10-K 1 a11-2056_110k.htm 10-K

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 


 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                to               

 

Commission File Number 1-16017

 


 

ORIENT-EXPRESS HOTELS LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda

 

98-0223493

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

22 Victoria Street,

Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (441) 295-2244

 


 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

 

 

 

Class A Common Shares, $0.01 par value each

 

New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Share Purchase Rights

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None.

 


 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes x  No o

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (Not applicable. See third paragraph under Item 1—Business on page 4.)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer x

 

Accelerated Filer o

Non-Accelerated Filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the class A common shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the closing price on June 30, 2010 (the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter in 2010) was approximately $757,000,000.

 

As of February 18, 2011, 102,466,966 class A common shares and 18,044,478 class B common shares of the registrant were outstanding.  All of the class B shares are owned by a subsidiary of the registrant (see Note 15(d) to the Financial Statements (Item 8)).

 


 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

PART I

Item 1

Business

4

 

Item 1A

Risk Factors

21

 

Item 1B

Unresolved Staff Comments

38

 

Item 2

Properties

38

 

Item 3

Legal Proceedings

39

 

Item 4

[Removed and Reserved]

40

 

 

 

 

PART II

Item 5

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

41

 

Item 6

Selected Financial Data

42

 

Item 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

44

 

Item 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

75

 

Item 8

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

77

 

Item 9

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

144

 

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

144

 

Item 9B

Other Information

146

 

 

 

 

PART III

Item 10

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

147

 

Item 11

Executive Compensation

153

 

Item 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

157

 

Item 13

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

162

 

Item 14

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

164

 

 

 

 

PART IV

Item 15

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

166

 

 

Signatures

168

 

 

Exhibit Index

170

 

1



Table of Contents

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Forward-looking statements concerning the operations, performance, financial condition, plans and prospects of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and its subsidiaries are based on the current expectations, assessments and assumptions of management, are not historical facts, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

 

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts, and often use words such as “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “goal”, “believe” or other words of similar meaning.

 

Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described in Item 1—Business, Item 1A—Risk Factors, Item 3—Legal Proceedings, Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, and Item 12—Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters below.

 

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which are not guarantees of future performance.  Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

2




Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.                        Business

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (the “Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, “OEH”) is incorporated in the Islands of Bermuda and is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and in SEC Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.  As a result, it is eligible to file its annual reports pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act on Form 20-F (in lieu of Form 10-K) and to file its interim reports on Form 6-K (in lieu of Forms 10-Q and 8-K).  However, the Company elects to file its annual and interim reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, including any instructions therein that relate specifically to foreign private issuers.

 

These reports and amendments to them are available free of charge on the Internet website of the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the SEC.  The Internet website address is http://www.orient-express.com.  Unless specifically noted, information on the OEH website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K annual report.

 

Pursuant to SEC Rule 3a12-3 under the 1934 Act regarding foreign private issuers, the proxy solicitations of the Company are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of SEC Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act, and transactions in the Company’s equity securities by its officers, directors and significant shareholders are exempt from the reporting and liability provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

Introduction

 

OEH is an experienced-based hotel and travel company focused on the luxury end of the leisure market with exposure to both mature and emerging national economies.  The Company’s predecessor began acquiring hotels in 1976 and organized the Company in 1995.  OEH currently owns or part-owns 50 properties (all of which it manages), including the two hotels in Sicily purchased in January 2010, consisting of 41 highly individual deluxe hotels, one stand-alone restaurant, six tourist trains and two river/canal cruise businesses.  These are located in 24 countries worldwide.  OEH is currently in negotiation to complete the sale of one hotel, OEH acquires or manages only very distinctive properties in areas of outstanding cultural, historic or recreational interest in order to provide luxury lifestyle experiences for the discerning traveller.  OEH has also been active in the development of for-sale residences adjoining some of its hotels, although OEH’s current commitments in this activity are a relatively small part of its business.

 

The locations of OEH’s 50 properties are shown in the map on page 3, where they number 46 because the Hotel Cipriani and Palazzo Vendramin are contiguous in Venice, the Hotel Splendido and Splendido Mare are both in Portofino, and three separate safari lodges operate as a unit in Botswana.  These seven properties bring the total to 50.

 

Hotels and restaurants represent the largest segment of OEH’s business, contributing 78% of revenue in 2010, 87% in 2009 and 88% in 2008.  Tourist trains and cruises accounted for 11% of revenue in

 

4



Table of Contents

 

2010, 13% in 2009 and 15% in 2008.  Property development activities accounted for the remaining revenue in each year.  Property revenue in 2008 was negative because of a change of accounting treatment, as explained in Note 1 to the Financial Statements (Item 8 below).

 

OEH’s worldwide portfolio of hotels currently consists of 3,564 individual guest rooms and multiple-room suites, each known as a “key”.  Hotels owned by OEH in 2010 achieved an average daily room rate (“ADR”) of $405 (2009—$407) and a revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) of $227 (2009—$204).  Approximately 70% of OEH’s customers are leisure travellers, with approximately 35% of customers in 2010 originating from North America, 45% from Europe and the remaining 20% from elsewhere in the world.

 

Revenue, earnings and identifiable assets of OEH in 2010, 2009 and 2008 for its business segments and geographic areas are presented in Note 20 to the Financial Statements (Item 8).

 

Owned Hotels—Europe

 

Italy

 

The Hotel Cipriani and Palazzo Vendramin—95 keys—in Venice were built for the most part in the 1950s and are located on about five acres (part on long-term lease) on Giudecca Island across from the Piazza San Marco which is accessible by a free private boat service.  Most of the rooms have views overlooking the Venetian lagoon.  Features include fine cuisine in three indoor and outdoor restaurants, gardens and terraces encompassing an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a tennis court, a spa and a large banquet and meeting facility situated in an historic refurbished warehouse.  Since 2008, 39 guest rooms have been refurbished and an arcade of four retail shops has been added.

 

The Hotel Splendido and Splendido Mare—80 keys—overlook picturesque Portofino harbor on the Italian Riviera.  Set on four acres, the main hotel was built in 1901 and is surrounded by gardens and terraces which include a swimming pool and tennis court.  There are two restaurants each with open-air dining as well as banquet/meeting rooms, and a shuttle bus linking the main hotel with Splendido Mare on the harbor below.

 

The Villa San Michele—46 keys—is located in Fiesole, a short distance from Florence.  Originally built as a monastery in the 15th century with a façade attributed to Michelangelo, it has stunning views over historic Florence and the Arno River Valley.  OEH has remodelled and expanded the guest accommodation to luxury standards in recent years, including the addition of a swimming pool, and in 2010 refurbished seven suites.  A shuttle bus service is provided into Florence.  The property occupies ten acres.

 

The Hotel Caruso Belvedere—48 keys—in Ravello is located on three hill-top acres overlooking the Amalfi coast near Naples and ancient Roman and Greek archaeological sites such as Pompeii and Paestum.  Once a nobleman’s palace, parts of the buildings date back to the 11th century.  Operated as a hotel for many years, OEH rebuilt the property after acquiring it and reopened in 2005.  Amenities include two restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, spa and extensive gardens.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

In January 2010, OEH completed the purchase of two hotels in Taormina, Sicily, namely the Grand Hotel Timeo—70 keys-and the Villa Sant’Andrea——60 keys. See Note 4 to the Financial Statements. OEH has undertaken a refurbishment program to upgrade both properties over three consecutive winter closures, the most significant of which was completed in the January to May 2010 period.

 

With panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Naxos from its main terrace, Grand Hotel Timeo is widely considered the most luxurious hotel in Taormina and is situated in the city center next to the second century Greek Theater.  Built in 1873 on a total site of about ten acres, the hotel features a restaurant serving regional Sicilian specialties, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center, and banqueting and conference facilities, all surrounded by six acres of parkland.

 

Built in 1830 on Taormina’s Bay of Mazzarò with a private beach, Villa Sant’Andrea has the atmosphere of a private villa set in lush gardens, a total site of about two acres, with many of the guest rooms and the hotel’s seafood restaurant looking onto the Calabrian coast.  An outdoor swimming pool is being built and, subject to obtaining local planning permission, up to 12 keys may be added to the hotel in the future. Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea are linked by a guest shuttle service.

 

All of these Italian properties operate seasonally, closing for varying periods during the winter.

 

Portugal

 

Reid’s Palace—163 keys—is a famous hotel on the island of Madeira, situated on ten acres of semitropical gardens on a cliff top above the sea and the bay of Funchal, the main port city.  Opened in 1891, the hotel has four restaurants and banquet/meeting facilities.  Leisure and sports amenities include fresh and sea water swimming pools, a third tide-filled pool, tennis courts, ocean water sports, a spa and access to two championship golf courses.  It has year-round appeal to European leisure travellers, serving both winter escapes to the sun and regular summer holidays.

 

In June 2009, OEH sold to a third party Lapa Palace—109 keys—located in the embassy district of Lisbon.  See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

 

Elsewhere in Europe

 

OEH owns a 93.5% interest in Grand Hotel Europe—301 keys—in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Originally built in 1875, the hotel occupies one side of an entire city block on the fashionable Nevsky Prospect in the heart of the city near the Russian Museum, Shostakovich Philharmonia and other tourist and cultural attractions as well as the business center.  There are five restaurants on the premises, popular with locals and visitors alike, as well as a grand ballroom, meeting facilities, a health club and spa and several retail shops.  OEH recently finished the renovation of ten luxury historic suites reflecting the rich history of the hotel and city, as well as 17 terrace rooms in 2010. The minority interest is owned by the City of St. Petersburg.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

OEH owns La Residencia—67 keys—located in the charming village of Deià on the rugged northwest coast of the island of Mallorca, Spain in the Mediterranean.  Mallorca is a popular European tourist destination throughout the year.  The core of La Residencia was originally created from two adjoining 16th and 17th century country houses set on a hillside site of 30 acres. Thirty guest rooms are currently being refurbished.  The hotel features three restaurants including the gastronomic El Olivio, as well as two large outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a spa with an indoor pool.

 

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons—32 keys—is located in Oxfordshire, England about an hour’s drive west of London.  The main part of the hotel is a 16th century manor house set in 27 acres of gardens. Each suite has an entirely individual design, including four refurbished in 2010.    The property was developed by Raymond Blanc, one of Britain’s famous chef-patrons, and the hotel’s restaurant has two stars in the Michelin Guide.  Mr. Blanc has given a long-term commitment to remain the chef at the hotel and, in 2010, was appointed the Company’s Vice President—Gastronomy to advise the restaurants at other OEH hotels.

 

Hôtel de la Cité—61 keys—is located in the central square of the beautiful walled medieval town of Carcassonne, France near Toulouse.  Opened in 1909, the hotel incorporates one of the 50 watch towers in Carcassonne’s ancient fortifications and features two restaurants, gardens, a swimming pool and a nearby conference center, altogether occupying two acres.  One of the restaurants has been awarded one star for fine dining by the influential Michelin Guide. OEH is currently in negotiation to complete the sale of this hotel for €9,000,000 ($12,074,000). The hotel has been designated in 2010 as held for sale and its results have been accounted for as discontinued operations.  See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

 

Owned Hotels—North America

 

United States

 

Charleston Place—435 keys—is located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, a popular destination for tourists and business meetings.  Opened in 1986, the hotel has two restaurants, extensive banqueting and conference space including a grand ballroom, a fitness center with spa and swimming pool, and a shopping arcade of 25 retail outlets leased to unaffiliated parties.  The hotel also owns the adjacent historic Riviera Theater remodelled as additional conference space and retail shops.

 

While OEH has only a 19.9% ownership interest in Charleston Place, OEH manages the property under an exclusive long-term contract, receives interest on partnership loans which it assumed at the time of its original investment and on other loans made since then, and provides other forms of subordinated financial support.  As a result, at the end of 2008, OEH determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the hotel in OEH’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008, and since then has consolidated the hotel’s results in OEH’s statements of consolidated operations and cash flows.  Accordingly, OEH no longer accounts for Charleston Place among its “Hotel Management Interests” described below.  See Note 3 to the Financial Statements regarding this change of accounting treatment.

 

Keswick Hall—48 keys—is located in the rolling countryside of central Virginia, near Charlottesville.  Originally a private home dating from 1912, it is popular for weekend breaks and business meetings and, with the adjacent Keswick Club, features a spa and fitness center, tennis courts, three swimming pools and an Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course.  The total site occupies 600 acres including vacant land around the golf course being sold by OEH in parcels for private residential development.  See “Property Development” below.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

The Inn at Perry Cabin—80 keys—was built in 1812 as a country inn located in St. Michaels, Maryland on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay.  Set on 25 waterfront acres that include an outdoor swimming pool as well as boating and fishing on the Bay, it is an attractive conference and vacation destination, particularly for guests from the Washington, D.C. area.  OEH has completed a major renovation and expansion of the hotel, including a new conference facility and a spa.  Vacant available land may be developed as residences in the future.

 

OEH owns El Encanto—77 keys—in Santa Barbara, California.  The hotel is located in the hills above the restored Santa Barbara Mission, with views out to the Pacific Ocean.  Built in 1913 on a seven-acre site, the guest rooms are in cottages and low rise buildings spread throughout mature gardens.  OEH closed this hotel in late 2006 for significant renovation, including the addition of 15 keys, a new Raymond Blanc-inspired restaurant, and a spa, pool and fitness center.  Due to the economic downturn in the United States and subject to obtaining finance, OEH has rescheduled the renovation for completion no sooner than 2012.

 

In October 2009, OEH sold to third-party buyers Windsor Court Hotel—322 keys—located in the central business district of New Orleans.  See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

 

Caribbean

 

La Samanna—83 keys—is located on the island of St. Martin in the French West Indies.  Built in 1973, the hotel consists of several buildings on 16 acres of land along a 4,000-foot beach.  Amenities include two restaurants, two swimming pools, a spa, tennis courts, fitness and conference centers, boating and ocean water sports, and extensive gardens.  The hotel is open most of the year, seasonally closing during the autumn months.

