2015, and the remaining 72,518 shares will vest in equal amounts on January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017 based on continued employment. The executives received a cash payment of $334 on the earned shares equal to the value of all dividends paid on common shares from January 1, 2012 until the determination date, January 1, 2015. As of January 1, 2015, the executives are entitled to receive dividends as declared and paid on the earned shares and to vote the shares.
On March 19, 2015, the Company’s Board of Trustees granted a target of 61,660 nonvested share awards with either market or performance conditions to executives (the “March 19, 2015 Awards”). The actual amounts of the shares awarded with respect to 30,829 of the 61,660 shares will be determined on January 1, 2018, based on the performance measurement period of January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the agreements. The actual amounts of the shares awarded with respect to the remaining 30,831 of the 61,660 shares will be determined on July 1, 2018, based on the performance measurement period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018, in accordance with the terms of the agreements. The actual amounts of the shares awarded will range from 0% to 200% of the target amounts, depending on the performance analysis stipulated in the agreements, and none of the shares are outstanding until issued in accordance with award agreements based on performance. After the actual amounts of the awards are determined (or earned) at the end of the respective performance measurement period, all of the earned shares will be issued and outstanding on those dates. The executives will receive cash payments on the earned shares equal to the value of all dividends paid on common shares from the grant date through the respective determination date. Such amounts will be paid to the awardees on or about January 1, 2018 and July 1, 2018, respectively. Thereafter, the executives will be entitled to receive dividends as declared and paid on the earned shares and to vote the shares. With respect to 30,829 shares, amortization commenced on March 19, 2015, the beginning of the requisite service period, and, with respect to 30,831 shares, amortization commenced on July 1, 2015, the beginning of the requisite service period.
The terms stipulated in the March 19, 2015 Awards used to determine the total amount of the shares consist of the following three tranches: (1) a comparison of the Company’s total return to the total returns’ of seven companies in a designated peer group of the Company, (2) the Company’s actual total return as compared to a Board-established total return goal and (3) a comparison of the Company’s return on invested capital to the return on invested capital of seven companies in a designated peer group of the Company.
The tranches described in (1) and (2) are nonvested share awards with market conditions. For the March 19, 2015 Awards, the grant date fair value of the awards with market conditions were estimated by the Company using historical data under the Monte Carlo valuation method provided by a third party consultant. The final values were determined during the second quarter of 2015 with an insignificant cumulative adjustment to compensation cost recorded. The third tranche is based on “return on invested capital” discussed below, which is a performance condition. The grant date fair values of the tranches with performance conditions were calculated based on the targeted awards, and the valuation is adjusted on a periodic basis.
The capital market assumptions used in the valuations consisted of the following:
Factors associated with the underlying performance of the Company’s share price and shareholder returns over the term of the awards including total share return volatility and risk-free interest.
Factors associated with the relative performance of the Company’s share price and shareholder returns when compared to those companies which compose the index including beta as a means to breakdown total volatility into market-related and company specific volatilities.
The valuation has been performed in a risk-neutral framework.
Return on invested capital is a performance condition award measurement. The estimated value was calculated based on the initial face value at the date of grant. The valuation will be adjusted on a periodic basis as the estimated number of awards expected to vest is revised.

19


The assumptions used were as follows for each performance measure:
 
Volatility
 
Interest
Rates
 
Dividend
Yield
 
Stock
Beta
 
Fair Value of
Components
of Award
 
Weighting
of Total
Awards
March 19, 2015 Awards (performance period starting January 1, 2015)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Target amounts
24.40
%
 
0.99
%
 
N/A
 
N/A

 
$
29.25

 
33.40
%
Return on invested capital
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A
 
N/A

 
$
38.84

 
33.30
%
Peer companies
24.40
%
 
0.99
%
 
N/A
 
1.011

 
$
40.69

 
33.30
%
March 19, 2015 Awards (performance period starting July 1, 2015)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Target amounts
24.40
%
 
0.99
%
 
N/A
 
N/A

 
$
31.86

 
33.40
%
Return on invested capital
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A
 
N/A

 
$
38.84

 
33.30
%
Peer companies
24.40
%
 
0.99
%
 
N/A
 
1.011

 
$
41.00

 
33.30
%
A summary of the Company’s nonvested share awards with either market or performance conditions as of September 30, 2015 is as follows:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2015
311,625

 
$
33.62

Granted (1)
90,616

 
36.38

Vested
(53,654
)
 
35.99

Forfeited
0

 
0.00

Nonvested at September 30, 2015
348,587

 
$
33.98

(1) 
Amount includes an additional 28,956 shares issued on January 1, 2015 from the January 26, 2012 grant, which were earned in excess of the target amount.
As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were $6,496 and $6,637, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested share awards with market or performance conditions. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, these costs were expected to be recognized over a weighted–average period of 1.8 and 2.0 years, respectively. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were 308,069 and 254,415 share awards with market or performance conditions vested, respectively. Additionally, there were 84,401 and 29,276 nonvested share awards with market or performance conditions earned but nonvested due to a service condition as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Compensation costs (net of forfeitures) related to nonvested share awards with market or performance conditions that have been included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income were $1,154 and $3,205 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $924 and $2,578 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

20


8.
LHL
Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from operating revenues generated by the hotels, all of which are leased by LHL.
Other indirect hotel operating expenses consist of the following expenses incurred by the hotels:
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
General and administrative
$
26,066

 
$
22,270

 
$
75,795

 
$
64,965

Sales and marketing
18,445

 
15,832

 
56,290

 
46,740

Repairs and maintenance
10,090

 
9,417

 
29,564

 
27,939

Management and incentive fees
10,570

 
10,813

 
29,625

 
27,961

Utilities and insurance
9,235

 
8,730

 
26,341

 
24,601

Franchise fees
2,802

 
2,200

 
7,133

 
6,441

Other expenses
862

 
460

 
2,201

 
1,277

Total other indirect expenses
$
78,070

 
$
69,722

 
$
226,949

 
$
199,924

As of September 30, 2015, LHL leased all 47 hotels owned by the Company as follows:

21


 
 
Hotel Properties
 
Location
1.
 
Hotel Amarano Burbank
 
Burbank, CA
2.
 
L’Auberge Del Mar
 
Del Mar, CA
3.
 
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
 
San Diego, CA
4.
 
Hotel Solamar
 
San Diego, CA
5.
 
San Diego Paradise Point Resort and Spa
 
San Diego, CA
6.
 
The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa
 
San Diego, CA
7.
 
Harbor Court Hotel
 
San Francisco, CA
8.
 
The Marker San Francisco (formerly Hotel Monaco San Francisco)
 
San Francisco, CA
9.
 
Hotel Triton
 
San Francisco, CA
10.
 
Hotel Vitale
 
San Francisco, CA
11.
 
Park Central San Francisco
 
San Francisco, CA
12.
 
Serrano Hotel
 
San Francisco, CA
13.
 
Villa Florence
 
San Francisco, CA
14.
 
Chaminade Resort and Conference Center
 
Santa Cruz, CA
15.
 
Viceroy Santa Monica
 
Santa Monica, CA
16.
 
Chamberlain West Hollywood
 
West Hollywood, CA
17.
 
Le Montrose Suite Hotel
 
West Hollywood, CA
18.
 
Le Parc Suite Hotel
 
West Hollywood, CA
19.
 
The Grafton on Sunset
 
West Hollywood, CA
20.
 
The Donovan
 
Washington, D.C.
21.
 
Hotel George
 
Washington, D.C.
22.
 
Hotel Helix
 
Washington, D.C.
23.
 
Hotel Madera
 
Washington, D.C.
24.
 
Hotel Palomar, Washington, DC
 
Washington, D.C.
25.
 
Hotel Rouge
 
Washington, D.C.
26.
 
Sofitel Washington, DC Lafayette Square
 
Washington, D.C.
27.
 
The Liaison Capitol Hill
 
Washington, D.C.
28.
 
Topaz Hotel
 
Washington, D.C.
29.
 
Southernmost Beach Resort Key West
 
Key West, FL
30.
 
The Marker Waterfront Resort
 
Key West, FL
31.
 
Hotel Chicago
 
Chicago, IL
32.
 
Westin Michigan Avenue
 
Chicago, IL
33.
 
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
 
Indianapolis, IN
34.
 
Hyatt Boston Harbor
 
Boston, MA
35.
 
Onyx Hotel
 
Boston, MA
36.
 
The Liberty Hotel
 
Boston, MA
37.
 
Westin Copley Place
 
Boston, MA
38.
 
Gild Hall
 
New York, NY
39.
 
The Roger
 
New York, NY
40.
 
Park Central Hotel New York (shared lease with WestHouse Hotel New York)
 
New York, NY
41.
 
WestHouse Hotel New York
 
New York, NY
42.
 
The Heathman Hotel
 
Portland, OR
43.
 
Embassy Suites Philadelphia - Center City
 
Philadelphia, PA
44.
 
Westin Philadelphia
 
Philadelphia, PA
45.
 
Lansdowne Resort
 
Lansdowne,VA
46.
 
Alexis Hotel
 
Seattle, WA
47.
 
