Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believes,” “project,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “strive,” “endeavor,” “mission,” “goal,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
The risks and uncertainties set forth above are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” discuss these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “we,” “our,” “us” and “the Company” refer to DiamondRock Hospitality Company, including as the context requires, DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership, as well as our other direct and indirect subsidiaries.
As an owner, rather than an operator, of lodging properties, we receive all of the operating profits or losses generated by our hotels after the payment of fees due to hotel managers and hotel brands, which are calculated based on the revenues and profitability of each hotel.
Our primary business is to acquire, own, asset manage and renovate premium hotel properties in the United States. Our portfolio is concentrated in key gateway cities and destination resort locations. Each of our hotels is managed by a third party—either an independent operator or a brand operator, such as Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”).
We critically evaluate each of our hotels to ensure that we own a portfolio of hotels that conforms to our vision, supports our mission and corresponds with our strategy. We continuouslyOn a regular basis, we analyze our portfolio to identify opportunities to invest capital in certain projects or market non-core assets for sale in order to increase our portfolio quality. We are committed to a conservative capital structure with prudent leverage. We regularly assess the availability and affordability of capital in order to maximize stockholder value and minimize enterprise risk. In addition, we are committed to following sound corporate governance practices and to being open and transparent in our communications with our stockholders.
We plan to strategically allocate capital in order to create value depending on our cost of capital. If our cost of capital is attractive, we expect to:
If we believe our cost of capital is elevated, we expect to create value over the long term to stockholders by deploying investment capacity into share repurchases.
We are highly sensitive to our cost of capital and may pursue acquisitions that create value in the near term. We will continue to evaluate our portfolio for opportunities to continue to upgrade our portfolio by considering strategic acquisitions and opportunistic non-core hotel dispositions.
Our acquisition strategy focuses primarily on hotels that we believe present unique value-add opportunities. In addition, we have repositioned certain of our hotels through a change in brand, comprehensive renovation and/or change in third-party hotel manager to a more efficient operator. This focus has helped us achieve the strategic goals of improving our portfolio's brand and management diversity.
We evaluate each hotel in our portfolio to assess the optimal brand and management strategy for the individual hotel and market. We leverage the leading global hotel brands at many of our hotels, which are flagged under a brand owned by Marriott or Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (“Hilton”). We also maintain a portion of our hotels as independent lifestyle hotels. We believe that premier global hotel brands create significant value as a result of each brand's ability to produce incremental revenue through their strong reservation and rewards systems and sales organizations. We are also interested in owning non-branded hotels located in premier or unique markets where we believe that the returns on such a hotel may be higher than if the hotel were operated under a globally-recognized brand.
We believe that we can create significant value in our portfolio through innovative asset management strategies such as rebranding, renovating and repositioning our hotels. We regularly evaluate our portfolio to determine if there are opportunities to employ these value-add strategies.
Our asset management team is focused on improving hotel profit margins through revenue management strategies and cost control programs. Our asset management team also focuses on identifying new and potential value creation opportunities across our portfolio, including implementing resort or amenity fees, creating incremental guest rooms, leasing out restaurants to more profitable third-party operators, converting under-utilized space to revenue-generating meeting space and implementing programs to reduce energy consumption and increase labor efficiency.
Our senior management team has established a broad network of hotel industry contacts and relationships, including relationships with hotel owners, financiers, operators, project managers and contractors and other key industry participants. We use our broad network of hotel industry contacts and relationships to maximize the value of our hotels. We strive to negotiate management agreements that give us the right to exert influence over the management of our properties, annual budgets and all capital expenditures (all, to the extent permitted under the REIT rules), and then to use those rights to continually monitor and improve the performance of our properties. We cooperatively partner with our hotel managers in an attempt to increase operating results and long-term asset values at our hotels. In addition to working directly with the personnel at our hotels, our senior management team also has long-standing professional relationships with our hotel managers' senior executives, and we work directly with these senior executives to improve the performance of our hotels.
We believe that our strategically designed capital structure is a value creation tool that can be used over the entire lodging cycle. Specifically, we believe that lower leverage benefits us in the following ways:
We conduct our business through a traditional umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT, in which our hotels are owned by subsidiaries of our operating partnership, DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership and own either directly or indirectly 99.6% of the limited partnership units (“common OP units”) of our operating partnership. The remaining 0.4% of the common OP units are held by third parties. Theseparties and executive officers of the Company. The majority of our common OP units were issued in connection with our acquisition of Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate ("(“Cavallo Point"Point”) in December 2018. Each common OP unit currently owned by holders other than us is redeemable, at the option of the holder, for an amount of cash equal to the market value of one share of the Company'sour common stock or, at our election, one share of the Company'sour common stock, in each case subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of stock splits, mergers, consolidations or similar pro-rata share transactions. As of December 31, 2019,2020, limited partners held 792,131855,191 common OP units. In the future, we may issue additional common OP units from time to time in connection with acquiring hotel properties, financing, compensation, or other reasons.
In order for the income from our hotel investments to constitute “rents from real property” for purposes of the gross income tests required for REIT qualification, we must lease each of our hotels to a wholly-owned subsidiary of our taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS (each, a TRS lessee), or to an unrelated third party. We currently lease all of our domestic hotels to TRS lessees. In turn, our TRS lessees must engage a third-party management company to manage the hotels. However, we may structure our properties that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax differently from the structures that we use for our U.S. properties. For example, Frenchman's Reef is held by a U.S. Virgin Islands corporation, which we have elected to be a TRS.
Competition
The hotel industry is highly competitive and our hotels are subject to competition from other hotels for guests. Competition is based on a number of factors, including convenience of location, reputation, brand affiliation, price, range of services, guest amenities, and quality of customer service. Competition is specific to the individual markets in which our properties are located and will include competition from existing and new hotels operated under brands in the full-service, select-service and extended-stay segments. We believe that properties flagged with a Marriott or Hilton brand will enjoy the competitive advantages associated with their operations under such brand. These global brands' reservation systems and national advertising, marketing and promotional services combined with the strong management expertise they provideby third-party operators enable our properties to perform favorably in terms of both occupancy and room rates relative to other brands and non-branded hotels. The guest loyalty programs operated by these global brands generate repeat guest business that might otherwise go to competing hotels. Increased competition may have a material adverse effect on occupancy, Average Daily Rate (or ADR) and Revenue per Available Room (or RevPAR), or may require us to make capital improvements that we otherwise would not undertake, which may result in decreases in the profitability of our hotels.
In addition to competing with traditional hotels and lodging facilities, we compete with alternative lodging, including third-party providers of short-term rental properties and serviced apartments. We compete based on a number of factors, including room rates, quality of accommodations, service levels, convenience of location, reputation, reservation systems, brand recognition and supply and availability of alternative lodging.
We face competition for the acquisition of hotels from institutional pension funds, private equity funds, REITs, hotel companies and others who are engaged in hotel acquisitions and investments. Some of these competitors have substantially greater financial and operational resources than we have and may have greater knowledge of the markets in which we seek to invest. This competition may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us and increase the cost of acquiring our targeted hotel investments.
Seasonality
The periods during which our hotels experience higher revenues vary from property to property, depending principally upon location and the customer base served. Accordingly, we expect some seasonality in our business. Volatility in our financial performance from the seasonality of the lodging industry could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Regulatory Matters
Environmental MattersGovernmental Regulations
In connectionCompliance with the ownership of hotels, the Company is subjectvarious governmental regulations has an impact on our business, including our capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position, which can be material. We incur costs to variousmonitor and take actions to comply with governmental regulations that are applicable to our business, which include, among others, federal state and local environmentalsecurities laws and regulations, relating toapplicable stock exchange requirements, REIT and other tax laws and regulations, environmental protection. Under these laws, a current or previous owner or operator (including tenants) of real estate may be liable for the costs or removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, under or in such property. These laws typically impose liability without regard to fault or whether or not the owner or operator knew of or caused the presence of the contamination, and the liability under these laws may be joint and several. Because these laws also impose liability on the persons who owned the property at the time it became contaminated, it is possible that we could incur cleanup costs or other environmental liabilities even after we sell properties. The presence of contamination, or the failure to properly remediate contamination, on a property may adversely affect the ability of the owner or operator to sell that property or to borrow funds using such property as collateral. Under the environmental laws, courts and government agencies also have the authority to require that a person who sent waste to a waste disposal facility, such as a landfill or incinerator, pay for the cleanup of that facility if it becomes contaminated and threatens human health or the environment.
Our hotels are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, that address a wide variety of issues, including, but not limited to, storage tanks, air emissions from emergency generators, storm water and wastewater discharges, asbestos, lead-based paint, mold and mildew and waste management. Some of our hotels routinely handle and use hazardous or regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations, which substances and wastes are subject to regulation (e.g., swimming pool chemicals). Our hotels incur costs to comply with these laws and regulations and could be subject to fines and penalties for non-compliance.
We believe that our hotels are in compliance, in all material respects, with all federal, state and local environmental ordinances and regulations regarding hazardous or toxic substanceszoning, usage and other environmental matters, the violation of which could have a material adverse effect on us. We have not received written notice from any governmental authority of any material noncompliance, liability or claimregulations relating to hazardous or toxic substances or other environmental matters in connection with any of our present properties.
Annually, we submit a response to the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking survey (the “GRESB Report”), which benchmarks the Company's approachreal property and performance on environmental, social and governance indicators against other real estate companies. The GRESB Report is accessible on our website. The information included in, referenced to, or otherwise accessible through the GRESB Report, is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this report or any document unless expressly incorporated by reference therein.
ADA Regulation
Our properties must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”),1990.
See “Item 1A – Risk Factors” for a discussion of material risks to us, including, to the extent that such properties are "public accommodations" as defined bymaterial, to our competitive position, relating to governmental regulations, and see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” together with our consolidated financial statements, including the ADA. The ADA may require removalrelated notes included therein, for a discussion of structural barriersmaterial information relevant to access by individuals with disabilities in certain public areasan assessment of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. We believefinancial condition and results of operations, including, to the extent material, the effects that our properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA. However, noncompliance with the ADA could result in payment of civil penalties, damages,governmental regulations may have upon our capital expenditures and attorneys' feesearnings.
Employees and costs. The obligation to comply with the ADA is an ongoing one, and we will continue to assess our properties and to make alterations as appropriate in this regard.Human Capital
Employees
As of December 31, 2019,2020, we employed 3129 full-time employees. We believe that our relations with our employees are good. None of our employees is a member of any union; however,union. During 2020, all employees involved in the day-to-day operation of the Company’s hotels were employed by third-party management companies engaged pursuant to hotel management agreements. The employees of our hotel managers at theThe Lexington Hotel, Courtyard New York Courtyard Manhattan/Fifth Avenue, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East, Hilton Garden Inn/Inn New York/Times Square Central, Westin Boston Waterfront, Hotel, and Hilton Boston DowntownDowntown/Faneuil Hall are currently represented by labor unions and are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
We believe prioritizing employee well-being is a key element for attracting and retaining the best and most talented associates. Our key human capital management objectives are to attract, recruit, hire, develop and promote a deep and diverse bench of talent that translates into a strong and successful workforce. To support these objectives, our human resources programs are designed to develop talent to prepare them for the critical roles and leadership positions for the future; reward and support employees through competitive pay and benefit programs; enhance our culture through efforts to foster, promote, and preserve a culture of diversity and inclusion; and evolve and invest in technology, tools, and resources to enable employees at work.
In March 2020, we temporarily closed our corporate office due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our employees began to work remotely. In an effort to support our employees during the period in which our corporate office was closed, we provided various office supplies and resources to our employees as needed. Currently, our employees may, at times, work from the office. We have implemented COVID-19 protection protocols in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our corporate office.
Insurance
We carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, earthquake, windstorm, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in our portfolio. Frenchman's Reef is covered under a builders risk policy with similar coverage described above. In addition, we carry earthquake and terrorism insurance on our properties in an amount and with deductibles which we believe are commercially reasonable. We do not carry insurance for generally uninsured losses such as loss from riots, war or acts of God. Certain of the properties in our portfolio are located in areas known to be seismically active or subject to hurricanes and we believe that we have appropriate insurance for those risks, although they are subject to higher deductibles than ordinary property insurance.
Most of our hotel management agreements and mortgage agreements require that we obtain and maintain property insurance, business interruption insurance (including interruption as a result of COVID-19), flood insurance, earthquake insurance (if the hotel is located in an “earthquake prone zone” as determined by the U.S. Geological Survey) and other customary types of insurance related to hotels. We comply with all such requirements. In addition, either we or the hotel manager are responsible for obtaining general liability insurance, workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance.
Available Information
We maintain a website at the following address: www.drhc.com. We make our proxy statements, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports and amendments are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Such reports are also available by accessing the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Our website is also a key source of important information about us. We post to the Investor Relations section of our website important information about our business, our operating results and our financial condition and prospects, including, for example, information about material acquisitions and dispositions, our earnings releases and certain supplemental financial information related or complimentary thereto. The website also has a Corporate Governance page that includes, among other things, copies of our charter, our bylaws, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters for each standing committee of our Board of Directors: currently, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. We intend to disclose on our website any amendment to, or waiver of, any provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that apply to any of our directors, executive officers or senior financial officers that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC or the NYSE. Copies of our charter, our bylaws, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our SEC reports are also available in print to stockholders upon request addressed to Investor Relations, DiamondRock Hospitality Company, 2 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1400, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 or through the “Information Request” section on the Investor Relations page of our website.
The information included in, referenced to, or otherwise accessible through our website, is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this report or any document unless expressly incorporated by reference therein.
DiamondRock Hospitality Company is traded on the NYSE under the symbolsymbols “DRH” and “DRH Pr A”.
Supplemental Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
This summary is for general information purposes only and is not tax advice. This discussion does not address all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular holders of our securities in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances.
The following discussion supplements and updates the disclosures under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus dated August 8, 2018 contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2018.
Taxation of the Operating Partnership
Previously, our operating partnership was disregarded as an entity separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes but since September 1, 2018, our operating partnership has been treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the discussion under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Considerations—Taxation of the Operating Partnership” is revised as follows:
•The first, fourth and seventh paragraphs are deleted;
The first sentence of the sixth paragraph is revised to state: “We have used and may continue to use our operating partnership to acquire hotels by issuing operating partnership units, in order to permit the sellers of such properties to defer recognition of their tax gain.”; and
•The following will be inserted under the heading and thus will become the first two paragraphs in the discussion:
Before September 1, 2018, our operating partnership was a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we owned 100% of the interests in it, directly or through other disregarded entities. Since
September 1, 2018, our operating partnership has been treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Generally, a domestic unincorporated entity with two or more partners is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless it affirmatively elects to be treated as a corporation. However, certain “publicly traded partnerships” are treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We intend to comply with one or more exceptions from treatment as a corporation under the publicly traded partnership rules. Failure to qualify for such an exception generally would prevent us from qualifying as a REIT.
When our operating partnership became taxable as a partnership, we generally were treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as contributing our properties to the operating partnership. As a result, for our properties that were appreciated at such time, we may recognize a smaller share of tax depreciation, and a larger share of tax gain on sale, from such properties after the deemed contribution, as compared to our former percentage interest in the operating partnership.
New TRSs
In September 2018, our indirect subsidiaries, DiamondRock Cayman Islands, Inc., a Cayman Island corporation, and CPFB Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, elected to be treated as TRSs. Generally the provisions under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus that discuss TRSs should apply to DiamondRock Cayman Islands, Inc. and CPFB Holdings, LLC, including, but not limited to, the discussion of TRS lessees as CPFB Holdings, LLC has formed such a subsidiary.
IRS Guidance on Recent Tax Legislation
In September 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) issued guidance clarifying that global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiary corporations that is included in a REIT’s taxable income is qualifying REIT income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. As a result, the fourth, fifth and sixth sentences in the second paragraph under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Recent Tax Legislation” in the prospectus are deleted and replaced with the following:
The IRS issued guidance that GILTI constitutes qualifying REIT income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, and thus the inclusion of GILTI earned by DiamondRock Frenchman's Owner, Inc. and DiamondRock Cayman Islands, Inc. in our U.S. taxable income should not influence our ownership structure of these foreign TRSs but no assurances can be given. The inclusion of such GILTI in our U.S. taxable income, however, could increase our dividend distribution requirement, regardless of whether we receive a corresponding distribution of cash from our foreign TRSs.
Recent FATCA Regulations
On December 18, 2018, the IRS promulgated proposed Treasury Regulations under Sections 1471-1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as FATCA), which proposed regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on gross proceeds of a disposition of property that can produce U.S. source interest or dividends and thus implicate certain tax-related disclosures contained in the prospectus. While these proposed Treasury Regulations have not yet been finalized, taxpayers are generally entitled to rely on the proposed Treasury Regulations (subject to certain limited exceptions). As a result, the discussion under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Considerations—FATCA Withholding and Reporting” in the prospectus is revised as follows:
•In the second sentence, the phrase “, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of,” is deleted; and
•The third and fourth sentences are deleted.
Recent Partnership Audit Regulations
On December 21, 2018, the IRS adopted final Treasury Regulations under Sections 6221-6241 of the Code to implement the centralized partnership audit regime, and applicable finalized Treasury Regulations retain the ability of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership to use deficiency dividend procedures with respect to partnership adjustments resulting from a “push-out election.”
Recent FIRPTA Proposed Regulations
On June 7, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service promulgated proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 897 of the Code regarding qualified foreign pension funds. While these proposed Treasury Regulations have not yet been finalized, taxpayers generally may rely on the proposed Treasury Regulations. As a result, the prospectus is revised so that the second paragraph under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders—Special FIRPTA Rules” is replaced with the following paragraph:
For FIRPTA purposes, neither a “qualified foreign pension fund” (as defined below) nor a “qualified controlled entity” (as defined below) is treated as a non-U.S. shareholder. Accordingly, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of ordinary dividends received by qualified foreign pension funds and qualified controlled entities will be determined without regard to the FIRPTA rules discussed above, and their gain from the sale or exchange of our stock, as well as our capital gain dividends and distributions treated as gain from the sale or exchange of our stock, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless such gain is treated as effectively connected with the qualified foreign pension fund’s (or the qualified controlled entity’s) conduct of a U.S. trade or business. A “qualified foreign pension fund” is an organization or arrangement (i) created or organized in a foreign country, (ii) established to provide retirement or pension benefits to current or former employees (including self-employed individuals) or their designees by either (A) such foreign country as a result of services rendered by such employees to their employers, or (B) one or more employers in consideration for services rendered by such employees to such employers, (iii) which does not have a single participant or beneficiary that has a right to more than 5% of its assets or income, (iv) which is subject to government regulation and with respect to which annual information about its beneficiaries is provided, or is otherwise available, to relevant local tax authorities, and (v) with respect to which, under its local laws, (A) contributions that would otherwise be subject to tax are deductible or excluded from its gross income or taxed at a reduced rate, or (B) taxation of its investment income is deferred, or such income is excluded from its gross income or taxed at a reduced rate. A “qualified controlled entity” for purposes of the above summary means an entity all the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund. Alternatively, under proposed Treasury Regulations that taxpayers generally may rely on, but which are subject to change, a “qualified controlled entity” is a trust or corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country all of the interests of which are held by one or more qualified foreign pension funds either directly or indirectly through one or more qualified controlled entities or partnerships.
Preferred Stock Offering
On August 20, 2020, we initiated a public offering of our Series A Preferred Stock. The following disclosures under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2018 are revised as follows:
The phrase “common stock” is replaced with the phrase “capital stock” in the following places:
•In the first paragraph of the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”, each of the three places it appears;
•In the heading for the section previously entitled “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”;
•In the first paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”, the only place it appears;
•In the section previously entitled “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Sale or Disposition of Shares”, the only place it appears;
•In the heading for the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”;
•In the first paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”, the only place it appears;
•In the second paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Distributions” each of the four times it appears;
•In the first paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Dispositions”, the first and third time it appears;
•In the second paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock–Dispositions”, the first and second time it appears;
•In the section entitled “Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax—Non-U.S. Stockholders”, each of the three places it appears;
•In the section entitled “FATCA Withholding and Reporting”, each of the two places it appears;
•In the section entitled “Additional Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs”, the only place it appears;
The following sentence is added to the end of the second paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”:
For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of our capital stock are out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to our outstanding preferred stock and then to our outstanding common stock.
The following is added to the end of the section previously entitled “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”:
Redemption or Repurchase by Us. A redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution (and taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as described above under “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”) unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. The redemption or repurchase generally will be treated as a sale or exchange if it:
•is "substantially disproportionate" with respect to the U.S. stockholder;
•results in a "complete redemption" of the U.S. stockholder's stock interest in us; or
•is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the U.S. stockholder,
all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code.
In determining whether any of these tests has been met, shares of our capital stock, including common stock and other equity interests in us, considered to be owned by the U.S. stockholder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. stockholder, generally must be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code will be satisfied with respect to the U.S. stockholder depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, U.S. stockholders are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.
If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock is treated as a distribution, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. A U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed or repurchased shares generally will be transferred to the holder’s remaining shares of our capital stock, if any. If a U.S. stockholder owns no other shares of our capital stock, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a redemption or repurchase of our capital stock.
If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock is not treated as a distribution, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described under “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Sale or Disposition of Shares”.
The following is added to the end of the section previously entitled “Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock”:
Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock) to convert some or all of such holder’s Series A Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock or the Alternative Conversion Consideration—i.e., an amount of cash, securities or other property or assets that such holder would have received upon the Change of Control had such holder converted the holder’s Series A Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (see “Description of the Series A Preferred Stock—Conversion Rights” in this prospectus supplement). Except as provided below, a U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock. A U.S. stockholder’s tax basis and holding period in the shares of common stock received upon conversion generally will be the same as those of the converted Series A Preferred Stock (but the tax basis will be reduced by the portion of the adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share of common stock exchanged for cash).
Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share of common stock generally will be treated as a payment in a taxable exchange for such fractional share of common stock, and gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional common share
deemed exchanged. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held the Series A Preferred Stock for more than one year. Any common stock received in exchange for accrued and unpaid dividends generally will be treated as a distribution by us, and subject to tax treatment as described in “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Capital Stock.”
In addition, if a holder receives the Alternative Conversion Consideration (in lieu of shares of our common stock) in connection with the conversion of the stockholder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the tax treatment of the receipt of any such other consideration will depend on the nature of the consideration and the structure of the transaction that gives rise to the Change of Control, and it may be a taxable exchange. U.S. stockholders converting their shares of Series A Preferred Stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any such conversion and of the ownership and disposition of the consideration received upon any such conversion.
The fourth sentence of the fifth paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Distributions” is replaced with the following:
A non-U.S. stockholder thus would be taxed on such a distribution at the normal rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and will be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year.
The sixth paragraph in the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Distributions” is revised to read as follows:
A non-U.S. stockholder that owns, actually or constructively, no more than 10% of any class of our capital stock at all times during the one-year period ending on the date of a distribution should not be subject to FIRPTA Withholding with respect to distributions with respect to such class of our capital stock that is attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of United States real property interests, provided that such class of our capital stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States. In the case of any such distributions that was a capital gain dividend made to such non-U.S. stockholder, the distribution will be treated as an ordinary dividend subject to the general withholding rules discussed above, which generally impose a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of each dividend distribution (unless reduced by treaty).
The last four sentences of the first paragraph in the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Dispositions” are revised to read as follows:
Because our common stock is publicly traded and our Series A Preferred Stock may be publicly traded, we cannot assure you that we are or will be in the future a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. Alternatively, the gain from a sale of our capital stock by a non-U.S. stockholder will not be subject to tax under FIRPTA if (i) the applicable class of our capital stock is considered regularly traded under applicable Treasury Regulations on an established securities market, such as the NYSE, and (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually and constructively, 10% or less of the applicable class of our capital stock at all times during the specified testing period ending on the date of the disposition. The testing period referred to in the previous sentence is the shorter of (x) the period during which the non-U.S. stockholder held the stock and (y) the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition. Since the completion of our initial public offering, we believe our common stock has been regularly traded on an established securities market and our Series A Preferred Stock may be publicly traded on an established securities market in the future.
In the second paragraph of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Dispositions”, the phrase “other shares of our common stock” is replaced with the phrase “other shares of the applicable class(es) of our capital stock”.
The following is added to the end of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Dispositions”:
A redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution (and taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock —Redemption or Repurchase by Us.” If the redemption or repurchase of shares is treated as a distribution, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. If the redemption or repurchase of shares is not treated as a distribution, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described in this section.