 

OEH owns about 50 acres of additional land adjoining La Samanna on both the French and Dutch sides of St. Martin. OEH is developing this land as for-sale residential villas and apartments.  See “Property Development” below.  Unsold furnished villas next to La Samanna provide additional room stock for the hotel.

 

Mexico

 

OEH owns the Maroma Resort and Spa—66 keys—on Mexico’s Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 30 miles south of Cancun.  The resort opened in 1995 and has 25 acres of land along a 750-foot beach with the Cozumel barrier reef offshore where guests may fish, snorkel and scuba-dive.  Important Mayan archaeological sites are also nearby.  Rooms are arranged in low-rise villas and there are three restaurants, tennis courts and extensive spa facilities.

 

In addition, OEH owns a 28-acre tract adjacent to Maroma on which it has the opportunity to build and sell private villas in the future.  See “Property Development” below.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

OEH owns the Casa de Sierra Nevada—37 keys—a luxury resort in the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende.  Opened in 1952, the hotel consists of nine Spanish colonial buildings built in the 16th and 18th centuries.  OEH has renovated the hotel, including its two restaurants, and has built new suites as well as a pool, spa and garden area.  The total site is approximately two acres.  OEH also owns a nearby cooking school and retail shop operated in conjunction with the hotel.

 

Owned Hotels—Rest of the World

 

South America

 

Built in the 1920s on a three-acre site facing Copacabana Beach near the central business district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the  Copacabana Palace—243 keys—is a famous hotel in South America and features two fine-dining restaurants, spacious function and banqueting rooms including the hotel’s refurbished former casino rooms with space for up to 2,000 persons, a 500-seat theater, a large swimming pool, spa and fitness center, and a roof-top tennis court and plunge pool.  In 2009, OEH completed transformation of 38 suites into a combination of 20 suites and 36 double rooms, thereby increasing the key count, and opened a new “destination bar”.

 

In October 2007, OEH commenced operation of Hotel das Cataratas—193 keys—beside the famous Iguassu Falls in Brazil on the border with Argentina, having been awarded a 20-year lease by the Brazilian government.  It is the only hotel in the national park surrounding the falls, a World Heritage site.  First opened in 1958 on about four acres, the hotel has two restaurants, conference facilities, a swimming pool, spa and tennis court, and tropical gardens looking onto the falls.  During 2010, OEH completed a two-year phased renovation of the hotel and applied to the government to amend the lease including extension of the lease term.

 

Miraflores Park Hotel—82 keys—is located in the fashionable Miraflores residential district of Lima, Peru surrounded by parkland and looking onto the Pacific Ocean, yet near the commercial and cultural center of the city.  Opened in 1997, the hotel has two restaurants, a large ballroom, rooftop outdoor pool, health and beauty facilities and a business center for guests, and occupies about one acre of land.

 

Southern Africa

 

The Mount Nelson Hotel—201 keys—in Cape Town, South Africa is a famous historic property opened in 1899.  With beautiful gardens and pools, it stands just below Table Mountain and is within walking distance of the main business, civic and cultural center of the city.  The hotel has two restaurants (including the new concept Planet Restaurant opened in 2010), a ballroom, two swimming pools, tennis courts, and a fitness center and spa, all situated on ten acres of grounds.  Thirty-two guest rooms in the main building over-looking the gardens were refurbished in 2010. There is expansion potential through incorporation into the hotel of adjoining residential properties owned by OEH.

 

The Westcliff Hotel—117 keys—is the only garden hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, opened in 1998 and situated on six hillside acres with views over the city’s zoo and parkland.  Laid out in village style, its resort amenities include two swimming pools, a tennis court and a health club.  The hotel attracts business guests because of its proximity to the city center.  A banquet and conference center occupies part of adjacent expansion land.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

OEH’s African safari experience consists of three separate game-viewing lodges in Botswana called Khwai River Lodge, Eagle Island Camp  and  Savute Elephant Camp—39 keys in total.  Established in 1971, OEH leases the lodge sites in the Okavango River delta and nearby game reserves, where African wildlife can be observed from open safari vehicles or boats.  Each camp has 12 or 15 twin-bedded deluxe tents under thatched roofs, and guests travel between the camps by light aircraft. Boating, fishing, hiking and swimming are offered at the various sites.

 

Australia

 

The Observatory Hotel—96 keys—is in the Rocks section of Sydney within walking distance of the central business district.  This hotel opened in 1993 and has two restaurant and lounge areas, extensive meeting and banquet rooms, a spa and health club with indoor swimming pool, and a large parking garage on a site of about one acre.  There is also access to a nearby tennis court.

 

In January 2010, OEH completed the sale of Lilianfels Blue Mountains—85 keys—in the Blue Mountains National Park west of Sydney to a third party. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

 

Asia

 

In 2006, OEH acquired a group of six deluxe hotels in Southeast Asia described below, each built and decorated in traditional local style.

 

Napasai—55 keys—is located on its own beach on the north side of Koh Samui island of Thailand in the Gulf of Siam.  It originally opened in 2004 and features two restaurants, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a spa and water sports such as diving and snorkeling in the nearby coral reef.  The guest rooms are arranged in seaview cottages on a total site of about 40 acres on which 14 private villas have been built with vacant land available to develop and sell additional villas.  See “Property Development” below.  The hotel rents many of the existing villas to its guests on a revenue-sharing basis with the owners.

 

On Bali in Indonesia are two long-term leasehold properties, Jimbaran Puri Bali—64 keys—and Ubud Hanging Gardens—38 keys.  Jimbaran Puri Bali occupies seven beachfront acres on the south coast of the island.  Guest rooms are situated in cottages, and there are two restaurants, a swimming pool and ocean water sports.  OEH built and opened in 2009 22 one- and two-bedroom thatched villas, each with a plunge pool.

 

Ubud Hanging Gardens is located on terraces on about seven steep hillside acres above the Ayung River gorge in the interior of Bali.  The hotel opened in 2005 and offers two restaurants, a swimming pool and spa, and a free shuttle bus to the nearby town of Ubud, a cultural and arts center.  Each key has its own private plunge pool.

 

La Résidence d’Angkor—62 keys—opened in 2002 and is situated in walled gardens in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  The hotel occupies a site of about two acres under long-term lease.  The ancient Temples of Angkor Wat, the principal tourist attraction in the area, are near the hotel which has an indoor/outdoor restaurant and swimming pool.  OEH added eight suites and a spa to this property in 2009.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

Built in 1920, The Governor’s Residence—48 keys—in the embassy district of Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar) was originally the official home of one of the Burmese state governors in the 1920s.  It is a teak two-storey mansion surrounded by verandas overlooking lotus gardens, a long-term leased site of about two acres that opened as a hotel in 1997.  It includes a restaurant and swimming pool.  OEH originally owned a 66% interest in the property and acquired the minority interest in 2009.  See Note 4 to the Financial Statements.

 

In Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, OEH owns a 69% interest in La Résidence Phou Vao—34 keys.  The hotel opened in 2001 and occupies about eight hillside acres under long-term lease.  Guest rooms are in four two-storey buildings surrounded by gardens that include a restaurant, spa and swimming pool.

 

French Polynesia

 

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort—76 keys—on a 12-acre site opened in 1993 with Tahitian-style bungalows over the lagoon water and additional beach and garden bungalows.  As previously reported, the hotel has been designated as held for sale and its results have been accounted for as discontinued operations.  See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.  In February 2010, the hotel sustained extensive damage from a cyclone and is currently closed awaiting sale.  OEH has recovered on its insurance for this damage.

 

Hotel Management Interests

 

Through a 50%/50% joint venture with a Spanish investment company, OEH owns and manages the famous Hotel Ritz—167 keys—in central Madrid near the financial district, Spanish parliament and many of the city’s well known tourist attractions.  Opened in 1910, the hotel has four spacious conference and banqueting suites, an indoor restaurant and the popular Ritz Terrace restaurant outdoors in the gardens.  OEH and its 50% partner renovated the public areas of the hotel and have plans for future refurbishment of the guest rooms including the addition of four keys.

 

OEH has a 50%/50% joint venture with local investors in Peru which operates the following four hotels under OEH’s exclusive management.

 

The Hotel Monasterio—126 keys—is located in the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, an important tourist destination in Peru.  The hotel was originally built as a Spanish monastery in the 16th century, converted to hotel use in 1995, and has been upgraded since then.  The deluxe guest rooms and two restaurants are arranged around open-air cloisters.  Because of Cuzco’s high altitude, specially oxygenated ventilation has been added to some of the refurbished rooms.  The three-acre site under long-term lease includes a vacant convent adjoining the hotel which the joint venture, using its own financial resources, is currently rebuilding as the separate Palacio Nazarenas—56 keys—scheduled to be opened in 2012.

 

The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge—31 keys—is the only hotel at the famous mountaintop Inca ruins at Machu Picchu, a World Heritage site.  All of the rooms have been refurbished to a high standard.  The joint venture leases the hotel as well as seven acres at the foot of the ruins, close to the town on the Urubamba River where tourists arrive by train, for possible future expansion.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

The Peru hotel joint venture of OEH built and opened in April 2008 a small luxury bungalow hotel called Las Casitas del Colca—20 keys—on 57 acres north of Arequipa near the 11,000-foot high rim of Colca Canyon.  The hotel features individual casitas with plunge pools, an intimate main dining room and a swimming pool and spa.  Guests enjoy tours of the scenic canyon, famous for its giant condors.

 

In December 2009, the Peru hotel joint venture acquired Hotel Rio Sagrado—23 keys—in the Sacred Valley of the Incas between Cusco and Machu Picchu.  Opened in April 2009, this new rustic hotel has a spa, swimming pool and extensive gardens beside the Urubamba River on a site of about six acres set against an imposing mountain backdrop.  The Sacred Valley is a popular part of holiday itineraries in Peru, and a station on OEH’s Peru Rail train service is a short distance from the hotel.

 

As noted under “Owned Hotels” above, OEH no longer accounts for Charleston Place in Charleston, South Carolina among its “Hotel Management Interests”.

 

Restaurants

 

OEH owns ‘21’ Club, the famous landmark restaurant at 21 West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan in New York City.  Originally a speakeasy during Prohibition in the 1920s, this restaurant is open to the public, occupies three brownstone buildings and features fine American cuisine.  It serves à la carte meals in the original bar restaurant and a separate dining room upstairs, and also has ten banqueting rooms used for functions, including the famous secret wine cellar.

 

OEH entered into purchase and development agreements in 2007 with the New York Public Library to acquire its Donnell branch site adjacent to ‘21’ Club and to construct a mixed use hotel, library and residential development.  In February 2009, in light of prevailing uncertain economic conditions, OEH suspended payments and, in July 2009, amended its agreements with the Library to spread future payments on this purchase over 24 months.  In addition to the $7,000,000 that OEH had already paid, OEH paid $9,000,000 upon execution of the amendments, to be followed by 16 monthly payments of $500,000 each commencing in February 2010 and final payments of $6,000,000 and $29,000,000 in June 2011. OEH is current in its amended payments and has given the Library security on unencumbered villas at La Samanna to secure the payments. OEH is currently seeking co-investors in this development project or, subject to the Library’s consent, to assign the purchase and development agreements to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  In the event OEH is unable to find a co-investor or to assign the agreements and OEH elects not to close the transaction, the final payment of $29,000,000 will not be due to the Library, in which event OEH would be required to write off its remaining investment including its capitalized costs and associated fees.  See Note 6 to the Financial Statements regarding the non-cash impairment charge in 2010 on part of this investment.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

OEH re-created in 2003 the famous La Cabaña steak house in Buenos Aires dating from the 1930s.  In 2009, OEH contracted to sell this stand-alone restaurant, and the sale was completed in May 2010.  See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.

 

Tourist Trains and Cruises

 

OEH’s principal European tourist trains, called the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operate in two parts in a regularly scheduled overnight service between London and Venice and on short excursions in southern England.  OEH owns 30 railway cars originally used on historic “Orient-Express” and other famous European trains.  All have been refurbished in original 1920s/1930s décor and meet modern safety standards.  The services are marketed as a continuation of the Orient-Express trains of pre-World War II years.  One train is based in Great Britain and composed entirely of Pullman cars with a capacity for up to 230 passengers.  The other train is based on the European Continent and made up of Wagons-Lits sleeping cars and day coaches with capacity for up to 180 passengers.  They operate once or twice weekly principally between London and Venice from March to November each year via Paris, Zurich and Innsbruck on a scenic route through the Alps.  Passengers travel across the English Channel by coach on the Eurotunnel shuttle train.  Occasional trips are also made from time to time to Rome, Prague, Budapest and Istanbul and other European destinations.

 

The 11 British Pullman dining cars of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with capacity up to 230 passengers operate all year, originating out of London on short excursions to places of historic or scenic interest in southern England, including some overnight trips when passengers stay at local hotels.  Both the British and Continental trains are available for private charter.

 

The Northern Belle tourist train offers day trips and charter service principally in the north of England.  It builds on the success of OEH’s British Pullman business, which focuses on the south of England around London.  This train consists of six dining cars elegantly decorated to be reminiscent of old British “Belle” trains of the 1930s, plus three kitchen and service cars, and can carry up to 280 passengers.  Full course meals are served on board and passengers stay in local hotels on overnight itineraries.

 

OEH owns the Royal Scotsman luxury tourist train composed of nine Edwardian-style cars, including six sleeping cars (each compartment with private bathroom) and two dining cars, and accommodating up to 36 passengers.  Operating from April to October, the train travels on itineraries of up to seven nights through the Scottish countryside affording passengers the opportunity to visit clan castles, historic battlegrounds, famous Scotch whiskey distilleries and other points of interest.