Hotel Deca
 
Seattle, WA

22


9.
Income Taxes
Income tax (benefit) expense was comprised of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
LHL’s income tax (benefit) expense
$
(463
)
 
$
2,824

 
$
(231
)
 
$
746

Operating Partnership’s income tax (benefit) expense
(27
)
 
173

 
447

 
742

Total income tax (benefit) expense
$
(490
)
 
$
2,997

 
$
216

 
$
1,488

The Company has estimated LHL’s income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 by applying an estimated combined federal and state effective tax rate of 38.3% to LHL’s net income of $567. From time to time, the Company may be subject to federal, state or local tax audits in the normal course of business.
10.
Fair Value Measurements
In evaluating fair value, GAAP outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and a reporting entity’s own assumptions about market data (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of inputs used to determine fair value, which are then classified and disclosed in one of the three categories. The three levels are as follows:
Level 1—Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2—Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in level 1, such as interest rates, yield curves, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by limited market activity. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques when observable inputs are not available.
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies the Company believes to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, such estimates are not necessarily indicative of amounts that would be realized upon disposition.
Recurring Measurements
For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosure of their fair value is as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Using Significant Other Observable
 
 
 
 
Inputs (Level 2)
Description
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
Derivative interest rate instruments
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
$
0

 
$
1,520

Derivative interest rate instruments
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
4,657

 
$
770

The fair value of each derivative instrument is based on a discounted cash flow analysis of the expected cash flows under each arrangement. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative instrument, including the period to maturity, and utilizes observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities, which are classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company also incorporates credit value adjustments to appropriately reflect each parties’ nonperformance risk in the fair value measurement, which utilizes level 3 inputs such as estimates of current credit spreads. However, the Company has assessed that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of the derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

23


Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
The following table represents the fair value, derived using level 2 inputs, of financial instruments presented at carrying value in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
Note receivable
$
80,000

 
$
80,000

 
$
0

 
$
0

Borrowings under credit facilities
$
380,000

 
$
381,219

 
$
0

 
$
0

Term loans
$
477,500

 
$
480,763

 
$
477,500

 
$
476,996

Bonds payable
$
42,500

 
$
42,500

 
$
42,500

 
$
42,500

Mortgage loans
$
512,532

 
$
516,312

 
$
501,090

 
$
510,250

The Company estimated the fair value of its borrowings under credit facilities, term loans, bonds payable and mortgage loans using interest rates ranging from 1.5% to 4.4% as of September 30, 2015 and from 1.6% to 4.3% as of December 31, 2014 with a weighted average effective interest rate of 2.2% and 2.9% as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The assumptions reflect the terms currently available on similar borrowings to borrowers with credit profiles similar to the Company’s. At September 30, 2015, the carrying amount of the note receivable was representative of its fair value due to the short-term nature and recent acquisition of this instrument.
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued expenses were representative of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments and the recent acquisition of these items.
11.
Earnings Per Common Share
The limited partners’ outstanding common units in the Operating Partnership (which may be converted to common shares of beneficial interest) have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as there would be no effect on the amounts since the limited partners’ share of income or loss would also be added back to net income or loss. Any anti-dilutive shares have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Accordingly, distributed and undistributed earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares (participating securities) have been excluded, as applicable, from net income or loss attributable to common shareholders used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. Net income or loss figures are presented net of noncontrolling interests in the earnings per share calculations.

24


The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
44,424

 
$
98,164

 
$
99,927

 
$
174,802

Dividends paid on unvested restricted shares
(141
)
 
(101
)
 
(401
)
 
(304
)
Undistributed earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares
0

 
(153
)
 
0

 
(201
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
44,283

 
$
97,910

 
$
99,526

 
$
174,297

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares - basic
112,731,358

 
103,798,853

 
112,702,693

 
103,730,007

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation-related shares
405,926

 
334,700

 
411,166

 
329,023

Weighted average number of common shares - diluted
113,137,284

 
104,133,553

 
113,113,859

 
104,059,030

Earnings per Common Share - Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.39

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.88

 
$
1.68

Earnings per Common Share - Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.39

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.88

 
$
1.67

12.
Supplemental Information to Statements of Cash Flows
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest
$
39,911

 
$
41,715

Interest capitalized
488

 
128

Income taxes paid, net
3,272

 
894

Increase in distributions payable on common shares
8,464

 
9,944

Decrease in distributions payable on preferred shares
0

 
(1,064
)
Redemption of common units for common shares
3,400

 
0

Write-off of fully amortized deferred financing costs
131

 
273

Decrease in accrued capital expenditures
(563
)
 
(2,341
)
Grant of nonvested shares and awards to employees and executives, net
5,188

 
6,921

Issuance of common shares for Board of Trustees compensation
691

 
602

In conjunction with the sale of properties, the Company disposed of
 
 
 
the following assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Investment in properties, net of closing costs
$
0

 
$
167,921

Other assets
0

 
1,397

Liabilities
0

 
(1,480
)
Sale of properties
$
0

 
$
167,838

In conjunction with the acquisition of properties, the Company assumed
 
 
 
the following assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Investment in properties (after credits at closing)
$
(445,734
)
 
$
(129,916
)
Other assets
(1,897
)
 
(1,033
)
Liabilities
8,474

 
3,947

Acquisition of properties
$
(439,157
)
 
$
(127,002
)

25


13.
Subsequent Events
The Company paid the following common and preferred dividends subsequent to September 30, 2015:
 
 
Dividend per
 
For the Quarter
 
Record
 
Payable
Security Type                                
 
Share/Unit (1)
 
Ended
 
Date
 
Date
Common Shares/Units
 
$
0.45

 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
October 15, 2015
7 ½% Series H Preferred Shares
 
$
0.47

 
September 30, 2015
 
October 1, 2015
 
October 15, 2015
6 ⅜% Series I Preferred Shares
 
$
0.40

 
September 30, 2015
 
October 1, 2015
 
October 15, 2015
(1)Amounts are rounded to the nearest whole cent for presentation purposes.
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing in Part I - Item 1 of this report.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by LaSalle Hotel Properties (the “Company”), contains certain 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. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company’s future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “should,” “will” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this report include, among others, statements about the Company’s business strategy, including its acquisition and development strategies, industry trends, estimated revenues and expenses, ability to realize deferred tax assets and expected liquidity needs and sources (including capital expenditures and the ability to obtain financing or raise capital). You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control and which could materially affect actual results, performances or achievements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:
risks associated with the hotel industry, including competition, increases in wages, energy costs and other operating costs, potential unionization, actual or threatened terrorist attacks, any type of flu or disease-related pandemic and downturns in general and local economic conditions;
the availability and terms of financing and capital and the general volatility of securities markets;
the Company’s dependence on third-party managers of its hotels, including its inability to implement strategic business decisions directly;
risks associated with the real estate industry, including environmental contamination and costs of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and similar laws;
interest rate increases;
the possible failure of the Company to maintain its qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the risk of changes in laws affecting REITs;
the possibility of uninsured losses;
risks associated with redevelopment and repositioning projects, including delays and cost overruns;
the risk of a material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of the Company’s or the hotel managers’ information technology networks and systems; and
the risk factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated elsewhere in this report.

Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company’s expectations will be realized. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict those events or how they may affect the Company. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company disclaims any obligations or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or

26


elsewhere) to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on past forward-looking statements, which were based on results and trends at the time they were made, to anticipate future events or trends.
Overview
The Company, a Maryland real estate investment trust organized on January 15, 1998, primarily buys, owns, redevelops and leases upscale and luxury full-service hotels located in convention, resort and major urban business markets. The Company is a self-administered and self-managed REIT as defined in the Code. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to federal corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that is currently distributed to its shareholders. The income of LaSalle Hotel Lessee, Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, “LHL”), the Company’s wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary, is subject to taxation at normal corporate rates.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company owned interests in 47 hotels with over 12,000 guest rooms located in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Each hotel is leased to LHL under a participating lease that provides for rental payments equal to the greater of (i) a base rent or (ii) a participating rent based on hotel revenues. The LHL leases expire between December 2015 and December 2017. A third-party non-affiliated hotel operator manages each hotel pursuant to a hotel management agreement.
Substantially all of the Company’s assets are held directly or indirectly by, and all of its operations are conducted through, LaSalle Hotel Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. The Company owned, through a combination of direct and indirect interests, 99.9% of the common units of the Operating Partnership at September 30, 2015. The remaining 0.1% is held by limited partners who held 145,223 common units of the Operating Partnership at September 30, 2015.
The Company measures hotel performance by evaluating financial metrics such as room revenue per available room (“RevPAR”), funds from operations attributable to common shareholders and unitholders (“FFO”) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). The Company evaluates the hotels in its portfolio and potential acquisitions using these metrics to determine each portfolio hotel’s contribution or acquisition hotel’s potential contribution toward reaching the Company’s goals of providing income to its shareholders through increases in distributable cash flow and increasing long-term total returns to shareholders through appreciation in the value of its common shares. The Company invests in capital improvements throughout the portfolio to continue to increase the competitiveness of its hotels and improve their financial performance. The Company actively seeks to acquire hotel properties, but continues to face significant competition for acquisitions that meet its investment criteria.
Third Quarter Overview
During the third quarter of 2015, the Company’s hotels continued to operate within a favorable environment. The economic indicators that the Company tracks were generally encouraging. During the quarter, consumer confidence remained at a high level, signifying elevated consumer optimism. Unemployment dropped to 5.1%, which is the lowest point since April 2008. Enplanements have been steady to slightly up thus far during 2015. Only one of the economic indicators that the Company tracks, corporate profits, has weakened this year, as reported for the second quarter and thus far for the third quarter. The U.S. lodging industry performed well during the quarter. Industry demand grew 2.5%, against only an 1.2% supply increase. As a result, industry-wide pricing was strong, leading to average daily rate (“ADR”) growth of 4.5%. The Company’s portfolio benefited from the operating environment, and RevPAR increased during the third quarter of 2015, excluding the impact from the hotel workers’ union (the “Union”) disruption at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York, which is discussed below. During the quarter, the Company’s FFO per diluted share/unit decreased year-over-year due to the Union disruption at Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York. This negative impact was partially offset by improvements in the performance of its hotel portfolio and additional EBITDA generated from hotels acquired during 2014 and 2015. The Company’s third quarter EBITDA decreased primarily due to a $49.7 million gain on the sale of Hotel Viking during the third quarter of 2014. The Company’s year-to-date EBITDA also decreased due to a $43.5 million gain on the sale of Hilton Alexandria Old Town during the second quarter of 2014.
For the third quarter of 2015, the Company had net income attributable to common shareholders of $44.4 million, or $0.39 per diluted share. FFO was $90.7 million, or $0.80 per diluted share/unit (based on 113,282,507 weighted average shares and units outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2015) and EBITDA was $106.5 million.
The Company transitioned management companies at three of its hotels in San Francisco in July 2015. As a result of these transitions, in late August, the Union alleged health and safety violations at two of the Company’s hotels in Manhattan: Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York. The Company believes these allegations were a targeted attack against