The following is added to the end of the section previously entitled “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Dispositions”:
See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock—Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock” above for a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to a holder of Series A Preferred Stock upon a conversion of such holder’s Series A Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock or the Alternative Conversion Consideration and any consideration received in respect of accrued and unpaid dividends or fractional shares. Whether or not a non-U.S. stockholder will recognize gain upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock will depend on whether the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and the common stock into which they are converted, constitute United States real property interests in the hands of the non-U.S. stockholder. Any common stock received in exchange for accrued and unpaid dividends generally will be treated as a distribution by us, and subject to tax treatment as described in “Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Capital Stock—Distributions.” Non-U.S. stockholders converting their shares of Series A Preferred Stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any such conversion and of the ownership and disposition of the consideration received upon any such conversion.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following risk factorsSet forth below are the risks that we believe are material to our investors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-Kthey should be carefully considered. TheThose risks and uncertainties described below are not all of the only ones thatrisks we may face. Additional risksface and uncertaintiesother factors not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may currently deem immaterial also may impairaffect our business operations. If anyif they occur. This section contains forward-looking statements. You should refer to the explanation of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating resultsqualifications and cash flows could be affected adversely.limitations on forward-looking statements beginning on page 4.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused, and could continue to cause, severe disruptions in the U.S., regional and global economies, travel and the hospitality industry and has impacted, and could continue to materially and adversely impact, our financial condition and results of operations.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. COVID-19 has caused, and could continue to cause, widespread disruptions to the U.S. and global economy and has contributed to significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The global impact of the outbreak is continually evolving, and many countries, including the U.S., have reacted by instituting quarantines, restrictions on travel and/or mandatory closures of businesses. Certain states and cities, including where our hotels are located, have also reacted by encouraging the practice of social distancing, restricting the size of gatherings and instituting quarantines, restrictions on travel, “shelter in place” rules, restrictions on types of business that may continue to operate, and/or restrictions on the types of construction projects that may continue.
The full extent to which COVID-19 impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of such pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, including the adoption and administration of available COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the effect of any relaxation of current restrictions, all of which could vary among the geographic regions in which our hotels are located, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the full adverse impact of COVID-19. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has adversely affected, and will continue to adversely affect, our business, financial condition and results of operations, and our ability to pay dividends, and it may also have the effect of heightening many of the risks described below and within this “Risk Factors” section, including:
•a complete or partial closure or re-closure of, or other operational issues at, one or more of our hotels resulting from government, third-party hotel manager or franchisor action, which has materially adversely affected, and could continue to materially adversely affect, our operations;
•the postponement or cancellation of conferences, conventions, festivals, sporting events, public events and other group business that would have otherwise brought individuals to the cities in which our hotels are located, which has caused, and could continue to cause, a decrease in occupancy rates over a prolonged period of time and exacerbated the seasonal volatility at our hotels;
•a general decline of in-person business meetings and an increase in the use of teleconferencing and video-conference technology, which could cause a sustained shift away from business-related travel and have a material adverse effect on the overall demand for hotel rooms;
•a decrease in individuals’ willingness to travel as a result of the public health risks and social impacts of such outbreak or a decrease in consumer spending, which could affect the ability of our hotels to generate sufficient revenues to meet operating and other expenses in the short- and long-term;
•reduced economic activity impacting our businesses, financial condition and liquidity or that of our third-party hotel managers or franchisors, which could result in the Company, the third-party hotel manager or the franchisor being unable to comply with operational and performance conditions under the applicable management and franchise agreements;
•reduced economic activity impacting the businesses, financial condition and liquidity of our retail and restaurant tenants located at our hotels, which has caused, and could continue to cause, one or more of such tenants to be unable to meet their obligations to us in full, or at all, to otherwise seek modifications of such obligations or to declare bankruptcy;
•severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions, which could make it difficult for us to access debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and may impact our ability to fund business activities and repay debt on a timely basis;
•the inability of the Company to comply with financial covenants or obtain waivers under the agreements governing our senior unsecured credit facility, unsecured term loans and other debt, or the inability to renegotiate such covenants, which could result in a default and potential acceleration of indebtedness and impact our ability to make additional borrowings under our senior unsecured credit facility or otherwise in the future;
•the lack of funding, disruptions in the supply of materials or products or the inability of contractors to perform on a timely basis or at all, which has caused, and could continue to cause, in completing ongoing or future hotel renovations and capital improvements at our hotels, including the planned reconstruction of Frenchman’s Reef;
•difficulties in sourcing and transporting materials or products necessary to operate our hotels, such as linens or cleaning supplies, and a decrease in the availability of adequate staffing at our hotels, which could impact our ability to provide our guests with the customary level of service provided at our hotels, including our premium full-service hotels;
•the inability of our TRS lessees to renew or enter into new management agreements for our hotels on favorable terms, or at all, which could cause interruptions in the operations at certain hotels;
•a general decline in business activity and demand for real estate transactions, and more specifically, demand for hotel properties, which could adversely affect our ability or desire to make strategic acquisitions or dispositions;
•the negative impact on the health of our personnel, particularly if a significant number of our senior executive officers are impacted, which could result in a deterioration in our ability to ensure business continuity during a disruption;
•the limited access to our facilities, management, franchisors, support staff and professional advisors, which could decrease the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, increase our susceptibility to security breaches, or hamper our ability to comply with regulatory obligations and lead to reputational harm and regulatory issues or fines;
•increased operating costs at our hotels due to enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols required or recommended by major hotel brands, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unions and state and local governments; and
•increased labor costs due to demands for higher wages due to health risks associated with working in hotels and requirements for more staff to implement cleaning protocols.
Our business model, especially our concentration in premium full-service hotels, can be highly volatile.
We solely own hotels, a very different asset class from many other REITs. A typical office REIT, for example, has long-term leases with third-party tenants, which provide a relatively stable long-term stream of revenue. Our TRS lessees, on the other hand, do not enter into leases with hotel managers. Instead, the TRS lessee engages the hotel manager pursuant to a management agreement and pays the manager a fee for managing the hotel. The TRS lessee receives all of the operating profit or losses at the hotel. Moreover, virtually all hotel guests stay at the hotel for only a few nights, so the rate and occupancy at each of our hotels changes every day. As a result, our earnings may be highly volatile.
In addition to fluctuations related to our business model, our hotels are, and will continue to be, subject to various long-term operating risks common to the hotel industry, many of which are beyond our control, including:
•dependence on business and commercial travelers and tourism, both of which vary with consumer and business confidence in the strength of the economy;
•decreases in the frequency of business travel that may result from alternatives to in-person meetings;meetings, particularly in light of COVID-19;
competition from other hotels and alternative lodging channels located in the markets in which we own properties;
•competition from third-party internet travel intermediaries;
•an over-supply or over-building of hotels in the markets in which we own properties, which could adversely affect occupancy rates, revenues and profits at our hotels;
•increases in energy and transportation costs and other expenses affecting travel, which may affect travel patterns and reduce the number of business and commercial travelers and tourists;
•increases in operating costs due to inflation and other factors that may not be offset by increased room rates; and
•changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and the related costs of compliance.
In addition, our hotels are mostly in the premium full-service segment of the hotel business, which, historically, tends to have the strongest operating results in a growing economy and the weakest results in a contracting or slow growth economy when many travelers might curtail travel or choose lower cost hotels. In periods of weak demand, profitability is negatively affected by the relatively high fixed costs of operating premium full-service hotels as compared to other classes of hotels.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Economic conditions and other factors beyond our control may adversely affect the lodging industry.
Our entire business is related to the lodging industry. The performance of the lodging industry is highly cyclical and has historically been linked to key macroeconomic indicators, such as U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)GDP growth, employment, personal discretionary spending levels, corporate earnings and investment, foreign exchange rates and travel demand. Given that our hotels are concentrated in key gateway cities and destination resort locations in the U.S., our business may be particularly sensitive to changes in foreign exchange rates or a negative international perception of the U.S. arising from its political or other positions. A substantial part of our business strategy is based on the belief that the lodging markets in which we own properties will continue to experience improving economic fundamentals in the future but we cannot assure you how long the growth period of the current lodging cyclewhen such improvement will last.occur, if ever. However, in the event conditions in the industry continue to deteriorate or do not continue to see sustained improvement for an extended period of time as we expect,a result of COVID-19, or other factors, or there is an extended period of economic weakness in the lodging markets in which we own properties, our occupancy rates, revenues and profitability could be adversely affected. Furthermore, other macroeconomic factors, such as consumer confidence and conditions which negatively shape public perception of travel, including the scope, severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., may have a negative effect on the lodging industry and may adversely impact our revenues and profitability.
Our hotels are subject to significant competition.
Currently, the markets where our hotels are located are very competitive. However, a material increase in the supply of new hotel rooms to a market can quickly destabilize that market and existing hotels can experience rapidly decreasing RevPAR and profitability. If such over-building occurs in one or more of our major markets, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders may be materially adversely affected. For 2020, we currently project a 3.3% increase in supply for the top-25 urban markets. We expect certain markets where we own hotels will exceed this expected average of supply growth.
We own four hotels in New York City, representing 15% of our portfolio measured by number of rooms as of December 31, 2019. For 2020, we currently project a 6.5% increase in supply in the New York City market.
We own two hotels in Boston that represent approximately 12% of our portfolio measured by number of rooms as of December 31, 2019. For 2020, we currently project a 4.4% increase in supply in the Boston market.
Our hotels are subject to seasonal volatility, which is expected to contribute to fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations.
The periods during which our hotels experience higher revenues vary from property to property, depending principally upon location and the customer base served. This seasonality can be expected to cause periodic fluctuations in a hotel’s room revenues, occupancy levels, room rates and operating expenses. We can provide no assurances that our cash flows will be sufficient to offset
any shortfalls that occur as a result of these fluctuations. Volatility in our financial performance resulting from the seasonality of our hotels could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
The increase in the use of third-party internet travel intermediaries and the increase in alternative lodging channels, such as Airbnb, could adversely affect our profitability.
Many of our managers and franchisors contract with third-party internet travel intermediaries, including, but not limited to Expedia.com and Priceline.com and their subsidiaries. These internet intermediaries are generally paid commissions and transaction fees by our managers and franchisors for sales of our rooms through such agencies. These intermediaries initially focused on leisure travel, but have grown to focus on corporate travel and group meetings as well. If bookings through these intermediaries increase, these internet intermediaries may be able to negotiate higher commissions, reduced room rates or other contract concessions from us, our managers or our franchisors. In addition, internet intermediaries use extensive marketing, which could result in hotel consumers developing brand loyalties to the offered brands and such internet intermediary instead of our management or franchise brands. Further, internet intermediaries emphasize pricing and quality indicators, such as a star rating system, at the expense of brand identification. In response to these intermediaries, the brand operators and franchisors have launched initiatives to offer discounted rates for booking on their sites, which could put downward pressure on rates and revenue. In addition, an increasing number of companies have entered various aspects of the online travel market. Google, for example, has established a hotel meta-search business (“Hotel Ads”) which is growing rapidly,, as well as its “Book on Google” reservation functionality. An increase in hotel reservations made through Google or its competitors, such as Apple, Amazon or Facebook, may reduce the value of our franchise brands, which may negatively affect our average rates and revenues.
In addition to competing with traditional hotels and lodging facilities, we compete with alternative lodging, including third-party providers of short-term rental properties and serviced apartments, such as Airbnb, as well as alternative meeting and event space platforms, such as Convene. We compete based on a number of factors, including room rates, quality of accommodations, service levels, convenience of location, reputation, reservation systems, brand recognition and supply and availability of alternative lodging and event space. Increasing use of these alternative facilities could materially adversely affect the occupancy at our hotels and could put downward pressure on average rates and revenues.
The rise of social media review platforms, including, but not limited to Tripadvisor.com, could impact our occupancy levels and operating results as people might be more inclined to write about their dissatisfaction rather than satisfaction with a hotel stay.
The need for business-related travel, and, therefore, demand for rooms in some of our hotels may be materially and adversely affected by the increased use of business-related technology.
The increased use of teleconferencing and video-conference technology by businesses could result in decreased business travel as companies increase the use of technologies that allow multiple parties from different locations to participate in meetings without traveling to a centralized meeting location, such as our hotels. To the extent that such technologies, or new technologies, play an increased role in day-to-day business interactions and the necessity for business-related travel decreases, demand for hotel rooms may decrease and our hotels could be materially and adversely affected.
Investments in hotels are illiquid and we may not be able to respond in a timely fashion to adverse changes in the performance of our properties.
Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, our ability to promptly sell one or more hotel properties or investments in our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial and investment conditions may be limited. Moreover, the Code, imposes restrictions on a REIT’s ability to dispose of properties that are not applicable to other types of real estate companies. In particular, the tax laws applicable to REITs require that we hold our hotels for investment, rather than primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, which may cause us to forego or defer sales of hotels that would otherwise be in our best interests.
In addition, the real estate market is affected by many factors that are beyond our control, including:
•adverse changes in international, national, regional and local economic and market conditions;
•changes in supply of competitive hotels;
•changes in interest rates and in the availability, cost and terms of debt financing;
changes in tax laws and property taxes,tax rates, or an increase in the assessed valuation of a property for real estate tax purposes;
•changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and the related costs of compliance with laws and regulations, fiscal policies and ordinances;
•fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•the ongoing need for capital improvements, particularly in older structures;
•changes in operating expenses; and
•pandemics and the outbreak of diseases, federal, state and local government shutdowns, airline strikes, civil unrest, active shooter attacks, acts of God, including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters and acts of war or terrorism, including the consequences of terrorist acts such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, which may result in uninsured losses.
It may be in the best interest of our stockholders to sell one or more of our hotels in the future. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any hotel property or investment at an acceptable price or otherwise on reasonable terms and conditions. We also cannot predict the length of time that will be necessary to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a hotel property or loan.
These facts and any others that would impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our hotel properties could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Due to restrictions in our hotel management agreements, franchise agreements, mortgage agreements and ground leases, we may not be able to sell our hotels at the highest possible price, or at all.
Certain of our current hotel management and franchise agreements are long-term.
Our currentAll but four of our hotel management and franchise agreements contain initialare terminable at our option. The remaining four hotel management agreements have remaining terms generally ranging from fiveapproximately seven years to fortythirty-eight years, and certain agreements haveinclusive of renewal periods of five to forty-five years whichthat are exercisable at the option of the property manager. We are subject to franchise agreements at certain of our properties, with remaining terms of up to thirty years, inclusive of renewal periods that are exercisable at the option of the franchisor. See Item 2, Properties, for hotel management and franchise agreement details. Because some of our hotels would have to be sold subject to the applicable hotel management agreement, the term length of a hotel managementan agreement may deter some potential purchasers and could adversely impact the price realized from any such sale. To the extent that we receive lower sale proceeds, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Our mortgage agreements contain certain provisions that may limit our ability to sell our hotels.
In order to assign or transfer our rights and obligations under certain of our mortgage agreements, we generally must obtain the consent of the lender, pay a fee equal to a fixed percentage of the outstanding loan balance, and pay any costs incurred by the lender in connection with any such assignment or transfer. These provisions of our mortgage agreements may limit our ability to sell our hotels which, in turn, could adversely impact the price realized from any such sale. To the extent that we receive lower sale proceeds, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Our ground leases contain certain provisions that may limit our ability to sell our hotels.
Our ground lease agreements with respect to the Bethesda Marriott Suites, the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek, the Westin Boston Waterfront, Hotel, the Hotel Palomar Phoenix and Cavallo Point, as well as the ground lease underlying our annex sublease at the Orchards Inn Sedona, require the consent of the lessor for assignment or transfer. These provisions of our
ground leases may limit our ability to sell our hotels which, in turn, could adversely impact the price realized from any such sale. In addition, at any given time, investors may be disinterested in buying properties subject to a ground lease, especially ground leases with lessfewer than 40 years remaining, such as the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek, and may pay a lower price for such properties than for a comparable property owned in fee simple or they may not purchase such properties at any price. Accordingly, we may find it difficult to sell a property subject to a ground lease or may receive lower proceeds from any such sale. To the extent that we receive lower sale proceeds or are unable to sell the hotel at an opportune time or at all, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Some of our hotels are subject to rights of first offer that may limit our ability to sell our hotels.
We are subject to a franchisor’s or operator’s right of first offer, in some instances under our franchise agreements or management agreements. Such provisions may limit our ability to sell our hotels which, in turn, could adversely impact the price realized from any such sale. To the extent that we receive lower sale proceeds, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
We may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities related to recently sold or acquired hotels, as well as hotels that we may sell or acquire in the future.
Our recently sold or acquired hotels, as well as hotels we may sell or acquire in the future, may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which we may be liable to the buyers or for which we may have no recourse, or only limited recourse, against the sellers. In general, the representations and warranties provided under our transaction agreements related to the sale or purchase of a hotel may survive for a defined period of time after the completion of the transaction.
Furthermore, indemnification under such agreements may be limited and subject to various materiality thresholds, a significant deductible, or an aggregate cap on losses. As a result, there is no guaranty that we will not be obligated to reimburse buyers for their losses or that we will be able to recover any amounts with respect to losses due to breaches by sellers of their representations and warranties.
In addition, the total amount of costs and expenses may be incurred with respect to the unknown or contingent liabilities may exceed our expectations, and we may experience other unanticipated adverse effects, all of which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.
We are subject to risks associated with our ongoing need for renovations and capital improvements as well as financing for such expenditures.
In order to remain competitive, our hotels have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements, including replacements, from time to time, of furniture, fixtures and equipment. These capital improvements may give rise to the following risks:
•construction cost overruns and delays;
•a possible shortage of available cash to fund capital improvements and the related possibility that financing for these capital improvements may not be available to us on affordable terms;
•the renovation investment failing to produce the returns on investment that we expect;
•disruptions in the operations of the hotel as well as in demand for the hotel while capital improvements are underway; and
•disputes with franchisors/hotel managers regarding compliance with relevant franchise/management agreements.
The costs of these capital improvements or profit displacements during the completion of these capital improvements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
In addition, we may not be able to fund capital improvements or acquisitions solely from cash provided from our operating activities because we generally must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains, each year to maintain our REIT tax status. As a result, our
ability to fund capital expenditures or investments through retained earnings is very limited. Consequently, we rely upon the availability of debt or equity capital to fund our investments and capital improvements. These sources of funds may not be available on reasonable terms or conditions.
There are significant risks associated with redevelopment of Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort (“Frenchman’s Reef”).Reef.
In September 2017, Frenchman’s Reef closed as a result of significant damage from Hurricane Irma and, to a lesser extent, Hurricane Maria, and it remains closed. The surrounding community also sustained significant damage, which may
lead to a prolonged decline in local tourism, inadequate local infrastructure, an insufficient labor pool to rebuild our hotel, and increases in the cost of both building materials and insurance.
We are in the process of rebuilding Frenchman’s Reef and expect the hotel to re-open at the end of 2020 as two separate hotels. In 2019, we entered into (i) a franchise agreement with Marriott to brand the property as two hotels as separate hotels—a Marriott and an Autograph Collection hotel, hotel—and we entered into(ii) a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality to manage each of the hotels. AsWe are in the process of rebuilding Frenchman’s Reef, but paused the reconstruction in March 2020 in response to COVID-19. We are currently evaluating when to resume construction and have also initiated a process to explore alternatives for completing a rebuild of Frenchman's Reef, including finding a capital partner. There is no guarantee that we will be able to engage a capital partner on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we resume construction, as with any capital improvement project we undertake, this renovation is subject to cost overruns and delays, but given the project’s complexity and geographical challenges, wethis project may be more susceptible to these risks. Furthermore, certain risks, such as potential lack of funding, disruptions in the supply of materials or products or the inability of contractors to perform on a timely basis or at all, may be heightened as a result of COVID-19. The occurrence of any of these or other effects could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
In December 2019, we reached a definitive settlement of our outstanding insurance claim related to Hurricane Irma. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we agreed to resolve its claim for total insurance payments of $246.8 million, of which $238.5 million related to Frenchman's Reef and $8.3 million related to amounts previously agreed to for Havana Cabana Key West. The settlement amount includes proceeds previously received of $85.0 million and $10.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
In the event of natural disasters caused by climate change or otherwise, terrorist attacks, active shooter attacks, significant military actions, outbreaks of contagious diseases or other events for which we may not have adequate insurance, our operations may suffer.
Eight of our hotels (Frenchman's Reef, The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa, Westin San Diego Downtown, Hotel Emblem San Francisco, Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel, Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel,Resort, The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa, and Cavallo Point) are located in areas that are seismically active. Five of our hotels (Frenchman's Reef, Havana Cabana Key West, Sheraton SuitesBarbary Beach House Key West, Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, and Renaissance Charleston Historic District)District Hotel) are located in areas that have experienced, and will continue to experience, many hurricanes. Eleven of our hotels are located in metropolitan markets that have been, or may in the future be, targets of actual or threatened terrorist attacks or active shooter attacks, including New York City, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. These hotels are material to our financial results, having constituted 73%66% of our total revenues in 2019.2020. In addition, to the extent that climate change causes an increase in storm intensity or rising sea levels, our hotels, which are concentrated in coastal areas and other areas that may be impacted by climate change, may be susceptible to an increase in weather-related damage. Additionally, even in the absence of direct physical damage to our hotels, the occurrence of any natural disasters, terrorist attacks, significant military actions, a changing climate in the area of any of our hotels, outbreaks of pandemics or diseases, such as Zika, Ebola, Coronavirus,COVID-19, H1N1 or other similar viruses, or other casualty events, will likely have a material adverse effect on business and commercial travelers and tourists, the economy generally and the hotel and tourism industries in particular. While we cannot predict the impact of the occurrence of any of these events, such events may result in decreases in consumer discretionary spending, including the frequency with which our customers choose to stay at hotels or the amount they spend on hotels, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We have acquired and intend to maintain comprehensive insurance on each of our hotels, including liability, terrorism, fire and extended coverage, of the type and amount that we believe are customarily obtained for or by hotel owners. We cannot guarantee that such coverage will continue to be available at reasonable rates or with reasonable deductibles. Our Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands hotels (Frenchman's Reef, Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Havana Cabana Key West, and Sheraton SuitesBarbary Beach House Key West) each have a deductible of 5% of total insured value for a named storm and the Renaissance Charleston Historic District hotelHotel has a deductible of 2% of total insured value. In addition, each of our California hotels (Westin San Diego Downtown, Hotel Emblem San Francisco, Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel,Resort, The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa, and Cavallo Point) have a deductible of 5% of total insured value for damage due to an earthquake. Due to the damage sustained by Frenchman’s Reef as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, we submitted a significant insurance claim, which was recently settled.settled in December 2019. This claim and the increased incidence of substantial claims due to future natural disasters may adversely impact the availability or pricing of insurance available to us.
Various types of catastrophic losses, like earthquakes, floods, wildfires, losses from foreign terrorist activities, or losses from domestic terrorist activities may not be insurable or are generally not insured because of economic infeasibility, legal restrictions or the policies of insurers. Future lenders may require such insurance, and our failure to obtain such insurance could constitute a default under loan agreements. Depending on our access to capital, liquidity and the value of the properties securing
the affected loan in relation to the balance of the loan, a default could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and ability to obtain future financing.
In the event of a substantial loss, our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover the full current market value or replacement cost of our lost investment. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose all or
a portion of the capital we have invested in a hotel, as well as the anticipated future revenue from that particular hotel. In that event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations secured by or related to the property. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors might also prevent us from using insurance proceeds to replace or renovate a hotel after it has been damaged or destroyed. Under those circumstances, the insurance proceeds we receive might be inadequate to restore our economic position with regard to the damaged or destroyed property.
Our results of operations are highly dependent on the management of our hotel properties by third-party hotel management companies.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we cannot operate our hotel properties or control the daily operations of our hotel properties. Our TRS lessees may not operate these hotel properties and, therefore, they must enter into third-party hotel management agreements with one or more eligible independent contractors. Thus, third-party hotel management companies that enter into management contracts with our TRS lessees control the daily operations of our hotel properties.