 

Peru Rail is a 50%/50% joint venture between OEH and Peruvian partners formed to operate part of the state-owned railways in Peru under a 30-year franchise awarded in 1999 and extendable every five years, upon the joint venture’s application, up to 25 additional years.  The joint venture pays the government a fee related to traffic levels which can

 

13



Table of Contents

 

be partially offset against investment in track improvements.  The 70-mile Cuzco-Machu Picchu line carries mainly tourists visiting the famous Inca ruins, the principal means of access because there is no convenient road, as well as local passenger traffic.  In 2009, other carriers began to operate on this line in competition with Peru Rail for the first time.  A second rail line runs from Cuzco to Matarani on the Pacific Ocean (via Arequipa) and to Puno on Lake Titicaca, and principally serves freight traffic under contract.  The Cuzco-Machu Picchu line connects three of OEH’s Peruvian hotels, allowing inclusive tours served by OEH’s Hiram Bingham luxury tourist train with capacity up to 84 passengers.  OEH also operates a deluxe daytime tourist train called the Andean Explorer on the Cuzco-Puno route through the High Andes mountains.

 

The Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia travels up to one round trip each week between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.  The journey includes two or three nights on board and side trips to Penang in Malaysia and the River Kwai in Thailand.  Some overnight trips are also made from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and elsewhere in Thailand and to Vientiane, Laos. Longer itineraries, up to six nights on board, are planned in 2011 to places of historic, scenic and cultural interest in the region.  Originally built in 1970, the 24 cars were substantially rebuilt to an elegant oriental style of décor and fitted with modern facilities such as air conditioning and private bathrooms.  The train is made up of sleeping cars, three restaurant cars, a bar car and an open air observation car and can carry up to 130 passengers.  The Eastern & Oriental Express is available for charter by private groups.  OEH manages the train exclusively and has a 25% shareholding in the owning company.

 

OEH owns and operates a deluxe river cruise ship on the Irrawaddy River in central Burma, or Myanmar, called the Road To Mandalay.  The ship was a Rhine River cruiser built in 1964 which OEH bought and refurbished.  It has 43 air conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, spacious restaurant and lounge areas, and a canopied sun deck with swimming pool.  The ship travels between Mandalay and Pagan up to eight times each month and carries up to 82 passengers who may enjoy sightseeing along the river and guided shore excursions to places of cultural interest.  Five- to eight-night itineraries are offered, including airfare to and from the ship and hotel accommodation in Rangoon.  OEH also operates occasional cruises to different destinations, such as to Bhamo in the north of the country close to the China border.  The ship does not operate in the hottest summer months and occasionally when the water level of the Irrawaddy River falls too low due to lack of rainfall.  After suffering major damage in the cyclone that struck Burma in May 2008, the ship was rebuilt and resumed service in 2009 with a reduced number of cabins and an improved onboard passenger experience.

 

OEH owns five luxury river and canal boats (called péniche-hôtels) operating as Afloat in France in Burgundy, Provence and other rural regions of France.  They accommodate between six and 12 passengers each in double berth compartments with private bathrooms, and some have small plunge pools on deck.  They operate seasonally between April and October on three- to six-night itineraries with guests dining on board or in nearby restaurants.  Shore excursions are organized each day.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Property Development

 

OEH has been pursuing opportunities to develop the real estate in its portfolio.  In addition to expansion by adding guest rooms and other facilities at the hotels, certain of OEH’s properties have adjacent vacant land suitable for construction of deluxe for-sale residential villas and condominium units, as noted above under the various “Owned Hotels” headings.  In some cases, these residences may be incorporated into existing hotel operations.  OEH’s future strategy is to develop only residential projects that have been substantially pre-sold.

 

Among existing developments, OEH has completed construction of Porto Cupecoy on the Dutch side of St. Martin, on 12 acres of land adjacent to La Samanna hotel.  The development consists of 184 condominium units and 35,000 square feet of retail and commercial space around a Mediterranean-style piazza, and a marina with for-sale pleasure boat slips.  The units range in size from 750 to 3,000 square feet.  At December 31, 2010, 103 units at Porto Cupecoy have been sold.  In addition, OEH expects to sell the commercial space and marina.  OEH also has planning permission to build a further 60 units and a casino on an additional parcel of Porto Cupecoy land, although no works are scheduled.

 

On the French side of St. Martin, OEH recently completed the Villas at La Samanna, the first phase of an envisioned multi-phase development of private homes on 37 acres.  The villas consist of eight large homes in three- or four-bedroom configurations, each with a private swimming pool and access to La Samanna’s amenities and services as well as a hotel-sponsored rental program.  In December 2009, OEH entered into a deferred sale agreement on four of the villas under which a third party has the option to acquire them by the end of 2012. The remaining four villas are currently being leased in the hotel’s rental program.

 

At Keswick Hall in Virginia, OEH is continuing to sell residential home sites on the Keswick Estate adjacent to the hotel and its Keswick Club championship golf course.  Subdivision of the land including roads and other infrastructure has been completed and two model homes constructed, one of which is under sale contract.  Most purchasers buy vacant lots and build their own custom-designed homes with their own architects and contractors subject to the community’s development guidelines.  The famous architect Robert A.M. Stern has recently designed five model homes for the development.  Forty-six of the 87 plots in the Keswick Estate development have been sold through December 31, 2010.

 

When OEH acquired the group of six hotels in Southeast Asia in 2006, development of 14 private villas was already underway on the 40-acre site of Napasai on Koh Samui in Thailand.  Two villas remain for sale, and up to 40 more may be built in the future.

 

OEH owns 28 acres of vacant land beside its Maroma Resort and Spa, and has the opportunity to build up to 20 locally designed private residential villas, a project that would only be commenced on a substantially pre-sold basis.

 

Some other hotels owned by OEH have vacant land such as Inn at Perry Cabin on the eastern shore of Maryland.  Development may include sale of residences and, in some cases, ongoing management as integral parts of the adjacent hotels or, at Keswick Hall, membership in the hotel’s golf club.  The existing for-sale residences of OEH are marketed by its local on-site sales personnel and through third-party real estate agents with listings locally and abroad.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Management Strategies

 

As the foregoing indicates, OEH has a global mix of hotel and other deluxe travel products that are geographically diverse and appeal to the high-end leisure market, reflecting an important management strategy.  As a result, leisure customers produce about 80% of annual revenue and 70% of the room nights, while corporate/business travelers account for the rest.  OEH’s properties are distinctive as well as luxurious and tend to attract guests prepared to pay higher rates for the travel experiences OEH offers compared to its competitors.

 

OEH benefits from long-term trends and developments favorably impacting the global hotel, travel and leisure markets, including growth trends in the luxury hotel market in many parts of the world, increased travel and leisure spending by consumers, favorable demographic trends in relevant age and income brackets of U.S., European and other populations, and increased online travel bookings.  These long-term trends suffered setbacks in recent years due to the global economic downturn, preceded by the shock of terrorist attacks and resulting pubic concerns about travel safety, regional conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world, and the threatened SARS and swine flu epidemics.  Management believes, however, that the public’s confidence in international travel and demand for luxury hotel and tourist products will be sustained over the long term.

 

Commencing in 2008 and through 2009, OEH implemented a series of initiatives geared to position OEH to navigate the financial market disruption and impending economic downturn.  These included reduction in fixed and variable overheads, reduction in maintenance capital expenditures to a short term target of 2% of revenue, suspension of certain development projects, improved management of working capital, and suspension of cash dividends on the class A common shares.  OEH expects a large part of the savings in fixed and variable overheads will continue as the economic climate recovers.

 

During 2010, management continued to implement a strategy to reduce OEH’s long-term debt position.  A number of non-core assets not considered key to OEH’s portfolio of unique, individual and high valued properties were identified, and management undertook to sell these non-core assets in a measured timescale with the primary purpose of de-leveraging OEH’s balance sheet.  So far, OEH has sold Lapa Palace in Lisbon, Windsor Court in New Orleans, Lilianfels Blue Mountains in Australia, and La Cabana restaurant in Buenos Aires, and has removed the debt related to these properties from its balance sheet. OEH is currently in negotiation to complete the sale of Hôtel de la Cité for €9,000,000 ($12,074,000) which is a debt-free property. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements. At the same time, OEH has reduced its remaining long-term debt through refinancing and partial repayment, although new debt was incurred in January 2010 when Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea were purchased.  In addition, OEH’s debt-free developments of residential real estate described under “Property Development” above are being progressively sold over the medium term, and are expected to generate significant net cash proceeds which can also be used to repay corporate debt.  See Item 7—Management Discussion and Analysis.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

OEH management plans to grow the business in the long term by:

 

·                                increasing RevPAR and other earnings at its established properties and recent acquisitions,

 

·                                expanding existing hotels where land or space is available and potential investment returns are relatively high,

 

·                                developing vacant land as residences for sale,

 

·                                increasing the utilization of its tourist trains and cruises to add trips,

 

·                                acquiring additional distinctive luxury properties throughout the world that have attractive potential investment returns, and

 

·                                entering into contracts to manage hotels that meet OEH’s selection criteria.

 

Factors in OEH’s evaluation of a potential acquisition or management opportunity include the uniqueness and deluxe nature of the property, attractions and experiences for guests in the vicinity, acceptability of financial returns, upside potential through pricing, expansion or improved marketing, limitations on nearby competition, and convenient access.  Expansion at existing properties by adding rooms and facilities such as spas and conference space can provide attractive investment returns because incremental operating costs are low.

 

OEH plans to continue owning or part-owning and managing most of its properties, which allows OEH to develop their distinctive local character and to benefit from current cash flow and potential future gains on sale.  Self-management or management with equity interest has enabled OEH to capture the economic benefits otherwise shared with a third-party manager, to control the operations, quality and expansion of the hotels, and to use its experience with price changes, expansions and renovations to improve cash flow and enhance asset values.

 

Commencing in 2011 upon the recruitment of Roy Paul as Vice President and Chief Development Officer of the Company in February (see Item 10—Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), OEH also plans to pursue long-term contracts to manage hotels principally on a fee basis where OEH may have only a small or no ownership interest.  These hotels would otherwise meet OEH’s selection criteria.  Management contracts may facilitate OEH’s entry into new markets, such as gateway cities like London, Paris and Rome in Europe, and would expand awareness of the “Orient-Express” brand and allow OEH to conserve investment capital.  As owner of many unique and deluxe properties that OEH operates itself, OEH believes it is well positioned to manage comparable hotels for others.

 

Many of OEH’s individual properties, such as the Hotel Cipriani, Copacabana Palace and ‘21’ Club, have distinctive local character and brand identity.  Management believes that discerning travelers will choose an individually styled property in preference to a chain brand.  OEH promotes its properties together through the “Orient-Express” name which originated with the legendary luxury European train in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and which is recognizable worldwide and synonymous with sophisticated travel and refined elegance.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Commencing in 2009, OEH initiated a brand strategy expected to increase the visibility of the “Orient-Express” brand globally throughout OEH’s business segments and product offerings.  This strategy is intended to position OEH as a collection of deluxe travel and hospitality experiences, each of which is individually branded and focused on authentic local product and service.  Management is hopeful that this brand strategy will provide OEH with public relations and commercial advantages, increase efficiencies and the effectiveness of the OEH portfolio, grow revenue and repeat business from customers, and be attractive to property owners and potential joint venture partners.

 

As indicated above under “Property Development”, OEH is continuing its deluxe for-sale residential development activities.  Management anticipates future profits both from sales of land and completed units and, in certain cases, from ongoing management for the owners as integral parts of the adjacent hotels. OEH’s future strategy is to develop only residences that have been substantially pre-sold.

 

Marketing, Sales and Public Relations

 

OEH’s sales and marketing function is primarily based upon direct sales (prioritizing strategic travel agents and tour operators and electronic channels such as the Internet), cross-selling to customers, and public relations.  OEH has a corporate-wide sales force of about 90 persons in 12 locations.  These include key account sales offices in New York, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, London, Paris, Cologne, Milan, Madrid, Moscow, Tokyo and Singapore.  OEH also has local sales representatives responsible for the hotels where they are based.

 

OEH’s sales staff train preferred travel industry and distribution partners, negotiate with group and corporate account representatives, and conduct marketing initiatives such as direct mailings, e-commerce, trade show participation and event sponsorship.  OEH participates in a number of partner programs, such as “American Express Centurion” and “Virtuoso”.  OEH offers its top travel agents and other industry partners free participation in OEH’s “Bellini Club” providing training courses, special commissions and sales support for all OEH products worldwide.

 

Websites and e-marketing are important direct sales and marketing tools for OEH.  Through its principal website (www.orient-express.com) and the websites of the individual properties, OEH provides extensive descriptions and images of the properties and guest activities in English and other languages.  Direct online booking capability is provided as well as affiliate programs for online partners.  OEH operates other Internet travel portals that direct customers to OEH’s properties, and works with other selected electronic distribution channels.

 

Because repeat customers appreciate the consistent quality of OEH’s hotels, restaurants, trains and cruises, an important part of OEH’s strategy is to promote OEH properties through various cross-selling efforts.  These include the in-house “Orient-Express Traveller” directory, enhanced customer relations management systems, worldwide preferred travel agent programs, and direct communications with customers. In addition, OEH sells luxury souvenir goods branded with the names of its travel products.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

OEH’s marketing strategy also focuses on public relations, which management believes is a highly cost-effective marketing tool for luxury properties.  Because of the unique nature of OEH’s properties, guests are more likely to hear about OEH’s hotels and other travel products through word-of-mouth or published articles than through general advertising.  OEH has an in-house public relations office in London and representatives in 14 countries worldwide, including third-party public relations firms under contract, to promote its properties through targeted newspapers, general interest and travel magazines, and broadcast, online and other media.

 

Corporate Social Responsibility

 

OEH is a member of the International Tourism Partnership and pursues responsible business practices furthering the sustainability of tourism by seeking to minimize the negative impact on the environment and to increase contributions to conservation, cultural heritage preservation and local community development.  OEH’s activity in this area has included the following examples:

 

·                                         In Russia, Grand Hotel Europe has established its own charitable foundation to help underprivileged children and youth, working closely with local orphanages and organizations to identify those in need.

 

·                                         In Botswana, OEH’s game-viewing lodges support the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a Southern Africa NGO.  Staff participates in various programs such as protection of the wattled crane, an endangered species, in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve.