27


the Company related to the three hotels in San Francisco. Despite the fact that neither hotel has received any New York City or New York State health or safety violations during or since the time the allegations began, both hotels had no choice but to test against all claims.
In order to adequately test for these alleged violations, the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York were forced to close many of their available rooms during the final six weeks of the third quarter and for the first three weeks of the fourth quarter. As a result, during September, both hotels combined ran 14.5% occupancy and their RevPAR declined by 85.1% compared to the prior year.
In order to resolve the dispute at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York, the Company reached an agreement with the Union, and as of October 22, both hotels are back to normal operations. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed that two of its hotels in San Francisco are subject to card check neutrality, which will be effective in phases over the next year and a half. In return, the Company received concessions from the Union at both of these hotels as well as certain hotels in other markets.
The temporary interruption at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York negatively impacted the Company’s portfolio-wide third quarter results, decreasing RevPAR by 320 basis points based on forecasted occupancy and rate levels at the hotels.
Please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a detailed discussion of the Company’s use of FFO and EBITDA and a reconciliation of FFO and EBITDA to net income or loss attributable to common shareholders, a measurement computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
On July 20, 2015, the Company provided a junior mezzanine loan (the “Mezzanine Loan”) secured by pledges of equity interests in the entities that own the hotel properties, Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar, in Santa Monica, CA. The Company entered into the Mezzanine Loan for a total purchase price of $80.0 million before closing costs. The Mezzanine Loan bears interest at a variable interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 7.75%, which rate was 7.96% as of September 30, 2015. Interest-only payments are to be received monthly with the option of prepayment, pursuant to certain terms and conditions. The Mezzanine Loan matures on August 9, 2017 and has five one-year extension options, subject to conditions. The Mezzanine Loan is subordinate to a $235.0 million first mortgage loan and a $90.0 million senior mezzanine loan secured by the properties that also mature on August 9, 2017.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Substantially all of the Company’s revenues and expenses are generated by the operations of the individual hotels. The Company records revenues and expenses that are estimated by the hotel operators and reviewed by the Company to produce quarterly financial statements because the management contracts do not require the hotel operators to submit actual results within a time frame that permits the Company to use actual results when preparing its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for filing by the deadline prescribed by the SEC. Generally, the Company records actual revenue and expense amounts for the first two months of each quarter and estimated revenue and expense amounts for the last month of each quarter. Each quarter, the Company reviews the estimated revenue and expense amounts provided by the hotel operators for reasonableness based upon historical results for prior periods and internal Company forecasts. The Company records any differences between recorded estimated amounts and actual amounts in the following quarter; historically, these differences have not been material. The Company believes the quarterly revenues and expenses, recorded on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) based on an aggregate estimate, are fairly stated.
The Company’s management has discussed the policy of using estimated hotel operating revenues and expenses with the Audit Committee of its Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee has reviewed the Company’s disclosure relating to the estimates in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” section.
See “Critical Accounting Policies” in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for other critical accounting policies and estimates of the Company.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
The economic environment was favorable in the third quarter and the U.S. lodging industry produced strong performance, even though the growth during the quarter was more uneven than it was during recent quarters. Industry demand increased during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, while supply growth was more limited. As a result, industry-wide occupancy increased, enabling operators to increase pricing and grow industry ADR. Within the Company’s hotel portfolio, ADR

28


increased by 0.3%, while occupancy declined by 2.7%, which resulted in a RevPAR decline of 2.4% in the quarter compared to the third quarter of 2014. As adjusted to exclude the negative impact from the temporary interruption at the Park Central Hotel and WestHouse Hotel New York discussed above, the Company estimates that pro forma RevPAR for the portfolio increased by 0.8%. 
Hotel Operating Revenues
Hotel operating revenues, including room, food and beverage and other operating department revenues, increased $20.5 million from $306.7 million in 2014 to $327.2 million in 2015. This increase is due primarily to the hotel operating revenues generated from the 2014 and 2015 hotel acquisitions, which consist of the acquisitions of The Heathman Hotel, Park Central San Francisco and The Marker Waterfront Resort (collectively, the “Fourth Quarter 2014 and First Quarter 2015 Acquisition Properties”). The Fourth Quarter 2014 and First Quarter 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year, contributed $27.3 million to the increase in hotel operating revenues. Additionally, the effects of the moderately improving U.S. economy, which resulted in a 1.1% increase in RevPAR across the portfolio excluding the Hotel Viking, which was disposed of on September 10, 2014, and the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York, attributable to a 2.0% increase in ADR, partially offset by a 0.8% decrease in occupancy, contributed to the increase in hotel operating revenues.
The following hotels experienced significant increases in total room, food and beverage and other operating department revenues primarily as a result of the effects of the moderately improving economy:
$2.0 million increase from Westin Copley Place;
$1.3 million increase from Hyatt Boston Harbor;
$1.0 million increase from L’Auberge Del Mar;
$0.9 million increase from Hotel Chicago; and
$0.9 million increase from The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa.
These increases are partially offset by a $5.4 million decrease related to the sale of the Hotel Viking. Additionally, total room, food and beverage and other operating department revenues significantly decreased by $8.0 million at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York due to the disruptive Union activity at the hotels. Hotel operating revenue from Lansdowne Resort decreased by $1.0 million due to lower group business and slightly lower occupancy for the period.
Hotel operating revenues across the remainder of the portfolio remained relatively constant, increasing a net $1.5 million across 36 additional hotels in the portfolio.
Other Income
Other income increased $1.3 million from $1.3 million in 2014 to $2.6 million in 2015 primarily due to increased insurance gains from insurance proceeds related to minor property damage at various properties.
Hotel Operating Expenses
Hotel operating expenses increased $12.8 million from $174.8 million in 2014 to $187.6 million in 2015. This overall increase is primarily due to $15.6 million from the results of the Fourth Quarter 2014 and First Quarter 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year.
The overall increase is partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease related to the sale of the Hotel Viking. Additionally, total room, food and beverage and other direct and other indirect expenses decreased by $1.1 million at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York reflecting the decreased revenue due to the disruptive Union activity at the hotels.
Hotel operating expenses across the remainder of the portfolio remained relatively constant, increasing a net $0.8 million across the 42 additional hotels in the portfolio. Cost saving initiatives throughout the portfolio resulted in decreased operating expenses at selected properties, which offset any expense increases incurred in the period.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $7.4 million from $38.8 million in 2014 to $46.2 million in 2015. Of the increase, $3.4 million is attributable to the Fourth Quarter 2014 and First Quarter 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year. Depreciation and amortization expense increased a net $4.2 million across the remaining hotels in the portfolio due to the depreciation of new assets placed into service reflecting the Company’s recent renovation activity. These increases are partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease related to the sale of the Hotel Viking, which is not comparable year-over-year.