Under the terms of the hotel management agreements that we have entered into, or that we will enter into in the future, our ability to participate in operating decisions regarding our hotel properties is limited to certain matters, including approval of the annual operating budget. We currently rely, and will continue to rely, on these hotel management companies to adequately operate our hotel properties under the terms of the hotel management agreements. While we and our TRS lessees closely monitor the performance of our hotel managers, we do not have the authority to require any hotel property to be operated in a particular manner or to govern any particular aspect of its operations (for instance, setting room rates and cost structures). Thus, even if we believe that our hotel properties are being operated inefficiently or in a manner that does not result in satisfactory occupancy rates, ADRs and operating profits, we may not have sufficient rights under our hotel management agreements to enable us to force the hotel management company to change its method of operation. We can only seek redress if a hotel management company violates the terms of the applicable hotel management agreement with the TRS lessee, and then only to the extent of the remedies provided for under the terms of the hotel management agreement. Although several of our management agreements have relatively short terms, most of our current management agreements are non-terminable, subject to certain exceptions for cause or failure to achieve certain performance targets. In the event that we need to replace any of our hotel management companies pursuant to termination for cause or performance, we may experience significant disruptions at the affected properties and the new management companies may not meet our performance expectations, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may be unable to maintain good relationships with third-party hotel managers and franchisors.
The success of our respective hotel investments and the value of our franchised properties largely depend on our ability to establish and maintain good relationships with the third-party hotel managers and franchisors of our respective hotel management and franchise agreements. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with third-party hotel managers or franchisors, we may be unable to renew existing management or franchise agreements or expand relationships with them. Additionally, opportunities for developing new relationships with additional third-party hotel managers or franchisors may be adversely affected. This, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to execute our repositioning strategy through a change in brand or change in third-party hotel manager.
A substantial number of our hotels operate under a brand owned by Marriott or Hilton; therefore, we are subject to risks associated with concentrating our portfolio in two brands.
As of December 31, 2019, 202020, 19 of our 31 hotels operate under brands owned by Marriott and three of our hotels operate under brands owned by Hilton. As a result, our success is dependent in part on the continued success of Marriott and Hilton and their respective brands. Consequently, if market recognition or the positive perception of Marriott or Hilton is reduced or compromised, the goodwill associated with the Marriott- and Hilton-branded hotels in our portfolio may be adversely affected, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Several of our hotels are operated under franchise agreements and we are subject to the risks associated with the franchise brand and the costs associated with maintaining the franchise license.
As of December 31, 2019, 142020, 19 of our hotels operate under Marriott or Hilton franchise agreements. The maintenance of the franchise licenses for branded hotel properties is subject to the franchisors’ operating standards and other terms and conditions set forth in the applicable franchise agreement. Franchisors periodically inspect hotel properties to ensure that we, our TRS lessees and management companies follow their brand standards.
If we fail to maintain these required standards, then the brand may terminate its agreement with us and assert a claim for damages for any liability we may have caused, which could include liquidated damages. Moreover, from time to time, we may receive notices from franchisors or the hotel brands regarding alleged non-compliance with the franchise agreements or brand standards, and we may disagree with these claims that we are not in compliance. Any disputes arising under these agreements could also lead to a termination of a franchise or management agreement and a payment of liquidated damages. If we were to lose a franchise or hotel brand for a particular hotel, it could harm the operation, financing, or value of that hotel due to the loss of the franchise or hotel brand name, marketing support and centralized reservation system, all or any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to stockholders.
Contractual and other disagreements with third-party hotel managers and franchisors could make us liable to them or result in litigation costs or other expenses.
Our management and franchise agreements with third-party hotel managers require us and the applicable third-party hotel manager to comply with operational and performance conditions that are subject to interpretation and could result in disagreements, and we expect this will be true of any management and franchise agreements that we enter into with future third-party hotel managers or franchisors. At any given time, we may be in disputes with one or more third-party hotel managers or franchisors.
Any such dispute could be very expensive for us, even if the outcome is ultimately in our favor. We cannot predict the outcome of any arbitration or litigation, the effect of any negative judgment against us or the amount of any settlement that we may enter into with any franchisor other third-party hotel manager. In the event we terminate a management or franchise agreement early and the hotel manager or franchisor considers such termination to have been wrongful, they may seek damages. Additionally, we may be required to indemnify our third-party hotel managers and franchisors against disputes with third parties, pursuant to our management and franchise agreements. An adverse result in any of these proceedings could materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
If we were to lose a brand license at one or more of our hotels, the value of the affected hotels could decline significantly and we could incur significant costs to obtain new franchise licenses, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.
If we were to lose a brand license, the underlying value of a particular hotel could decline significantly from the loss of associated name recognition, marketing support, participation in guest loyalty programs and the centralized reservation system provided by the franchisor or brand manager, which could require us to recognize an impairment on the hotel. Furthermore, the loss of a franchise license at a particular hotel could harm our relationship with the franchisor or brand manager, which could impede our ability to operate other hotels under the same brand, limit our ability to obtain new franchise licenses or brand management agreements from the franchisor or brand in the future on favorable terms, or at all, and cause us to incur significant costs to obtain a new franchise license or brand management agreement for the particular hotel. Accordingly, if we lose one or more franchise licenses or brand management agreements, it could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.
Our business may be adversely affected by consolidation in the lodging industry.
Consolidation among companies in the lodging industry may reduce our bargaining power in negotiating management agreements and franchise agreements due to decreased competition among major brand companies. For instance, in 2016, Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts, resulting in the increased portfolio concentration in the Marriott brand family (20(19 of our 31 hotels)hotels as of December 31, 2020). We believe Marriott may use this leverage when negotiating for property improvement plans upon the acquisition of a hotel in cases where the franchisor or hotel brand requires renovations to bring the physical condition of a hotel into compliance with the specifications and standards each franchisor or hotel brand has developed.
Industry consolidation could also result in the lack of differentiation among the brands, which could impact the ability to drive higher rates in those brands. In addition, to the extent that consolidation among hotel brand companies adversely affects the loyalty reward program offered by one or more of our hotels, customer loyalty to those hotels may suffer and demand for guestrooms may decrease. Furthermore, because each hotel brand company relies on its own network of reservation systems, hotel management systems and customer databases, the integration of two or more networks may result in a disruption to operations of these systems, such as disruptions in processing guest reservations, delayed bookings or sales, or lost guest reservations, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, following the completion of a merger of companies, the costs to integrate the companies may be absorbed by our impacted hotel or hotels and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ownership of properties through ground leases exposes us to the risks that we may have difficulty financing such properties, be forced to sell such properties for a lower price, are unable to extend the ground leases at maturity or lose such properties upon breach or termination of the ground leases.
We hold a leasehold or subleasehold interest in all or a portion of the land underlying nineeight of our hotels (Bethesda Marriott Suites, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue, Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek, Westin Boston Waterfront, Hotel, Shorebreak Hotel, JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, Orchards Inn Sedona, Hotel Palomar Phoenix, and Cavallo Point), and the parking lot at another of our hotels (Renaissance Worthington)(Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel). We may acquire additional hotels in the future subject to ground leases. In the past, from time to time, secured lenders have been unwilling to lend, or otherwise charged higher interest rates, for loans secured by a leasehold mortgage compared to loans secured by a fee simple mortgage. In addition, at any given time, investors may be disinterested in buying properties subject to a ground lease, especially ground leases with lessfewer than 40 years remaining, such as the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek, which has 3536 years remaining, and may pay a lower price for such properties than for a comparable property in fee simple, or they may not purchase such properties at any price whatsoever. For these reasons, we may have a difficult time selling a property subject to a ground lease or may receive lower proceeds from a sale. Finally, as the lessee under our ground leases, we are exposed to the possibility of losing the hotel, or a portion of the hotel, upon termination, or an earlier breach by us, of the ground lease, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Furthermore, unless we purchase a fee simple interest in the land and improvements subject to our ground leases, we will not have any economic interest in the land or improvements at the expiration of our ground leases and therefore we generally will not share in any increase in value of the land or improvements beyond the term of a ground lease, notwithstanding our capital outlay to purchase our interest in the hotel or fund improvements thereon, and will lose our right to use the hotel.
The failure of tenants to make rent payments under our retail and restaurant leases may adversely affect our results of operation.
On occasion, retail and restaurant tenants at our hotel properties may fail to make rent payments when due. Generally, we hold security deposits in connection with each lease which may be applied in the event that the tenant under the lease fails or is unable to make payments; however, these security deposits do not provide us with sustained cash flow to pay distributions or for other purposes. In the event that a tenant continually fails to make rent payments, the security deposits may be applied in full to the non-payment of rents, but we face the risk of being able to recover only a portion of the rents due to us or being unable to recover any amounts whatsoever. If we evict a tenant, we also face the risk of delay or inability to find a suitable tenant or replacement tenant that suits the needs of our hotel.
We face competition for hotel acquisitions and investments and we may not be successful in identifying or completing hotel acquisitions and investments that meet our criteria, which may impede our growth.
One component of our long-term business strategy is expansion through hotel acquisitions and investments. However, we may not be successful in identifying or completing acquisitions or investments that are consistent with our strategy. For example, we have not acquired a hotel since 2018. We compete with institutional pension funds, private equity funds, REITs, hotel companies and others who are engaged in hotel acquisitions and investments. This competition for hotel investments may increase the price we pay for hotels and these competitors may succeed in acquiring those hotels that we seek to purchase. In addition, the number of entities competing for suitable hotels may increase in the future, which would increase demand for these hotels and the prices we must pay to acquire them. If we pay higher prices for hotels, our returns on investment and profitability may be reduced. Also, future acquisitions of hotels, hotel companies or hotel investments may not yield the returns we expect, especially if we cannot obtain financing without paying higher borrowing costs, and may result in stockholder dilution.
Actions by organized labor could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We believe that unions are generally becoming more aggressive about organizing workers at hotels in certain geographic locations. Potential labor activities at these hotels could significantly increase the administrative, labor and legal expenses and reduce the profits that we receive. If hotels in our portfolio are organized, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We have entered into management agreements with third-party managers to operate our hotels. Our hotel managers are responsible for hiring and maintaining the labor force at each of our hotels. From time to time, strikes, lockouts, public demonstrations or other negative actions and publicity may disrupt hotel operations at any of our hotels, negatively impact our reputation or the reputation of our brands, or harm relationships with the labor forces at our hotels. For example, a strike at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel negatively impacted our hotel operations in 2018. We also may incur increased legal costs and
indirect labor costs as a result of contract disputes or other events. Additionally, hotels where our managers have collective bargaining agreements with employees are more highly affected by labor force activities than others. 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 our 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. We do not have the ability to control the outcome of these negotiations.
Actions by federal, state or local jurisdictions could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Several local jurisdictions in the U.S. have enacted, or considered, legislation increasing the minimum wage for workers in the jurisdiction. Some of this legislation applies to hotels only. If a jurisdiction in which the Company owns a hotel adopts such legislation, then the cost to operate the hotel may increase significantly and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
The Department of Labor has adopted regulations, effective as of January 1, 2020, that have the effect of increasing the number of workers entitled to overtime. We expect these regulations may result in higher operating costs and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Our success depends on senior executive officers whose continued service is not
guaranteed, and changes in our senior executive officers may adversely affect the operation of our business.
We depend on the efforts and expertise of our senior executive officers to manage our day-to-day operations and strategic business direction. Finding suitable replacements for senior executive officers could be difficult. The loss of any of their services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We and our hotel managers rely on information technology in our operations and any material failures, inadequacies, interruptions, security failures, social engineering attacks or cyber-attacks could harm our business.
We and our hotel managers rely on information technologies and systems, including the Internet, to access, store, transmit, deliver and manage information and processes. Some of these information technologies and systems are provided by third-party vendors. We rely on commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of certain confidential customer information, such as individually identifiable information, including information relating to financial accounts. Recently, a number of hotels and hotel management companies have been subject to successful cyber-attacks including those seeking guest credit card information. Moreover, cybersecurity incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level, and will likely continue to increase in frequency in the future.
For these reasons, we and our hotel managers are subject to risks associated with security breaches, whether through cyber-attacks or online fraud schemes, spoofed e-mails and social engineering efforts by hackers aimed at obtaining confidential information. If unauthorized parties gain access to such information or our vendor's technology systems, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify private and sensitive information for proprietary or financial gain. Although we and our hotel managers believe that we have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the security of these systems, there can be no assurance that such security measures will prevent failures, inadequacies or interruptions in system services, or that system security will not be breached through physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, social engineering attacks and cyber-attacks. Disruptions in service, system shutdowns and security breaches in either the information technologies and systems of our hotel managers or our own information technologies and systems, including unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and results, our financial and compliance reporting and our reputation.
Many of our hotel managers carry cyber insurance policies to protect and offset a portion of potential costs that may be incurred from a security breach. Additionally, we currently have cyber insurance policies to provide supplemental coverage above the coverage carried by our third-party managers. Despite various precautionary steps to protect our hotels from losses resulting from cyber-attacks, however, any occurrence of a social engineering attack or cyber-attack could still result in losses at our properties, which could affect our results of operations. We are not aware of any cyber incidents that we believe to be material or that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we may be subject to litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and trading price of our common stock.
From time to time, we may be subject to litigation. In addition, we generally indemnify third-party hotel managers for legal costs resulting from management of our hotels. Some of these claims may result in defense costs, settlements, fines or judgments against us, some of which are not covered by insurance. The outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted. Payment of any such costs, settlements, fines or judgments that are not insured could have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured and/or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and directors.
Risks Related to the Economy and Credit Markets
The lack of availability and terms of financing could adversely impact the amounts, sources and costs of capital available to us.
The ownership of hotels is very capital intensive. We finance the acquisition of our hotels with a mixture of equity and long-term debt, while we traditionally finance renovations and operating needs with cash provided from operations or with borrowings from our corporate credit facility. Our mortgage loans typically have a large balloon payment due at their maturity. Generally, we find it more efficient to place a significant amount of debt on a small number of our hotels while we try to maintain a significant number of our hotels unencumbered.
During periods of economic recession, it could be difficult for us to borrow money. In recent years, a significant percentage of hotel loans were made by lenders who sold such loans to securitized lending vehicles, such as commercial mortgage backed security (“CMBS”) pools. If the market for new CMBS issuances results in CMBS lenders making fewer loans, there is a risk that the debt capital available to us could be reduced.
An uncertain environment in the lodging industry and the economy generally could result in declines in our average daily room rates, occupancy and RevPAR, and thereby have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The performance of the lodging industry has traditionally been closely linked with the general economy. A stall in economic growth or an economic recession would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. IfWhen a property’sproperty's occupancy or room rates drop to the point where its revenues are less than its operating expenses, then we would beare required to spend additional funds in order to cover that property’sproperty's operating expenses.
In addition, if the operating results decline at our hotels that are secured by mortgage debt, there may not be sufficient operating profits from the hotel to fund the debt service on the mortgage. In such a case, we may be forced to choose from a number of unfavorable options, including using corporate cash, drawing on our corporate credit facility, selling a hotel on disadvantageous terms, including an unattractive price, or defaulting on the mortgage debt and permitting the lender to
foreclose. Any one of these options could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Risks Related to Our Debt and Financing
OurThe instruments governing our existing indebtedness containscontain, and instruments governing our future indebtedness may contain, financial covenants that could limit our operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Our existing property-level debt instruments contain, and instruments governing property-level debt we incur in the future may contain, restrictions (including cash management provisions) that may, under circumstances specified in the loan agreements, prohibit our subsidiaries that own our hotels from making distributions or paying dividends, repaying loans to us or other subsidiaries or transferring any of their assets to us or another subsidiary. Failure to meet our financial covenants could result from, among other things, changes in our results of operations, the incurrence of additional debt or changes in general economic conditions. In addition, this could cause one or more of our lenders to accelerate the timing of payments and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. The terms of our debt may restrict our ability to engage in transactions that we believe would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Our credit facility and term loans contain financial covenants that may constrain our ability to sell assets and make distributions to our stockholders.
Our corporate credit facility and term loans contain several financial covenants, the most constraining of which limits the amount of debt that we may incur compared to the value of our hotels (our leverage covenant) and the amount of debt service we pay compared to our cash flow (our debt service coverage covenant). If we were to default under either of these covenants the
such default, the lenders may require us to repay all amounts then outstanding under our credit facility and term loans and may terminate our credit facility and term loans. These and our other financial covenants constrain us from incurring material amounts of additional debt or from selling properties that generate a material amount of income. In addition, our credit facility requires that we maintain a minimum number of our hotels as unencumbered assets.
On June 9, 2020, we executed amendments to the credit agreements for our corporate credit facility and term loans. These amendments provide for a waiver of the quarterly tested financial covenants beginning with the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021 and certain other modifications to the covenants thereafter through the fourth quarter of 2021. On August 14, 2020, we executed a further amendment to the credit agreements for our corporate credit facility and term loans that permits us to pay dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock in an amount up to $17.5 million annually. On January 20, 2021, we executed further amendments to the credit agreements for our corporate credit facility and term loans. These amendments extended the existing waiver of the quarterly tested financial covenants through the fourth quarter of 2021 and certain other modifications to the covenants thereafter through the first quarter of 2023. There can be no assurance that we will meet our financial covenants in the future or that we will be able to obtain additional waivers from our lenders, if needed.
Many of our existing mortgage debt agreements contain, and future mortgage debt agreements may contain, “cash trap” provisions that could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Certain of our loan agreements contain, and future mortgage debt agreements may contain, cash trap provisions that may be triggered if the performance of the affected hotel or hotels declines. If the provisions in one or more of these loan agreements are triggered, substantially all of the cash flow generated by the hotel or hotels affected will be deposited directly into lockbox accounts and then swept into cash management accounts for the benefit of the lenders. Cash will be distributed to us only after certain items are paid, including deposits into leasing and maintenance reserves and the payment of debt service, insurance, taxes, operating expenses, and extraordinary capital expenditures and leasing expenses. ThisThese “cash trap” provisions do not provide the lender the right to accelerate repayment of the underlying debt. As of December 31, 2020, the debt service coverage ratios or debt yields for all of our mortgage loans were below the minimum thresholds such that the cash trap provision of each respective loan was triggered, with the exception of the mortgage loan secured by the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, which does not have a cash trap provision. We do not expect that such cash traps will affect our ability to satisfy our short-term liquidity requirements. However, the triggering of cash traps in the future could affect our liquidity and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
There is refinancing risk associated with our debt.
Our typical debt contains limited principal amortization; therefore, the vast majority of the principal must be repaid at the maturity of the loan in a so-called “balloon payment.” In the event that we do not have sufficient funds to repay the debt at the maturity of these loans, we will need to refinance this debt. If the credit environment is constrained at the time of our debt maturities, we would have a very difficult time refinancing debt. In addition, we locked in our fixed-rate debt at a point in time when we were able to obtain favorable interest rates, principal amortization and other terms. When we refinance our debt, prevailing interest rates and other factors may result in paying a greater amount of debt service, which will adversely affect our cash flow, and, consequently, our cash available for distribution to our stockholders. If we are unable to refinance our debt on acceptable terms, we may be forced to choose from a number of unfavorable options. These options include agreeing to otherwise unfavorable financing terms on one or more of our unencumbered assets, selling one or more hotels on disadvantageous terms, including unattractive prices or defaulting on the mortgage and permitting the lender to foreclose. Any one of these options could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
If we default on our secured debt in the future, the lenders may foreclose on our hotels.
All of our indebtedness, except our credit facility and term loan, is secured by single property first mortgages on the applicable property. If we default on any of the secured loans, the lender will be able to foreclose on the property pledged to the relevant lender under that loan. While we have maintained certain of our hotels unencumbered by mortgage debt, we have a relatively high loan-to-value on a number of our hotels which are subject to mortgage loans and, as a result, those mortgaged hotels may be at an increased risk of default and foreclosure. In addition, to the extent that we cannot meet any future debt service obligations, we will risk losing some or all of our hotels that are pledged to secure our obligations to foreclosure. This could affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
In addition to losing the property, a foreclosure may result in recognition of taxable income. Under the Code, a foreclosure of property securing non-recourse debt would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure even though we did not receive any cash proceeds. As a result, we may be required to identify and utilize other sources of cash for distributions to our stockholders. If this occurs, our financial condition, cash flow and ability to satisfy our other debt obligations or ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected.
Future debt service obligations may adversely affect our operating results, require us to liquidate our properties, jeopardize our ability to make cash distributions necessary to maintain our tax status as a REIT and limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
In the future, we and our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional debt, including secured debt. Although borrowing costs have been historically low, they are expected to rise in the near-term and borrowing costs on new and refinanced debt may be more expensive. Our existing debt, and any additional debt borrowed in the future could subject us to many risks, including the risks that:
•our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to make required payments of principal and interest or to make cash distributions necessary to maintain our tax status as a REIT;
we may be vulnerable to adverse economic and industry conditions;
•we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the repayment of our debt, thereby reducing the cash available for distribution to our stockholders, operations and capital expenditures, future investment opportunities or other purposes;
•the terms of any refinancing might not be as favorable as the terms of the debt being refinanced; and
•the use of leverage could adversely affect our stock price and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
If we violate covenants in our future indebtedness agreements, we could be required to repay all or a portion of our indebtedness before maturity at a time when we might be unable to arrange financing for such repayment on favorable terms, if at all.
Refinanced debt could reduce the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders, as well as reduce funds available for our operations, future investment opportunities or other purposes.
Increases in interest rates may increase our interest expense.
Higher interest rates could increase debt service requirements on any of our floating rate debt, including our unsecured term loans and any outstanding balance on our senior unsecured credit facility, and could reduce the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders, as well as reduce funds available for our operations, future business opportunities or other purposes.
Hedging against interest rate exposure may adversely affect us.
We manage certain exposure to interest rate volatility by using interest rate hedging, such as swap agreements, to “hedge” against the possible negative effects of interest rate fluctuations. We may continue to do so in the future. However, hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of volatile interest rates, available interest rate hedges may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought, the duration of the interest rate hedge may not match the duration of the related liability, and we cannot assure you that any hedging will adequately mitigate the adverse effects of interest rate increases or that counterparties under these agreements will honor their obligations. As a result, our hedging transactions could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
Changes in LIBOR reporting practices, the method in which LIBOR is determined, or the use of alternative reference rates, may adversely affect us.
In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) that regulates LIBOR announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York organized the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, which identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative to USD-LIBOR in derivatives and other financial contracts. We are not able to predict when LIBOR will cease to be available or when there will be sufficient liquidity in the SOFR markets. Any changes adopted by the FCA or other governing bodies in the method used for determining LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR. If that were to occur, our interest payments could change. In addition, uncertainty about the extent and manner of future changes may result in interest rates and/or payments that are higher or lower than if LIBOR were to remain available in its current form.
We have contracts that are indexed to LIBOR and are monitoring and evaluating the related risks, which include interest amounts on our variable rate debt and the swap rate for our interest rate swaps as discussed in Note 8, - Debt.Debt. In the event that LIBOR is discontinued, the interest rates will be based on an alternative variable rate as specified in the applicable documentation governing such debt or swaps or as otherwise agreed upon. Such an event would not affect our ability to borrow or maintain already outstanding borrowings or swaps, but the alternative variable rate could be higher and more volatile than LIBOR prior to its discontinuance.
Certain risks arise in connection with transitioning contracts to a new alternative rate, including any resulting value transfer that may occur. The value of loans, securities, or derivative instruments tied to LIBOR could also be impacted if LIBOR is limited or discontinued. For some instruments, the method of transitioning to an alternative rate may be challenging, as they may require negotiation with the respective counterparty.
If a contract is not transitioned to an alternative rate and LIBOR is discontinued, the impact is likely to vary by contract. If LIBOR is discontinued or if the method of calculating LIBOR changes from its current form, interest rates on our current or future indebtedness may be adversely affected.
While we expect LIBOR to be available in substantially its current form until the end of 2021, it is possible that LIBOR will become unavailable prior to that point. This could result, for example, if sufficient banks decline to make submissions to the LIBOR administrator. In that case, the risks associated with the transition to an alternative reference rate will be accelerated and magnified.
Risks Related to Regulation Taxes and the Environment
Noncompliance with governmental regulations could adversely affect our operating results.
Environmental matters.
Our hotels are, and the hotels that we acquire in the future will be, subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws.laws and regulations relating to environmental protection. Under these laws, courts and government agencies may have the authority to require us, as owner of a contaminated property, to clean up the property, even if we did not know of,
or were not responsible for, the contamination. These laws also apply to persons who owned a property at the time it became contaminated.contaminated so we may incur cleanup costs or other environmental liabilities even after we sell a property. In addition to the costs of cleanup, environmental contamination can affect the value of a property and, therefore, an owner’s ability to borrow funds using the property as collateral or to sell the property. Under theAdditionally, under certain environmental laws, courts and government agencies also have the authority to require that (i) a person who sent waste to a waste disposal facility, such as a landfill or an incinerator, pay for the clean-up of that facility if it becomes contaminated and threatens human health or the environment. Aenvironment and (ii) a person who arranges for the disposal or treatment, or transports for disposal or treatment, a hazardous substance at a property owned by another person may be liablepay for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances released into the environment at that property.