 

·                                         In Mexico, Maroma Resort and Spa acts to preserve the environment.  Staff members volunteer to clean Maroma’s surrounding beach areas.  The landscaping of the resort and its environs is maintained in a jungle-like state to create a habitat for wildlife.  Educational walks are provided for guests to learn about the biodiversity of the hotel’s site.

 

·                                         In Peru, Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge has established an agriculture school on its own land so persons from poor neighboring communities can learn to grow and produce vegetables and herbs.  The hotel provides seeds to use on their own land and then buys their produce, both to provide a source of income for local people and to reduce the carbon footprint by avoiding the need to transport from other parts of the country.

 

·                                         In Italy, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Hotel Cipriani have long been associated with the Venice in Peril charity supporting projects to maintain the city’s threatened heritage, including work on an 18th century screen housed in the Oriental Museum of Venice.

 

Industry Awards

 

OEH has gained a worldwide reputation for quality and service in the luxury segment of the leisure and business travel markets.  Over the years, OEH’s properties have won numerous national and international

 

19



Table of Contents

 

awards given by consumer or trade publications such as Conde Nast Traveller, Travel & Leisure and Tatler and private subscription newsletters such as Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, or industry bodies such as the American Automobile Association.  The awards are based on opinion polls of the publications’ readers or the professional opinion of journalists or panels of experts.  The awards are believed to influence consumer choice and are therefore highly prized.

 

Competition

 

Some of OEH’s properties are located in areas with numerous competitors, many of which have greater resources than OEH.  Competition for guests in the hospitality industry is based generally on the convenience of location, the quality of the property and services offered, room rates and menu prices, the range and quality of food services and amenities offered, types of cuisine, and reputation and name recognition.

 

OEH’s strategy is to acquire or manage only hotels which have special locations and distinctive character.  Many are in areas with unique local history or high entry barriers because of zoning restrictions.  OEH builds its competitive advantage by offering high quality service and cuisine, usually with a local flavor.  Typically, therefore, OEH competes by providing a special combination of location, character, cuisine, service and experiential activities rather than relying on price competition.

 

OEH’s luxury tourist trains have no direct competitors.  Other passenger trains operate on the same or similar routes, including the Cuzco-Machu Picchu line of Peru Rail, but management believes OEH’s trains and onboard service are unique and of such superior quality that guests consider an OEH train journey more of a luxury experience and an end in itself than merely a means of transport.

 

Employees

 

OEH currently employs about 8,400 full-time-equivalent persons, about 1,900 of whom are represented by labor unions.  Approximately 6,700 persons are employed in the hotels and restaurants, 1,400 in the trains and cruises business, and 300 in central administration, sales and marketing and other activities.  Management believes that OEH’s ongoing labor relations are satisfactory.

 

Government Regulation

 

OEH and its properties are subject to numerous laws and government regulations such as those relating to the preparation and sale of food and beverages, liquor service, health and safety of premises and employees, employee relationships, environmental matters, waste and hazardous substance handling and disposal, and planning and zoning rules. Management believes that OEH is in compliance in all material respects with relevant laws and regulations with respect to its business.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 1A.       Risk Factors

 

OEH’s business is subject to various risks, including those described below.  Investors should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” below.  These are separated into three general groups:

 

·                                risks of OEH’s business,

 

·                                risks relating to OEH’s financial condition and results of operations, and

 

·                                risks of investing in class A common shares.

 

The risks described below are only those that management considers to be the most significant.  There may be additional risks that management currently regards as less material or that are not presently known.

 

If any of these risks occurs, OEH’s business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected.  When OEH states below that a risk may have a material adverse effect, this means the risk may have one or more of these effects. In that case, the market price of the class A common shares could decline.

 

This report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.  OEH’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this report.

 

Risks of OEH’s Business

 

OEH’s operations are subject to adverse factors generally encountered in the lodging, hospitality and travel industries.

 

Besides the specific conditions discussed in the risk factors below, these adverse factors include:

 

·                                cyclical downturns arising from changes in general and local economic conditions and business activities, which impact levels of travel and demand for travel products,

 

·                                recurrence of rising travel costs such as increased air travel fares and higher fuel costs, and reduced capacities of airlines and other transport services,

 

·                                political instability of the governments of some countries where OEH’s properties are located or operate, resulting in depressed demand,

 

·                                less disposable income of consumers and the travelling public,

 

·                                dependence on varying levels of tourism, business travel and corporate entertainment,

 

·                                changes in popular travel patterns,

 

·                                competition from other hotels and leisure time activities,

 

21



Table of Contents

 

·                                periodic local oversupply of guest accommodation, which may adversely affect occupancy and actual rates achieved,

 

·                                increases in operating costs at OEH’s properties due to inflation and other factors which may not be offset by increased revenues, and changes in costs of materials,

 

·                                regional and local economic and political conditions affecting market demand for travel products, including recessions, civil disorder, and acts or threats of terrorism,

 

·                                expropriation or nationalization of properties by foreign governments, and limitations on repatriation of local earnings,

 

·                                foreign exchange rate movements impacting OEH’s revenues and costs and impacting demand for OEH’s non-U.S. properties due to weakening of the U.S. dollar,

 

·                                adverse weather conditions  such as severe storms or destructive forces like fire or flooding that sometimes result in closure of properties,

 

·                                reduction in domestic or international travel and demand for OEH’s properties due to actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, or the outbreak of contagious disease, and heightened travel security measures instituted in response to these events,

 

·                                travel-related accidents or industrial action, increased transportation and fuel costs, and natural disasters interfering with travel, and

 

·                                seasonality, in that many of OEH’s hotels and tourist trains are located in the northern hemisphere where they operate at low revenue or close during the winter months.

 

The effects of many of these factors vary among OEH’s hotels and other properties because of their geographic diversity.

 

For example, civil unrest in Burma in September 2007 resulted in reservation cancellations at The Governor’s Residence and Road To Mandalay at the beginning of the seasonal high demand period for those properties.  Bookings were recovering but suffered a new setback when the hotel and ship were damaged by a cyclone hitting Burma in May 2008.

 

Also, as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States in September 2001 and the subsequent military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, international, regional and even domestic travel was disrupted and public concerns about travel safety increased significantly.  Demand for most of OEH’s properties declined substantially in the latter part of 2001 and in 2002. Further acts of terrorism or a military action, or the threat of either, could again reduce leisure and business travel, thereby adversely affecting OEH’s results.

 

The weakened economies of North America, Europe and other regions in 2008-2009 and the simultaneous disruption of financial markets resulted in RevPAR declines at most of OEH’s properties and in shorter lead times for reservations due to customers’ economic uncertainty.  As a result, OEH’s ability to forecast operating results and cash flows has been reduced.  These factors also affected OEH’s liquidity outlook.  See “Risks Relating to OEH’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations’ below.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

If revenue decreases at OEH’s properties, its expenses may not decrease at the same rate, thereby adversely affecting OEH’s profitability and cash flow.

 

Ownership and operation of OEH’s properties involve many relatively fixed expenses such as personnel costs, interest, rent, property taxes, insurance and utilities.  If revenue declines when demand weakens, OEH may not be able to reduce these expenses to the same degree to preserve profitability.

 

The hospitality industry is highly competitive, both for customers and for acquisitions of new properties.

 

Some of OEH’s properties are located in areas where there are numerous competitors seeking to attract customers, particularly in city centers. Competitive factors in the hospitality industry include:

 

·                                convenience of location,

 

·                                the quality of the property and services offered,

 

·                                room rates and menu prices,

 

·                                the range and quality of food services and amenities offered,

 

·                                types of cuisine, and

 

·                                reputation and name recognition.

 

Demographic, geographic or other changes in one or more of OEH’s markets could impact the convenience or desirability of its hotels and restaurants, and so could adversely affect their operations.

 

Also, new or existing competitors could significantly lower rates or offer greater conveniences, services or amenities, or significantly expand, improve or introduce new facilities in the markets in which OEH operates.  For example, new passenger rail services have recently started to operate on the Cuzco-Machu Picchu line of Peru Rail for the first time in direct competition, which has had some impact on Peru Rail’s profitability. As another example, largely because of new hotel competition in Bora Bora as well as high cost structures, OEH decided in late 2007 to dispose of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort.

 

OEH competes for hotel and restaurant acquisition and management opportunities with others who may have greater financial resources.  These competitors may be prepared to accept a higher level of financial risk than OEH can prudently manage.  This competition may have the effect of reducing the number of suitable investment and management opportunities offered to OEH and increasing its acquisition costs or reducing OEH’s operating margins because the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell or to enter into management agreements is increased.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

The hospitality industry is heavily regulated, including with respect to food and beverage sales, employee relations, development and construction, and environmental matters, and compliance with these laws could reduce profitability of properties that OEH owns or manages.

 

OEH and its various properties are subject to numerous laws and government regulations, including those relating to the preparation and sale of food and beverages, liquor service, and health and safety of premises.  The properties are also subject to laws governing OEH’s relationship with employees in such areas as minimum wage and maximum working hours, overtime, working conditions, health and safety, hiring and firing employees and work permits.

 

The success of expanding existing properties depends upon obtaining necessary building permits, approvals or zoning variances from local authorities.  Failure to obtain or delay in obtaining these permits could adversely affect OEH’s strategy of increasing revenues and earnings through expansion of existing properties.

 

OEH is also subject to U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to the environment and the handling of hazardous substances that may impose or create significant potential environmental liabilities, even in situations where the environmental problem or violation occurred on a property before OEH acquired it or without OEH’s knowledge.  Environmental laws may also impose liability for improper handling or disposal of hazardous substances or improper management of certain hazardous material which might be present at OEH properties, such as asbestos or lead-based paint.  OEH’s trains and cruises must comply with environmental regulation of air emissions, wastewater discharges and fueling.

 

Existing environmental laws and regulations may be revised or new laws and regulations related to global climate change, air quality, hazardous substances, wastes, or other environmental and health concerns may be adopted or become applicable to OEH.

 

Although OEH does not currently anticipate that the costs of complying with environmental laws will materially adversely affect its businesses, OEH cannot assure that it will not incur material costs or liabilities in the future, due to the discovery of new facts or conditions, the occurrence of new releases of hazardous materials, or a change in environmental laws.

 

OEH’s acquisition, expansion and development strategy may be less successful than expected and, therefore, its growth may be limited.

 

Management intends to increase OEH’s revenues and earnings in the long term through acquisition of new properties and expansion of existing properties.  The ability to pursue new growth opportunities successfully will depend on management’s ability to:

 

·                                identify properties suitable for acquisition and expansion,

 

·                                negotiate purchases or construction on commercially reasonable terms or the management contracts of properties OEH does not own or in which it has only a non-controlling interest,

 

24



Table of Contents

 

·                                obtain the necessary financing and government permits or approvals,

 

·                                build on schedule and with minimum disruption to guests, and

 

·                                integrate new properties into OEH’s operations.

 

Also, the acquisition of properties in new locations may present operating and marketing challenges that are different from those encountered in OEH’s existing locations.  OEH can give you no assurance that management will succeed in this growth strategy, particularly in the face of the current global economic uncertainty.

 

OEH plans to develop new properties in the future.  New project development is subject to such adverse factors as:

 

·                                site deterioration after acquisition,

 

·                                inability to obtain necessary government permits,

 

·                                inclement weather,

 

·                                labor or material shortages,

 

·                                work stoppages,

 

·                                availability of equity funding, construction finance and mortgage loans,

 

·                                environmental conditions such as the presence of hazardous substances, protected species, wetlands or other natural conditions,

 

·                                weak economic conditions before, during or after development,

 

·                                claims and disputes between OEH and other contracting parties,

 

·                                untimely opening,

 

·                                high start-up costs, and

 

·                                weak initial market acceptance of a new property.

 

For example, El Encanto in Santa Barbara was originally closed for extensive renovations in late 2006, with an expected reopening in 2008.  However, because of changes in rebuilding plans, delays in obtaining government permits, a slower pace of construction than initially expected and difficulty in obtaining financing in the current economic climate, reopening of the hotel has been delayed at least until 2012.

 

OEH may be unable to obtain the necessary additional capital to finance the growth of its business.

 

The acquisition, expansion and development of leisure properties, as well as the ongoing renovations, refurbishments and improvements required to maintain or upgrade those properties, are capital intensive.  The availability of future borrowings and access to equity

 

25



Table of Contents

 

capital markets to fund these acquisitions, expansions and projects depend on prevailing market conditions and the acceptability of financing terms on offer.  OEH can give no assurance that future borrowings or capital raising will be available to OEH, or available on acceptable terms, in an amount sufficient to fund its needs. Future equity financings may be dilutive to the existing holders of common shares.  Future debt financings may require restrictive covenants that would limit OEH’s flexibility in operating its business.  See also “Risks Relating to OEH’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below.

 

OEH’s operations may be adversely affected by extreme weather conditions and the impact of natural disasters, and insurance may not fully cover these and other risks.

 

OEH operates properties in a variety of locales, each of which is subject to local weather patterns affecting the properties and customer travel.  As OEH’s revenues are dependent on the revenues of individual properties, extreme weather conditions from time to time can have a major adverse impact upon individual properties or particular regions.  For example, hurricanes in August and October 2005 caused damage to Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and OEH’s then-owned Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, resulting in temporary closure of the hotels for repairs.  Similarly, flooding due to heavy rains in the Machu Picchu region of Peru in January 2010 resulted in closure of parts of the Cuzco-Machu Picchu line of Peru Rail until June 2010 while the damaged track was repaired.

 

Furthermore, depending on the location and configuration of certain OEH properties, such as along coasts, lagoons or rivers, they may be subject to possible adverse consequences of global climate change, including high water  or increased extreme weather patterns.

 

OEH carries property, loss of earnings, liability and other kinds of insurance in amounts management deems reasonably adequate, but damages may exceed the insurance limits or be outside the scope of coverage.  Also, insurance against some risks may be unavailable to OEH on commercially reasonable terms, requiring OEH to self insure against possible loss.