29


Real Estate Taxes, Personal Property Taxes and Insurance
Real estate taxes, personal property taxes and insurance expenses increased $3.1 million from $13.9 million in 2014 to $17.0 million in 2015. This increase is primarily due to $1.5 million from the Fourth Quarter 2014 and First Quarter 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year. The increase is partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in real estate taxes, personal property taxes and insurance expense attributable to the sale of the Hotel Viking, which is also not comparable year-over-year. Real estate taxes and personal property taxes increased by $1.9 million across the remaining hotels in the portfolio due primarily to increased property values or tax rates at certain properties, primarily the two Chicago properties, which were slightly offset by successful real estate tax appeals. Insurance expense decreased by $0.1 million reflecting slightly lower premiums throughout the portfolio.
Ground Rent
Ground rent increased $0.2 million from $4.3 million in 2014 to $4.5 million in 2015. Certain hotels are subject to ground rent under operating leases which call for either fixed or variable payments based on the hotel’s performance. The hotels subject to ground leases increased a net $0.2 million due to improved operating results at these properties.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expense decreased $0.1 million from $6.3 million in 2014 to $6.2 million in 2015 due primarily to decreased professional fees.
Acquisition Transaction Costs
Acquisition transaction costs of an immaterial amount in 2015 relate to the placing of the Mezzanine Loan.
Other Expenses
Other expenses increased $8.5 million from $0.6 million in 2014 to $9.1 million in 2015 due primarily to an increase of $4.6 million in one-time expenses associated with the alleged health and safety claims by the Union at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York. These expenses include guest relocation expenses, clean up, legal and payroll. A $2.7 million increase in management transition expenses, severance and pre-opening costs in 2015 was incurred primarily at four of the Company’s San Francisco properties. In addition, losses from property damage, which are largely covered by insurance proceeds, increased $0.7 million, and retail lease expense and miscellaneous expense increased a combined $0.5 million.
Interest Income
Interest income increased $1.3 million from an immaterial amount in 2014 to $1.3 million in 2015 as a result of the interest income earned on the Mezzanine Loan, which was acquired in July 2015.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $1.2 million from $14.5 million in 2014 to $13.3 million in 2015 due to a decrease in the Company’s weighted average interest rate, partly offset by an increase in the weighted average debt outstanding. The Company’s weighted average debt outstanding increased from $1.32 billion in 2014 to $1.47 billion in 2015 due primarily to borrowings for the following:
additional borrowings to purchase the Fourth Quarter 2014 and First Quarter 2015 Acquisition Properties;
additional borrowings to redeem the 7 ¼% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series G Preferred Shares”) in July 2014; and
additional borrowings to finance other capital improvements during 2014 and 2015.
The above borrowings were partially offset by paydowns with proceeds from the following:
the sale of Hotel Viking in September 2014;
the December 2014 common share offering; and
positive operating results from the hotel properties.
The Company’s weighted average interest rate, including the effect of capitalized interest, decreased from 4.1% in 2014 to 3.3% in 2015. This decrease is due in part to the repayment of the Westin Copley Place 5.28% fixed rate mortgage loan in June 2015 and replacing it with a variable rate mortgage loan on Westin Copley Place in July 2015, which had a rate of 2.21% as of September 30, 2015. Interest capitalized on renovations increased from an immaterial amount in 2014 to $0.2 million in 2015 primarily due to renovations at various hotels.

30


Income Tax Benefit
Income tax changed by $3.5 million from an income tax expense of $3.0 million in 2014 to an income tax benefit of $0.5 million in 2015. This change is the result of a decrease in LHL’s net income before income tax expense of $8.9 million from $9.0 million in 2014 to $0.1 million in 2015. The 2015 income tax expense was offset by the impact of the finalization and related adjustments of the 2014 federal and state tax returns during the 2015 period. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, LHL’s income tax expense was calculated using an estimated combined federal and state effective tax rate of 38.3%.
Gain on Sale of Property
The gain on sale of property of $49.7 million relates to the sale of Hotel Viking on September 10, 2014.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities represent the allocation of income or loss to the outside preferred ownership interests in a subsidiary and the outside ownership interest in a joint venture.
Noncontrolling Interests of Common Units in Operating Partnership
Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership represents the allocation of income or loss of the Operating Partnership to the common units held by third parties based on their weighted average percentage ownership throughout the period. At September 30, 2015, third party limited partners held 0.1% of the common units in the Operating Partnership.
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders
Distributions to preferred shareholders remain the same at $3.0 million in 2014 and 2015.

Issuance Costs of Redeemed Preferred Shares
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares of an immaterial amount in 2014 represent the offering costs related to the remaining Series G Preferred Shares, which were all redeemed on July 3, 2014. The excess of fair value over carrying value (i.e. offering costs) is included in the determination of net income attributable to common shareholders.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Industry travel was stronger during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period of the prior year. Demand improvements and limited supply growth led to occupancy gains. The occupancy gains have encouraged operators to increase pricing and resulted in ADR growth during the same period. With respect to the Company’s hotels, ADR grew 2.8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, while occupancy decreased 0.8%, which resulted in RevPAR improvement of 2.0% year-over-year. As adjusted to exclude the negative impact from the temporary interruption at the Park Central Hotel and WestHouse Hotel New York discussed above, the Company estimates that pro forma RevPAR for the portfolio increased by 3.2%. 
Hotel Operating Revenues
Hotel operating revenues, including room, food and beverage and other operating department revenues, increased $82.5 million from $833.7 million in 2014 to $916.2 million in 2015. This increase is due primarily to the hotel operating revenues generated from the 2014 and 2015 hotel acquisitions, which consist of the acquisitions of Hotel Vitale, The Heathman Hotel, Park Central San Francisco and The Marker Waterfront Resort (collectively, the “2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties”). The 2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year, contributed $79.6 million to the increase in hotel operating revenues. Additionally, the effects of the moderately improving U.S. economy, which resulted in a 3.6% increase in RevPAR across the portfolio, excluding the Hilton Alexandria Old Town and Hotel Viking (collectively, the “2014 Disposition Properties”) and the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York, attributable to a 4.1% increase in ADR, partially offset by a 0.5% decrease in occupancy, contributed to the increase in hotel operating revenues.
The following hotels experienced significant increases in total room, food and beverage and other operating department revenues primarily as a result of the effects of the moderately improving economy:
$4.9 million increase from Westin Copley Place;
$3.1 million increase from Hotel Chicago;
$2.8 million increase from L’Auberge Del Mar;
$2.6 million increase from Southernmost Beach Resort Key West;
$2.3 million increase from Hyatt Boston Harbor;

31


$2.2 million increase from The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa; and
$1.6 million increase from San Diego Paradise Point Resort and Spa.
These increases are partially offset by a $19.0 million decrease related to the sale of the 2014 Disposition Properties. Additionally, total room, food and beverage and other operating department revenues significantly decreased by $7.2 million at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York due to the disruptive Union activity at the hotels. Hotel operating revenue from Westin Philadelphia decreased by $1.9 million due to the completion of the hotel renovation reflecting the significant number of rooms that were out of service during the renovation period.
Hotel operating revenues across the remainder of the portfolio remained relatively constant, increasing a net $11.5 million across 33 additional hotels in the portfolio.
Other Income
Other income decreased $0.5 million from $6.2 million in 2014 to $5.7 million in 2015 primarily due to lower non-operating miscellaneous income, partially offset by increased insurance gains from insurance proceeds related to minor property damage at various properties.
Hotel Operating Expenses
Hotel operating expenses increased $40.5 million from $503.7 million in 2014 to $544.2 million in 2015. This overall increase is primarily due to $48.9 million from the results of the 2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year.
The overall increase is partially offset by a $11.4 million decrease related to the sale of the 2014 Disposition Properties. Additionally, total room, food and beverage and other direct and other indirect expenses decreased by $2.5 million at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York reflecting the decreased revenue due to the disruptive Union activity at the hotels.
Hotel operating expenses across the remainder of the portfolio remained relatively constant, increasing a net $5.5 million across the 41 additional hotels in the portfolio. Cost savings initiatives throughout the portfolio resulted in decreased operating expenses at selected properties which partially offset overall increases in hotel operating expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $19.1 million from $115.9 million in 2014 to $135.0 million in 2015. Of the increase, $9.9 million is attributable to the 2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year. Depreciation and amortization expense increased a net $11.8 million across the remaining hotels in the portfolio due to the depreciation of new assets placed into service reflecting the Company’s recent renovation activity. These increases are partially offset by $2.6 million from the 2014 Disposition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year.
Real Estate Taxes, Personal Property Taxes and Insurance
Real estate taxes, personal property taxes and insurance expenses increased $6.1 million from $43.2 million in 2014 to $49.3 million in 2015. This increase is primarily due to $4.7 million from the 2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties, which are not comparable year-over-year. The increase is partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in real estate taxes, personal property taxes and insurance expense attributable to the sale of the 2014 Disposition properties, which are also not comparable year-over-year. Real estate taxes and personal property taxes increased by $2.8 million across the remaining hotels in the portfolio due primarily to increased property values or tax rates at certain properties, primarily the two Chicago properties, which were slightly offset by successful real estate tax appeals. Insurance expense decreased by $0.4 million reflecting slightly lower premiums throughout the portfolio.
Ground Rent
Ground rent increased $1.2 million from $11.0 million in 2014 to $12.2 million in 2015. Certain hotels are subject to ground rent under operating leases which call for either fixed or variable payments based on the hotel’s performance. Hotel Vitale, which is not comparable year-over-year, contributed $0.7 million to the 2015 increase. The other hotels subject to ground leases contributed a net $0.5 million to the increase due to improved operating results.