Furthermore,Our hotels are also subject to various federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that address a wide variety of issues, including, but not limited to, storage tanks, air emissions from emergency generators, storm water and wastewater discharges, asbestos, lead-based paint, mold and mildew and waste management. Some of our hotels routinely handle and use hazardous or regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations, which substances and wastes are subject to regulation (e.g., swimming pool chemicals). Our hotels incur costs to comply with these laws and regulations and could be subject to fines and penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, various court decisions have established that third parties may recover damages for injury caused by property contamination. For instance, a person exposed to asbestos while staying or working in a hotel may seek to recover damages if he or she suffers injury from the asbestos. Lastly, some of these environmental
Furthermore, numerous treaties, laws restrictand regulations have been enacted to regulate or limit carbon emissions. Changes in the use of a property or place conditions on various activities. For example, certainregulations and legislation relating to climate change, and complying with such laws and regulations, may require a business using chemicals (such as swimming pool chemicals at a hotel)us to manage them carefully and to notify local officials that the chemicals are being used.
We could be responsible for the costs associated with a contaminated property. The costs to clean up a contaminated property, to defend against a claim, or to comply with environmental laws could be materialmake significant investments in our hotels and could adversely affect the funds available for distributionresult in increased energy costs at our properties which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. We cannot assure you that future laws or regulations will not impose material environmental liabilities or that the current environmental condition of our hotels will not be affected by the condition of the properties in the vicinity of our hotels (such as the presence of leaking underground storage tanks) or by third parties unrelated to us. We may face liability regardless of our knowledge of the contamination, the timing of the contamination, the cause of the contamination, or the party responsible for the contamination of the property.
Although we have taken and will take commercially reasonable steps to assess the condition of our properties, there may be unknown environmental problems associated with our properties. If environmental contamination exists on our properties, we could become subject to strict, joint and several liability for the contamination by virtue of our ownership interest. In addition, we are obligated to indemnify our lenders for any liability they may incur in connection with a contaminated property.
The presence of hazardous substancesWe could be responsible for the costs associated with a contaminated property, including the costs to clean up a contaminated property or petroleum contamination onto defend against a property may adversely affect our ability to sell the propertyclaim, and could cause us to incur substantial remediation costs. The discovery of environmental liabilities attached to our propertiessuch costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Numerous treaties, Additionally, we regularly incur costs to comply with environmental laws and we cannot assure you that future laws or regulations have been enacted to regulatewill not impose material environmental liabilities or limit carbon emissions. Changesthat the current environmental condition of our hotels will not be affected by the condition of the properties in the regulations and legislation relating to climate change, and complying with such laws and regulations, may require us to make significant investments invicinity of our hotels and could result in increased energy costs at our properties which could have a material adverse effect on our results(such as the presence of operations and our abilityleaking underground storage tanks) or by third parties unrelated to make distributions to our stockholders.us.
Americans with Disabilities Act and other changes in governmental rules and regulations.
Our properties must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”), to the extent that such properties are “public accommodations” as defined by the ADA. Under the ADA, all public accommodations must meet various federal non-discrimination requirements related to access and use by individuals with disabilities. Compliance with the ADA’s requirements could require removal of architectural barriers
to access and non-compliance could result in the payment of civil penalties, damages, and attorneys' fees and costs. We believe that our properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA, however, the obligation to comply with the ADA is an ongoing one, and we will continue to assess our properties and to make alterations as appropriate in this regard. If we are required to make substantial modifications to our hotels, whether to comply with the ADA or other changes in governmental rules and regulations, our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected.
Our hotel properties may contain or develop harmful mold, which could lead to liability for adverse health effects and costs of remediating the problem.
When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds may produce airborne toxins or irritants. Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing, as exposure to mold may cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. As a result, the presence of mold to which our hotel guests or employees could be exposed at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold from the affected property, which would reduce our cash available for distribution. In addition, exposure to
mold by our guests or employees, management company employees or others could expose us to liability if property damage or adverse health concerns arise.
Risks Related to Our Status as a REIT
We cannot assure you that we will remain qualified as a REIT.
We believe that we are qualified to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019,2020, and we expect to continue to qualify as a REIT for future taxable years, but we cannot assure you that we have qualified, or will remain qualified, as a REIT. The REIT qualification requirements are extremely complex and official interpretations of the federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT are limited. Certain aspects of our REIT qualification are beyond our control. For example, decreased revenues attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic may make it more difficult for us to meet the REIT gross income tests. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in operating so that we can remain qualified as a REIT. At any time, new laws, interpretations or court decisions may change the federal tax laws or the federal income tax consequences of our qualification as a REIT. Moreover, our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, or otherwise cease to be a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate rate. We might need to borrow money or sell assets in order to pay any such tax. Also, we would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to our stockholders in computing our taxable income and we would no longer be compelled to make distributions under the Code. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain federal income tax laws, we could not re-elect REIT status until the fifth calendar year after the year in which we failed to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to qualify as a REIT but are eligible for certain relief provisions, then we may retain our status as a REIT, but we may be required to pay a penalty tax, which could be substantial.
Maintaining our REIT qualification contains certain restrictions and drawbacks.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities.
To remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. In order to meet these tests, we may be required to forgo attractive business or investment opportunities. For example, we may not lease to our TRS any hotel which contains gaming. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely to maximize profits.
To qualify as a REIT, we must meet annual distribution requirements.
In order to remain qualified as a REIT, we generally are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains, each year to our stockholders. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. As a result of differences between cash flow and the accrual of income and expenses for tax purposes, or nondeductible expenditures, for example, our REIT taxable income in any given year could exceed our cash available for distribution. Accordingly, we may be required to borrow money or sell assets to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay
out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid federal corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in a particular year.
The formation of our TRSs and TRS lessees increases our overall tax liability.
Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. Our domestic TRSs are subject to federal and state income tax on their taxable income. The taxable income of our TRS lessees currently consists and generally will continue to consist of revenues from the hotels leased by our TRS lessees plus, in certain cases, key money payments (amounts paid to us by a hotel management company in exchange for the right to manage a hotel we acquire) and yield support payments, net of the operating expenses for such properties and rent payments to us. Such taxes could be substantial. Our non-U.S. TRSs also may be subject to tax in jurisdictions where they operate.
We will be subject to a 100% excise tax to the extent that transactions with our TRSs are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. For example, to the extent that the rent paid by one of our TRS lessees exceeds an arm’s-length rental amount, such excess is potentially subject to this excise tax. While we believe that we structure all of our leases on an arm’s-length basis, upon an audit, the IRS might disagree with our conclusion.
If the leases of our hotels to our TRS lessees are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.
To qualify as a REIT, we must annually satisfy two gross income tests, under which specified percentages of our gross income must be derived from certain sources, such as “rents from real property.” Rents paid to us by our TRS lessees pursuant to the leases of our hotels will constitute substantially all of our gross income. In order for such rent to qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of the gross income tests, the leases must be respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not be treated as service contracts, financing arrangements, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. If our leases are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.
You may be restricted from transferring our common stock.stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
In order to maintain our REIT qualification, among other requirements, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the federal income tax laws to include certain entities) during the last half of any taxable year. In addition, the REIT rules generally prohibit a manager of one of our hotels from owning, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of our stock and a person who holds 35% or more of our stock from also holding, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of any such hotel management company. To qualify for and preserve REIT status, our charter contains an aggregate share ownership limit, a common share ownership limit, and a commonpreferred share ownership limit. Generally, any shares of our stock owned by affiliated owners will be added together for purposes of the aggregate share ownership limit, and any shares of common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, owned by affiliated owners will be added together for purposes of the common share ownership limit and the preferred share ownership limit.
If anyone transfers or owns shares in a way that would violate the aggregate share ownership limit, the common share ownership limit, or the commonpreferred share ownership limit (unless such ownership limits have been waived by our board of directors), or would prevent us from continuing to qualify as a REIT under the federal income tax laws, those shares instead will be transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary and will be either redeemed by us or sold to a person whose ownership of the shares will not violate the aggregate share ownership limit, the common share ownership limit, or the commonpreferred share ownership limit. If this transfer to a trust would not be effective to prevent a violation of the ownership restrictions in our charter, then the initial intended transfer or ownership will be null and void from the outset. The intended transferee or owner of those shares will be deemed never to have owned the shares. Anyone who acquires or owns shares in violation of the aggregate share ownership limit, the common share ownership limit, the preferred share ownership limit (unless such ownership limits have been waived by our board of directors) or the other restrictions on transfer or ownership in our charter bears the risk of a financial loss when the shares are redeemed or sold if the market price of our stock falls between the date of purchase and the date of redemption or sale.
Even if we maintain our status as a REIT, in certain circumstances, we may be subject to federal and state income taxes, which would reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
Even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we may be subject to federal income taxes or state taxes in various circumstances. For example, net income from a “prohibited transaction” will be subject to a 100% tax. In addition, we may not be able to distribute all of our income in any given year, which would result in corporate level taxes, and we may not make sufficient distributions to avoid excise taxes. We may also decide to retain certain gains from the sale or other disposition of our property and pay income tax directly on such gains. In that event, our stockholders would be required to include such gains in income and would receive a corresponding credit for their share of taxes paid by us. We may also be subject to U.S. state and local and non-
U.S.non-U.S. taxes on our income or properties, either directly or at the level of our operating partnership or the other companies through which we indirectly own our assets. In addition, we may be subject to federal, state, local or non-U.S. taxes in other various circumstances. Any federal or state taxes that we pay will reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
Dividends payable by REITs generally do not qualify for reduced tax rates.
A maximum 20% tax rate applies to “qualified dividend income” payable to individual U.S. stockholders. Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for the reduced rates on qualified dividend income and are taxed at normal ordinary income tax rates (provided that for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1,
2026, non-corporate taxpayers generally may deduct up to 20% of their ordinary REIT dividends that are not “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income”). However, to the extent that our dividends are attributable to certain dividends that we receive from a TRS, such dividends generally will be eligible for the reduced rates that apply to qualified dividend income (but will be ineligible for the 20% deduction). The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay qualified dividend income, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common stock.stock and Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, non-REIT corporations may begin to pay dividends or increase dividends as a result of the lower corporate income tax rate that is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. As a result, the trading price of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock may be negatively impacted.
Failure of our operating partnership to be taxable as a partnership could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and we could suffer other adverse tax consequences.
We believe that our operating partnership will continue to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a partnership and not as an association or as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. If the IRS were to determine that our operating partnership was properly treated as a corporation, our operating partnership would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax at corporate rates on its net income, its partners would be treated as stockholders of our operating partnership and distributions to partners would constitute distributions that would not be deductible in computing the operating partnership’s taxable income. In addition, we could fail to qualify as a REIT, with the resulting consequences described above.
Our UPREIT structure may result in potential conflicts of interest with limited partners in our operating partnership whose interests may not be aligned with those of our stockholders.
Limited partners in our operating partnership have the right to vote on certain amendments to the agreement that governs our operating partnership, as well as on certain other matters. Persons holding such voting rights may exercise them in a manner that conflicts with our stockholders’ interests. As general partner of our operating partnership, we are obligated to act in a manner that is in the best interests of all partners of our operating partnership. Circumstances may arise in the future when the interests of limited partners in our operating partnership may conflict with the interests of our stockholders. These conflicts may be resolved in a manner that some stockholders believe is not in their best interests.
Legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect our stockholders.
In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made to the federal income tax laws applicable to investments in REITs and similar entities. Additional changes to applicable tax laws are likely to continue to occur in the future, and we cannot assure our stockholders that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of a stockholder. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our common stock.stock and Series A Preferred Stock. All stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our common stock.stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
Provisions of our charter may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of our company.
Our charter provides that no person may beneficially own more than 9.8% of the aggregate outstanding shares of our common stock, more than 9.8% of the aggregate outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, or more than 9.8% of the value of the aggregate outstanding shares of our capital stock, except certain “look-through entities,” such as mutual funds, which may beneficially own up to 15% of the aggregate outstanding shares of our common stock, up to 15% of the aggregate outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, or up to 15% of the value of the aggregate outstanding shares of our capital stock. Our board of directors has waived this ownership limitation for certain investors in the past. Our bylaws waive this ownership limitation for certain other classes of investors. These ownership limitations may prevent an acquisition of control of our company by a third party without our board of directors’ approval, even if our stockholders believe the change of control is in their best interests.
Our charter also authorizes our board of directors to issue up to 400,000,000 shares of common stock and up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and to set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares. Furthermore, our board of directors may, without any action by the stockholders, amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. Issuances of additional shares of stock may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium to the market price of our common stock or otherwise be in our stockholders’ best interests.
Certain advance notice provisions of our bylaws may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of our company.
Our bylaws provide that (a) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by the board of directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in the bylaws and (b) with respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders and nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors may be made only (A) by the board of directors or (B) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws. These advance notice provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium to the market price of our common stock or otherwise be in our stockholders’ best interests.
Provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of our company.
The Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, has certain restrictions on a “business combination” and “control share acquisition” which we have opted out of. If an affirmative majority of votes cast by a majority of stockholders entitled to vote approve it, our board of directors may opt in to such provisions of the MGCL. If we opt in, and the stockholders approve it, these provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests.
In addition, provisions of Maryland law permit the board of a corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors, without stockholder approval, to implement possible takeover defenses, such as a classified board or a two-thirds vote requirement for removal of a director. These provisions, if implemented, may make it more difficult for a third party to affect a takeover. In February 2014, however, we amended our charter to prohibit us from dividing directors into classes unless such action is first approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
We have entered into an agreement with each of our senior executive officers that provides each of them benefits in the event that his or her employment is terminated by us without cause, by him or her for good reason or under certain circumstances following a change of control of our company.
We have entered into an agreement with each of our senior executive officers that provides each of them with severance benefits if his or her employment is terminated under certain circumstances following a change of control of our company. Certain of these benefits and the related tax indemnity in the case of certain executive officers could prevent or deter a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
You have limited control as a stockholder regarding any changes that we make to ourpolicies.
Our board of directors determines our major policies, including policies related to our investment objectives, leverage, financing, growth and distributions to our stockholders. Our board of directors may amend or revise these policies without a vote of our stockholders. This means that our stockholders will have limited control over changes in our policies and those changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows from our operations to make distributions to our stockholders at expected levels, and we cannot assure you of our ability to make distributions in the future.
We intend to pay quarterly dividends that represents at least 90% of our REIT taxable income. Our ability to make these intended distributions may be adversely affected by the factors, risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form
10-K and other reports that we file from time to time with the SEC. For example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our board of directors suspended our quarterly common dividend commencing with the first quarter dividend that would have been paid in April 2020. In addition, our board of directors has the sole discretion to determine the timing, form and amount of any distribution to our stockholders. Our board of directors will make determinations regarding distributions based upon many facts, including our financial performance, our debt service obligations, our debt covenants, our capital expenditure requirements, the requirements for qualification as a REIT and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. As a result, no assurance can be given that we will be able to make distributions to our stockholders at expected levels, or at all, or that distributions will increase or even be maintained over time, any of which could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
Changes in market conditions could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
As with other publicly traded equity securities, the value of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock depends on various market conditions that may change from time to time. Among the market conditions that may affect the value of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock are the following:
•the extent of investor interest in our securities;
•the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of our equity securities in comparison to other equity securities, including securities issued by other real estate-based companies;
•the underlying asset value of our hotels;
•investor confidence in the stock and bond markets, generally;
•national and local economic conditions;
•changes in tax laws;
•our financial performance; and
•general stock and bond market conditions.
The market value of our common stock is based primarily upon the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings and cash distributions. Consequently, our common stock may trade at prices that are greater or less than our net asset value per share of common stock.share. If our future earnings or cash distributions are less than expected, it is likely that the market price of our common stock will diminish.
In addition, interest rates have been at historically low levels for an extended period of time. The market for common shares and preferred shares of publicly traded REITs may be influenced by the distribution yield on their common shares (i.e., the amount of annual distributions as a percentage of the market price of their common shares) relative to market interest rates. Although current market interest rates remain low compared to historical levels, interest rates have recently risen and some market forecasts predict additional increases in the near term.may increase. If market interest rates increase, prospective purchasers of REIT common shares and preferred shares may seek to achieve a higher distribution yield, which we may not be able to, or may choose not to, provide. Thus, higher market interest rates could cause the returns on investment in our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock to be relatively less attractive to our investors and the market price of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock to decline. Additionally, higher market interest rates may adversely impact the market values of our hotels.
The market price of our common stock could behas been volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss on our common stockholders’ investment.
The market price of our common stock has been highly volatile in the past, and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources.
Future issuances of our common stock, Series A Preferred Stock or our operating partnership’s common limited partnershipOP units, (“OP units”), may depress the market price of our common stock and have a dilutive effect on our existing stockholders.
We cannot predict whether future issuances of our common stock or Series A Preferred Stock or the availability of shares for resale in the open market may depress the market price of our common stock.stock or Series A Preferred Stock. Future issuances or sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the issuance of our common stock or Series A Preferred Stock in connection with future property, portfolio or business acquisitions,
or the perception that such issuances or sales might occur, may cause the market price of our shares to decline. In addition, future issuances or sales of our common stock or Series A Preferred Stock may be dilutive to existing stockholders.
Our December 2018 acquisition of Cavallo Point was partially funded by the issuance by our operating partnership of common OP units, which became redeemable by the sellers after the one-year anniversary of such issuance for cash or, at our election, on a one-for-one basis for shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the contribution agreement governing our acquisition of Cavallo Point, if any of the common OP units are outstanding seven years after their issuance, we have the option to redeem them for cash or shares of our common stock, at our election. In the future, our operating partnership may
issue additional common OP units to acquire additional properties or portfolios. Such common OP unit issuances would reduce our ownership interest in the operating partnership and may in the future result in dilution of our shareholders’ equity interests.
Holders of our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock have dividend, liquidation and other rights that are senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our board of directors has the authority to designate and issue preferred stock with liquidation, dividend and other rights that are senior to those of our common stock. As of December 31, 2020, 4,760,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. The aggregate liquidation preference with respect to the outstanding preferred stock is approximately $119.0 million and aggregate annual dividends on these shares are approximately $9.8 million. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to cumulative dividends before any dividends may be declared or set aside on our common stock. Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, before any payment is made to holders of our common stock, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid distributions. This will reduce the remaining amount of our assets, if any, available to distribute to holders of our common stock. In addition, holders of our Series A Preferred Stock have the right to elect two additional directors to our board of directors whenever dividends on the preferred shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly dividends, whether or not consecutive.
The conversion rights of our Series A Preferred Stock may be detrimental to holders of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2020, 4,760,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding and could be converted, upon the occurrence of limited specified change in control transactions, into shares of our common stock. The conversation of the Series A Preferred Stock would dilute the stockholder ownership in our Company and common OP unit holder ownership in our operating partnership and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
Future offerings of debt securities or preferred stock, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation and for the purpose of distributions, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
In the future, we may increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, which may include senior or subordinated notes, classes of preferred stock and/or common stock. We will be able to issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings could significantly dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution. Preferred stock and debt, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend or interest payments that could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their interest.
Our growth strategy may not achieve the anticipated results.
Our future success will depend on our ability to grow our business, including through capital investments to acquire and renovate full-service hotel properties. Our growth and innovation strategies require significant commitments of management resources and capital investments and may not grow our revenues at the rate we expect or at all. As a result, we may not be able to recover the costs incurred in acquiring or renovating new hotel properties or to realize their intended or projected benefits, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We cannot guarantee that we will repurchase our common stock pursuant to oura share repurchase program or that oura share repurchase program will enhance long-term stockholder value. Share repurchases could also increase the volatility of the price of our common stock and could diminish our cash reserves.
We do not currently have a share repurchase program but our board of directors may adopt one in the future. The timing and amount of repurchases of shares of our common stock, if any, will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, the trading price of our common stock, our cost of capital and the nature of other investment opportunities. OurA share repurchase program may be limited, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. In addition, repurchases of our common stock pursuant to oura share repurchase program could affect our stock price and increase its volatility. The existence of oura share repurchase program could cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentially reduce the market liquidity for our stock. Additionally, oura share repurchase program could diminish our cash reserves, which may impact our ability to finance future growth and to pursue possible future strategic opportunities and acquisitions. There can be no assurance that any share repurchases will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased shares of stock. Although oura share repurchase program is intended to enhance long-term stockholder value, there is no assurance that it will do so and short-term
stock price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness. OurA share repurchase program may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice.
Tax protection agreements may limit our ability to sell or otherwise dispose of certain properties and may require our operating partnership to maintain certain debt levels that otherwise would not be required to operate our business.
In connection with contributions of properties to our operating partnership, our operating partnership has entered and may in the future enter into tax protection agreements under which it agrees to minimize the tax consequences to the contributing partners resulting from the sale or other disposition of the contributed properties. Tax protection agreements may make it economically prohibitive to sell any properties that are subject to such agreements. In addition, we may be required to maintain
a minimum level of indebtedness throughout the term of any tax protection agreement regardless of whether such debt levels are otherwise required to operate our business.
General Risk Factors
Our success depends on senior executive officers whose continued service is notguaranteed, and changes in our senior executive officers may adversely affect the operation of our business.
We depend on the efforts and expertise of our senior executive officers to manage our day-to-day operations and strategic business direction. Finding suitable replacements for senior executive officers could be difficult. The loss of any of their services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We and our hotel managers rely on information technology in our operations and any material failures, inadequacies, interruptions, security failures, social engineering attacks or cyber-attacks could harm our business.
We and our hotel managers rely on information technologies and systems, including the Internet, to access, store, transmit, deliver and manage information and processes. Some of these information technologies and systems are provided by third-party vendors. We rely on commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of certain confidential customer information, such as individually identifiable information, including information relating to financial accounts. Recently, a number of hotels and hotel management companies have been subject to successful cyber-attacks including those seeking guest credit card information. Moreover, cybersecurity incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level, and will likely continue to increase in frequency in the future.
For these reasons, we and our hotel managers are subject to risks associated with security breaches, whether through cyber-attacks or online fraud schemes, spoofed e-mails and social engineering efforts by hackers aimed at obtaining confidential information. If unauthorized parties gain access to such information or our vendor's technology systems, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify private and sensitive information for proprietary or financial gain. Although we and our hotel managers believe that we have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the security of these systems, there can be no assurance that such security measures will prevent failures, inadequacies or interruptions in system services, or that system security will not be breached through physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, social engineering attacks and cyber-attacks. Disruptions in service, system shutdowns and security breaches in either the information technologies and systems of our hotel managers or our own information technologies and systems, including unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and results, our financial and compliance reporting and our reputation.
Many of our hotel managers carry cyber insurance policies to protect and offset a portion of potential costs that may be incurred from a security breach. Additionally, we currently have cyber insurance policies to provide supplemental coverage above the coverage carried by our third-party managers. Despite various precautionary steps to protect our hotels from losses resulting from cyber-attacks, however, any occurrence of a social engineering attack or cyber-attack could still result in losses at our properties, which could affect our results of operations. We are not aware of any cyber incidents that we believe to be material or that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and trading price of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
We may be subject to litigation. In addition, we generally indemnify third-party hotel managers for legal costs resulting from management of our hotels. Some of these claims may result in defense costs, settlements, fines or judgments against us,
some of which are not covered by insurance. The outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted. Payment of any such costs, settlements, fines or judgments that are not insured could have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured and/or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and directors.
You have limited control as a stockholder regarding any changes that we make to ourpolicies.
Our board of directors determines our major policies, including policies related to our investment objectives, leverage, financing, growth and distributions to our stockholders. Our board of directors may amend or revise these policies without a vote of our stockholders. This means that our stockholders will have limited control over changes in our policies and those changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
The following table sets forth certain information for each of our hotels owned as of December 31, 2019.