 

If the relationships between OEH and its employees were to deteriorate, OEH may be faced with labor shortages or stoppages, which would adversely affect the ability to operate its facilities.

 

OEH’s relations with its employees in various countries could deteriorate due to disputes related to, among other things, wage or benefit levels, working conditions or management’s response to changes in government regulation of workers and the workplace.  Operations rely heavily on employees’ providing a high level of personal service, and any labor shortage or stoppage caused by poor relations with employees, including unionized labor, could adversely affect the ability to provide those services, which could reduce occupancy and room revenue and even tarnish OEH’s reputation.

 

26



Table of Contents

 

OEH’s plans to expand existing properties, develop new ones and build residential units for sale at some properties are subject to project cost, completion and resale risks.

 

Successful new project development depends on timely completion within budget and satisfactory market conditions. Risks that could affect a project include:

 

·                                construction delays or cost overruns that may increase project costs,

 

·                                delay or denial of zoning, occupancy and other required government permits and authorizations,

 

·                                write-off of development costs incurred for projects that are not pursued to completion,

 

·                                natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or fires that could adversely impact a project,

 

·                                defects in design or construction that may result in additional costs to remedy, or that require all or a portion of a property to be closed during the period needed to rectify the situation,

 

·                                inability to raise capital to fund a project because of poor economic or financial conditions,

 

·                                claims and disputes between OEH and other contracting parties resulting in delay, monetary loss or project termination,

 

·                                government restrictions on the nature or size of a project or timing of completion, or on the ownership of completed units such as by foreign nationals,

 

·                                changes in market conditions for residences, such as credit availability and pricing terms, or oversupply that may affect OEH’s ability to sell residential units at a profit or at price levels originally anticipated, and

 

·                                discovery or identification of environmental conditions could require unanticipated studies, cleanups, approvals, increased costs, time delays or even project termination.

 

Occurrence of any of these risks could adversely affect the profitability of planned expansions and new developments.

 

OEH’s owned hotels and restaurants are subject to risks generally incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate and often beyond its control.

 

These include:

 

·                                fluctuating values of commercial real estate as an investment, and potential value impairments due to operating performance falling short of expectation or other triggering events,

 

·                                changes in national, regional and local economic and political conditions,

 

27



Table of Contents

 

·                                changes in interest rates and the availability, cost and terms of financing,

 

·                                the impact of present or future government legislation and regulation (including environmental laws),

 

·                                the ongoing need for capital improvements to maintain or upgrade properties,

 

·                                potential discovery of environmental conditions associated with prior or present operations on site or nearby, and proper management and disposal of wastes and hazardous substances,

 

·                                changes in property taxes and operating expenses,

 

·                                the potential for uninsured or underinsured losses, and

 

·                                limited ability to reduce the relatively high fixed costs of operating owned commercial real estate if revenue declines.

 

OEH has undertaken a program to sell owned properties that are non-core to its business, as well as continue selling its developed for-sale residential real estate.  In an unfavorable commercial real estate market, OEH may be unable to sell properties at values it is seeking, particularly during the current economic downturn and weakness in credit markets, or sell them at the pace OEH has planned. For example, during 2010, OEH determined that the fair value of real estate held for sale at the Porto Cupecoy development no longer exceeded the carrying value, and recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $24,616,000 on this development.  In addition, during 2010, OEH recognized a $1,600,000 non-cash impairment charge on the for-sale residential model homes at Keswick Estate based on an offer received and accepted for one of them.  OEH also recognized in 2010 non-cash impairments totaling $12,281,000 to property, plant and equipment and goodwill at other properties.

 

Loss or infringement of OEH’s brand names could adversely affect its business.

 

In the competitive hotel and leisure industry in which OEH operates, trade names and trademarks are important in the marketing, promotion and revenue generation of OEH’s properties. OEH has a large number of trade names and trademarks, and expends resources each year on their surveillance, registration and protection. For example, during 2010, OEH settled protracted litigation to defend its “Cipriani” brand in Europe. OEH’s future growth is dependent in part on increasing and developing its brand identities.  The loss, dilution or infringement of any of OEH’s brand identities could have an adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Some OEH properties are geographically concentrated in countries where national economic downturns, political events or other changing local conditions beyond OEH’s control could disproportionately affect OEH’s business.

 

While OEH’s geographic diversification in 24 countries lessens the dependence of its results of operations on any particular region, OEH owns eight hotels in Italy and one hotel in Peru and its 50/50 joint ventures in Peru operate a further four hotels as well as Peru Rail.  Due to this concentration of properties in these two countries, OEH’s business is more exposed to national events or conditions in Italy and Peru than other countries where OEH operates.

 

28



Table of Contents

 

OEH may be unable to manage effectively the risks associated with its joint venture investments, which may adversely impact the operations of those joint ventures.

 

Six of OEH’s hotels and two of its tourist trains are owned by joint venture companies in which OEH has an investment of 50% or less and shares control of at least some aspects of their businesses, such as expenditure for capital improvements.  These joint venture investments of OEH involve risks somewhat different from 100% ownership because OEH’s partners

 

·                                may be unable to meet their financial obligations to the joint venture,

 

·                                may have business interests inconsistent with those of OEH or act contrary to OEH’s objectives and policies,

 

·                               may cause properties to incur unplanned liabilities, or

 

·                                may take actions binding on the joint venture without OEH’s consent or that otherwise impair OEH’s operation of the business.

 

If any of these possibilities occurs, OEH’s operations could be adversely affected because it may have limited ability to rectify resulting problems within the joint venture and even to dispose of its joint venture investment.  Disputes with joint venture partners may result in litigation costly to OEH.

 

Risks Relating to OEH’s Financial Condition

and Results of Operations

 

The global economic downturn and disruption in the financial markets have adversely affected OEH’s financial condition and results of operations and could do so in the future.

 

Financial markets in the United States, Europe and Asia experienced significant disruption in 2008 and 2009, including volatility in securities prices and diminished liquidity and credit availability.  Furthermore, the economic slowdown in the United States and other countries weakened consumer confidence and led to significant reductions in the amounts persons and businesses spend on travel, hotels, dining and entertainment.  OEH has experienced pressure on pricing, reduced occupancy at its properties, and fewer customers from traditional markets for OEH’s hotels and other travel products.  Largely as a result, OEH’s consolidated revenue of $494,676,000 and earnings from continuing operations of $6,400,000 in 2008 declined to $450,910,000 and a loss of $20,124,000 in 2009.  Although there was an improvement in revenue in 2010 to $571,942,000, OEH incurred a loss of $63,049,000 due mainly to higher costs and impairments.

 

OEH cannot predict the duration or severity of the general economic downturn.  While the global economy improved in 2010, if adverse general economic conditions recur, OEH’s future revenue, profitability and cash flow from operations could decrease and its liquidity and financial condition, including OEH’s ability to comply with financial covenants in its loan facilities, could be adversely impacted.

 

29



Table of Contents

 

The financial uncertainty and economic weakening identified in the previous Risk Factor could adversely impact OEH’s liquidity and financial condition, in particular OEH’s ability to raise additional funds for its cash requirements for working capital, commitments and debt service.

 

During the 12 months ending December 31, 2011, OEH will have approximately $126,000,000 of scheduled debt repayments including working capital and capital lease payments. This includes approximately $59,000,000 of debt falling due in 2011 which OEH is in negotiation to refinance. In 2012, OEH will have approximately $121,000,000 of scheduled debt repayments including capital lease payments.

 

Additionally, OEH’s capital commitments at December 31, 2010 amounted to $43,658,000, including $37,500,000 related to the purchase of land and a building adjoining ‘21’ Club from the New York Public Library, although $29,000,000 of this amount would not be paid if by June 2011 OEH elects not to complete this purchase.  OEH is currently seeking co-investors in this development project or, subject to the Library’s consent, to assign the purchase and development agreements to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  In the event OEH is unable to find a co-investor or to assign the agreements and OEH elects not to complete the purchase, OEH would be required to write off its remaining investment totaling approximately $22,912,000 at December 31, 2010 including capitalized costs and associated fees.

 

OEH expects to fund its working capital requirements, debt service and capital expenditure commitments for the foreseeable future from operating cash flow, available committed borrowing facilities, issuing new debt or equity securities, rescheduling loan repayments or capital commitments, and disposing of non-core assets and developed real estate. During 2010, for example, OEH refinanced bank loans having total principal amounts outstanding of $374,400,000 (at December 31, 2010 exchange rates) and publicly offered and sold in the United States new class A common shares of the Company raising total net proceeds of $248,052,000.  See “Liquidity” in Item 7—Management Discussion and Analysis.

 

However, OEH can give no assurance that, in the current economic and financial environment, additional sources of financing for its unfunded commitments will be available on commercially acceptable terms, or available at all, or that OEH will be able to refinance maturing debt or to reschedule loan repayments or capital commitments, or that other cash-saving steps management may take to enhance OEH’s liquidity and capital position will bridge any shortfall.  If additional sources of financing are unavailable, including because of possible future breach of loan financial covenants, OEH may be unable to fund its cash requirements for working capital, commitments and debt service.

 

Covenants in OEH’s financing agreements could be breached or could limit management’s discretion in operating OEH’s businesses, causing OEH to make less advantageous business decisions; OEH’s indebtedness is collateralized by substantially all of its properties.

 

OEH has 19 loan facilities with commercial banks. There are five facilities which have outstanding principal amounts in excess of $50,000,000 and eight with outstanding principal amounts greater than $10,000,000 but less than $50,000,000, and the remainder has less than

 

30



Table of Contents

 

$10,000,000 outstanding per facility.  Most of these loan facilities relate to specific hotel or other properties and are secured by a mortgage on the particular property.  In most cases, the Company is either the borrower or the subsidiary owning the property is the borrower and the loan is guaranteed by the Company.

 

The loan facilities generally place restrictions on the property-owning company’s ability to incur additional debt and limit liens, and to effect mergers and asset sales, and include financial covenants.  Where the property-owning subsidiary is the borrower, the financial covenants relate to the financial performance of the property financed and generally include covenants relating to interest coverage, debt service, and loan-to-value and debt-to-EBITDA ratio tests. Most of the facilities under which the Company is the borrower or the guarantor also contain financial covenants which are based on OEH’s performance on a consolidated basis.  The covenants include a quarterly interest coverage test and a quarterly net worth test.

 

If OEH fails to comply with the restrictions in present or future financing agreements, a default may occur.  A default could allow the creditors to accelerate the related debt as well as any other debt which contain cross-default provisions.  A default could also allow the creditors to foreclose on the properties collateralizing the debt.

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH was in compliance with all financial covenants applicable to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Two unconsolidated joint venture companies, however, have been out of compliance as follows:

 

·                 the unconsolidated Peru hotels joint venture company, in which OEH has a 50% interest, was out of compliance at December 31, 2010 with financial covenants in a loan facility of the joint venture amounting to $22,946,000.  Discussions with the banks are ongoing.  This loan is non-recourse to and not credit-supported by OEH while it remains a 50% owner of the joint venture; and

 

·                 the Hotel Ritz, Madrid, 50% owned by OEH, was out of compliance during 2010 with loan-to-value and debt-service-coverage ratios in its first mortgage loan facility amounting to $96,861,000.  Although the loan is otherwise non-recourse to and not credit-supported by OEH or its joint venture partner in the hotel, they provided separate partial guarantees of $10,062,000 each as of December 31, 2010 to obtain a waiver from the lender at least until March 1, 2011.  Discussions continue with the lender how to bring the hotel permanently into compliance.

 

OEH recognizes that in the current economic environment there is a risk that a property-specific loan covenant could be breached.  In order to minimize this risk, OEH regularly prepares cash flow projections which are used to forecast covenant compliance under all loan facilities.  If there is any likelihood of potential non-compliance with a covenant, OEH takes proactive steps to meet with the lending bank to seek an amendment to, or a waiver of, the financial covenant at risk.  Often obtaining such an amendment or waiver results in an increase in the borrowing costs.  If a covenant breach occurred in a material loan facility and OEH was unable to agree with its bankers how the particular financial covenant should be amended or how the breach could be cured, OEH’s liquidity would be adversely affected.

 

31


 


Table of Contents

 

Many of OEH’s bank loan facilities include cross-default provisions under which a failure to pay principal or interest by the borrower or guarantor under other indebtedness in excess of a specified threshold amount would cause a default under the facilities.  Under OEH’s largest loan facility, the specified cross-default threshold amount is $25,000,000.

 

OEH can give no assurance that its loan facility lenders would agree to modify any affected covenant, which could impact OEH’s ability to fund its cash requirements for working capital, commitments and debt service and could cause an event of default under any affected loan facility.

 

OEH’s substantial indebtedness could adversely affect its financial health.

 

OEH has a large amount of debt in its capital structure and may incur additional debt from time to time.  As of December 31, 2010, OEH’s consolidated long-term indebtedness was $636,141,000 (including the current portion). Long-term indebtedness of OEH’s consolidated variable interest entities was $92,304,000. This substantial indebtedness could:

 

·                                require OEH to dedicate much of its cash flow from operations to debt service payments, and so reduce the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product and service development and other general corporate purposes,

 

·                                limit OEH’s ability to obtain additional financing for its business,

 

·                                increase OEH’s vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions, including the seasonality of some of OEH’s activities, or

 

·                                limit OEH’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and industry as well as the economy generally.

 

OEH must also repay or refinance its indebtedness in the future.  Although OEH may seek to refinance its indebtedness, OEH may be unable to obtain refinancing on satisfactory terms.  OEH’s failure to repay indebtedness when due may result in a default under that indebtedness and cause cross-defaults under other OEH indebtedness. See Item 7—Liquidity and Capital Resources for current developments.

 

Increases in prevailing interest rates may increase OEH’s interest payment obligations.