32


General and Administrative
General and administrative expense increased $1.1 million from $17.8 million in 2014 to $18.9 million in 2015 due primarily to increased compensation costs, partially due to additional staffing as a result of portfolio growth.
Acquisition Transaction Costs
Acquisition transaction costs of $1.9 million in 2014 and $0.5 million in 2015 relate to the purchase of the 2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties and the placing of the Mezzanine Loan.
Other Expenses
Other expenses increased $6.0 million from $6.8 million in 2014 to $12.8 million in 2015 due primarily to an increase of $4.6 million in one-time expenses associated with the alleged health and safety claims by the Union at the Park Central Hotel New York and WestHouse Hotel New York. These expenses include guest relocation expenses, clean up, legal and payroll. A net $1.0 million increase in management transition expenses, severance and pre-opening costs in 2015 was incurred at a number of properties across the portfolio. In addition, losses from property damage, retail lease expenses and other miscellaneous expenses increased by a net $0.4 million.
Interest Income
Interest income decreased $0.5 million from $1.8 million in 2014 to $1.3 million in 2015 as a result of the February 10, 2014 repayment of the $72.0 million mezzanine loan which was acquired in July 2012, partially offset by the placing of the new $80.0 million Mezzanine Loan, which was acquired in July 2015.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $2.2 million from $43.0 million in 2014 to $40.8 million in 2015 due to a decrease in the Company’s weighted average interest rate, partly offset by an increase in the weighted average debt outstanding. The Company’s weighted average debt outstanding increased from $1.34 billion in 2014 to $1.40 billion in 2015 due primarily to borrowings for the following:
additional borrowings to purchase the 2014 and 2015 Acquisition Properties;
additional borrowings to redeem the Series G Preferred Shares in July 2014; and
additional borrowings to finance other capital improvements during 2014 and 2015.
The above borrowings were partially offset by paydowns with proceeds from the following:
the repayment of the mezzanine loan in February 2014;
the sale of Hilton Alexandria Old Town in June 2014;
the sale of Hotel Viking in September 2014;
the December 2014 common share offering; and
positive operating results from the hotel properties.
The Company’s weighted average interest rate, including the effect of capitalized interest, decreased from 4.0% in 2014 to 3.6% in 2015. This decrease is due in part to the repayment of the Westin Copley Place 5.28% fixed rate mortgage loan in June 2015 and replacing it with a variable rate mortgage loan on Westin Copley Place in July 2015, which had a rate of 2.21% as of September 30, 2015. Interest capitalized on renovations increased from $0.1 million in 2014 to $0.5 million in 2015 primarily due to renovations at various hotels.
Loss from Extinguishment of Debt
Loss from extinguishment of debt of $2.5 million in 2014 relates to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs for the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility and Second Term Loan (as defined below). These costs were recorded in connection with the original agreements that were in effect prior to the Company refinancing its senior unsecured credit facility and Second Term Loan on January 8, 2014. There was no loss from extinguishment of debt in the 2015 period.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased $1.3 million from $1.5 million in 2014 to $0.2 million in 2015. This decrease is primarily the result of a decrease in LHL’s net income before income tax expense of $1.7 million from $2.3 million in 2014 to $0.6 million in 2015 and the impact of the finalization and related adjustments of the 2014 federal and state tax returns during the 2015 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, LHL’s income tax expense was calculated using an estimated combined federal and state effective tax rate of 38.3%.

33


Gain on Sale of Properties
The gain on sale of properties of $93.2 million relates to the sale of Hilton Alexandria Old Town on June 17, 2014 for $43.5 million and the sale of Hotel Viking on September 10, 2014 for $49.7 million.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities represent the allocation of income or loss to the outside preferred ownership interests in a subsidiary and the outside ownership interest in a joint venture.
Noncontrolling Interests of Common Units in Operating Partnership
Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership represents the allocation of income or loss of the Operating Partnership to the common units held by third parties based on their weighted average percentage ownership throughout the period. At September 30, 2015, third party limited partners held 0.1% of the common units in the Operating Partnership.
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders
Distributions to preferred shareholders decreased $2.2 million from $11.3 million in 2014 to $9.1 million in 2015 due to decreased distributions on the remaining Series G Preferred Shares, which were all redeemed on July 3, 2014.
Issuance Costs of Redeemed Preferred Shares
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares of $1.0 million in 2014 represent the offering costs related to the remaining Series G Preferred Shares, which were all redeemed on July 3, 2014. The excess of fair value paid over carrying value (i.e. offering costs) is included in the determination of net income attributable to common shareholders.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
FFO and EBITDA
The Company considers the non-GAAP measures of FFO and EBITDA to be key supplemental measures of the Company’s performance and should be considered along with, but not as alternatives to, net income or loss as a measure of the Company’s operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, most real estate industry investors consider FFO and EBITDA to be helpful in evaluating a real estate company’s operations.
The White Paper on FFO approved by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in April 2002, as revised in 2011, defines FFO as net income or loss (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains or losses from sales of properties and items classified by GAAP as extraordinary, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization and impairment writedowns, and after comparable adjustments for the Company’s portion of these items related to unconsolidated entities and joint ventures. The Company computes FFO consistent with standards established by NAREIT, which may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than the Company.
With respect to FFO, the Company believes that excluding the effect of extraordinary items, real estate-related depreciation and amortization and impairments, and the portion of these items related to unconsolidated entities, all of which are based on historical cost accounting and which may be of limited significance in evaluating current performance, can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between REITs, even though FFO does not represent an amount that accrues directly to common shareholders. However, FFO may not be helpful when comparing the Company to non-REITs.
With respect to EBITDA, the Company believes that excluding the effect of non-operating expenses and non-cash charges, and the portion of these items related to unconsolidated entities, all of which are also based on historical cost accounting and may be of limited significance in evaluating current performance, can help eliminate the accounting effects of depreciation and amortization, and financing decisions and facilitate comparisons of core operating profitability between periods and between REITs, even though EBITDA also does not represent an amount that accrues directly to common shareholders.
FFO and EBITDA do not represent cash generated from operating activities as determined by GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, cash flows from operations or any other operating performance measure prescribed by GAAP. FFO and EBITDA are not measures of the Company’s liquidity, nor are FFO and EBITDA indicative of funds available to fund the Company’s cash needs, including its ability to make cash distributions. These measurements do not reflect cash expenditures for long-term assets and other items that have been and will be incurred. FFO and EBITDA may include funds that may not be available for management’s discretionary use due to functional requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures,

34


property acquisitions and other commitments and uncertainties. To compensate for this, management considers the impact of these excluded items to the extent they are material to operating decisions or the evaluation of the Company’s operating performance.
The following is a reconciliation between net income attributable to common shareholders and FFO attributable to common shareholders and unitholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except share and unit data):
 
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
44,424

 
$
98,164

 
$
99,927

 
$
174,802

Depreciation
 
46,080

 
38,715

 
134,622

 
115,573

Amortization of deferred lease costs
 
72

 
86

 
219

 
261

Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
 
0

 
0

 
8

 
8

Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership
 
75

 
297

 
229

 
557

Less: Net gain on sale of properties
 
0

 
(49,657
)
 
0

 
(93,205
)
FFO attributable to common shareholders and unitholders (1)
 
$
90,651

 
$
87,605

 
$
235,005

 
$
197,996

Weighted average number of common shares and units outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
112,876,581

 
104,095,153

 
112,920,964

 
104,026,307

Diluted
 
113,282,507

 
104,429,853

 
113,332,130

 
104,355,330

(1) 
FFO attributable to common shareholders and unitholders includes the loss from extinguishment of debt of $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
The following is a reconciliation between net income attributable to common shareholders and EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income attributable to common shareholders
 
$
44,424

 
$
98,164

 
$
99,927

 
$
174,802

Interest expense
 
13,250

 
14,499

 
40,790

 
43,043

Loss from extinguishment of debt
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
2,487

Income tax (benefit) expense
 
(490
)
 
2,997

 
216

 
1,488

Depreciation and amortization
 
46,208

 
38,821

 
135,002

 
115,887

Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
 
0

 
0

 
8

 
8

Noncontrolling interests of common units in Operating Partnership
 
75

 
297

 
229

 
557

Distributions to preferred shareholders
 
3,043

 
3,042

 
9,127

 
11,291

EBITDA (1)
 
$
106,510

 
$
157,820

 
$
285,299

 
$
349,563

(1) 
EBITDA includes the gain on sale of Hotel Viking of $49.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the gain on sale of Hilton Alexandria Old Town of $43.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Reserve Funds for Future Capital Expenditures
Certain of the Company’s agreements with its hotel managers, franchisors and lenders have provisions for the Company to provide funds, generally 4.0% of hotel revenues, sufficient to cover the cost of (a) certain non-routine repairs and maintenance to the hotels and (b) replacements and renewals to the hotels’ capital assets. Certain of the agreements require that the Company

35


reserve this cash in separate accounts. As of September 30, 2015, the Company held a total of $26.0 million of restricted cash reserves, $20.9 million of which was available for future capital expenditures. The Company has sufficient cash on hand and availability on its credit facilities to cover capital expenditures under agreements that do not require that the Company separately reserve cash.
The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s principal source of cash to meet its cash requirements, including distributions to shareholders, is the operating cash flow from the Company’s hotels. Additional sources of cash are the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility, LHL’s unsecured credit facility, additional unsecured financing, secured financing on one or all of the Company’s 42 unencumbered properties (subject to certain terms and conditions of the credit agreement) as of September 30, 2015, the sale of one or more properties, equity issuances available under the Company’s shelf registration statement, issuances of common units in the Operating Partnership and the issuance of up to $230.1 million of common shares from time to time under the 2013 Agreement (as defined under “Equity Issuances and Redemptions” below).
LHL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership. Payments to the Operating Partnership are required pursuant to the terms of the lease agreements between LHL and the Operating Partnership relating to the properties owned by the Operating Partnership and leased by LHL. LHL’s ability to make rent payments to the Operating Partnership and the Company’s liquidity, including its ability to make distributions to shareholders, are dependent on the lessees’ ability to generate sufficient cash flow from the operation of the hotels.
Debt Summary
Debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Outstanding as of
Debt                                                                                  
 