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Hotel | | City | | State | | Chain Scale Segment (1) | | Service Category | | Rooms | | | | | Manager | |
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | | Chicago | | Illinois | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 1,200 |
| | | | | Marriott | |
Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel | | Boston | | Massachusetts | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 793 |
| | | | | Marriott Aimbridge Hospitality(2) | |
The Lexington Hotel | | New York | | New York | | New York | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 725 |
| | | | | Highgate Hotels | |
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek | | Salt Lake City | | Utah | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 510 |
| | Marriott | | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | |
Worthington Renaissance Worthington | | Fort Worth Hotel | | TexasFort Worth | | Texas | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 504 |
| | | | | Marriott | |
Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort (3) (2) | | St. Thomas | | U.S. Virgin Islands | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 502 |
| | | | | Aimbridge Hospitality | |
Westin San Diego Downtown | | San Diego | | California | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 436 |
| | | | | Interstate Hotels & Resorts Aimbridge Hospitality(4) | |
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | Fort Lauderdale | | Florida | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 433 |
| | | | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | |
Westin Washington D.C. City Center | | Washington | | District of Columbia | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 410 |
| | | | | Davidson Hotels & Resorts | |
Hilton Boston DowntownDowntown/Faneuil Hall | | Boston | | Massachusetts | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 403 |
| | Davidson Hotels & Resorts | | | Aimbridge Hospitality | |
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa | | Vail | | Colorado | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 344 |
| | | | | Vail Resorts | |
Marriott Atlanta Alpharetta | | Atlanta | | Georgia | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 318 |
| | Marriott |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East | | New York | | New York | | Upscale | | Select Service | | 321 |
| | | | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | |
Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta | | Atlanta | | Georgia | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 318 | | | | | | Aimbridge Hospitality | |
The Gwen ChicagoHotel | | Chicago | | Illinois | | Luxury | | Full Service | | 311 |
| | | | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | |
Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central | | New York | | New York | | Upscale | | Select Service | | 282 |
| | | | | Highgate Hotels | |
Bethesda Marriott Suites | | Bethesda | | Maryland | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 272 |
| | | | | Marriott | |
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain | | Burlington | | Vermont | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 258 |
| | | | | Interstate Hotels & Resorts Aimbridge Hospitality(4) | |
Hotel Palomar Phoenix | | Phoenix | | Arizona | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 242 |
| | | | | Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | |
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek | | Denver | | Colorado | | Luxury | | Full Service | | 199 |
| | | | | Sage Hospitality | |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue | | New York | | New York | | Upscale | | Select Service | | 189 |
| | Marriott | | | Highgate Hotels | |
Sheraton SuitesBarbary Beach House Key West (3) | | Key West | | Florida | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 184 |
| | | | | Ocean Properties | |
The Lodge at Sonoma a Renaissance Resort & Spa | | Sonoma | | California | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 182 |
| | Marriott | | | Sage Hospitality | |
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | Denver | | Colorado | | Upscale | | Select Service | | 177 |
| | | | | Sage Hospitality | |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel | | Charleston | | South Carolina | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 166 |
| | Marriott | | | Aimbridge Hospitality | |
Kimpton Shorebreak HotelResort | | Huntington Beach | | California | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 157 |
| | | | | Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | |
Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate | | Sausalito | | California | | Luxury | | Full Service | | 142 |
| | | | | Ft. Baker Management LLC | |
Havana Cabana Key West | | Key West | | Florida | | Upscale | | Select Service | | 106 |
| | | | | Ocean Properties | |
Hotel Emblem | | San Francisco | | CaliforniaSan Francisco | | California | | Upper Upscale | | Full Service | | 96 |
| | | | | Viceroy Hotels & Resorts | |
L'Auberge de Sedona | | Sedona | | Arizona | | Luxury | | Full Service | | 88 |
| | | | | Evolution Hospitality | |
The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa | | South Lake Tahoe | | California | | Luxury | | Full Service | | 82 |
| | | | | Evolution Hospitality | |
Orchards Inn Sedona | | Sedona | | Arizona | | Upscale | | Full Service | | 70 |
| | | | | Evolution Hospitality | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | 10,102 |
| | | | | | |
_____________
(1)As defined by STR, Inc.
(2)The hotel is currently closed as a result of the damage incurred by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. We entered into a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality effective April 5, 2019.
(3)Formerly the Sheraton Suites Key West. On June 1, 2020, the hotel converted to an independent hotel, Barbary Beach House Key West.
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(1) | As defined by STR, Inc. |
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(2) | We terminated the management agreement with Marriott effective January 14, 2020. As of January 15, 2020, the hotel is managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts. |
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(3) | The hotel is currently closed as a result of the damage incurred by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. We entered into a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality effective April 5, 2019. |
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(4) | In October 2019, Interstate Hotels & Resorts merged with Aimbridge Hospitality. |
Hotel Management Agreements
We are party to hotel management agreements for each hotel that we own. The following table sets forth the expiration date of the current term, the terms of termination of the manager by the Company, and the number of remaining renewal terms at the manager's option under the respective hotel management agreements for each of our hotels.hotels as of December 31, 2020. Generally, the term of the hotel management agreements, if applicable, renew automatically for a negotiated number of consecutive periods upon the expiration of the initial term unless the manager gives notice to us of its election not to renew the hotel management agreement.
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Property | | Manager | | Terminable | | | | Terminable | | Expiration Date of Current Term | | Number of Remaining Renewal Terms at Manager's Exclusive Option (1) |
Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta Marriott | | MarriottAimbridge Hospitality | | No | | 12/2030 | | Two ten-year periodsAt will with fee until 9/2021; at will with no fee thereafter | | 9/2025 | | None |
Barbary Beach House Key West | | Ocean Properties | | | | | | No | | 7/2027 | | None |
Bethesda Marriott Suites | | Marriott | | | | | | 2022 with no fee | | 12/2025 | | Two ten-year periods |
Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel (2) | | Marriott | | No (2) | | 12/2026 | | None |
Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate | | Passport ResortsFt. Baker Management LLC | | | | | | At will with fee | | 6/2023 | | One five-year period |
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | | Marriott | | No | | | | No | | 12/2038 | | Two ten-year periods |
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | Sage Hospitality | | | | | | At will with no fee | | 7/2021 | | None |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue | | MarriottHighgate Hotels | | No | | 12/2035 | | At will with fee until 9/2021; at will with no fee thereafter | | 10/2025 | | None |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | | | | | | At will with fee | | 8/2027 | | None |
Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort (3)(2) | | Aimbridge Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee | | To be determined (4)(3) | | One five-year period |
The Gwen ChicagoHotel | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | | | | | | At will with fee | | 6/2026 | | None |
Havana Cabana Key West | | Ocean Properties | | | | | | At will with no fee | | 12/2026 | | Two five-year periods |
Hilton Boston DowntownDowntown/Faneuil Hall | | Davidson Hotels & ResortsAimbridge Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee until 7/2021; at will with no fee thereafter | | 7/2025 | | None |
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain | | Aimbridge Hospitality | | | | | | At will with no fee | | 11/2024N/A | | NoneMonth-to-month |
Hilton Burlington | | Interstate Hotels & Resorts (5) | | At will with no fee | | N/A | | Month-to-month |
Hilton Garden Inn New York City/York/Times Square Central | | Highgate Hotels | | No | | | | No | | 12/2024 | | One five-year period (6)(4) |
Hotel Emblem San Francisco | | Viceroy Hotels & Resorts | | | | | | At will with fee | | 12/2027 | | One five-year period |
Hotel Palomar Phoenix | | Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group | | | | | | 2020 upon sale with fee; 2023 upon sale with no fee | | 12/2027 | | One five-year period (7)(5) |
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek | | Sage Hospitality | | | | | | At will with no fee | | 5/2021 | | None |
L'Auberge de SedonaKimpton Shorebreak Resort | | Evolution HospitalityKimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group | | | | | | At will with fee | | 10/20242/2025 | | None |
The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa | | Evolution Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee | | 9/2024 | | One five-year period |
L'Auberge de Sedona | | Evolution Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee | | 10/2024 | | One five-year period |
The Lexington Hotel New York | | Highgate Hotels | | 2019 upon sale with fee; 2020 upon | | | | Upon sale with no fee | | 5/2021 | | One five-year period (6)(4) |
Orchards Inn SedonaThe Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa | | EvolutionSage Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee | | 9/2025 | | None |
Orchards Inn Sedona | | Evolution Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee | | 10/2024 | | One five-year period |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel | | MarriottAimbridge Hospitality | | Upon sale | | | | At will with fee until 9/2021; at will with no fee thereafter | | 12/20219/2025 | | Two five-year periodsNone |
Renaissance Worthington | | Marriott | | No | | 12/2031 | | Two ten-year periods |
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek | | MarriottHEI Hotels & Resorts | | No | | 12/2026 | | Two fifteen-year periods |
Sheraton Suites Key West | | Ocean Properties | | No | | 7/2027 | | None |
Shorebreak Hotel | | Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group | | At will with fee | | 2/2025 | | None |
The Landing Resort & Spa | | Evolution Hospitality | | At until 9/2021; at will with no fee thereafter | | 9/20242025 | | One five-year period |
The Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa | | Marriott | | No | | 12/2025 | | One ten-year periodNone |
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa(6) | | Vail Resorts | | | | | | Upon sale with fee | | 12/2020 | | None |
Westin Boston Waterfront | | Aimbridge Hospitality | | | | | | At will with fee | | 1/2025 | | None |
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | HEI Hotels & Resorts | | | | | | At will with fee; 2023 with no fee | | 12/2024 | | None |
Westin San Diego Downtown | | Interstate Hotels & Resorts (5)Aimbridge Hospitality | | | | | | At will with no fee | | N/A | | Month-to-month |
Westin Washington D.C. City Center | | Davidson Hotels & Resorts | | | | | | At will with fee | | 5/2024 | | One five-year period |
Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel | | Marriott | | | | | | No | | 12/2031 | | Two ten-year periods |
____________________
(1)Certain agreements allow for other extension rights that may be only at our option.
(2)The hotel is currently closed as a result of the physical damage incurred from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. We entered into a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality effective April 5, 2019.
(3)Current term will expire on the fifth anniversary of the hotel's opening date, which is to be determined.
(4)Hotel manager is entitled to one five-year extension option upon achievement of a certain level of net operating income, which is significantly above current net operating income at the hotel.
(5)Hotel manager is entitled to one five-year extension option if the manager earns an incentive management fee in both 2026 and 2027. The manager did not earn an incentive management fee in 2020.
(6)We entered into a new management agreement with Vail Resorts effective January 1, 2021. The management agreement expires on January 1, 2024. The management agreement is terminable at will with a fee.
____________________
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(1) | Certain agreements allow for other extension rights that may be only at our option. |
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(2) | We terminated the management agreement with Marriott effective January 14, 2020 upon mutual agreement. As of January 15, 2020, the hotel is managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts. The management agreement with Interstate Hotels & Resorts expires in January 2025, at which time the term may continue on a month-to-month basis. The management agreement is terminable at will with a fee. |
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(3) | The hotel is currently closed as a result of the physical damage incurred from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We entered into a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality effective April 5, 2019. |
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(4) | Current term will expire on the fifth anniversary of the hotel's opening date, which is to be determined. |
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(5) | In October 2019, Interstate Hotels and Resorts merged with Aimbridge Hospitality. |
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(6) | Hotel manager is entitled to one five-year extension option upon achievement of a certain level of net operating income, which is significantly above current net operating income at the hotel. |
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(7) | Hotel manager is entitled to one five-year extension option if the manager earns an incentive management fee in both 2026 and 2027. The manager did not earn an incentive management fee in 2019. |
Under our hotel management agreements, the hotel manager receives a base management fee and, if certain financial thresholds are met or exceeded, an incentive management fee. The base management fee is generally payable as a percentage of gross hotel revenues for each fiscal year. The incentive management fee is generally based on hotel operating profits, but the fee only applies to that portion of hotel operating profits above a negotiated return on our invested capital, which we refer to as the owner's priority. We refer to this excess of operating profits over the owner's priority as “available cash flow.”
The following table sets forth the base management fee, incentive management fee and furniture, fixture and equipment (“FF&E”) reserve contribution, generally due and payable each fiscal year, for each of our hotels:hotels as of December 31, 2020:
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| | | | | | | | | | |
Property | | Base Management Fee (1) |
| Incentive Management Fee (2) |
| FF&E Reserve Contribution (1) |
|
Atlanta Alpharetta Marriott | | 2 | % | (3) | 25 | % |
| 5 | % |
|
Bethesda Marriott Suites | | 3 | % |
| 50 | % | (4) | 5 | % | (5) |
Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel (6) | | 2.5 | % |
| 20 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate |
| 2.5 | % |
| 5 | % |
| 4 | % | |
Chicago Marriott Downtown | | 2 | % | (7) | 18 | % | (8) | 5 | % |
|
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | 1.5 | % | (9) | 10 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
Courtyard Manhattan/Fifth Avenue | | 6 | % |
| 25 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
Courtyard Manhattan/Midtown East | | 1.75 | % |
| 15 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort (10) | | 2.5 | % | (11) | 10 | % |
| 2 | % | (12) |
The Gwen Chicago | | 2.25 | % |
| 15 | % | | 4 | % | |
Havana Cabana Key West | | 3 | % | | 10 | % |
| 4 | % | |
Hilton Boston Downtown | | 2 | % | | 10 | % |
| 4 | % | |
Hilton Burlington | | 1.5 | % | (13) | 10 | % |
| 4 | % | |
Hilton Garden Inn New York City/Times Square Central | | 3 | % |
| 20 | % | | 4 | % | |
Hotel Emblem | | 2.75 | % |
| 15 | % |
| 4 | % | |
Hotel Palomar Phoenix | | 3.5 | % |
| 20 | % |
| 4 | % | |
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek | | 2.5 | % |
| 10 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
L'Auberge de Sedona | | 2.25 | % | (14) | 15 | % | | 2 | % | (15) |
Lexington Hotel New York | | 3 | % |
| 20 | % |
| 5 | % | |
Orchards Inn Sedona | | 2.25 | % | (14) | 15 | % | | 2 | % | (15) |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District | | 3.5 | % |
| 20 | % |
| 5 | % |
|
Renaissance Worthington | | 3 | % |
| 25 | % |
| 5 | % |
|
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown | | 2 | % | (16) | 20 | % |
| 5 | % |
|
Sheraton Suites Key West | | 3 | % | | 10 | % | | 4 | % | |
Shorebreak Hotel | | 2.5 | % | | 15 | % | | 4 | % | |
The Landing Resort & Spa | | 1.25 | % | (17) | 15 | % | | 2 | % | (15) |
The Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa | | 3 | % |
| 20 | % |
| 5 | % |
|
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa | | 3 | % |
| 20 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | 2 | % |
| 15 | % |
| 4 | % | |
Westin San Diego | | 1.5 | % | (13) | 10 | % |
| 4 | % |
|
Westin Washington D.C. City Center | | 2 | % | | 15 | % |
| 4 | % | |
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Property | | Base Management Fee (1) | | Incentive Management Fee (2) | | FF&E Reserve Contribution (1) | |
Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta | | 2% | | 15% | (3) | 4% | |
Barbary Beach House Key West | | 3% | | 10% | | 4% | |
Bethesda Marriott Suites | | 3% | | 50% | (4) | 5% | (5) |
Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate | | 2.5% | | 20% | | 4% | |
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | | 2% | (6) | 18% | (7) | 5% | |
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | 1.5% | (8) | 10% | | 4% | |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue | | 2.5% | (9) | 15% | (3) | None | |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East | | 1.75% | | 15% | | 4% | |
Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort (10) | | 2.5% | (11) | 10% | | 2% | (12) |
The Gwen Hotel | | 2.25% | | 15% | | 4% | |
Havana Cabana Key West | | 3% | | 10% | | 4% | |
Hilton Boston Downtown/Faneuil Hall | | 1.25% | | 15% | (3) | 4% | |
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain | | 1.5% | (13) | 10% | | 4% | |
Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central | | 3% | | 20% | | 4% | |
Hotel Emblem San Francisco | | 2.75% | | 15% | | 4% | |
Hotel Palomar Phoenix | | 3.5% | | 20% | | 4% | |
JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek | | 2.5% | | 10% | | 4% | |
Kimpton Shorebreak Resort | | 2.5% | | 15% | | 4% | |
The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa | | 1.25% | | 15% | | 3% | (14) |
L'Auberge de Sedona | | 2.25% | | 15% | | 3% | (14) |
The Lexington Hotel | | 3% | | 20% | | 5% | |
The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa | | 2% | | 15% | (3) | 4% | |
Orchards Inn Sedona | | 2.25% | | 15% | | 2% | (14) |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel | | 2% | | 15% | (3) | 4% | |
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek | | 2% | | 15% | (3) | 4% | |
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort (15) | | 3% | | 20% | | 4% | |
Westin Boston Waterfront | | 1% | | 15% | (3) | 4% | |
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | 2% | | 15% | | 4% | |
Westin San Diego Downtown | | 1.5% | (13) | 10% | | 4% | |
Westin Washington D.C. City Center | | 2% | | 15% | | 4% | |
Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel | | 3% | | 25% | | 5% | |
______________
(1)As a percentage of gross revenues.
(2)As a percentage of hotel operating profits above a specified return on our invested capital or specified operating profit thresholds.
(3)Total incentive management fees are capped at 1% of gross revenues.
(4)The owner's priority expires in 2028, after which the manager will receive 50% of the hotel's operating profits.
(5)The contribution is reduced to 1% until operating profits exceed an owner's priority of $4.4 million.
(6)The base management fee decreased from 3% to 2% for October 2017 through September 2021 and will then revert back to 3% for the remainder of the term.
(7)Calculated as 18% of net operating income. There is no owner's priority; however, the Company's contribution to the hotel's recent multi-year property renovation is treated as a deduction in calculating net operating income.
(8)The base management fee is a sum of 1.5% of gross revenues and 1.5% of gross operating profit.
(9)Beginning January 2023, the base management fee decreases to 2.25% of gross revenues.
(10)The hotel is currently closed as a result of the physical damage incurred from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. We entered into a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality effective April 5, 2019.
(11)Base management fees are calculated are 2.5% of total operating revenues beginning on the opening date of the hotel, decreases to 2% beginning on the second anniversary of the opening date, and decreases to 1.5% beginning on the third anniversary of the opening date through the remainder of the term.
(12)The contribution is 2% of total operating revenues beginning on the opening date of the hotel, increases to 3% on the first anniversary of the opening date, and increases to 4% on the second anniversary of the opening date through the remainder of the term.
(13)Total management fees are capped at 2.5% of gross revenues.
(14)The contribution increases to 4% beginning October 2021 through the remainder of the term.
(15)We entered into a new management agreement with Vail Resorts effective January 1, 2021. Under the management agreement, base management fees are 2% of gross revenues, incentive management fees are 15% of operating profit exceeding owner's priority, and the FF&E reserve contribution is 4% of gross revenues.
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(1) | As a percentage of gross revenues. |
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(2) | As a percentage of hotel operating profits above a specified return on our invested capital or specified operating profit thresholds. |
| |
(3) | The base management fee is 2% of gross revenues between February 2018 and January 2021 and will increase to 3% of gross revenues thereafter through the remainder of the term. |
| |
(4) | The owner's priority expires in 2028, after which the manager will receive 50% of the hotel's operating profits. |
| |
(5) | The contribution is reduced to 1% until operating profits exceed an owner's priority of $4.4 million. |
| |
(6) | We terminated the management agreement with Marriott effective January 14, 2020. As of January 15, 2020, the hotel is managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts. Under the management agreement with Interstate Hotels & Resorts, base management fees are 1% of total revenues, incentive management fees are 15% of operating profit exceeding owner's priority, and the FF&E reserve contribution is 4% of total revenues. |
| |
(7) | The base management fee decreased from 3.0% to 2.0% for October 2017 through September 2021 and will then revert back to 3% for the remainder of the term. |
| |
(8) | Calculated as 18% of net operating income. There is no owner's priority; however, the Company's contribution to the hotel's multi-year property renovation is treated as a deduction in calculating net operating income. |
| |
(9) | The base management fee is a sum of 1.5% of gross revenues and 1.5% of gross operating profit. |
| |
(10) | The hotel is currently closed as a result of the physical damage incurred from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We entered into a management agreement with Aimbridge Hospitality, effective April 5, 2019. |
| |
(11) | Base management fees are calculated are 2.5% of total operating revenues beginning on the opening date of the hotel, decreases to 2% beginning on the second anniversary of the opening date, and decreases to 1.5% beginning on the third anniversary of the opening date through the remainder of the term.
|
| |
(12) | The contribution is 2% of total operating revenues beginning on the opening date of the hotel, increases to 3% on the first anniversary of the opening date, and increases to 4% on the second anniversary of the opening date through the remainder of the term.
|
| |
(13) | Total management fees are capped at 2.5% of gross revenues. |
| |
(14) | Prior to October 2019, the base management fee was 1.0% of gross revenues under the previous hotel manager. |
| |
(15) | The contribution increases to 3% beginning October 2020 and increases to 4% beginning October 2021 through the remainder of the term. |
| |
(16) | The base management fee decreased from 3% to 1.5% beginning May 2016 and increased to 2.0% in May 2018 and will increase to 3.0% in May 2021 through the remainder of the term. |
| |
(17) | Prior to October 2019, the base management fee was 1.5% of gross revenues under the previous hotel manager. |
Additional information regarding fees incurred under hotel management agreements can be found in Note 1110 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Franchise Agreements
The following table sets forth the terms of the hotel franchise agreements for our 1419 franchised hotels:
hotels as of December 31, 2020: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Franchised Hotels | | Expiration Date of Agreement | | Franchise Fee |
Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta | | 9/2040 (1) | | 6% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales (2) |
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | 10/2027 | | 5.5% of gross room sales(1) |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown EastFifth Avenue | | 8/204212/2035 | | 6% of gross room sales |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East | | 8/2042 | | 6% of gross room sales |
Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort (2)(3) | | To be determined (2) (3) | | Ranging from 5% to 6% of gross room sales and up to 3% of gross food and beverage sales (3) (4) |
The Gwen ChicagoHotel | | 9/2035 | | 4%4.5% of gross room sales (4)
|
Hilton Boston DowntownDowntown/Faneuil Hall | | 7/2022 | | 5% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales; program fee of 4% of gross room sales |
Hilton Burlington | | 7/2032 | | 5% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales; program fee of 4% of gross room sales(5) |
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain | | 7/2032 | | 5% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales; program fee of 4% of gross room sales |
Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central | | 6/2033 | | 5% of gross room sales; program fee of 4.3% of gross room sales |
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek (5) | | 10/20262036 | | 6% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales |
The Lexington Hotel New York | | 3/2032 (6) | | 5% of gross room sales |
Sheraton Suites Key West The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa(6)
| | 2/202612/2035 | | 5% of gross room sales (2) |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel | | 12/2031 | | 5% of gross room sales (7) |
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek | | 9/2040 (1) | | 6% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales (2) |
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa(8) | | 12/2021 | | 6% of gross room sales plus 3% of gross food and beverage sales |
Westin Boston Waterfront | | 12/2026 | | 5% of gross room sales and 1% of gross food and beverage sales (9) |
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | 12/2034 | | 6% of gross room sales and 2% of gross food and beverage sales |
Westin San Diego Downtown | | 12/20302040 | | 7% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales |
Westin Washington D.C. City Center | | 12/20302040 | | 7% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales |
______________
| |
(1) | In October 2017, the franchise fee was reduced to 4.5% of gross room sales. The franchise fee reverted back to 5.5% of gross room sales beginning October 2019. |
| |
(2) | The hotel is currently closed as a result of the physical damage incurred from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and is schedule to re-open at the end of 2020 as two separate hotels. We entered into two separate franchise agreements with Marriott on October 4, 2019, which expire on the 20th anniversary of each of the hotels' opening dates. |
(1)The franchise agreement may be extended at Marriott's option for one 10-year term.
| |
(3) | The franchise fees, which currently range from 5% to 6% of gross room sales and up to 3% of gross food and beverage sales beginning on the opening date of the hotels, decrease to 3% to 4% of gross room sales and up to 2% of gross food and beverage sales on the second anniversary of the opening dates, increase to 4% to 5% of gross room sales and up to 2.5% of gross food and beverage sales on the fourth anniversary of the opening dates, and increase to 5% to 6% of gross room sales and up to 3% of gross food and beverage sales on the fifth anniversary of the opening dates through the remainder of the term. |
| |
(4) | The franchise fee will increase to 4.5% of gross room sales beginning September 2020 through the remainder of the term. |
| |
(5) | Prior to August 2018, the franchise fee was 3% of gross room sales. The franchise fee increased to 4% of gross room sales beginning August 2018 and increased to 5% of gross room sales beginning August 2019 through the remainder of the term. |
| |
(6) | On November 26, 2019, we gave notice to terminate the management agreement with Marriott, effective May 31, 2020. As of June 1, 2020, the hotel will be independent. |
SubsequentThe franchise agreement limits total franchise fees prior to December 31, 2020 to 3% of gross revenues.