 

After taking into account OEH’s fixed interest rate swaps, approximately 46% of OEH’s consolidated long-term debt at December 31, 2010 accrued interest that fluctuates with prevailing interest rates, so that any rate increases may increase OEH’s interest payment obligations.  From time to time, OEH enters into hedging transactions in order to manage its floating interest rate exposure, but OEH can give no assurance that those hedges will lessen the impact on OEH of rising interest rates.

 

32



Table of Contents

 

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on OEH’s financial statements.

 

Substantial portions of OEH’s revenue and expenses are denominated in non-U.S. currencies such as European euros, British pounds sterling, Russian rubles, South African rand, Australian dollars, Peruvian nuevos soles, Botswana pula, Brazilian reals, Mexican pesos and various Southeast Asian currencies.  In addition, OEH buys assets and incurs liabilities in these foreign currencies.  Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may have a material adverse effect on OEH’s financial statements.

 

OEH’s financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and can be impacted by foreign exchange fluctuations through both:

 

·                                translation risk, which is the risk that the financial statements for a particular period or as of a certain date depend on the prevailing exchange rates of the various currencies against the U.S. dollar, and

 

·                                transaction risk, which is the risk that the currency of costs and liabilities fluctuates in relation to the currency of revenue and assets, which fluctuations may adversely affect OEH’s operating margins.

 

OEH’s ability to pay dividends on the class A common shares is limited.

 

OEH paid quarterly cash dividends on the Company’s class A and B common shares in the amount of $0.025 per share in 2004 through 2008 but suspended dividends beginning in 2009.  OEH can give no assurance that it will be able to resume dividend payments in the future because of debt repayment requirements, a downturn to OEH’s business or other reasons.

 

Under the law of Bermuda where the Company is incorporated, it may not pay dividends or make other distributions on the class A and B common shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that Company is, or after the payment would be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or if the realizable value of OEH’s assets is less than the aggregate of its liabilities, issued share capital and “share premium accounts” (share premium is defined as the amount of shareholders’ equity over and above the aggregate par value of issued shares).  OEH can give no assurance that the Company will not be restricted by Bermuda law from paying dividends.

 

OEH is subject to accounting regulations and uses certain accounting estimates and judgments that may differ significantly from actual results.

 

Implementation of existing and future standards and rules of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other regulatory bodies could affect the presentation of OEH’s financial statements and related disclosures.  Future regulatory requirements could significantly change OEH’s current accounting practices and disclosures.  These changes in the presentation of OEH’s financial statements and related disclosures could change an investor’s interpretation or perception of OEH’s financial position and results of operations.  For example, OEH became subject to the FASB’s

 

33



Table of Contents

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740 “Income Taxes” in the first quarter of 2007 requiring it to recognize at that time a substantial initial liability with a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings.  OEH’s future income tax cost may include a tax benefit as the initial provision is released or a tax cost as new liabilities are recognized, in addition to the tax costs or benefits that relate to OEH’s trading activities and results.

 

OEH uses many methods, estimates and judgments in applying its accounting policies.  By their nature, these are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and factors may arise over time that lead OEH to change its methods, estimates and judgments which could significantly affect the presentation of OEH’s results of operations.

 

As an example of these estimates and judgments, in accordance with the ASC 350-30 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”, OEH evaluates goodwill at least annually, or when triggering events or changes in circumstances, such as adverse changes in the industry or economic trends or an underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  OEH’s impairment analysis incorporates various assumptions and uncertainties that management believes are reasonable and supportable considering all available evidence, such as the future cash flows of the business, future growth rates and the related discount rates.  However, these assumptions and uncertainties are, by their very nature, highly judgmental.  OEH cannot guarantee that its business will achieve the forecasted results which have been included in its impairment analysis.  If OEH is unable to meet these assumptions in future reporting periods, it may be required to record a further charge in a future statement of operations for goodwill impairment losses, in addition to the impairment charges on continuing operations of $5,895,000 in 2010, $6,500,000 in 2009 and $5,551,000 in 2008.

 

Risks of Investing in Class A Common Shares

 

The Company is not restricted from issuing additional class A or B common shares, and any sales could negatively affect the trading price and book value of the class A common shares outstanding.

 

Subject to increasing its present authorized class A common share capital, the Company may in its discretion sell newly issued class A or B common shares from time to time in the future.    There can be no assurance that the Company will not make significant sales of class A or B common shares in public offerings or private placements to raise capital, for funding future acquisitions, in employee equity compensation programs or for other corporate purposes.  Any sales could materially and adversely affect the trading price of the class A common shares outstanding or result in dilution of the ownership interests of existing shareholders.

 

The price of the class A common shares may fluctuate significantly, which may make it difficult for shareholders to sell the class A common shares when they want or at desired prices.

 

The price of the class A common shares on the New York Stock Exchange constantly changes.  OEH management expects that the market price of the class A common shares will continue to fluctuate.  Holders of class A common shares will be subject to the risk of volatility and depressed prices.

 

34



Table of Contents

 

The price of class A common shares can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond OEH’s control.  These factors include:

 

·                                quarterly variations in operating results,

 

·                                operating results that vary from the expectations of management, securities analysts and investors,

 

·                                changes in expectations as to future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors,

 

·                                developments generally affecting OEH’s business or the hospitality industry,

 

·                                market speculation about a potential acquisition of OEH or all or part of its business,

 

·                               announcements by OEH or its competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, joint ventures or capital commitments,

 

·                                announcements by third parties of significant claims or proceedings against OEH,

 

·                                the dividend policy for the class A and B common shares,

 

·                                future sales of equity or equity-linked securities including by holders of large positions in the outstanding class A common shares, and

 

·                                general domestic and international economic conditions.

 

In addition, the stock market in general can experience volatility that is often unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company.  Recently this volatility has been significant because of disruption in capital markets and contraction of credit availability.  These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the class A common shares.

 

Investors in an offering of class A common shares by the Company may pay a much higher price than the book value of the outstanding class A common shares.

 

If investors purchase class A common shares in an offering by the Company, they may incur immediate and substantial dilution representing the difference between OEH’s net tangible book value and the as-adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the offering price.  The Company may also in the future issue additional class A shares in connection with compensation of OEH’s management, future acquisitions, future public offerings or private placements of class A common shares for capital raising purposes or for other business purposes, all of which may result in the dilution of the ownership interests of holders of outstanding class A common

 

35



Table of Contents

 

shares.  Issuance of additional class A common shares may also create downward pressure on the trading price of outstanding class A common shares that may in turn require the Company to issue additional shares to raise funds through sales of its securities.  This may further dilute the ownership interests of holders of outstanding class A common shares.

 

OEH may have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from any offering of class A common shares.

 

OEH may have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from any offering by the Company of its class A common shares.  Accordingly, investors would be relying on the judgment of the Company’s board of directors and OEH’s management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and may not have the opportunity, as part of the investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately.  It is possible that the proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for OEH.

 

A subsidiary of the Company, which has two Company directors on its board of directors, may control the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders.

 

A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Orient-Express Holdings 1 Ltd. (“Holdings”), currently holds all 18,044,478 outstanding class B common shares in the Company representing about 64% of the combined voting power of class A and B common shares for most matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, and the directors and officers of the Company hold class A common shares representing an additional 0.3% of combined voting power.  In general, holders of class A common shares and holders of class B common shares vote together as a single class, with holders of class A common shares having one-tenth of one vote per share and holders of class B common shares having one vote per share.  Therefore, as long as the number of outstanding class B shares exceeds one-tenth the number of outstanding class A common shares, Holdings could control the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders.

 

Under Bermuda law, common shares of the Company owned by Holdings are outstanding and may be voted by Holdings.  The manner in which Holdings votes its shares is determined by the four directors of Holdings, two of whom, John D. Campbell and Prudence M. Leith, are also directors of the Company, consistently with the exercise by those directors of their fiduciary duties to Holdings.  Those directors, should they choose to act together, will be able to control substantially all matters affecting the Company, and to block a number of matters relating to any potential change of control of the Company.  See Item 12—Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

Certain institutional shareholders representing two hedge fund groups have challenged the Company’s corporate governance structure as it relates to the ownership and voting of class B common shares, including by proposing shareholder resolutions to amend the Company’s bye-laws to treat the class B shares as “treasury shares” with no voting rights and to cancel the class B shares.  Those resolutions were rejected at the October 10, 2008 special general meeting of shareholders of the Company by a majority of the votes of the outstanding class A and class B common shares, voting together as a single class. Following the defeat of the resolutions at the special general meeting, these shareholders filed a petition in the Supreme

 

36



Table of Contents

 

Court of Bermuda on January 12, 2009  seeking similar and related relief.  On June 1, 2010, the Court ruled that the Company’s share voting structure is not unlawful and struck out the petition in its entirety.  See Item 3—Legal Proceedings.

 

The corporate governance structure of the Company, with dual class A and B common shares and ownership and voting of the class B shares by Holdings, has been analyzed by legal counsel, and the Company’s board of directors and management believe that the structure is valid under Bermuda law.  The judgment of the Bermuda Supreme Court on June 1, 2010 confirms this belief.  The structure enables OEH to oppose any proposals that are contrary to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, including coercive or unfair offers to acquire the Company, and thus preserve the value of OEH for all shareholders.  The structure has been in place since the Company’s initial public offering in 2000, and has been fully described in the Company’s public filings and clearly disclosed to investors considering buying the class A common shares.

 

However, new litigation against the Company involving its corporate governance structure or other future challenges may occur, the outcome of which may be uncertain.  Furthermore, new litigation or future challenges may cause the Company to incur additional costs, such as legal expenses, to defend its corporate governance structure and these costs may be substantial in amount.

 

Provisions in the Company’s charter documents, and the preferred share purchase rights currently attached to the class A and B common shares, may discourage a potential acquisition of OEH, even one that the holders of a majority of the class A common shares might favor.

 

The Company’s memorandum of association and bye-laws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire OEH or to engage in another form of transaction involving a change of control of the Company without the consent of the Company’s board of directors.  These provisions include:

 

·                                a supermajority shareholder voting provision for the removal of directors from office with or without cause,

 

·                                a supermajority shareholder voting provision for “business combination” transactions with beneficial owners of shares carrying 15% or more of the votes which may be cast at any general meeting of shareholders, and

 

·                                limitations on the voting rights of such 15% beneficial owners.

 

Also, the Company’s board of directors has the right under Bermuda law to issue preferred shares without shareholder approval, which could be done to dilute the share ownership of a potential hostile acquirer.  Although management believes these provisions provide the shareholders an opportunity to receive a higher price by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with the Company’s board of directors, these provisions apply even if the offer is favored by shareholders holding a majority of the Company’s equity.

 

The Company has in place a shareholder rights agreement providing for rights to purchase series A junior participating preferred shares of

 

37



Table of Contents

 

the Company.  The rights are not currently exercisable and they are attached to and trade together with the class A and B common shares on a one-to-one basis.  These rights may have anti-takeover effects on a potential acquirer holding 15% or more of the outstanding class A or B common shares.

 

These anti-takeover provisions are in addition to the ability of Holdings and directors and officers of the Company to vote shares representing a significant majority of the total voting power of the Company’s common shares. See the risk factor immediately above.

 

A judgment of a United States court for liabilities under U.S. securities laws might not be enforceable in Bermuda, or an original action might not be brought in Bermuda against the Company for liabilities under U.S. securities laws.

 

The Company is incorporated in Bermuda, a majority of its directors and officers are residents of Bermuda, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, and most of its assets and the assets of its directors and officers are located outside the United States.  As a result, it may be difficult for shareholders to:

 

·                                effect service of process within the United States upon the Company or its directors and officers, or

 

·                                enforce judgments obtained in United States courts against the Company or its directors and officers based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws.

 

OEH has been advised by Appleby, its Bermuda legal counsel, that there is doubt as to:

 

·                                whether a judgment of a United States court based solely upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws would be enforceable in Bermuda against the Company or its directors and officers, and

 

·                                whether an original action could be brought in Bermuda against the Company or its directors and officers to enforce liabilities based solely upon the United States federal securities laws.

 

ITEM 1B.         Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

ITEM 2.            Properties

 

OEH owns 35 hotels worldwide (including nine under long-term lease), four European tourist trains, its Burmese cruise ship and five small French canal boats, and one stand-alone restaurant in the United States, and owns interests of 50% or less in six hotels in Peru, Spain and the U.S.(including three under long-term lease), its Southeast Asian tourist train and Peru Rail, all as described in Item 1—Business above.  OEH is currently in negotiation to sell one owned hotel. The small regional sales, marketing and operating offices of the hotels, tourist trains and cruise businesses are occupied under operating leases.

 

38



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 3.       Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to OEH’s business and as described below, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their property is subject.

 

Corporate Governance Structure

 

A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Orient-Express Holdings 1 Ltd. (“Holdings”), currently owns all outstanding 18,044,478 class B common shares of the Company and may vote those shares under Bermuda law, which represent about 64% of the combined voting power of the class A and B common shares for most matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders.  See Item 12—Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

As previously reported, in January 12, 2009, the hedge funds D.E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios LLC, D.E. Shaw Valence Portfolios LLC and CR Intrinsic Investments LLC owning class A common shares filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Bermuda.  The petition (as amended) alleged, among other things, (i) that the Company had acted unlawfully by holding and voting, directly or indirectly, its own shares, (ii) that the Company’s board of directors had exercised its fiduciary powers for an improper purpose with respect to the holding and voting of class B common shares of the Company, (iii) that the Company’s board of directors had breached its fiduciary duties to the Company and failed to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Company and (iv) that the Company’s affairs had been conducted in a manner oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the class A common shares of the Company.

 

The named respondents in the petition were (i) the Company, (ii) Holdings and (iii) the individual members of the Company’s current board of directors (other than Mitchell C. Hochberg).