Interest
Rate
 
Maturity
Date
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Credit facilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior unsecured credit facility
 
Floating (a)
 
January 2018 (a)
 
$
380,000

 
$
0

LHL unsecured credit facility
 
Floating (b)
 
January 2018 (b)
 
0

 
0

Total borrowings under credit facilities
 
 
 
 
 
380,000

 
0

Term loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Term Loan
 
Floating (c)
 
May 2019
 
177,500

 
177,500

Second Term Loan
 
Floating (c)
 
January 2019
 
300,000

 
300,000

Total term loans
 
 
 
 
 
477,500

 
477,500

Massport Bonds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hyatt Boston Harbor (taxable)
 
Floating (d)
 
March 2018
 
5,400

 
5,400

Hyatt Boston Harbor (tax exempt)
 
Floating (d)
 
March 2018
 
37,100

 
37,100

Total bonds payable
 
 
 
 
 
42,500

 
42,500

Mortgage loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Westin Copley Place
 
5.28%
 
September 2015 (e)
 
0

 
210,000

Westin Michigan Avenue
 
5.75%
 
April 2016 (f)
 
131,800

 
133,347

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
 
5.99%
 
July 2016 (f)
 
96,467

 
97,528

The Roger
 
6.31%
 
August 2016 (f)
 
59,265

 
60,215

Westin Copley Place
 
Floating (g)
 
August 2018 (g)
 
225,000

 
0

Total mortgage loans
 
 
 
 
 
512,532

 
501,090

Total debt
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,412,532

 
$
1,021,090


(a) 
Borrowings bear interest at floating rates equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. As of September 30, 2015, the rate, including the applicable margin, for the Company’s outstanding LIBOR borrowings of $200,000 and $180,000 were 1.91% and 1.90%, respectively. There were no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2014. The Company has the option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, to extend the maturity date for two six-month extensions.

36


(b) 
Borrowings bear interest at floating rates equal to, at LHL’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. There were no borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. LHL has the option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, to extend the maturity date for two six-month extensions.
(c) 
Term loans bear interest at floating rates equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The Company entered into separate interest rate swap agreements for the full seven-year term of the First Term Loan (as defined below) and a five-year term ending in August 2017 for the Second Term Loan (as defined below), resulting in fixed all-in interest rates at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 of 3.62% and 2.38%, respectively, at the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements).
(d) 
The Massport Bonds are secured by letters of credit issued by U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”) that expire in September 2016. The letters of credit have two one-year extension options and are secured by the Hyatt Boston Harbor. The letters of credit cannot be extended beyond the Massport Bonds’ maturity date. The bonds bear interest based on weekly floating rates. The interest rates as of September 30, 2015 were 0.15% and 0.03% for the $5,400 and $37,100 bonds, respectively. The interest rates as of December 31, 2014 were 0.13% and 0.03% for the $5,400 and $37,100 bonds, respectively. The Company incurs an annual letter of credit fee of 1.35%.
(e) 
The Company repaid the mortgage loan on June 1, 2015 through borrowings on its senior unsecured credit facility.
(f) 
The Company intends to repay the mortgage loan upon maturity through either borrowings on its credit facilities, placement of corporate-level debt or proceeds from a property-level mortgage financing.
(g) 
The mortgage loan matures on August 14, 2018 with three options to extend the maturity date to January 5, 2021, pursuant to certain terms and conditions. The interest-only mortgage loan bears interest at a variable rate ranging from LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.00%, depending on Westin Copley Place’s net cash flow (as defined in the loan agreement). The interest rate as of September 30, 2015 was LIBOR plus 2.00%, which equaled 2.21%. The mortgage loan allows for prepayments without penalty after one year, subject to certain terms and conditions.
A summary of the Company’s interest expense and weighted average interest rates for unswapped variable rate debt for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Interest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest incurred
$
12,735

 
$
14,003

 
$
39,479

 
$
41,545

Amortization of deferred financing costs
703

 
545

 
1,799

 
1,626

Capitalized interest
(188
)
 
(49
)
 
(488
)
 
(128
)
Interest expense
$
13,250

 
$
14,499

 
$
40,790

 
$
43,043

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Interest Rates for Unswapped Variable Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior unsecured credit facility
1.89
%
 
1.86
%
 
1.89
%
 
1.86
%
LHL unsecured credit facility
1.90
%
 
1.85
%
 
1.88
%
 
1.86
%
Massport Bonds
0.05
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.06
%
 
0.45
%
Mortgage loan (Westin Copley Place)
2.20
%
 
N/A

 
2.20
%
 
N/A

Credit Facilities
On January 8, 2014, the Company refinanced its $750.0 million senior unsecured credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The credit facility matures on January 8, 2018, subject to two six-month extensions that the Company may exercise at its option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, including payment of an extension fee. The credit facility, with a current commitment of $750.0 million, includes an accordion feature which, subject to certain conditions, entitles the Company to request additional lender commitments, allowing for total commitments up to $1.05 billion. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at floating rates equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. Additionally, the Company is required to pay a variable unused commitment fee of 0.25% or 0.30% of the unused portion of the credit facility, depending on the average daily unused portion of the credit facility.
On January 8, 2014, LHL also refinanced its $25.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility to be used for working capital and general lessee corporate purposes. The LHL credit facility matures on January 8, 2018, subject to two six-month extensions that LHL may exercise at its option, pursuant to certain terms and conditions, including payment of an extension fee. Borrowings

37


under the LHL credit facility bear interest at floating rates equal to, at LHL’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) an Adjusted Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin. Additionally, LHL is required to pay a variable unused commitment fee of 0.25% or 0.30% of the unused portion of the credit facility, depending on the average daily unused portion of the LHL credit facility.
The Company’s senior unsecured credit facility and LHL’s unsecured credit facility contain certain financial covenants relating to net worth requirements, debt ratios and fixed charge coverage and other limitations that restrict the Company’s ability to make distributions or other payments to its shareholders upon events of default.
Term Loans
On May 16, 2012, the Company entered into a $177.5 million unsecured term loan with a seven-year term maturing on May 16, 2019 (the “First Term Loan”). The First Term Loan bears interest at a variable rate, but was hedged to a fixed interest rate through May 16, 2019 based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 3.62% at September 30, 2015, for the full seven-year term (see “Derivative and Hedging Activities” below).
On January 8, 2014, the Company refinanced its $300.0 million unsecured term loan (the “Second Term Loan”). The Second Term Loan includes an accordion feature, which subject to certain conditions, entitles the Company to request additional lender commitments, allowing for total commitments up to $500.0 million. The Second Term Loan has a five-year term maturing on January 8, 2019 and bears interest at variable rates, but was hedged to a fixed interest rate based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 2.38% at September 30, 2015, through August 2, 2017 (see “Derivative and Hedging Activities” below).
The Company’s term loans contain certain financial covenants relating to net worth requirements, debt ratios and fixed charge coverage and other limitations that restrict the Company’s ability to make distributions or other payments to its shareholders upon events of default.
Derivative and Hedging Activities
The Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Unrealized gains and losses on the effective portion of hedging instruments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of a cash flow hedge are recognized as interest expense. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCL”) related to currently outstanding derivatives are recognized as an adjustment to income (loss) as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable rate debt. Effective May 16, 2012, the Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $177.5 million for the First Term Loan’s full seven-year term, resulting in a fixed all-in interest rate based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 3.62% at September 30, 2015. Effective August 2, 2012, the Company entered into five interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $300.0 million for the Second Term Loan through August 2, 2017, resulting in a fixed all-in interest rate based on the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the swap agreements), which interest rate was 2.38% at September 30, 2015. The Company has designated its pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swap derivatives as cash flow hedges. The interest rate swaps were entered into with the intention of eliminating the variability of the terms loans, but can also limit the exposure to any amendments, supplements, replacements or refinancings of the Company’s debt.
The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, including the location and amount of unrealized (loss) gain on outstanding derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative Instruments
 
Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(4,245
)
 
$
1,551

 
Interest expense
 
$
1,071

 
$
1,113


38


 
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in OCI on Derivative Instruments
 
Location of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Net Income
 
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 (Effective Portion)
 
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(8,617
)
 