(3)The hotel is currently closed as a result of the physical damage incurred from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and will re-open as two separate hotels. We entered into two separate franchise agreements with Marriott on October 4, 2019, which expire on the 20th anniversary of each of the hotels' opening dates.
(4)The franchise fees, which currently range from 5% to 6% of gross room sales and up to 3% of gross food and beverage sales beginning on the opening date of the hotels, decrease to 3% to 4% of gross room sales and up to 2% of gross food and beverage sales on the second anniversary of the opening dates, increase to 4% to 5% of gross room sales and up to 2.5% of gross food and beverage sales on the fourth anniversary of the opening dates, and increase to 5% to 6% of gross room sales and up to 3% of gross food and beverage sales on the fifth anniversary of the opening dates through the remainder of the term.
(5)The franchise agreement provides us with an option to convert the hotel to a Luxury Collection Hotel, subject to the completion of a property improvement plan.
(6)On August 27, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the franchise agreement that provides us with the right to terminate such agreement on or after April 2, 2021, subject to the payment of unamortized key money as of the date of termination and payment of a termination fee.
(7)The franchise agreement limits total franchise fees prior to December 31, 2020 to 3.5% of gross revenues.
(8)On August 27, 2020, we entered into a franchise agreement with Marriottto convert the brand to a Luxury Collection Hotel. The new franchise agreement has a term of 20 years, and the brand conversion will be effective upon the completion of an agreed-upon renovation. The franchise fees ramp up for the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel. The franchise agreement expiresfirst two years to stabilize in December 2026. Under the franchise agreement with Marriott, franchisethird year at the standard fees areof 5% of gross room sales and 1%2% of gross food and beverage sales. sales thereafter.
(9)In January 2023, the franchise feefees will increase to 6% of gross room sales and 2% of gross food and beverage sales. In January 2026, the franchise feefees will increase to 7% of gross room sales and 3% of gross food and beverage sales through the remainder of the term.
Additional information regarding changes to franchise agreements in 2020 and fees incurred under franchise agreements can be found in Note 1110 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Mortgage Debt
Eight of our hotels are encumbered by mortgage debt. Additional information regarding such hotels can be found in Note 8 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Ground Leases
NineEight of our hotels and one parking garage are subject to ground lease agreements. Additional information regarding our hotels that are subject to ground leases can be found in Notes 4 and 1211 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
Litigation
We are subject to various claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings, including routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, regarding the operation of our hotels and Company matters. While it is not possible to ascertain the ultimate outcome of such matters, management believes that the aggregate amount of such liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The outcome of claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings brought against the Company, however, is subject to significant uncertainties.
On August 13, 2018, the Company brought suit against certain of its property insurers in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, over the amount of the coverage the insurers owe the Company as a result of the damage caused to Frenchman's Reef by Hurricane Irma. On September 28, 2018, certain of the Company's property insurers brought a similar suit against the Company in New York seeking a declaration that the insurers do not owe the full amount of the Company's claim. In December 2019, the Company and each of the insurers remaining in the lawsuit settled the claim for $246.8 million, of which $238.5 million related to Frenchman's Reef and $8.3 million related to amounts previously agreed to for the Havana Cabana Key West. The settlement amount includes proceeds previously received of $85.0 million and $10.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of February 28, 2020, the Company has received all the proceeds of the settlement and the suit has been dismissed in both St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and New York.
| |
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “DRH”. The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on December 31, 20192020 was $11.08$8.25 per share.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (the “S&P 500 Total Return”) and the Dow Jones U.S. Hotels & Lodging REITs Index (the “Dow Jones U.S. Hotels Total Return”). We believe the Dow Jones U.S. Hotels & Lodging REITs Index's total return provides a relevant industry sector comparison to our common stock's total stockholder return given the index is based on REITs that primarily invest in lodging real estate.
The graph assumes an initial investment on December 31, 20142015 of $100 in our common stock in each of the indices and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The total return values do not include dividends declared, but not paid, during the period.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2015 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 |
DiamondRock Hospitality Company Total Return | $100.00 | | | $125.82 | | | $128.81 | | | $107.03 | | | $138.78 | | | $103.34 | |
S&P 500 Total Return | $100.00 | | | $111.96 | | | $136.40 | | | $130.42 | | | $171.49 | | | $203.04 | |
Dow Jones U.S. Hotels Total Return | $100.00 | | | $124.26 | | | $132.62 | | | $116.06 | | | $134.56 | | | $99.68 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2014 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 |
DiamondRock Hospitality Company Total Return |
| $100.00 |
| |
| $67.69 |
| |
| $85.17 |
| |
| $87.19 |
| |
| $72.45 |
| |
| $93.94 |
|
S&P 500 Total Return |
| $100.00 |
| |
| $101.38 |
| |
| $113.51 |
| |
| $138.29 |
| |
| $132.23 |
| |
| $173.86 |
|
Dow Jones U.S. Hotels Total Return |
| $100.00 |
| |
| $72.62 |
| |
| $90.24 |
| |
| $96.31 |
| |
| $84.29 |
| |
| $97.72 |
|
This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Dividend Information
In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make distributions to our stockholders each year in an amount equal to at least:
•90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains, plus
•90% of the excess of our net income from foreclosure property over the tax imposed on such income by the Code, minus
•any excess non-cash income.
We generally pay quarterly cash dividends to common stockholders at the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors suspended our quarterly common dividend commencing with the first quarter dividend that would have been paid in April 2020. The resumption in quarterly common dividends will be determined by our board of directors after considering our projected taxable income, obligations under our financing agreements, expected capital requirements, and risks affecting our business.
Stockholder Information
As of February 21, 2020,22, 2021, there were 1520 record holders of our common stock and we believe we have more than one thousand beneficial holders. As of February 21, 2020,22, 2021, there were 13 holders of common OP units (in addition to the Company and executive officers of the Company).
In order to comply with certain requirements related to our qualification as a REIT, our charter, subject to certain exceptions, limits the number of common shares that may be owned by any single person or affiliated group to 9.8% of the outstanding common shares.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 20192020 regarding shares of common stock that may be issued under the Company’s equity compensation plans.
| | Plan Category | | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) | Plan Category | | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) |
| | (a) | | (b) | | (c) | | | (a) | | (b) | | (c) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | 1,986,173 (1) | | — (2) | | 4,730,978 | Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | 2,378,937 (1) | | — (2) | | 3,027,839 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | — | | — | | — | Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | — | | — | | — |
Total | | 1,986,173 | | — | | 4,730,978 | Total | | 2,378,937 | | — | | 3,027,839 |
| |
(1) | Includes 1,189,641 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to our deferred compensation plan and 796,532 shares of common stock issuable upon the achievement of certain performance conditions. |
| |
(2) | Performance stock units and deferred stock units do not have any exercise price. |
(1) Includes 1,466,751 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to our deferred compensation plan and 912,186 shares of common stock issuable upon the achievement of certain performance conditions.
(2) Performance stock units and deferred stock units do not have any exercise price.
Fourth Quarter 20192020 Repurchases of Equity Securities
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | |
Total Number of Shares Purchased | |
Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Maximum Dollar Amount that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in thousands) (1) |
October 1 - October 31, 2019 | | — | | $ | — |
| | — | | $ | 175,156 |
|
November 1 - November 30, 2019 | | 3,150 (2) | | $ | 10.21 |
| | — | | $ | 175,156 |
|
December 1 - December 31, 2019 | | — | | $ | — |
| | — | | $ | 175,156 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Period | Represents amounts available under | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Maximum Dollar Amount that May Yet be Purchased Under the Company's share repurchase program. To facilitate repurchases, we make purchases pursuant to a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, which allows us to repurchase shares during periods when we otherwise may bePlans or Programs (in thousands) (1) |
October 1 - October 31, 2020 | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | 165,179 | |
November 1 - November 30, 2020 | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | — | |
December 1 - December 31, 2020 | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | — | |
prevented from doing so(1) Represents amounts available under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. Thethe Company's $250 million share repurchase program may be suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. Onannounced by the Company on November 2,5, 2018 our board of directors increased the authorization under the share repurchase program from $150 million to $250 million. Our share repurchase program will be effective until(the “Share Repurchase Program”). The Share Repurchase Program expired on November 6,5, 2020.
| |
(2) | Reflects shares surrendered to the Company by employees for payment of tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock. |
Fourth Quarter 20192020 Sales of Unregistered Securities
On December 26, 2019, 4,553 OP units were redeemed for 4,553 shares of our common stock. These shares of our common stock were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following tables set forth selected historical financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015Company that has been derived from our audited historicalconsolidated financial statements. The selected historical financial datastatements and notes thereto. This information should be read in conjunction with “Management's“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” theOperations” and our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and the related notes containedincluded elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |
Rooms | | $ | 661,153 |
| | $ | 631,048 |
| | $ | 635,932 |
| | $ | 650,624 |
| | $ | 673,578 |
|
Food and beverage | | 215,261 |
| | 184,097 |
| | 183,049 |
| | 194,756 |
| | 208,173 |
|
Other | | 61,677 |
| | 48,559 |
| | 51,024 |
| | 51,178 |
| | 49,239 |
|
Total revenues | | 938,091 |
| | 863,704 |
| | 870,005 |
| | 896,558 |
| | 930,990 |
|
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Rooms | | 166,937 |
| | 158,078 |
| | 158,534 |
| | 159,151 |
| | 163,549 |
|
Food and beverage | | 137,916 |
| | 118,709 |
| | 120,460 |
| | 125,916 |
| | 137,297 |
|
Management fees | | 25,475 |
| | 22,159 |
| | 21,969 |
| | 30,143 |
| | 30,633 |
|
Franchise fees | | 26,932 |
| | 26,178 |
| | 23,970 |
| | 21,817 |
| | 22,022 |
|
Other hotel expenses | | 333,505 |
| | 296,535 |
| | 278,302 |
| | 280,988 |
| | 295,601 |
|
Impairment losses | | — |
| | — |
| | 3,209 |
| | — |
| | 10,461 |
|
Hotel acquisition costs | | — |
| | — |
| | 2,028 |
| | — |
| | 949 |
|
Corporate expenses | | 28,231 |
| | 28,563 |
| | 26,711 |
| | 23,629 |
| | 24,061 |
|
Depreciation and amortization | | 118,110 |
| | 104,524 |
| | 99,090 |
| | 97,444 |
| | 101,143 |
|
Business interruption insurance income | | (8,822 | ) | | (19,379 | ) | | (4,051 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Gain on property insurance settlement | | (144,192 | ) | | (1,724 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total operating expenses | | 684,092 |
| | 733,643 |
| | 730,222 |
| | 739,088 |
| | 785,716 |
|
Interest and other income, net | | (1,197 | ) | | (1,806 | ) | | (1,820 | ) | | (762 | ) | | (688 | ) |
Interest expense | | 46,584 |
| | 40,970 |
| | 38,481 |
| | 41,735 |
| | 52,684 |
|
Gain on repayments of notes receivable | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,927 | ) |
Loss (gain) on sales of hotel properties, net | | — |
| | — |
| | 764 |
| | (10,698 | ) | | — |
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | | 2,373 |
| | — |
| | 274 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Income before income taxes | | 206,239 |
| | 90,897 |
| | 102,084 |
| | 127,195 |
| | 97,205 |
|
Income tax expense | | (22,028 | ) | | (3,101 | ) | | (10,207 | ) | | (12,399 | ) | | (11,575 | ) |
Net income | | 184,211 |
| | 87,796 |
| | 91,877 |
| | 114,796 |
| | 85,630 |
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | (724 | ) | | (12 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 183,487 |
| | $ | 87,784 |
| | $ | 91,877 |
| | $ | 114,796 |
| | $ | 85,630 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| | (in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |
Rooms | | $ | 196,736 | | | $ | 661,153 | | | $ | 631,048 | | | $ | 635,932 | | | $ | 650,624 | |
Food and beverage | | 68,566 | | | 215,261 | | | 184,097 | | | 183,049 | | | 194,756 | |
Other | | 34,186 | | | 61,677 | | | 48,559 | | | 51,024 | | | 51,178 | |
Total revenues | | 299,488 | | | 938,091 | | | 863,704 | | | 870,005 | | | 896,558 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Rooms | | 68,603 | | | 166,937 | | | 158,078 | | | 158,534 | | | 159,151 | |
Food and beverage | | 58,391 | | | 137,916 | | | 118,709 | | | 120,460 | | | 125,916 | |
Management fees | | 3,578 | | | 25,475 | | | 22,159 | | | 21,969 | | | 30,143 | |
Franchise fees | | 10,131 | | | 26,932 | | | 26,178 | | | 23,970 | | | 21,817 | |
Other hotel expenses | | 213,631 | | | 333,505 | | | 296,535 | | | 278,302 | | | 280,988 | |
Impairment losses | | 174,120 | | | — | | | — | | | 3,209 | | | — | |
Hotel acquisition costs | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,028 | | | — | |
Corporate expenses | | 27,401 | | | 28,231 | | | 28,563 | | | 26,711 | | | 23,629 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 114,716 | | | 118,110 | | | 104,524 | | | 99,090 | | | 97,444 | |
Business interruption insurance income | | (2,208) | | | (8,822) | | | (19,379) | | | (4,051) | | | — | |
Gain on property insurance settlement | | — | | | (144,192) | | | (1,724) | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses, net | | 668,363 | | | 684,092 | | | 733,643 | | | 730,222 | | | 739,088 | |
Interest and other income, net | | (391) | | | (1,197) | | | (1,806) | | | (1,820) | | | (762) | |
Interest expense | | 53,995 | | | 46,584 | | | 40,970 | | | 38,481 | | | 41,735 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Loss (gain) on sales of hotel properties, net | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 764 | | | (10,698) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | | — | | | 2,373 | | | — | | | 274 | | | — | |
(Loss) income before income taxes | | (422,479) | | | 206,239 | | | 90,897 | | | 102,084 | | | 127,195 | |
Income tax benefit (expense) | | 26,452 | | | (22,028) | | | (3,101) | | | (10,207) | | | (12,399) | |
Net (loss) income | | (396,027) | | | 184,211 | | | 87,796 | | | 91,877 | | | 114,796 | |
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | 1,652 | | | (724) | | | (12) | | | — | | | — | |
Net (loss) income attributable to the Company | | (394,375) | | | 183,487 | | | 87,784 | | | 91,877 | | | 114,796 | |
Distributions to preferred stockholders | | (3,300) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | (397,675) | | | $ | 183,487 | | | $ | 87,784 | | | $ | 91,877 | | | $ | 114,796 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| | (in thousands, except for per share data) |
(Loss) earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income per share attributable to common stockholders, basic | | $ | (1.97) | | | $ | 0.91 | | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | 0.46 | | | $ | 0.57 | |
Net (loss) income per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted | | $ | (1.97) | | | $ | 0.90 | | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | 0.46 | | | $ | 0.57 | |
Other data: | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | 0.125 | | | $ | 0.50 | | | $ | 0.50 | | | $ | 0.50 | | | $ | 0.50 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| | (in thousands) |
Balance sheet data: | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | $ | 2,817,356 | | | $ | 3,026,769 | | | $ | 2,944,617 | | | $ | 2,692,286 | | | $ | 2,646,676 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 111,796 | | | 122,524 | | | 43,863 | | | 183,569 | | | 243,095 | |
Total assets | | 3,146,773 | | | 3,425,766 | | | 3,197,580 | | | 3,100,858 | | | 3,050,908 | |
Total debt | | 1,048,699 | | | 1,090,099 | | | 977,966 | | | 937,792 | | | 920,539 | |
Total liabilities | | 1,427,848 | | | 1,504,704 | | | 1,306,987 | | | 1,267,213 | | | 1,214,121 | |
Stockholders' equity | | 1,711,109 | | | 1,912,490 | | | 1,882,897 | | | 1,833,645 | | | 1,836,787 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (in thousands, except for per share data) |
Earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders, basic | | $ | 0.91 |
| | $ | 0.43 |
| | $ | 0.46 |
| | $ | 0.57 |
| | $ | 0.43 |
|
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted | | $ | 0.90 |
| | $ | 0.43 |
| | $ | 0.46 |
| | $ | 0.57 |
| | $ | 0.43 |
|
Other data: | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | 0.50 |
| | $ | 0.50 |
| | $ | 0.50 |
| | $ | 0.50 |
| | $ | 0.50 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (in thousands) |
Balance sheet data: | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | $ | 3,026,769 |
| | $ | 2,944,617 |
| | $ | 2,692,286 |
| | $ | 2,646,676 |
| | $ | 2,882,176 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | | 122,524 |
| | 43,863 |
| | 183,569 |
| | 243,095 |
| | 213,584 |
|
Total assets | | 3,425,766 |
| | 3,197,580 |
| | 3,100,858 |
| | 3,050,908 |
| | 3,312,510 |
|
Total debt | | 1,090,099 |
| | 977,966 |
| | 937,792 |
| | 920,539 |
| | 1,169,749 |
|
Total liabilities | | 1,504,704 |
| | 1,306,987 |
| | 1,267,213 |
| | 1,214,121 |
| | 1,487,905 |
|
Stockholders' equity | | 1,912,490 |
| | 1,882,897 |
| | 1,833,645 |
| | 1,836,787 |
| | 1,824,605 |
|
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in "Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other reports that we file from time to time with the SEC.
Overview
DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a lodging-focused real estate company operating as a REIT for federal income tax purposes that owns a portfolio of premium hotels and resorts. As of December 31, 2019,2020, we owned a portfolio of 31 premium hotels and resorts that contain 10,102 guest rooms located in 21 different markets in North America and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our hotel in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Frenchman's Reef, is currentlyremains closed due to damage incurred by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and is scheduled to re-open at the end of 2020 as two separate hotels.2017.
As an owner, rather than an operator, of lodging properties, we receive all of the operating profits or losses generated by our hotels after the payment of fees due to hotel managers and hotel brands, which are calculated based on the revenues and profitability of each hotel.
Key Indicators of Financial Condition and Operating Performance
We use a variety of operating and other information to evaluate the financial condition and operating performance of our business. These key indicators include financial information that is prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), as well as other financial information that is not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, we use other information that may not be financial in nature, including statistical information and comparative data. We use this information to measure the performance of individual hotels, groups of hotels and/or our business as a whole. We periodically compare historical information to our internal budgets as well as industry-wide information. These key indicators include:
•Occupancy percentage;
•Average Daily Rate (or ADR);
•Rooms Revenue per Available Room (or RevPAR);
| |
•Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (or EBITDA), Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for real estate (or EBITDAre), and Adjusted EBITDA; and
• | Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (or EBITDA), EBITDAre, and Adjusted EBITDA; and
|
Funds From Operations (or FFO) and Adjusted FFO.
Occupancy, ADR and RevPAR are commonly used measures within the hotel industry to evaluate operating performance. RevPAR, which is calculated as the product of ADR and occupancy percentage, is an important statistic for monitoring operating performance at the individual hotel level and across our business as a whole. We evaluate individual hotel RevPAR performance on an absolute basis with comparisons to budget and prior periods, as well as on a company-wide and regional basis. ADR and RevPAR include only room revenue. Room revenue comprised approximately 70%66% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 20192020 and is dictated by demand, as measured by occupancy percentage, pricing, as measured by ADR, and our available supply of hotel rooms.
Our ADR, occupancy percentage and RevPAR performance may be impacted by macroeconomic factors such as U.S. economic conditions generally, regional and local employment growth, personal income and corporate earnings, office vacancy rates and business relocation decisions, airport and other business and leisure travel, increased use of lodging alternatives, new hotel construction and the pricing strategies of competitors. In addition, our ADR, occupancy percentage and RevPAR performance is dependent on the continued success of our hotels' global brands.
We also use EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO and Adjusted FFO as measures of the financial performance of our business. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Overview of 2019
Key highlights for 2019 include the following:
COVID-19 Pandemic
Financing Activity.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The pandemic has significantly reduced travel and adversely affected the hospitality industry in general. We have seen, and expect to continue to see, significant reductions in lodging demand generators, including city-wide conferences, sporting and entertainment events, corporate and leisure travel, and overall domestic airlift capacity, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In response to COVID-19, we have taken the following proactive measures at the property and corporate levels:
•On July 25, 2019,In coordination with our hotel operators, we entered into an amendedsuspended operations at 20 of our 30 previously operating hotels throughout March and restated credit agreementApril 2020. As of March 1, 2021, 26 of our 30 previously operating hotels were open.
•We developed and implemented action plans with our hotel operators to significantly reduce operating costs at each of our hotels and cultivate alternative demand, where possible.
•We canceled or deferred over 65% of our capital expenditures planned for 2020.
•We paused the rebuild of Frenchman's Reef, which we had previously planned to open as two separate hotels in late 2020, and renegotiated existing construction contracts, saving the Company significant cash outlays for construction. In late 2020, we initiated a process to explore alternatives for completing the rebuild, including finding a capital partner, and we expect to complete that provides for aprocess later in 2021.
•We suspended our quarterly common dividend to common stockholders beginning with the dividend that would have been paid in April 2020. The resumption in quarterly common dividends will be determined by our board of directors after considering our projected taxable income, obligations under our financing agreements, expected capital requirements, and risks affecting our business.
•We drew down funds on our $400 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a five-year $350in March 2020 to enhance our liquidity. As of December 31, 2020, we had $345 million unsecured term loan. We usedof borrowing capacity on our the proceeds from the new term loan to repay our previously existing $100 million and $200 million term loans. The senior unsecured credit facility matures in July 2023,and $111.8 million of unrestricted cash on hand.
•On June 9, 2020, we executed amendments to the credit agreements for our $400 million senior unsecured credit facility and $400 million of unsecured term loans that provided for a waiver of the quarterly tested financial covenants beginning with the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021 and certain other modifications to the covenants thereafter through the fourth quarter of 2021. On January 20, 2021, we executed additional amendments to extend the waiver of the quarterly tested financial covenants through the fourth quarter of 2021 and certain other modifications to the covenants thereafter through the first quarter of 2023.
•On June 25, 2020, we refinanced our only significant near-term debt maturity by closing on a one-year extension option, and$48.0 million mortgage loan secured by the termSalt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek (the "Salt Lake City Marriott"). The loan proceeds were used to repay the existing $52.5 million mortgage loan secured by the Salt Lake City Marriott that was scheduled to mature on November 1, 2020. The new loan matures in July 2024.January 2022 with an option to extend maturity to January 2023, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.
Insurance Settlement.• Frenchman's ReefIn July 2020, we negotiated and entered into an amendment to the loan secured by the Westin Boston Waterfront, which is currently closed due to damage incurred by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and is expected to re-open at the end of 2020 as two separate hotels. In December 2019,Company’s largest mortgage loan. The amendment enabled the Company to use funds in the reserve for replacement of furniture and the insurers reachedfixtures to pay debt service for three months.
•In 2020, we issued a definitive settlementtotal of our outstanding insurance claim related to Hurricane Irma. Under the terms4,760,000 shares of the settlement agreement, we agreed to resolve the claimSeries A Preferred Stock, for total insurance paymentsnet proceeds of $246.8 million, of which $238.5 million related to Frenchman's Reef and $8.3 million related to amounts previously agreed to for the Havana Cabana Key West. The settlement amount includes proceeds previously received of $85.0$114.5 million, and $10.0 million during10,680,856 shares of common stock, for net proceeds of $86.8 million.
The situation surrounding the years ended December 31, 2018COVID-19 pandemic remains fluid. Market demand for lodging at our hotels is closely correlated with reported infection levels near our hotel locations, consumer confidence, and 2017, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized $8.8 millionguidance from health officials and federal, state, and local governments.
See also “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of business interruption insurance income under the insurance claim.this report.
Outlook for 20202021
Although economicThe U.S. economy is in the early stages of recovering from a global pandemic that disproportionately impacted the travel industry. Economic indicators such as GDP growth, corporate earnings,profits, TSA checkpoint data, and consumer confidence and employment reflect a stableare exhibiting steady improvement, but have yet to reattain pre-pandemic levels of activity. We expect the U.S. economy, we expectwill experience RevPAR growth to modestly decelerate in 2021 from 2020 levels, due to growth in the availability and administration of vaccines, disruption of existing room supply, of competitive accommodations and the negative impact on travelgrowing demand related to the expanding outbreak of Coronavirus and the United States presidential election.for travel.