 

The petition did not seek damages but sought, among other relief, (i) a declaration that it is unlawful for the Company, directly or indirectly, to hold or vote the class B common shares, (ii) a declaration that the board of directors acted for an improper purpose by holding or voting the class B common shares, (iii) an amendment to the bye-laws of the Company that would have the effect of treating the class B common shares as treasury shares with no voting rights, (iv) an order requiring the cancellation of all of the class B common shares, (v) an order restraining Holdings from exercising its voting rights in respect of the class B common shares and (vi) an order authorizing the petitioners to bring proceedings in the name of the Company to have the class B common shares cancelled and/or to prevent Holdings from exercising voting rights in respect of the class B common shares.

 

The Company, Holdings and the other respondents filed points of defense to the petition on May 11, 2009.  After the petitioners filed points of reply on June 11, 2009 to the points of defense, the petitioners and the respondents filed with the Court on July 10 and 17, 2009 separate summonses seeking, among other matters, a trial on preliminary issues relating to the legality of the holding of class B common shares in the Company by Holdings.  The respondents also filed a summons seeking to strike out (dismiss) the petition.  A procedural

 

39



Table of Contents

 

hearing before the Court was held on September 16, 2009, and a further hearing on the substance of the summonses was held on April 26 through May 7, 2010.

 

On June 1, 2010, the Chief Justice of the Bermuda Supreme Court delivered a judgment on the hedge funds’ petition, in which he concluded it is lawful for Holdings to hold and exercise voting rights in respect of class B shares in the Company held by Holdings, and he struck out the petition in its entirety.  The Court also awarded the respondents their defense costs incurred in the proceedings.

 

The foregoing description of the Court’s judgment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the judgment, which the Company filed as Exhibit 99.1 to its Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2010 on the front cover and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

One of the hedge fund groups (D.E. Shaw Oculus Porfolios LLC and D.E. Shaw Valence Portfolios LLC) filed an appeal of this judgment to the Court of Appeal for Bermuda.  On November 4, 2010, the parties agreed to settle the case.  The petitioners reimbursed the respondents an agreed amount of their costs and withdrew the appeal, and the respondents agreed to that withdrawal.

 

The corporate governance structure of the Company, with dual class A and class B common shares and ownership and voting of the class B shares by Holdings, has been analyzed by legal counsel, and the Company’s board of directors and management believe that the structure is valid under Bermuda law.  The judgment of the Bermuda Supreme Court on June 1, 2010 confirms this belief.  The structure enables the Company to oppose any proposals that are contrary to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, including coercive or unfair offers to acquire the Company, and thus preserve the value of OEH for all shareholders.  The structure has been in place since the Company’s initial public offering in 2000, and has been consistently described in the Company’s public filings and disclosed to investors considering buying the Company’s class A common shares.

 

ITEM 4.       [Removed and Reserved]

 

40



Table of Contents

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.       Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The class A common shares of the Company are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OEH.  All of the class B common shares of the Company are owned by a subsidiary of the Company and not listed.  See Item 12—Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.  The following table presents the quarterly high and low sales prices of a class A common share in 2010 and 2009 as reported for New York Stock Exchange composite transactions:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

$

14.31

 

$

9.71

 

$

9.45

 

$

2.64

 

Second quarter

 

15.54

 

7.35

 

9.05

 

4.01

 

Third quarter

 

11.60

 

6.80

 

12.98

 

6.67

 

Fourth quarter

 

13.10

 

10.56

 

11.43

 

7.63

 

 

The Company paid no cash dividends in 2010 and 2009.

 

The Islands of Bermuda where the Company is incorporated have no applicable government laws, decrees or regulations which restrict the export or import of capital or affect the payment of dividends or other distributions to nonresident holders of the class A and B common shares of the Company or which subject United States holders to taxes.

 

At February 18, 2011, the number of record holders of the class A common shares of the Company was approximately 70.

 

During 2010, the Company made no offering of its class A common shares that was not registered in the United States.  Also, during the fourth quarter of 2010, no purchases of the Company’s common shares were made by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated person.

 

Information responding to Item 201(d) and (e) of SEC Regulation S-K is omitted because the Company is a foreign private issuer.

 

41


 


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 6.       Selected Financial Data

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

2007
$’000

 

2006
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

571,942

 

450,910

 

494,676

 

520,870

 

424,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairments (1)

 

(38,497

)

(6,500

)

(28,543

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets (2)

 

 

1,385

 

 

2,312

 

6,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax

 

2,258

 

4,183

 

16,771

 

16,425

 

11,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(63,049

)

(20,124

)

6,400

 

52,947

 

36,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (3) 

 

469

 

(48,613

)

(32,754

)

(19,092

)

3,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/earnings

 

(62,580

)

(68,737

)

(26,354

)

33,855

 

40,355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 

(179

)

(60

)

(197

)

(213

)

(588

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

 

(62,759

)

(68,797

)

(26,551

)

(33,642

)

(39,767

)

 

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(0.69

)

(0.30

)

0.15

 

1.25

 

0.90

 

Net earnings/(loss) from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

(0.71

)

(0.76

)

(0.45

)

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/ earnings

 

(0.68

)

(1.01

)

(0.61

)

0.80

 

0.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(0.69

)

(0.30

)

0.15

 

1.24

 

0.89

 

Net earnings/(loss) from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

(0.71

)

(0.76

)

(0.45

)

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/earnings

 

(0.68

)

(1.01

)

(0.61

)

0.79

 

0.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

 

 

0.10

 

0.10

 

0.10

 

 

 

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

2007
$’000

 

2006
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

2,137,714

 

2,072,690

 

2,068,796

 

1,988,437

 

1,751,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term obligations

 

728,445

 

811,734

 

791,793

 

714,837

 

597,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

1,070,945

 

878,709

 

782,598

 

846,777

 

805,114

 

 

42



Table of Contents

 


(1)       The impairments in 2008 consisted of impairment of goodwill at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Keswick Hall of $5,551,000, and impairment of the equity investment in Hotel Ritz in Madrid of $22,992,000. The impairments in 2009 consisted of impairment of goodwill at Miraflores Park Hotel, Casa de Sierra Nevada and Observatory Hotel amounting to $6,500,000. The impairments in 2010 consisted of impairment of real estate assets at Keswick Estate and Porto Cupecoy of $26,216,000, impairment of property, plant and equipment related to the New York hotel project of $6,386,000 and impairment of goodwill at La Samanna and Napasai of $5,895,000.

 

(2)       The gain in 2006 related to the sale of the investment in Harry’s Bar.  The gain in 2007 related to the gain on the settlement of insurance proceeds for hurricane-damaged assets at Maroma Resort and Spa.  The 2009 gain is related to settlement of insurance proceeds for cyclone-damaged assets on the Road to Mandalay ship.

 

(3)       The results of Lapa Palace Hotel, Windsor Court Hotel, Lilianfels Blue Mountains, Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Hôtel de la Cité, La Cabana, O.E. Interactive Ltd. and Luxurytravel.com UK Ltd. have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  Included in the loss from discontinued operations are goodwill, other intangible asset and fixed asset impairment losses of $5,754,000 in 2010, $43,695,000 in 2009, $15,616,000 in 2008 and $13,992,000 in 2007, gain on sales of Lapa Palace Hotel and Windsor Court Hotel in 2009 of $3,737,000, insurance loss at Windsor Court Hotel in 2009 of $2,883,000 and an insurance gain at Bora Bora Lagoon Resort in 2010 of $5,750,000, partly offset by restructuring costs of $2,187,000.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (Item 8).

 

43



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 7.       Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion includes references to non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G of the SEC.  OEH presents these measures because it believes they are of interest to the investment community by providing additional meaningful methods of evaluating certain aspects of OEH’s operating performance from period to period that may not otherwise be apparent on the basis of U.S. GAAP.  These financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, OEH’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years presented in this report.

 

Introduction

 

OEH has three business segments: (1) hotels and restaurants, (2) tourist trains and cruises and (3) real estate and property development.  Hotels in 2010 consisted of 41 deluxe hotels, 36 of which were wholly or majority owned or owned by a consolidated variable interest entity. Of the 36 owned hotels, two were purchased in 2010 and, as noted below, two were held for sale at December 31, 2010 and were accounted for as discontinued operations.  The other 34 owned hotels are referred to in this discussion as “owned hotels” of which 12 were located in Europe, seven in North America and 15 in the rest of the world.

 

The other five hotels, in which OEH has unconsolidated equity interests and which it operates under management contracts, are referred to in this discussion as “hotel management interests”.  This excludes Charleston Place Hotel since 2008 because OEH has consolidated this hotel into its financial statements effective December 31, 2008.

 

OEH currently owns and operates the stand-alone restaurant ‘21’ Club in New York, New York.

 

44



Table of Contents

 

The two hotels held for sale at December 31, 2010 were Bora Bora Lagoon Resort in French Polynesia and Hôtel de la Cité in Carcassonne, France.  In addition, during 2009 OEH sold or contracted to sell Lapa Palace Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lilianfels Blue Mountains in Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia, and La Cabana restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  None of these properties was considered a long-term fit with OEH’s portfolio and strategy.  Accordingly, the results of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Hôtel de la Cité, Lapa Palace, Windsor Court Hotel, Lilianfels Blue Mountains, and La Cabana restaurant have been reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

OEH’s tourist trains and cruises segment operates six tourist trains — four of which are owned and operated by OEH, one in which OEH has an equity interest and an exclusive management contract, and one in which OEH has an equity investment — and a river cruise ship and five canal boats.

 

OEH’s active real estate projects are in St. Martin, French West Indies, Keswick, Virginia and Koh Samui, Thailand.

 

In 2010, 78% of OEH’s revenue was derived from the hotels and restaurants segment, 11% from tourist trains and cruises and 11% from real estate.  In the hotels and restaurants segment, 95% of revenue was from owned hotels, 4% from restaurants and 1% from hotel management interests.

 

Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, is a performance indicator used widely within the hotel industry as it is a function of the average daily room rate, or ADR, achieved for the rooms sold and average occupancy, being the rooms sold as a proportion of the rooms available to be sold.  ADR on its own gives no indication of the relative occupancy of the hotel and could be shown as increasing while the number of rooms sold had fallen, resulting in a reduction in rooms revenue over a prior period.

 

In 2010, OEH saw same store RevPAR growth of 11% in both U.S. dollars and in local currency. Average occupancy was 56% and ADR was $405.  In 2009, same store RevPAR decreased 23% in U.S. dollars and 19% in local currency. Average occupancy was 50% and ADR was $407.

 

OEH’s long-term strategy to grow its business includes:

 

·                                RevPAR growth:  the unique nature of OEH’s individual properties and the avoidance of a chain brand have historically enabled OEH to charge premium rates for rooms;

 

·                                Expansion of hotels:  the returns on investment by adding new rooms or other facilities to a hotel are high as the incremental operating costs are low;

 

·                                Acquisitions and management contracts:  OEH looks to invest in unique properties at reasonable prices with expansion potential and near-term upside potential in earnings through increasing room rates and/or reducing costs, including entering into contracts to manage hotels that meet OEH’s selection criteria;

 

·                                Trains and cruises: variable utilization can be increased by adding departures; and

 

·                                Real estate:  OEH owns land near to or surrounding its hotels which it intends to develop over time, on a pre-sold basis, for residential real estate sales.

 

 

45



Table of Contents

 

Revenue and Expenses

 

OEH derives revenue from owned hotel operations primarily from the sale of rooms and the provision of food and beverages.  The main factors for analyzing rooms revenue are the number of room nights sold and the ADR, and RevPAR referred to above which is a measure of both these factors.

 

Revenue from restaurants is derived from food and beverages sold to customers.

 

Revenue from hotel management interests includes fees received under management contracts, which are based upon a combination of a percentage of the revenue from operations and operating earnings calculated before specified fixed charges.

 

The revenue from the tourist trains and cruises segment primarily comprises tickets sold for travel and food and beverage sales.

 

The revenue from real estate and property development is primarily derived from the sale of land and buildings.

 

Operating costs include labor, repairs and maintenance, energy and the costs of food and beverages sold to customers in respect of owned hotel operations, restaurants, tourist trains and cruises.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include travel agents’ commissions, the salaries and related costs of the sales teams, advertising and public relations costs, and the salaries and related costs of management.

 

46



Table of Contents

 

Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of owned hotels, restaurants, tourist trains and the cruise ship and canal boats.

 

When OEH discusses results for a period on a “comparable” or “same store” basis, OEH is considering only the results of hotels owned and operated throughout the periods mentioned and excluding the effect of any acquisitions, dispositions or major refurbishments.

 

Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Movements

 

As reported below in the comparisons of the 2010, 2009 and 2008 financial years under “Results of Operations”, OEH has exposure arising from the impact of translating its global foreign currency earnings and expenses into U.S. dollars.  Twelve of OEH’s owned hotels in 2010 operated in European euros, two operated in South African rand, one in Australian dollars, one in British pounds sterling, three in Botswana pula, two in Mexican pesos, one in Peruvian nuevo soles, six in various Southeast Asian currencies and one in Russian rubles. Revenue of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, British Pullman, Northern Belle and Royal Scotsman tourist trains was primarily in British pounds sterling, but the operating costs of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express were mainly denominated in euros. Revenue of the Copacabana Palace and Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil was recorded in U.S. dollars, but substantially all of the hotels’ expenses were denominated in Brazilian reals. Revenue derived by Maroma Resort and Spa and La Samanna was recorded in U.S. dollars, but the majority of the hotels’ expenses were denominated in Mexican pesos and European euros, respectively.

 

Except for the specific instances described above, OEH’s properties match foreign currency earnings and costs to provide a natural hedge against currency movements. The reporting of OEH’s revenue and costs translated into U.S. dollars, however, can be materially affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations from period to period.

 

Change of Application of Accounting Policy for Porto Cupecoy

 

OEH accounts for revenue from its real estate activities in accordance with ASC 360-20-40. Revenue represents the proceeds from sales of undeveloped land and developed properties that OEH is holding for sale. Until the fourth quarter of 2008, revenue related to the Porto Cupecoy project still under construction had been recognized under the percentage-of-completion method.