$
(4,721
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
3,210

 
$
3,297

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any hedge ineffectiveness or amounts that were excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness recorded in earnings.
As of September 30, 2015, there was $4.7 million in cumulative unrealized loss, of which $4.7 million was included in AOCL and an immaterial amount was attributable to noncontrolling interests. As of December 31, 2014, there was $0.8 million in cumulative unrealized gain, of which $0.8 million was included in AOCL and an immaterial amount was attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company expects that approximately $4.2 million will be reclassified from AOCL and noncontrolling interests and recognized as a reduction to income in the next 12 months, calculated as estimated interest expense using the interest rates on the derivative instruments as of September 30, 2015.
Extinguishment of Debt
As discussed above, on January 8, 2014, the Company refinanced its senior unsecured credit facility and Second Term Loan and LHL refinanced its unsecured revolving credit facility. The refinancing arrangements for the senior unsecured credit facility and Second Term Loan were considered substantial modifications. The Company recognized a loss from extinguishment of debt of $2.5 million, which is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The loss from extinguishment of debt represents a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs incurred when the original agreements were executed.
Mortgage Loans
The Company’s mortgage loans are secured by the respective properties. The mortgages are non-recourse to the Company except for fraud or misapplication of funds.
On June 1, 2015, the Company repaid without fee or penalty the Westin Copley Place mortgage loan in the amount of $210.0 million plus accrued interest through borrowings under its senior unsecured credit facility. The loan was due to mature in September 2015. On July 20, 2015, the Company entered into a new $225.0 million mortgage loan secured by the Westin Copley Place. The mortgage loan matures on August 14, 2018 with three options to extend the maturity date to January 5, 2021, pursuant to certain terms and conditions. The interest-only mortgage loan bears interest at a variable rate ranging from LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.00%, depending on Westin Copley Place’s net cash flow (as defined in the loan agreement). The mortgage loan allows for prepayments without penalty after one year, subject to certain terms and conditions.
The mortgage loans contain debt service coverage ratio tests related to the mortgaged properties. If the debt service coverage ratio for a specific property fails to exceed a threshold level specified in the mortgage, cash flows from that hotel will automatically be directed to the lender to (i) satisfy required payments, (ii) fund certain reserves required by the mortgage and (iii) fund additional cash reserves for future required payments, including final payment. Cash flows will be directed to the lender (“cash trap”) until such time as the property again complies with the specified debt service coverage ratio or the mortgage is paid off.
Financial Covenants
Failure of the Company to comply with the financial covenants contained in its credit facilities, term loans and non-recourse secured mortgages could result from, among other things, changes in its results of operations, the incurrence of additional debt or changes in general economic conditions.
If the Company violates the financial covenants contained in any of its credit facilities or term loans described above, the Company may attempt to negotiate waivers of the violations or amend the terms of the applicable credit facilities or term loans with the lenders thereunder; however, the Company can make no assurance that it would be successful in any such negotiations or that, if successful in obtaining waivers or amendments, such amendments or waivers would be on terms attractive to the Company. If a default under the credit facilities or term loans were to occur, the Company would possibly have to refinance the debt through

39


additional debt financing, private or public offerings of debt securities, or additional equity financings. If the Company is unable to refinance its debt on acceptable terms, including at maturity of the credit facilities and term loans, it may be forced to dispose of hotel properties on disadvantageous terms, potentially resulting in losses that reduce cash flow from operating activities. If, at the time of any refinancing, prevailing interest rates or other factors result in higher interest rates upon refinancing, increases in interest expense would lower the Company’s cash flow, and, consequently, cash available for distribution to its shareholders.
A cash trap associated with a mortgage loan may limit the overall liquidity for the Company as cash from the hotel securing such mortgage would not be available for the Company to use. If the Company is unable to meet mortgage payment obligations, including the payment obligation upon maturity of the mortgage borrowing, the mortgage securing the specific property could be foreclosed upon by, or the property could be otherwise transferred to, the mortgagee with a consequent loss of income and asset value to the Company.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company is in compliance with all debt covenants, current on all loan payments and not otherwise in default under the credit facilities, term loans, bonds payable or mortgage loans.
Fair Value Measurements
In evaluating fair value, GAAP outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and a reporting entity’s own assumptions about market data (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of inputs used to determine fair value, which are then classified and disclosed in one of the three categories. The three levels are as follows:
Level 1—Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2—Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in level 1, such as interest rates, yield curves, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by limited market activity. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques when observable inputs are not available.
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies the Company believes to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, such estimates are not necessarily indicative of amounts that would be realized upon disposition.
Recurring Measurements
For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosure of their fair value is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Using Significant Other Observable
 
 
 
 
Inputs (Level 2)
Description
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
Derivative interest rate instruments
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
$
0

 
$
1,520

Derivative interest rate instruments
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
4,657

 
$
770

The fair value of each derivative instrument is based on a discounted cash flow analysis of the expected cash flows under each arrangement. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative instrument, including the period to maturity, and utilizes observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities, which are classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company also incorporates credit value adjustments to appropriately reflect each parties’ nonperformance risk in the fair value measurement, which utilizes level 3 inputs such as estimates of current credit spreads. However, the Company has assessed that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of the derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

40


Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
The following table represents the fair value, derived using level 2 inputs, of financial instruments presented at carrying value in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
Note receivable
$
80,000

 
$
80,000

 
$
0

 
$
0

Borrowings under credit facilities
$
380,000

 
$
381,219

 
$
0

 
$
0

Term loans
$
477,500

 
$
480,763

 
$
477,500

 
$
476,996

Bonds payable
$
42,500

 
$
42,500

 
$
42,500

 
$
42,500

Mortgage loans
$
512,532

 
$
516,312

 
$
501,090

 
$
510,250

The Company estimated the fair value of its borrowings under credit facilities, term loans, bonds payable and mortgage loans using interest rates ranging from 1.5% to 4.4% as of September 30, 2015 and from 1.6% to 4.3% as of December 31, 2014 with a weighted average effective interest rate of 2.2% and 2.9% as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The assumptions reflect the terms currently available on similar borrowings to borrowers with credit profiles similar to the Company’s. At September 30, 2015, the carrying amount of the note receivable was representative of its fair value due to the short-term nature and recent acquisition of this instrument.
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued expenses were representative of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments and the recent acquisition of these items.
Equity Issuances, Repurchases and Redemptions
On February 20, 2013, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “2013 Agreement”) with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (the “Manager”). Under the terms of the 2013 Agreement, the Company may issue from time to time through or to the Manager, as sales agent or principal, the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest with aggregate gross proceeds totaling up to $250.0 million. The offering of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest under the 2013 Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of common shares having an aggregate offering price of $250.0 million or (ii) the termination of the 2013 Agreement by the Manager or Company. No shares were sold year-to-date 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had availability under the 2013 Agreement to issue and sell common shares of beneficial interest having an aggregate offering price of up to $230.1 million. The Company is not currently authorized by its Board of Trustees to issue and sell common shares under the 2013 Agreement. If authorized by its Board of Trustees, the Company may resume using the 2013 Agreement on a future date.
The Company’s Board of Trustees previously authorized a share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to acquire up to $100.0 million of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest, with repurchased shares recorded at cost in treasury. In August 2015, the Company repurchased 184,742 common shares of beneficial interest under the Repurchase Program for $5.7 million, including commissions of an immaterial amount. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had availability under the Repurchase Program to acquire up to $69.8 million of common shares of beneficial interest.
Sources and Uses of Cash
As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $23.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and $26.0 million of restricted cash reserves, $20.9 million of which was available for future capital expenditures. Additionally, the Company had $367.5 million available under the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility, with $2.5 million reserved for outstanding letters of credit, and $25.0 million available under LHL’s unsecured credit facility.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $266.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily due to the operations of the hotels, which were partially offset by payments for real estate taxes, personal property taxes, insurance and ground rent.
Net cash used in investing activities was $592.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily due to the purchases of the Park Central San Francisco and The Marker Waterfront Resort, the providing of the Mezzanine Loan and outflows for improvements and additions at the hotels.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $235.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily due to net proceeds from the credit facilities, proceeds from the $225.0 million new mortgage loan secured by Westin Copley Place

41


in July 2015, partially offset by mortgage loan repayments including the $210.0 million early repayment of the Westin Copley Place mortgage loan in June 2015, payment of deferred financing costs, forfeiture of common shares into treasury, payment for the repurchase of common shares of beneficial interest under the Repurchase Program, payment of distributions to the common shareholders and unitholders and payment of distributions to preferred shareholders.
The Company has considered its short-term (one year or less) liquidity needs and the adequacy of its estimated cash flow from operations and other expected liquidity sources to meet these needs. The Company believes that its principal short-term liquidity needs are to fund normal recurring expenses, debt service requirements, distributions on the preferred shares and the minimum distribution required to maintain the Company’s REIT qualification under the Code. The Company anticipates that these needs will be met with available cash on hand, cash flows provided by operating activities, borrowings under the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility or LHL’s unsecured credit facility, additional unsecured financing, secured financing on any of the Company’s 42 unencumbered properties (subject to certain terms and conditions of the credit agreement), potential property sales, equity issuances available under the Company’s shelf registration statement, issuances of common units in the Operating Partnership and the issuance of up to $230.1 million of common shares from time to time under the 2013 Agreement. The Company also considers capital improvements, and property acquisitions as short-term needs that will be funded either with cash flows provided by operating activities, utilizing availability under the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility or LHL’s unsecured credit facility, additional unsecured financing, secured financing on any of the Company’s 42 unencumbered properties (subject to certain terms and conditions of the credit agreement), potential property sales or the issuance of additional equity securities.
The Company expects to meet long-term (greater than one year) liquidity requirements such as property acquisitions, scheduled debt maturities, major renovations, expansions and other nonrecurring capital improvements utilizing availability under the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility or LHL’s unsecured credit facility, additional unsecured financing, secured financing on any of the Company’s 42 unencumbered properties (subject to certain terms and conditions of the credit agreement), potential property sales, estimated cash flows from operations, equity issuances available under the Company’s shelf registration statement, issuances of common units in the Operating Partnership and the issuance of up to $230.1 million of common shares from time to time under the 2013 Agreement. The Company expects to acquire or develop additional hotel properties only as suitable opportunities arise, and the Company will not undertake acquisition or development of properties unless stringent acquisition or development criteria have been achieved.
Reserve Funds
The Company is obligated to maintain reserve funds for capital expenditures at the hotels (including the periodic replacement or refurbishment of furniture, fixtures and equipment) as determined pursuant to the operating agreements. Please refer to “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” for a discussion of the Company’s reserve funds.
Contractual Obligations
The following is a summary of the Company’s obligations and commitments as of September 30, 2015 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Total
Amounts
Committed
 