Our portfolio is composed primarily composed of destination resorts and hotels in the 25 largest urban markets. We expect our destination hotels will continue to outperform the broader U.S. market as a resultfor the foreseeable future. The strong preference for drive-to leisure destinations, while most work and school are executed virtually, is expected to persist into 2021. Longer term,
we believe strong, secular demand for experiential leisure travel, low growth in directly competitive supply, and targeted investments to renovate and respositionreposition destination hotels including non-room revenue sources such as re-imagined spacan extend and food and beverage outlets. RevPAR growth atintensify our Company's growth. Urban hotels in the 25 largest urban markets has generally trailed the national average in recent years due to significantshould also experience strong growth in the competitive supply. In 2020,2021, but we expect our urban hotelsthe pace of recovery in these markets will benefit from favorable citywide event calendars. Our portfolio entered 2020 withlag the U.S. overall as employers are reticent to resume business travel and conference activity until there is definitive progress on the pandemic. Early indications suggest that business travel activity is likely to resume in late 2021. Historically, total group booking pace, as measured by revenue, 14.1% ahead of the same time last year. Group revenues comprise approximately one-third of our total room revenue, but group revenue at large conference hotels accounted for less than 10% of our total rooms revenue. We anticipate industry profit growthprofitability will be challenged by rising labor costs, but welow occupancy and a short booking window and guest mix that makes it challenging to maximize room rates. We continue to work closely with our hotel managers to maximize revenue and identify operating efficiencies.
We continueexpect the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines will enable the industry to invest in our hotelsgradually return to maximize profitability by late-2021, and long-term value creation. Following $103 million of hotel renovations and capital improvements at operating hotels in 2019, we expect modestly lower renovation disruption in 2020.
Despite the expectation of slow growth for the U.S. lodging industry, we enter 2020the year with several favorable factors, including:including the following: (1) ownership of a high-quality portfolio, concentratedwith a meaningful concentration in urban anddestination resort locations;locations, (2) favorable market strength in the Boston and Chicago markets; (3) internal growth from the continuation of our asset management initiatives;initiatives, (3) expense savings from the conversion of six formerly Marriott-managed contracts to Marriott franchises, (4) a low leveragedconservative debt capital structure relative to our peers;with limited near-term debt maturities, and (5) an unrestricted cash balanceand liquidity of $123$481.7 million and $325 millionas of borrowing capacity available under our senior unsecured credit facility.December 31, 2020.
Results of Operations
Discussion of the comparison of the results of operations from the year ended December 31, 20182019 to the year ended December 31, 20172018 is found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019 under Part II, Item 7, which was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2019.28, 2020.
The following table sets forth certain operating information for the year ended December 31, 20192020 for each of the hotels we owned during 2019.2020. The table indicates the operating status of each hotel and the occupancy percentage, ADR and RevPAR for each hotel for the portion of the year ended December 31, 2020 that the hotel was open.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hotels Open Throughout the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property | | Location | | | | | | Number of Rooms | | Occupancy (%) | | ADR ($) | | RevPAR($) | | % Change from 2019 RevPAR |
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek | | Salt Lake City, Utah | | | | | | 510 | | | 23.0 | % | | $ | 144.88 | | | $ | 33.33 | | | (71.7) | % |
Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel | | Fort Worth, Texas | | | | | | 504 | | | 29.9 | % | | 168.14 | | | 50.31 | | | (63.7) | % |
Westin San Diego Downtown | | San Diego, California | | | | | | 436 | | | 35.7 | % | | 168.15 | | | 60.04 | | | (60.0) | % |
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | | | | | | 433 | | | 41.8 | % | | 212.84 | | | 88.96 | | | (46.7) | % |
Westin Washington D.C. City Center | | Washington, D.C. | | | | | | 410 | | | 19.6 | % | | 176.61 | | | 34.65 | | | (80.6) | % |
Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta | | Atlanta, Georgia | | | | | | 318 | | | 21.9 | % | | 142.88 | | | 31.24 | | | (73.4) | % |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East | | New York, New York | | | | | | 321 | | | 55.6 | % | | 145.67 | | | 80.98 | | | (67.8) | % |
Bethesda Marriott Suites | | Bethesda, Maryland | | | | | | 272 | | | 22.0 | % | | 141.72 | | | 31.25 | | | (75.5) | % |
Kimpton Shorebreak Resort | | Huntington Beach, California | | | | | | 157 | | | 52.6 | % | | 234.09 | | | 123.14 | | | (37.7) | % |
L'Auberge de Sedona | | Sedona, Arizona | | | | | | 88 | | | 64.2 | % | | 672.88 | | | 432.27 | | | (11.8) | % |
TOTAL/WEIGHTED AVERAGE FOR OPEN HOTELS | | | | | | | | 3,449 | | | 32.8 | % | | $ | 197.00 | | | $ | 64.67 | | | (60.7) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hotels Closed for a Portion of the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | |
Property (1) | | Location | | Date of Closure | | Date of Reopening | | Number of Rooms | | Occupancy (%) | | ADR ($) | | RevPAR ($) | | % Change from 2019 RevPAR |
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | | Chicago, Illinois | | 4/10/2020 | | 9/1/2020 (2) | | 1,200 | | | 12.9 | % | | $ | 159.81 | | | $ | 20.58 | | | (87.6) | % |
Westin Boston Waterfront | | Boston, Massachusetts | | 3/25/2020 | | 9/3/2020 | | 793 | | | 19.0 | % | | 182.76 | | | 34.73 | | | (82.0) | % |
The Lexington Hotel | | New York, New York | | 3/29/2020 | | - | | 725 | | | 15.3 | % | | 183.27 | | | 28.01 | | | (88.1) | % |
Hilton Boston Downtown/Faneuil Hall | | Boston, Massachusetts | | 3/23/2020 | | 7/31/2020 | | 403 | | | 23.5 | % | | 174.04 | | | 40.82 | | | (84.7) | % |
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort | | Vail, Colorado | | 3/20/2020 | | 6/12/2020 | | 344 | | | 33.7 | % | | 354.89 | | | 119.48 | | | (37.4) | % |
The Gwen Hotel | | Chicago, Illinois | | 3/31/2020 | | 6/10/2020 | | 311 | | | 25.5 | % | | 189.46 | | | 48.29 | | | (77.7) | % |
Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central | | New York, New York | | 3/29/2020 | | - | | 282 | | | 19.1 | % | | 154.35 | | | 29.54 | | | (88.3) | % |
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain | | Burlington, Vermont | | 3/31/2020 | | 7/16/2020 | | 258 | | | 21.8 | % | | 154.13 | | | 33.65 | | | (78.2) | % |
Hotel Palomar Phoenix | | Phoenix, Arizona | | 3/31/2020 | | 6/21/2020 | | 242 | | | 35.0 | % | | 179.93 | | | 62.97 | | | (59.4) | % |
JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek | | Denver, Colorado | | 3/22/2020 | | 6/1/2020 | | 199 | | | 34.1 | % | | 215.70 | | | 73.63 | | | (59.9) | % |
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue | | New York, New York | | 3/27/2020 | | - | | 189 | | | 15.3 | % | | 206.17 | | | 31.57 | | | (86.2) | % |
Barbary Beach House Key West (formerly the Sheraton Suites Key West) (3) | | Key West, Florida | | 3/23/2020 | | 6/1/2020 | | 184 | | | 43.6 | % | | 272.86 | | | 118.88 | | | (38.9) | % |
The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa | | Sonoma, California | | 3/21/2020 | | 7/1/2020 | | 182 | | | 29.2 | % | | 239.40 | | | 69.95 | | | (69.2) | % |
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | Denver, Colorado | | 3/20/2020 | | 6/1/2020 | | 177 | | | 27.4 | % | | 130.23 | | | 35.74 | | | (77.0) | % |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel | | Charleston, South Carolina | | 4/6/2020 | | 5/14/2020 | | 166 | | | 47.5 | % | | 203.60 | | | 96.79 | | | (56.4) | % |
Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate | | Sausalito, California | | 3/17/2020 | | 6/24/2020 | | 142 | | | 24.8 | % | | 489.27 | | | 121.25 | | | (59.9) | % |
Havana Cabana Key West | | Key West, Florida | | 3/23/2020 | | 6/1/2020 | | 106 | | | 60.1 | % | | 209.96 | | | 126.27 | | | (33.2) | % |
Hotel Emblem San Francisco | | San Francisco, California | | 3/23/2020 | | 6/26/2020 | | 96 | | | 23.5 | % | | 222.62 | | | 52.42 | | | (72.9) | % |
The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa | | South Lake Tahoe, California | | 3/23/2020 | | 6/5/2020 | | 82 | | | 49.7 | % | | 384.80 | | | 191.20 | | | (3.8) | % |
Orchards Inn Sedona | | Sedona, Arizona | | 3/31/2020 | | 5/15/2020 | | 70 | | | 50.5 | % | | 231.35 | | | 116.87 | | | (38.2) | % |
TOTAL/WEIGHTED AVERAGE FOR CLOSED HOTELS | | | | | | | | 6,151 | | | 23.7 | % | | 215.99 | | | 51.13 | | | 74.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL/WEIGHTED AVERAGE | | | | | | | | 9,600 | | | 27.0 | % | | $ | 207.68 | | | $ | 55.99 | | | (70.3) | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property (1) | | Location | | Number of Rooms | | Occupancy (%) | | ADR($) | | RevPAR($) | | % Change from 2018 RevPAR (2) |
Chicago Marriott | | Chicago, Illinois | | 1,200 |
| | 73.0 | % | | $ | 227.32 |
| | $ | 165.98 |
| | (2.3 | )% |
Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel | | Boston, Massachusetts | | 793 |
| | 77.4 | % | | 249.76 |
| | 193.34 |
| | 3.4 | % |
Lexington Hotel New York | | New York, New York | | 725 |
| | 90.7 | % | | 259.81 |
| | 235.65 |
| | 3.4 | % |
Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown | | Salt Lake City, Utah | | 510 |
| | 68.5 | % | | 172.21 |
| | 117.88 |
| | (2.3 | )% |
Renaissance Worthington | | Fort Worth, Texas | | 504 |
| | 74.5 | % | | 186.10 |
| | 138.67 |
| | (0.8 | )% |
Westin San Diego | | San Diego, California | | 436 |
| | 79.0 | % | | 190.09 |
| | 150.12 |
| | (5.2 | )% |
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | | 433 |
| | 82.4 | % | | 202.58 |
| | 166.99 |
| | 4.4 | % |
Westin Washington, D.C. City Center | | Washington, D.C. | | 410 |
| | 86.3 | % | | 206.61 |
| | 178.26 |
| | (0.6 | )% |
Hilton Boston Downtown | | Boston, Massachusetts | | 403 |
| | 88.5 | % | | 301.21 |
| | 266.64 |
| | 1.9 | % |
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa | | Vail, Colorado | | 344 |
| | 62.1 | % | | 307.45 |
| | 190.86 |
| | 13.1 | % |
Marriott Atlanta Alpharetta | | Atlanta, Georgia | | 318 |
| | 71.0 | % | | 165.41 |
| | 117.46 |
| | (0.8 | )% |
Courtyard Manhattan/Midtown East | | New York, New York | | 321 |
| | 96.1 | % | | 261.60 |
| | 251.32 |
| | 1.6 | % |
The Gwen Chicago | | Chicago, Illinois | | 311 |
| | 83.5 | % | | 258.98 |
| | 216.13 |
| | 2.7 | % |
Hilton Garden Inn New York City/Times Square Central | | New York, New York | | 282 |
| | 98.6 | % | | 255.13 |
| | 251.68 |
| | (1.3 | )% |
Bethesda Marriott Suites | | Bethesda, Maryland | | 272 |
| | 72.6 | % | | 175.72 |
| | 127.58 |
| | 6.4 | % |
Hilton Burlington | | Burlington, Vermont | | 258 |
| | 81.1 | % | | 190.61 |
| | 154.50 |
| | 1.1 | % |
Hotel Palomar Phoenix | | Phoenix, Arizona | | 242 |
| | 82.7 | % | | 187.43 |
| | 155.00 |
| | 5.7 | % |
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek | | Denver, Colorado | | 199 |
| | 72.4 | % | | 253.48 |
| | 183.45 |
| | (8.9 | )% |
Courtyard Manhattan/Fifth Avenue | | New York, New York | | 189 |
| | 88.1 | % | | 259.33 |
| | 228.35 |
| | (8.6 | )% |
Sheraton Suites Key West | | Key West, Florida | | 184 |
| | 74.8 | % | | 260.28 |
| | 194.70 |
| | (8.5 | )% |
The Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa | | Sonoma, California | | 182 |
| | 73.7 | % | | 308.37 |
| | 227.27 |
| | 4.2 | % |
Courtyard Denver Downtown | | Denver, Colorado | | 177 |
| | 78.4 | % | | 198.23 |
| | 155.50 |
| | (2.4 | )% |
Renaissance Charleston Historic District | | Charleston, South Carolina | | 166 |
| | 84.2 | % | | 263.88 |
| | 222.23 |
| | 3.9 | % |
Shorebreak Hotel | | Huntington Beach, California | | 157 |
| | 76.0 | % | | 259.74 |
| | 197.50 |
| | 0.6 | % |
Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate | | Sausalito, California | | 142 |
| | 64.8 | % | | 466.43 |
| | 302.02 |
| | (1.0 | )% |
Havana Cabana Key West (3) | | Key West, Florida | | 106 |
| | 89.7 | % | | 210.68 |
| | 189.07 |
| | 38.9 | % |
Hotel Emblem (4) | | San Francisco, California | | 96 |
| | 80.2 | % | | 241.09 |
| | 193.28 |
| | 15.9 | % |
L'Auberge de Sedona | | Sedona, Arizona | | 88 |
| | 78.1 | % | | 627.73 |
| | 489.99 |
| | 7.0 | % |
The Landing Resort & Spa | | South Lake Tahoe, California | | 82 |
| | 61.7 | % | | 322.45 |
| | 198.80 |
| | 6.9 | % |
Orchards Inn Sedona | | Sedona, Arizona | | 70 |
| | 75.6 | % | | 249.86 |
| | 188.99 |
| | (2.5 | )% |
Total/Weighted Average | | | | 9,600 |
| | 79.1 | % | | $ | 238.63 |
| | $ | 188.75 |
| | 0.9 | % |
________________
| |
(1) | Frenchman's Reef closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and remains closed. Accordingly, there is no operating information for the year ended December 31, 2019. |
| |
(2) | The percentage change from 2018 RevPAR reflects the comparable period in 2018 to our 2019 ownership period for all hotels. |
| |
(3) | Havana Cabana Key West closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and reopened in April 2018. Accordingly, there is no operating information for the period from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018. The RevPAR change from 2018 compares the period from April 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 to the comparable period of 2018. |
| |
(4) | Hotel Emblem closed on September 4, 2018 for a comprehensive renovation. Accordingly, there is no operating information for the period from September 4, 2018 to December 31, 2018. The RevPAR change from 2018 compares the period from January 1, 2019 to September 4, 2019 to the comparable period of 2018. |
(1)Frenchman's Reef closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria and remains closed. Accordingly, there is no operating information for the year ended December 31, 2020.
(2)On January 3, 2021, we suspended operations at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile due to lack of travel demand.
(3)On June 1, 2020, the hotel converted to an independent hotel, Barbary Beach House Key West.
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 20192020 to the Year Ended December 31, 20182019
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended operations at 20 of our 30 previously operating hotels for a
portion of the year ended December 31, 2020. Seventeen of these hotels reopened by December 31, 2020. Three of our
previously operating hotels remained closed as of December 31, 2020.
The comparability of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 to the year ended December 31, 2019 has been significantly impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect the comparability of our results of operations in certain future periods will be similarly impacted.
Revenue. Revenue consists primarily of the room, food and beverage and other operating revenues from our hotels, as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | % Change |
| | |
Rooms | $ | 196.7 | | | $ | 661.2 | | | (70.2) | % |
Food and beverage | 68.6 | | | 215.3 | | | (68.1) | |
Other | 34.2 | | | 61.6 | | | (44.5) | |
Total revenues | $ | 299.5 | | | $ | 938.1 | | | (68.1) | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2019 | | 2018 | | % Change |
| | |
Rooms | $ | 661.2 |
| | $ | 631.0 |
| | 4.8 | % |
Food and beverage | 215.3 |
| | 184.1 |
| | 16.9 |
|
Other | 61.6 |
| | 48.6 |
| | 26.7 |
|
Total revenues | $ | 938.1 |
| | $ | 863.7 |
| | 8.6 | % |
Our total revenues increased $74.4decreased $638.6 million from $863.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $938.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase includes amounts that are not comparable year-over-year as follows:2019 to $299.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
$2.9 million increase from the Havana Cabana Key West, which was closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and re-opened in April 2018.
$3.1 million increase from Hotel Emblem, which closed beginning September 4, 2018 for a comprehensive renovation and re-opened in January 2019.
$1.2 million increase from The Landing Resort & Spa, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$4.5 million increase from the Hotel Palomar Phoenix, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$37.9 million increase from Cavallo Point, which was acquired on December 12, 2018.
Excluding these non-comparable amounts our total revenues increased $24.8 million, or 2.9%.
The following are key hotel operating statistics for the years ended December 31, 20192020 and 2018. The 2018 amounts reflect the period in 2018 comparable to our ownership period in 2019 for the The Landing Resort & Spa, Hotel Palomar Phoenix and Cavallo Point. The amounts exclude the results from Frenchman's Reef for all periods presented, the Havana Cabana Key West from January 1 to March 31, 2019 and the respective period of 2018 and Hotel Emblem from September 1 to December 31, 2019 and the respective period of 2018.2019.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | % Change |
Occupancy % | 27.0 | % | | 79.1 | % | | (52.1) | % |
ADR | $ | 207.68 | | | $ | 238.63 | | | (13.0) | % |
RevPAR | $ | 55.99 | | | $ | 188.75 | | | (70.3) | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2019 | | 2018 | | % Change |
Occupancy % | 79.0 | % | | 78.9 | % | | 0.1 | % |
ADR | $ | 238.52 |
| | $ | 236.71 |
| | 0.8 | % |
RevPAR | $ | 188.51 |
| | $ | 186.75 |
| | 0.9 | % |
Food and beverage revenues increased $31.2decreased $146.7 million from the year ended December 31, 2018, which includes amounts that are not comparable year-over-year as follows:
$0.2 million increase from Hotel Emblem, which closed beginning September 4, 2018 for a comprehensive renovation and re-opened in January 2019.
$0.3 million increase from the Havana Cabana Key West, which was closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and re-opened in April 2018.
$0.3 million increase from The Landing Resort & Spa, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$1.7 million increase from the Hotel Palomar Phoenix, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$15.9 million increase from Cavallo Point, which was acquired on December 12, 2018.
Excluding these non-comparable amounts, food and beverage revenues increased $12.8 million, or 7.0%. The increase is primarily due to higher banquet and audio visual revenues and, to a lesser extent, higher outlet revenue.
Other revenues increased $13.0 million from the year ended December 31, 2018, which includes amounts that are not comparable year-over-year as follows:
$0.3 million increase from Hotel Emblem, which closed beginning September 4, 2018 for a comprehensive renovation and re-opened in January 2019.
$0.3 million increase from the Havana Cabana Key West, which was closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and re-opened in April 2018.
$0.2 million increase from The Landing Resort & Spa, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$0.1 million increase from the Hotel Palomar Phoenix, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$7.4 million increase from Cavallo Point, which was acquired on December 12, 2018.
Excluding non-comparable amounts, other revenues, which primarily represent spa, parking, resort fees and attrition and cancellation fees, increased by $4.7decreased $27.4 million or 9.7%. This increase is primarily due to higher resort fees and attrition and cancellation fees, offset by a decrease in spa revenue due tofrom the renovation of our spa at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa inyear ended December 31, 2019.
Hotel operating expenses. The operating expenses consisted of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | % Change |
| | |
Rooms departmental expenses | $ | 68.6 | | | $ | 166.9 | | | (58.9) | % |
Food and beverage departmental expenses | 58.4 | | | 137.9 | | | (57.7) | |
Other departmental expenses | 8.3 | | | 15.7 | | | (47.1) | |
General and administrative | 45.0 | | | 83.3 | | | (46.0) | |
Utilities | 16.0 | | | 20.6 | | | (22.3) | |
Repairs and maintenance | 24.1 | | | 35.3 | | | (31.7) | |
Sales and marketing | 28.7 | | | 66.9 | | | (57.1) | |
Franchise fees | 10.1 | | | 26.9 | | | (62.5) | |
Base management fees | 3.6 | | | 19.8 | | | (81.8) | |
Incentive management fees | — | | | 5.7 | | | (100.0) | |
Property taxes | 54.5 | | | 57.6 | | | (5.4) | |
Other fixed charges | 17.0 | | | 23.7 | | | (28.3) | |
Severance costs | 7.6 | | | — | | | 100.0 | |
Professional fees and pre-opening costs related to Frenchman's Reef | 1.0 | | | 17.8 | | | (94.4) | |
Lease expense (cash and non-cash) | 11.4 | | | 12.7 | | | (10.2) | |
Total hotel operating expenses | $ | 354.3 | | | $ | 690.8 | | | (48.7) | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2019 | | 2018 | | % Change |
| | |
Rooms departmental expenses | $ | 166.9 |
| | $ | 158.1 |
| | 5.6 | % |
Food and beverage departmental expenses | 137.9 |
| | 118.7 |
| | 16.2 |
|
Other departmental expenses | 15.7 |
| | 10.4 |
| | 51.0 |
|
General and administrative | 83.3 |
| | 75.4 |
| | 10.5 |
|
Utilities | 20.6 |
| | 20.7 |
| | (0.5 | ) |
Repairs and maintenance | 35.3 |
| | 32.4 |
| | 9.0 |
|
Sales and marketing | 66.9 |
| | 61.1 |
| | 9.5 |
|
Franchise fees | 26.9 |
| | 26.2 |
| | 2.7 |
|
Base management fees | 19.8 |
| | 16.4 |
| | 20.7 |
|
Incentive management fees | 5.7 |
| | 5.8 |
| | (1.7 | ) |
Property taxes | 57.6 |
| | 55.5 |
| | 3.8 |
|
Other fixed charges | 23.7 |
| | 14.5 |
| | 63.4 |
|
Severance costs | — |
| | 10.9 |
| | (100.0 | ) |
Uninsured costs related to natural disasters | 17.8 |
| | 3.9 |
| | 356.4 |
|
Lease expense (cash and non-cash) | 12.7 |
| | 11.7 |
| | 8.5 |
|
Total hotel operating expenses | $ | 690.8 |
| | $ | 621.7 |
| | 11.1 | % |
Our hotel operating expenses increased $69.1decreased $336.5 million from $621.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $690.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase2019 to $354.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized $7.6 million of severance costs at our properties in hotel operating expenses includes amounts that are not comparable year-over-year as follows:
$19.0 million increase from Frenchman's Reef, which was closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and remained closed through 2019. In connection with the termination ofCOVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, in connection with the change in hotel manager of Frenchman's Reef in February 2018,the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel, we recognized $2.2$1.4 million of accelerated amortization of key moneythe unfavorable management agreement liability during the year ended December 31, 2018. This amortization2020, which reduced base management fees and is included in base management fees above. The increase is primarily due to an increase in legal and professional fees incurred in connection with the insurance claim and related litigation.fees.
$1.1 million increase from Hotel Emblem, which closed beginning September 4, 2018 for a comprehensive renovation and re-opened in January 2019.
$1.4 million increase from the Havana Cabana Key West, which was closed on September 6, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma and re-opened in April 2018.
$1.2 million increase from The Landing Resort & Spa, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$2.8 million increase from the Hotel Palomar Phoenix, which was acquired on March 1, 2018.
$27.7 million increase from Cavallo Point, which was acquired on December 12, 2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we accrued $2.5 million of termination fees included within other fixed charges related to the pending termination of the franchise agreement for Sheraton Suites Key West. We provided notice to Marriott on November 26, 2019 that we intend to terminate the management agreement effective May 31, 2020.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, we incurred $10.9 million of severance costs related to payments made to unionized employees under a voluntary buyout program at the Lexington Hotel New York.
Excluding the non-comparable amounts described above, hotel operating expenses increased $24.3 million, or 4.0%, from the year ended December 31, 2018.
Depreciation and amortization. Our depreciation and amortization expense increased $13.6decreased $3.4 million from the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase2019. This is primarily due to incremental depreciation from our 2018 hotel acquisitions andthe timing of fully depreciated capital expenditures from our recent hotel renovations.expenditures.