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
Obligations and Commitments
 
 
Less than
1 year
 
1 to 3 years
 
4 to 5 years
 
Over 5 years
Mortgage loans
 
$
512,532

 
$
287,532

 
$
225,000

 
$
0

 
$
0

Mortgage loans interest (1)
 
27,655

 
17,820

 
9,835

 
0

 
0

Borrowings under credit facilities (2)
 
380,000

 
0

 
380,000

 
0

 
0

Credit facilities interest (2)
 
16,692

 
7,361

 
9,331

 
0

 
0

Rents (3)
 
657,625

 
12,628

 
25,975

 
26,532

 
592,490

Massport Bonds (2)
 
42,500

 
0

 
42,500

 
0

 
0

Massport Bonds interest (2)
 
46

 
19

 
27

 
0

 
0

Term loans (4)
 
477,500

 
0

 
0

 
477,500

 
0

Term loans interest (4)
 
44,790

 
13,792

 
25,459

 
5,539

 
0

Purchase commitments (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase orders and letters of commitment
 
44,931

 
44,931

 
0

 
0

 
0

Total obligations and commitments
 
$
2,204,271

 
$
384,083

 
$
718,127

 
$
509,571

 
$
592,490

(1) 
Interest expense is calculated based on the variable rate as of September 30, 2015 for Westin Copley Place.

42


(2) 
Interest expense is calculated based on the variable rate as of September 30, 2015. It is assumed that the outstanding debt as of September 30, 2015 will be repaid upon maturity with interest-only payments until then.
(3) 
Amounts calculated based on the annual minimum future lease payments that extend through the term of the lease. Rents may be subject to adjustments based on future interest rates and hotel performance.
(4) 
The term loans bear interest at floating rates equal to LIBOR plus applicable margins. The Company entered into separate interest rate swap agreements for the full seven-year term of the First Term Loan and the five-year term ending August 2, 2017 for the Second Term Loan, resulting in fixed all-in interest rates of 3.62% and 2.38%, respectively, at the Company’s current leverage ratio (as defined in the agreements). It is assumed that the outstanding debt as of September 30, 2015 will be repaid upon maturity with fixed interest-only payments through the swapped periods and interest calculated based on the variable rate as of September 30, 2015 for the unswapped period of the Second Term Loan.
(5) 
As of September 30, 2015, purchase orders and letters of commitment totaling approximately $44.9 million had been issued for renovations at the properties. The Company has committed to these projects and anticipates making similar arrangements in the future with the existing properties or any future properties that it may acquire.
The Hotels
The following table sets forth historical comparative information with respect to occupancy, ADR and RevPAR for the total hotel portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
Occupancy
 
85.8
%
 
88.1
%
 
-2.7
%
 
82.4
%
 
83.0
%
 
-0.8
%
ADR
 
$
245.71

 
$
245.08

 
0.3
%
 
$
239.54

 
$
232.94

 
2.8
%
RevPAR
 
$
210.74

 
$
216.00

 
-2.4
%
 
$
197.26

 
$
193.45

 
2.0
%
The above hotel statistics include adjustments made for presentation of comparable information.
Inflation
The Company relies entirely on the performance of the hotels and their ability to increase revenues to keep pace with inflation. The hotel operators can change room rates quickly, but competitive pressures may limit the hotel operators’ abilities to raise rates faster than inflation or even at the same rate.
The Company’s expenses (primarily real estate taxes, property and casualty insurance, administrative expenses and hotel operating expenses) are subject to inflation. These expenses are expected to grow at the general rate of inflation, except for energy costs, liability insurance, property taxes (due to increased rates and periodic reassessments), employee benefits and some wages, which are expected to increase at rates higher than inflation.
Seasonality
The Company’s hotels’ operations historically have been seasonal. Taken together, the hotels maintain higher occupancy rates during the second and third quarters of each year. These seasonality patterns can be expected to cause fluctuations in the quarterly hotel operations.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. The Company seeks to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower the overall borrowing costs by closely monitoring the Company’s variable rate debt and converting such debt to fixed rates when the Company deems such conversion advantageous. From time to time, the Company may enter into interest rate swap agreements or other interest rate hedging contracts. While these agreements are intended to lessen the impact of rising interest rates, they also expose the Company to the risks that the other parties to the agreements will not perform, the Company could incur significant costs associated with the settlement of the agreements, the agreements will be unenforceable and the underlying transactions will fail to qualify as highly effective cash flow hedges under GAAP guidance. As of September 30, 2015, $647.5 million of the Company’s aggregate indebtedness (45.8% of total indebtedness) was subject to variable interest rates, excluding amounts outstanding under the First Term Loan and Second Term Loan since the Company hedged their variable interest rates to fixed interest rates.

43


If market rates of interest on the Company’s variable rate long-term debt fluctuate by 0.25%, interest expense would increase or decrease, depending on rate movement, future earnings and cash flows by $1.6 million annually. This assumes that the amount outstanding under the Company’s variable rate debt remains at $647.5 million, the balance as of September 30, 2015.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Based on the most recent evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective as of September 30, 2015. There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. Other Information
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
The nature of hotel operations exposes the Company and its hotels to the risk of claims and litigation in the normal course of their business. The Company is not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to the Company’s knowledge, is any litigation threatened against the Company, 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 the liquidity, results of operations, business or financial condition of the Company.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Other than the following, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
The Company is subject to risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly with hotels that employ unionized labor.
The Company’s third-party hotel managers are responsible for hiring and maintaining the labor force at each of the Company’s hotels. Although the Company does not directly employ or manage employees at its hotels, the Company is subject to the risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly at those hotels with unionized labor. From time to time, strikes, lockouts, public demonstrations or other negative actions and publicity may disrupt hotel operations. The Company also may incur increased legal costs and indirect labor costs as a result of contract disputes or other events. The resolution of labor disputes or new or re-negotiated labor contracts could lead to increased labor costs, either by increases in wages or benefits or by changes in work rules that raise hotel operating costs. Furthermore, labor agreements may limit the ability of the hotel managers to reduce the size of hotel workforces during an economic downturn because collective bargaining agreements are negotiated between the hotel managers and labor unions. The Company does not have the ability to control the outcome of these negotiations. In addition, the Company believes that unions are generally becoming more aggressive about organizing workers at hotels in certain locations. Potential labor activities at these hotels could significantly increase the administrative, labor and legal expenses of the third-party management companies operating these hotels and reduce the profits that the Company receives. If hotels in the Company’s portfolio are organized, this could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation.

44


Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share (1)
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
July 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
$

August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
 
184,742

 
$
30.81

 
184,742

 
$
69,807,000

September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
$

Total
 
184,742

 
$
30.81

 
184,742

 
$
69,807,000

(1) 
During the third quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased 184,742 common shares of beneficial interest under the Repurchase Program.
(2) 
On August 29, 2011, the Company announced its Board of Trustees had authorized (the Repurchase Program) to acquire up to $100.0 million of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest. The timing of the purchases and the exact number of shares to be purchased depend upon market conditions. The authorization did not include specific price targets or an expiration date. The Company cumulatively repurchased $30.2 million of common shares of beneficial interest pursuant to the Repurchase Program through September 30, 2015. The Company is currently authorized by its Board of Trustees to repurchase or offer to repurchase any common shares.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Other Information
As of the quarter ended September 30, 2015, all items required to be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K were reported on Form 8-K.
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On October 19, 2015, William S. McCalmont notified the Company of his intention to not seek re-election as a trustee of the Company. Mr. McCalmont’s term as trustee will expire at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, which is expected to be held in May 2016. Mr. McCalmont’s decision to not seek re-election was not due to any disagreement with the Company relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. In addition, effective upon completion of the meeting of the Board of Trustees on October 19, 2015, Mr. McCalmont resigned from the Company’s Audit Committee, and the Board of Trustees appointed Darryl Hartley-Leonard as Chairman of the Audit Committee.


45


Item 6.
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
  
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101
  
The following financial statements from LaSalle Hotel Properties’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed on October 22, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 



46


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
 
 
 
 
LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
October 22, 2015
 
BY:
/s/ BRUCE A. RIGGINS
 
 
 
 
Bruce A. Riggins
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)


47



Exhibit Index
 
Exhibit
Number
  
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101
  
The following financial statements from LaSalle Hotel Properties’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed on October 22, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 





48