Impairment losses. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an impairment loss of $174.1 million related to Frenchman's Reef. No impairment losses were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Corporate expenses. Corporate expenses principally consist of employee-related costs, including base payroll, bonus and restricted stock. Corporate expenses also include corporate operating costs, professional fees and directors’ fees. Our corporate expenses decreased $0.4$0.8 million, from $28.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $28.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.2019 to $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in severanceemployee compensation, travel costs, and employee compensation expenses.certain professional fees, partially offset by an increase in legal fees.
Business interruption insurance income. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized $2.2 million of business interruption insurance income related to lost revenue at the Westin Boston Waterfront due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2017, Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to Frenchman's Reef and the Havana Cabana Key West. In October 2017, The Lodge at Sonoma was closed for ten days due to nearby wildfires. These natural disasters resulted in lost revenue and additional expenses covered under our insurance policy. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized $8.8 million of business interruption insurance income related to the Frenchman's Reef insurance claim. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $19.4 million of business interruption insurance income, which is in addition to $2.9 million of expense reimbursements from insurance recorded within other hotel expenses on our accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
The following table summarizes the business interruption insurance income by impacted hotel property (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2019 | | 2018 |
Frenchman's Reef | $ | 8,822 |
| | $ | 16,090 |
|
Havana Cabana Key West | — |
| | 2,137 |
|
The Lodge at Sonoma | — |
| | 1,152 |
|
Total | $ | 8,822 |
| | $ | 19,379 |
|
Gain on property insurance settlement. In December 2019, we settled our insurance claim for the property damage and business interruption related to Frenchman's Reef. We recognized a gain on insurance settlement of $144.2 million, which represents the net proceeds received in excess of the carrying amount of the damaged property written off. In July 2018, we settled our insurance claim for the property damage and business interruption related to the Havana Cabana Key West. We recognized a gain on insurance settlement of $1.7 million, which represents the net proceeds received in excess of the carrying amount of the damaged property written off.
Interest expense. Our interest expense was $46.6$54.0 million and $41.0$46.6 million for the years ended December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively, and is comprised of the following (in millions):
| | | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2019 | | 2018 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Mortgage debt interest | $ | 26.5 |
| | $ | 27.1 |
| Mortgage debt interest | $ | 26.2 | | | $ | 26.5 | |
Term loan interest | 13.7 |
| | 10.6 |
| Term loan interest | 13.4 | | | 13.7 | |
Credit facility interest and unused fees | 3.7 |
| | 1.2 |
| Credit facility interest and unused fees | 4.5 | | | 3.7 | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premium | 2.1 |
| | 2.1 |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premium | 2.0 | | | 2.1 | |
Capitalized interest | (1.9 | ) | | — |
| Capitalized interest | (2.1) | | | (1.9) | |
Interest rate swap mark-to-market and net settlements | 2.5 |
| | — |
| |
Interest rate swap mark-to-market | | Interest rate swap mark-to-market | 10.0 | | | 2.5 | |
| $ | 46.6 |
| | $ | 41.0 |
| | $ | 54.0 | | | $ | 46.6 | |
The increase in interest expense is primarily related to the $50 million unsecured term loan, funded in December 2018, increased borrowings under our senior unsecured credit facility, higher term loan balances following refinancing in July 2019 and the mark-to-market of theour interest rate swaps entered into in January 2019 and July 2019. The increase is partially offset by capitalized interest recognized related to the reconstruction of Frenchman's Reef.swaps.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt. On July 25, 2019, we refinanced our senior unsecured credit facility and unsecured term loans. In connection with the refinancing we repaid our previously existing $100 million and $200 million term loans and recognized a $2.4 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the write-off of certain unamortized debt issuance costs.
Income taxes. We recorded income tax benefit of $26.5 million in 2020 and income tax expense of $22.0 million in 2019 and $3.12019. The 2020 income tax benefit is net of a valuation allowance of $24.9 million, which was recognized based on an assessment of our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards in 2018.future years. The 2019 income tax expense includes $1.2 million of income tax expense incurred on the $5.7 million pre-tax income of our domestic TRSs, and foreign income tax expense of $20.8 million incurred on the $132.6 million pre-tax income of the TRS that owns Frenchman's Reef. The 2018 income tax expense includes $2.6 million of income tax expense incurred on the $7.9 million pre-tax income of our domestic TRSs, foreign income tax expense of less than $0.1 million incurred on the $14.0 million pre-tax income of the TRS that owns Frenchman's Reef, and $0.5 million of corporate state income tax.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay distributions to our stockholders to maintain our REIT status as well as to pay forscheduled debt service and operating expenses and capital expenditures directly associated with our hotels, share repurchases underhotels. We have suspended our share repurchase program, hotel acquisitions, costs to repair property damaged by natural disasters, and scheduled debt payments of interest and principal.quarterly common dividend. We currently expect that our available cash flows, which are generally provided through net cash from hotel operations, existing cash balances proceeds from new financings and refinancings of maturing debt, proceeds from potential property dispositions, and, if necessary, short-term borrowings underavailable capacity on our senior unsecured credit facility will be sufficient to meet our short-term liquidity requirements.
Some of our mortgage debt agreements contain “cash trap” provisions that are triggered when the hotel’s operating results
fall below a certain debt service coverage ratio. When these provisions are triggered, all of the excess cash flow generated by the hotel is deposited directly into cash management accounts for the benefit of our lenders until a specified debt service coverage ratio is reached and maintained for a certain period of time. Such provisions do not allow the lender the right to accelerate repayment of the underlying debt. As of December 31, 2020, the debt service coverage ratios or debt yields for all of our mortgage loans were below the minimum thresholds such that the cash trap provision of each respective loan was triggered, with the exception of the mortgage loan secured by the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek, which does not have a cash trap provision. We do not expect that such cash traps will affect our ability to satisfy our short-term liquidity requirements.
Our long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for the costs of acquiring additional hotels, renovations, and other capital expenditures that need to be made periodically to our hotels, scheduled debt payments, debt maturities, redemption of limited operating partnership units (“common OP units”) and making distributions to our common and preferred stockholders. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements through various sources of capital, including cash provided by operations, borrowings, issuances of additional equity, including common OP units, and/or debt securities and proceeds from property dispositions. Our ability to incur additional debt is dependent upon a number of factors, including the state of the credit markets, our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets and borrowing restrictions imposed by existing lenders. Our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional equity and/or debt securities is also dependent on a number of factors including the current state of the capital markets, investor sentiment and intended use of proceeds. We may need to raise additional capital if we identify acquisition opportunities that meet our investment objectives and require liquidity in excess of existing cash balances. Our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity securities depends on, among other things, general market conditions for hotel companies and REITs and market perceptions about us.
Our Financing Strategy
Since our formation in 2004, we have been committed to a conservative capital structure with prudent leverage. Our outstanding debt consists of fixed interest rate mortgage debt, unsecured term loans and borrowings on our senior unsecured credit facility. We have a preference to maintain a significant portion of our portfolio as unencumbered assets in order to provide balance sheet flexibility. We expect that our strategy will enable us to maintain a balance sheet with an appropriate amount of debt throughout all phases of the lodging cycle. We believe that it is prudent to reduce the inherent risk of highly cyclical lodging fundamentals through a low leverage capital structure.
We prefer a relatively simple but efficient capital structure. We generally structure our hotel acquisitions to be straightforward and to fit within our capital structure; however, we will consider a more complex transaction, such as the issuance of common OP units in connection with the acquisition of Cavallo Point, if we believe that the projected returns to our stockholders will significantly exceed the returns that would otherwise be available.
We believe that we maintain a reasonable amount of debt. As of December 31, 2020, we had $1.0 billion of debt outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of 3.89% and a weighted average maturity date of approximately 3.5 years. We have limited near-term mortgage debt maturities and 23 of our 31 hotels unencumbered by mortgage debt. We remain committed to our core strategy of prudent leverage.
Information about our financing activities is available in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Further information is available in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for measures taken in response to the impact of COVID-19.
ATM Program
We have equity distribution agreements, dated August 8, 2018, with a number of sales agents (the “ATM Program"Program”) to issue and sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $200 million (the “ATM Shares”). Sales of the ATM Shares can be made in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at the market” offering, which includes sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. We have not sold any shares under the ATM Program. Actual future sales of the ATM Shares will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, the trading price of the Company's common stock, and the Company's capital needs. We have no obligation to sell the ATM Shares under the ATM Program.
Our Financing Strategy
Since our formation in 2004, During the year ended December 31, 2020, we have been committed to a conservative capital structure with prudent leverage. Our outstanding debt consists of fixed interest rate mortgage debt and unsecured term loans. We have a preference to maintain a significant portionsold 10,680,856 shares of our portfolio as unencumbered assetscommon stock at an average price of $8.23 per share for gross proceeds of $87.9 million, less $1.1 million in orderfees paid to provide balance sheet flexibility. We expect that our strategy will enable us to maintain a balance sheet with an appropriate amount of debt throughout all phases of the lodging cycle. We believe that it is prudent to reduce the inherent risk of highly cyclical lodging fundamentals through a low leverage capital structure.
We prefer a relatively simple but efficient capital structure. We have not invested in joint venturesapplicable sales agent and have not issued any preferred stock. We generally structure our hotel acquisitions to be straightforward and to fit within our capital structure; however, we will consider a more complex transaction, such as the issuance of OP units in connection with the acquisition of Cavallo Point, if we believe that the projected returns to our stockholders will significantly exceed the returns that would otherwise be available.
We believe that we maintain a reasonable amount of debt.other offering costs. As of December 31, 2019, we had $1.1 billionMarch 1, 2021, shares of debt outstanding with a weighted average interest ratecommon stock having an aggregate offering price of 3.81% and a weighted average maturity date of approximately 4.5 years. We maintain one ofup to $112.1 million remained available for sale under the lowest levered balance sheets among our lodging REIT peers. We maintain balance sheet flexibility with limited near-term debt maturities, capacity under our senior unsecured credit facility and 23 of our 31 hotels unencumbered by mortgage debt. We remain committed to our core strategy of prudent leverage.
Information about our financing activities is available in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
ATM Program.
Share Repurchase Program
OurIn 2018, our board of directors has approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”) authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate price of up to $250 million. During the first quarter of 2020, we repurchased 1,119,438 shares of our common stock at an average price of $8.91 per share for a total purchase price of $10.0 million. These shares were all repurchased prior to March 4, 2020. We retired all repurchased shares on their respective settlement dates. We subsequently suspended share repurchases and, pursuant to the amendments to the agreements governing our senior unsecured credit facility and unsecured term loans, may not repurchase shares while our financial covenant requirements are waived or modified. The Share Repurchase Program expired on November 5, 2020. At the time of expiration, we had $165.2 million of unused repurchase capacity under the Share Repurchase Program. Information about our share repurchase program isthe Share Repurchase Program can be found in Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
During the year ended December 31, 2019,Preferred Shares
In August and September 2020, we repurchased 4,428,947issued a total of 4,760,000 shares of our common stock at an average priceSeries A Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $9.65$25.00 per share, for net proceeds of $114.5 million. On or after August 31, 2025, the Series A Preferred Stock will be redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a total purchaseredemption price of $42.8 million. We retired all repurchased shares on their respective settlement dates. As of February 28, 2020, we have $175.2 million of authorized capacity remaining under our$25.00 per share, repurchase program.plus accrued and unpaid dividends up to, but not including, the redemption date.
Short-Term Borrowings
Other than borrowings under our senior unsecured credit facility, we do not utilize short-term borrowings to meet liquidity requirements.
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility and Unsecured Term Loans
On July 25, 2019, we entered intoWe are party to a fifth amended and restated credit agreement. The credit agreement increased the capacity of our$400 million senior unsecured credit facility from $300expiring in July 2023, a $350 million to $400unsecured term loan maturing in July 2024 and a $50 million decreased the pricing and extended the maturity date from May 2020 to Julyunsecured term loan maturing in October 2023. The maturity date for the senior unsecured credit facility may be extended for an additional year upon the payment of applicable fees and the satisfaction of certain customary conditions. In connection withOn June 9, 2020, we executed amendments (the “First Amendments”) to the amendment and restatement ofcredit agreements (the “Credit Agreements”) for our credit agreement, we repaid our existing $100$400 million and $200 million term loans. Information about our senior unsecured credit facility is found in Note 8and $400 million of unsecured term loans. The First Amendments provided for a waiver of the quarterly tested financial covenants beginning with the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021 and certain other modifications to the accompanying consolidatedcovenants thereafter through the fourth quarter of 2021.
On August 14, 2020, we entered into additional amendments (the “Second Amendments”) that permits us to pay dividends on preferred stock up to $17.5 million annually. On January 20, 2021, we executed additional amendments (the “Third Amendments” and together with the First Amendments and Second Amendments, the “Credit Agreement Amendments”) to the Credit Agreements to extend the existing waiver of the quarterly tested financial statements.covenants through the fourth quarter of 2021, unless terminated early at our option. The Third Amendments also extend the modification of certain financial covenants, once quarterly testing resumes, through the first quarter of 2023. As of December 31, 2019,2020, we had $75.0$55.0 million of borrowings outstanding borrowings onunder our senior unsecured credit facility.
Unsecured Term Loans
AsAdditional information about the Credit Agreements, including the restrictions imposed by the Credit Agreement Amendments and their impacts on our liquidity, sources of December 31, 2019, we are partycapital, and ability to a $50 million unsecured term loan expiring in October 2023 and a $350 million unsecured term loan expiring in July 2024. Information about our unsecured term loans isincur additional debt, can be found in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Our principal sources of cash are net cash flow from hotel operations, sales of common and preferred stock, borrowings under mortgage debt term loans and our senior unsecured credit facility,financings and proceeds from hotel dispositions. Our principal uses of cash are acquisitions of hotel properties, debt service and maturities, repayments of borrowings under our senior unsecured credit facility, repayments of unsecured term loans, share repurchases, capital expenditures, operating costs, corporate expenses, natural disaster remediation and repair costs and distributions to holders of common stock, common units and units.preferred stock. As of December 31, 2019,2020, we had $122.5$111.8 million of unrestricted corporate cash and $57.3$23.1 million of restricted cash, and $75.0$55.0 million of outstanding borrowings on our senior unsecured credit facility.
Our net cash provided byused in operations was $193.3$83.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. Our cash from operations generally consists of the net cash flow from hotel operations, and insurance proceeds, offset by cash paid for corporate expenses and other working capital changes.
Our net cash used in investing activities was $65.7$79.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, which is composed of capital expenditures at our operating hotels of $102.7$47.1 million, and capital expenditures atfor the rebuild of Frenchman's Reef of $96.6$40.9 million, and $1.6 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the remaining interest in land underlying the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort, offset by $133.5$10.7 million of proceeds from our property insurance policy related to our hotels impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Our net cash used inprovided by financing activities was $39.4$117.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, which consisted of $75.0$48.0 million in proceeds of mortgage debt, $86.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of common stock under the ATM Program, and $114.5 million in net proceeds from the sale of preferred stock, offset by $20.0 million in net repayments on our senior unsecured credit facility, $300.0$55.5 million repayment of repaymentsmortgage debt from the refinancing of unsecured term loans, $102.1the mortgage loan secured by the Salt Lake City Marriott and the repayment of the loan assumed in connection with the acquisition of the Hotel Palomar Phoenix under a qualified New Market Tax Credit program, $25.6 million of distribution paymentspaid to holders of common stock and units, $14.2$3.3 million of distributions paid to holders of preferred stock, $14.4 million of scheduled mortgage debt principal payments, $4.8$1.4 million of financing costs related to the amendment and restatement of our credit agreement, $0.5agreements, $1.3 million paid to repurchase shares upon the vesting of restricted stock for the payment of tax withholdings obligations, and $42.8$10.0 million paid to repurchase shares under our share repurchase program, offset by $150.0the Share Repurchase Program, and $0.2 million paid for the redemption of draws on our senior unsecured credit facility and $350.0 million of proceeds from our new unsecured term loan.common OP units.
We currently anticipate our significant sources of cash for the year ending December 31, 20202021 will be the net cash flow from hotel operations as the lodging disruptions from COVID-19 subside, potential property dispositions, and potential property dispositions.sales of common stock under our ATM Program. We expect our estimated uses of cash for the year ending December 31, 2020
2021 will be scheduled debt service payments, capital expenditures, potential funding of hotel working capital requirements, distributions on common stock and units, distributions to preferred stockholders, and corporate expenses, potential hotel acquisitions, and share repurchases.expenses.
Dividend Policy
We intend to distribute to our stockholders dividends at least equal to our REIT taxable income to avoid paying corporate income tax and excise tax on our earnings (other than the earnings of our TRS, which are all subject to tax at regular corporate rates) and to qualify for the tax benefits afforded to REITs under the Code. In order to qualify as a REIT under the Code, we generally must make distributions to our stockholders each year in an amount equal to at least:
•90% of our REIT taxable income determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains, plus
•90% of the excess of our net income from foreclosure property over the tax imposed on such income by the Code, minus
•any excess non-cash income.
The timing and frequency of distributions will be authorized by our board of directors and declared by us based upon a variety of factors, including our financial performance, restrictions under applicable law and our current and future loan agreements, our debt service requirements, our capital expenditure requirements, the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time.
Our board of directors suspended the quarterly common dividend commencing with the first quarter dividend that would have been paid in April 2020. The resumption in quarterly common dividends will be determined by our board of directors after considering our projected taxable income, obligations under our financing agreements, expected capital requirements, and risks affecting our business.
We have paid the following dividends to holders of our common stock and distributions to holders of units for the years ended December 31,during 2020 and 2019, and 2018, and through the date of this report:
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Payment Date | | Record Date | | Distributions Dividend per Common Share/UnitShare |
April 12, 2018 | | March 29, 2018 | |
| $0.125 |
|
July 12, 2018 | | June 29, 2018 | |
| $0.125 |
|
October 12, 2018 | | September 28, 2018 | |
| $0.125 |
|
January 14, 2019 | | January 4, 2019 | |
$ | $0.125 |
|
April 12, 2019 | | March 29, 2019 | |
$ | $0.125 |
|
July 12, 2019 | | June 28, 2019 | |
$ | $0.125 |
|
October 11, 2019 | | September 30, 2019 | |
$ | $0.125 |
|
January 13, 2020 | | January 2, 2020 | |
$ | $0.125 |
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We have paid the following dividends to holders of our Series A Preferred Stock during 2020, and through the date of this report:
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Payment Date | | Record Date | | Dividend per Share |
September 30, 2020 | | September 20, 2020 | | $ | 0.178 | |
December 31, 2020 | | December 18, 2020 | | $ | 0.516 | |
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We had no preferred stock outstanding during 2019.
Capital Expenditures
The management and franchise agreements for each of our hotels provide for the establishment of separate property improvement reserves to cover, among other things, the cost of replacing and repairing furniture, fixtures and equipment at our hotels and other routine capital expenditures. Contributions to the property improvement fund are calculated as a percentage of hotel revenues. In addition, we may be required to pay for the cost of certain additional improvements that are not permitted to be funded from the property improvement reserves under the applicable management or franchise agreement. As of December 31, 2019,2020, we have set aside $53.0$15.8 million for capital projects in property improvement funds, which are included in restricted cash.
We spent approximately $102.7$47.1 million on capital improvements at our operating hotels during the year ended December 31, 2019, which included the following significant projects:
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• | Hotel Emblem San Francisco: In January 2019, we completed the repositioning and rebranding of Hotel Emblem, now part of Viceroy's Urban Collection. As part of the renovation, the Company created two additional rooms at the hotel.
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• | JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek: We are repositioning this hotel to gain share against its luxury competitive set. The renovation of the hotel's guestrooms and meeting space was completed during 2019 and included the addition of three guestrooms. In early 2020, the Company expects to complete a renovation of the public space and create a new restaurant experience led by celebrity chef Richard Sandoval.
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• | Sheraton Suites Key West: We are in the process of removing the Sheraton brand and repositioning this beachfront resort to an independent boutique resort, the Barbary Beach House. This project was partially completed in 2019, with the
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remainder to be completed in 2020 following high season. The relaunch of the resort is expected to occur in summer 2020.
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• | Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa: We are pursuing a multi-year repositioning and rebranding of the resort to close the rate gap with the luxury competitive set. We completed the renovation of the guestrooms and meeting space in 2018 and upgraded the spa and created a new fitness center in 2019. The resort will become unencumbered of brand at the end of 2021.
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• | Worthington Renaissance: We completed a transformational renovation of the lobby and food and beverage outlets during 2019, including a new Toro Toro restaurant by Richard Sandoval.
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• | The Landing Resort & Spa Lake Tahoe: In third quarter of 2019, we added five new guestrooms at the hotel from areas that were previously non-revenue producing.
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Additionally, we spent approximately $96.6$40.9 million on the rebuild of Frenchman's Reef during the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we canceled
or deferred a significant portion of the planned capital improvements at our operating hotels and paused the rebuild of Frenchman's Reef.
We continue to be extremely selective with capital expenditures in 2020, which includes carryover from certainan effort to preserve liquidity. In 2021, we expect to spend approximately $50 million on necessary capital improvements and a select few transformational projects that commenced in 2019.with attractive returns on investment. Significant projects in 20202021 are expected to include the following:
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• | •The Lodge at Sonoma:We are completing a renovation to reposition and rebrand the hotel to an Autograph Collection Hotel in the third quarter of 2021. The renovation includes a new Michael Mina restaurant. •Vail Marriott Mountain Resort: We plan to complete the final phase of a multi-year renovation to rebrand the hotel as a Luxury Collection Hotel in the fourth quarter of 2021. •JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek: We plan to complete the renovations in the second half of 2021 to rebrand the hotel as a Luxury Collection Hotel.
We will reposition the resort during 2020 in order to capture rate potential against the luxury and lifestyle competitive sets. Integral parts of this project include opening a new restaurant by celebrity chef Michael Mina, upgrading the spa with a luxury spa operator and enhancing the grounds with additions such as firepit gathering areas.
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• | Hilton Boston Downtown:We expect to renovate the hotel's guestrooms and lobby during 2020. We will also convert underutilized meeting space into 29 new guestrooms. This hotel will become unencumbered of brand in 2022.
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• | Hilton Burlington: We expect to complete a comprehensive renovation of the hotel's guestrooms and public spaces during 2020.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table outlines the timing of payment requirements related to our debt and other commitments of our operating partnership as of December 31, 2019.2020.
| | | | Payments Due by Period | | Payments Due by Period |
| | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1 to 3 Years | | 3 to 5 Years | | After 5 Years | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1 to 3 Years | | 3 to 5 Years | | After 5 Years |
| | (In thousands) | | (In thousands) |
Long-Term Debt Obligations Including Interest (1) | | $ | 1,197,107 |
| | $ | 109,072 |
| | $ | 104,499 |
| | $ | 679,322 |
| | $ | 304,214 |
| Long-Term Debt Obligations Including Interest (1) | | $ | 1,138,114 | | | $ | 55,673 | | | $ | 324,204 | | | $ | 758,237 | | | $ | — | |
Operating Leases | | 779,157 |
| | 3,315 |
| | 8,745 |
| | 7,973 |
| | 759,124 |
| Operating Leases | | 774,533 | | | 3,496 | | | 7,937 | | | 8,011 | | | 755,089 | |
Purchase Commitments (2) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase Orders and Letters of Commitment | | 140,394 |
| | 140,394 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
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| Total | | $ | 2,116,658 |
| | $ | 252,781 |
| | $ | 113,244 |
| | $ | 687,295 |
| | $ | 1,063,338 |
| Total | | $ | 1,912,647 | | | $ | 59,169 | | | $ | 332,141 | | | $ | 766,248 | | | $ | 755,089 | |
(1) The interest expense for our variable rate loans is calculated based on the rate as of December 31, 2019.2020.
These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. They should not be considered as alternatives to operating profit, cash flow from operations, or any other operating performance measure prescribed by U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect additional ways of viewing our operations that we believe, when viewed with our U.S. GAAP results and the reconciliations to the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial information in its entirety and not to rely on a single financial measure.
The Company computes FFO in accordance with standards established by the Nareit, which defines FFO as net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding gains or losses from sales of properties and impairment losses, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization. The Company believes that the presentation of FFO provides useful information to investors regarding its operating performance because it is a measure of the Company's operations without regard to specified non-cash items, such as real estate related depreciation and amortization and gains or losses on the sale of assets. The Company also uses FFO as one measure in assessing its operating results.
these non-cash items because they do not reflect the actual cash amounts due to the respective lessors in the current period and they are of lesser significance in evaluating our actual performance for that period.
In addition, to derive Adjusted FFO we exclude any unrealized fair value adjustments to interest rate swaps. We exclude these non-cash amounts because they do not reflect the underlying performance of the Company.