 

ASC 360-20-40 details five separate tests that must be met in order to use the percentage-of-completion method for condominiums still under construction, including a requirement that the aggregate sales proceeds and costs can be reasonably estimated. OEH closely monitored each of the tests and concluded during the fourth quarter of 2008 that, because of the sustained weakening of the European and U.S. economies in particular which resulted in a slowdown in condominium sales compared to prior estimates, the aggregate sales proceeds that the project would generate could no longer be reasonably estimated with sufficient certainty to permit OEH to continue to recognize revenue under the percentage-of-completion method.  Accordingly, OEH reverted to accounting for sales proceeds received at the Porto Cupecoy project as deposits until construction was completed.

 

47



Table of Contents

 

Because of this change in the application of OEH’s accounting policy, the cumulative revenue and operating costs recognized by OEH in respect of the Porto Cupecoy project were reversed through the statements of consolidated operations in the fourth quarter of 2008. The change of application of accounting policy in 2008 had no cash effect on OEH. Starting in 2010, OEH began to recognize revenue from Porto Cupecoy as the development was substantially completed and units were being occupied as sales were closed.

 

Market Capitalization

 

The Company’s class A common share price increased during 2010 from $10.14 at December 31, 2009 to $12.99 at December 31, 2010, and OEH’s market capitalization increased from $779 million at December 31, 2009 to $1.33 billion at December 31, 2010. Part of this rise in market capitalization also includes the impact of two equity share issuances that occurred in 2010. These prices and market capitalizations were much lower, however, than those prevailing prior to the fourth quarter of 2008.  OEH does not believe that a change in its share price or market capitalization is indicative of any unrecorded impairment in the carrying value of OEH’s assets. OEH’s fixed assets are carried in the balance sheet on a historical depreciated cost basis, and OEH management performs impairment tests on all long-lived assets. OEH management believes the aggregate market value of these assets exceeds their carrying value, in part because many of OEH’s assets were acquired many years ago.

 

Asset and Investment Impairments

 

OEH regularly compares the carrying value of its fixed assets and goodwill to its own undiscounted and discounted cash flow projections, in order to determine whether any of these assets is impaired.  OEH also periodically obtains third-party valuations of fixed assets to comply with bank loan requirements. The impairments described below had no cash effect on OEH.

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH completed its annual goodwill impairment review and no impairments were noted. However during the year, OEH has identified and recorded goodwill impairments of $5.9 million within its continuing operations ($5.4 million at La Samanna and $0.5 million at Napasai) considering discounted future cash flows prepared as of the balance sheet date.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified a real estate asset impairment charge of $24.6 million in respect of its Porto Cupecoy development project.  OEH determined that the fair value of assets no longer exceeded the carrying value.  The charge was computed using Level 3 inputs, namely the estimated selling prices and estimated selling costs based on OEH’s recent experience with sales of condominiums already completed.   This impairment charge resulted from, primarily, changes in future sales estimates as a result of current economic conditions and in light of recent sales experience after completion of the project, a change in the estimate of the project’s estimated costs to complete the entire development and the reclassification of the marina and commercial property units (as these assets were previously held at cost less depreciation).

 

48



Table of Contents

 

In addition in 2010, OEH recorded an impairment charge against the carrying value of the two model homes on residential home sites at Keswick Estate, Virginia.  This non-cash impairment charge of $1.6 million resulted from, primarily, a recent offer on one of the two model homes that did not exceed the carrying value of those assets.

 

OEH is currently seeking co-investors in its New York hotel development project or, subject to consent of the New York Public Library, to assign its purchase and development agreements with the Library relating to this project to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  Based on terms under negotiation with interested parties in 2010, OEH recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $6.4 million at December 31, 2010 on land and buildings for the capitalized pre-development expenses incurred in the project.

 

Liquidity and Financial Condition

 

As reported below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity”, OEH has substantial scheduled debt repayments and capital commitments in 2011 and is working to improve its liquidity and capital position.  OEH plans to utilize cash on the balance sheet and from operations, sales of non-core assets and its real estate developments, appropriate debt or equity finance or other funding sources or, if necessary, to reschedule loan repayments and capital commitments.  Also as reported below, OEH was in compliance with the financial covenants in relevant loan facilities that applied to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2010.  OEH recognizes that in the current economic climate it is exposed to enhanced risk of a covenant breach during 2011 if weak trading conditions lead to a deterioration of OEH’s results.  OEH expects to take proactive steps with its bankers to resolve prospectively any likely breach.

 

49



Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations

 

OEH’s operating results for the years 2010, 2009 and 2008, expressed as a percentage of revenue, are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
%

 

2009
%

 

2008
%

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

78

 

87

 

88

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

11

 

13

 

15

 

Real estate and property development

 

11

 

 

(3

)

 

 

100

 

100

 

100

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8

 

9

 

7

 

Cost of services

 

54

 

49

 

46

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

33

 

37

 

36

 

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

7

 

1

 

1

 

Impairment of equity investment

 

 

 

5

 

Net finance costs

 

5

 

7

 

8

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(7

)

(3

)

(3

)

Provision for income taxes

 

(4

)

(2

)

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

 

1

 

3

 

Net (loss)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(11

)

(4

)

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

(11

)

(5

)

Net loss as a percentage of revenue

 

(11

)

(15

)

(5

)

 

Starting in 2010, OEH began to recognize revenue from Porto Cupecoy as the development was substantially completed and units were being occupied as sales were closed. As noted above, management had previously determined in the fourth quarter of 2008 that the aggregate sales proceeds that the Porto Cupecoy real estate development project was expected to generate could no longer be reasonably estimated with sufficient certainty to continue accounting for the project using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  Accordingly, sales proceeds from the project have been accounted for as deposits beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008.  The cumulative revenue and operating costs recognized by OEH in respect of the project were reversed through the consolidated statements of operations, which resulted in negative real estate revenue for 2008.

 

50



Table of Contents

 

Segment net earnings from continuing operations before interest expense, foreign currency, tax (including tax on earnings from unconsolidated companies), depreciation and amortization (“segment EBITDA”) for the years 2010, 2009 and 2008 are analyzed as follows (dollars in millions):

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$

 

2009
$

 

2008
$

 

Segment EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned Hotels:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

37.4

 

38.6

 

60.8

 

North America

 

15.0

 

14.6

 

9.5

 

Rest of the world

 

33.4

 

25.5

 

32.2

 

Hotel management and part-ownership interests

 

2.2

 

3.0

 

23.3

 

Restaurants

 

2.5

 

1.8

 

3.5

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

17.4

 

20.6

 

24.2

 

Real estate and property development

 

(5.3

)

(3.5

)

(6.4

)

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

(38.5

)

(6.5

)

(5.6

)

Impairment of equity investment

 

 

 

(23.0

)

Gain on sales of fixed assets or investments

 

 

1.4

 

 

Central overheads

 

(26.5

)

(25.9

)

(31.1

)

 

 

37.6

 

69.6

 

87.4

 

 

The foregoing segment EBITDA reconciles to net loss from continuing operations, as follows (dollars in millions):

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$

 

2009
$

 

2008
$

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

(63.0

)

(20.1

)

6.4

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

45.5

 

40.0

 

33.9

 

Interest expense, net

 

33.8

 

31.1

 

46.9

 

Foreign currency, net

 

(5.7

)

1.0

 

(5.0

)

Provision for income taxes

 

24.8

 

13.1

 

(1.8

)

Share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies

 

2.2

 

4.5

 

7.0

 

 

 

37.6

 

69.6

 

87.4

 

 

 

51



Table of Contents

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Operating information for OEH’s owned hotels for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily Rate (in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

637

 

702

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

325

 

342

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

331

 

293

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

405

 

407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rooms Available (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

280

 

257

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

267

 

271

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

463

 

448

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

1,010

 

976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rooms Sold (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

139

 

119

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

171

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

254

 

221

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

564

 

490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupancy (percentage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

50

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

64

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

55

 

49

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

56

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RevPAR (in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

317

 

325

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

209

 

189

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

182

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

226

 

205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

 

Local
currency

 

Same Store RevPAR (in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

317

 

319

 

(1

)%

2

%

North America

 

208

 

189

 

10

%

9

%

Rest of the world

 

188

 

147

 

28

%

22

%

Worldwide

 

227

 

204

 

11

%

11

%

 

Average daily rate is the average amount achieved for the rooms sold.  RevPAR is revenue per available room, which is the rooms’ revenue divided by the number of available rooms.  Same store RevPAR is a comparison based on the operations of the same units in each period, by excluding the effect of any acquisitions, dispositions (including discontinued operations), closed periods or major refurbishments.  The same store data exclude the following operations:

Grand Hotel Timeo

 

Hotel das Cataratas

Villa Sant’Andrea

 

Jimbaran Puri Bali

La Residencia

 

La Residence d’Angkor

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

 

 

 

Overview

 

The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $62.8 million ($0.68 per common share) on revenue of $571.9 million, compared with net loss of $68.8 million ($1.01 per common share) on revenue of $450.9 million in the prior year.

 

52



Table of Contents

 

OEH’s revenue in the year ended December 31, 2010 experienced growth following the global economic downturn in 2008 and 2009. The net loss in 2010 includes impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, and property, plant and equipment of $38.5 million and earnings from discontinued operations of $0.5 million.  Impairment of goodwill and losses from discontinued operations were $6.5 million and $48.6 million, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2009.  OEH’s remaining net loss excluding impairments and discontinued operations in the year ended December 31, 2010 was $24.8 million compared with a net loss of $13.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Revenue

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

169,772

 

155,830

 

North America

 

107,909

 

100,486

 

Rest of the world

 

148,778

 

116,182

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

4,300

 

4,616

 

Restaurants

 

15,809

 

14,436

 

 

 

446,568

 

391,550

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

61,355

 

57,654

 

Real estate

 

64,019

 

1,706

 

 

 

571,942

 

450,910

 

 

Total revenue increased by $121.0 million, or 27%, from $450.9 million in 2009 to $571.9 million in 2010.  Hotels and restaurants revenue increased by $55.0 million, or 14%, from $391.6 million in 2009 to $446.6 million in 2010. Revenue from tourist trains and cruises increased by $3.7 million, or 6%, from $57.7 million in 2009 to $61.4 million in 2010.  The increase in revenue is generally due to the growth following the global economic downturn and the negative impact this had on the hotel industry in 2008 and 2009. Real estate revenue increased by $62.3 million, from $1.7 million in 2009 to $64.0 million in 2010 primarily from the recognition of sales of units from Porto Cupecoy.

 

Owned Hotels:  The change in revenue at owned hotels is analyzed on a regional basis as follows:

 

Europe

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

Average daily rate (in dollars)

 

637

 

702

 

Rooms available (in thousands)

 

280

 

257

 

Rooms sold (in thousands)

 

139

 

119

 

Occupancy (percentage)

 

50

 

46

 

RevPAR (in dollars)

 

317

 

325

 

Same store RevPAR (in dollars)

 

317

 

319

 

 

Revenue increased by $14.0 million, or 9%, from $155.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 to $169.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Excluding the recently acquired hotels in Sicily (Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea), revenue increased by $3.0 million, or 2%, compared to the same period in the prior year. Excluding the new Sicilian hotels, the average daily rate fell by 6% from $702 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $662 in the year ended December 31, 2010. Occupancy, however, increased from 46% in the

 

53



Table of Contents

 

year ended December 31, 2009 to 50% in the year ended December 31, 2010. On a same store basis, RevPAR in local currency increased by 2% for the year ended December 31, 2010, and decreased by 1% when measured in U.S. dollars.

 

Exchange rate movements caused revenue to decrease by $4.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

North America

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

Average daily rate (in dollars)

 

325

 

342

 

Rooms available (in thousands)

 

267

 

271

 

Rooms sold (in thousands)

 

171

 

150

 

Occupancy (percentage)

 

64

 

55

 

RevPAR (in dollars)

 

209

 

189

 

Same store RevPAR (in dollars)

 

208

 

189

 

 

Revenue increased by $7.4 million, or 7%, from $100.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $107.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. The average daily rate decreased by 5% from $342 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $325 in the year ended December 31, 2010. Occupancy, however, increased from 55% in the year ended December 31, 2009 to 64% in the year ended December 31, 2010. On a same store basis, RevPAR increased from $189 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $208 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This translated to an increase in local currency of 9% and U.S. dollars of 10%.

 

Rest of the World

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

Average daily rate (in dollars)

 

331

 

293

 

Rooms available (in thousands)

 

463

 

448

 

Rooms sold (in thousands)

 

254

 

221

 

Occupancy (percentage)

 

55

 

49

 

RevPAR (in dollars)

 

182

 

145

 

Same store RevPAR (in dollars)

 

188

 

147

 

 

Revenue increased by $32.6 million, or 28%, from $116.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 to $148.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.  Exchange rate movements across the region were responsible for $16.1 million of the revenue increase.

 

Revenue at OEH’s hotels in South America collectively increased by $18.3 million, or 33%, from $55.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $74.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. In the year, Copacabana Palace Hotel had revenue increase of $11.8 million, or 28%, primarily from increases in occupancy, ADR and favorable exchange rate movements. Exchange rate movements in South America were responsible for $8.1 million of the revenue increase.

 

Revenue at OEH’s six Asian hotels collectively increased by $4.2 million, or 23%, from $18.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $22.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. Exchange rate movements across the region were responsible for $1.6 million of the revenue increase. Same store occupancy for the year increased by 9%, from 47% in the year ended December 31, 2009 to 56% for the year ended December 31, 2010. Same store average daily rate in U.S. dollars

 

54



Table of Contents

 

increased 3% from $285 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $294 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This translated into an increase in same store RevPAR in U.S. dollars of $29, or 21% from $135 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $164 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Southern Africa revenue increased by $7.4 million, or 24%, from $30.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $37.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. Of the increase in revenue, $4.3 million was due to exchange rate movements on the translation of the South African rand and Botswana pula to U.S. dollars. The revenue increase was largely due to the World Cup tournament which was hosted by South Africa and strong corporate business at The Westcliff hotel. Same store RevPAR in U.S. dollars for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased 32% from $118 to $156 compared to the same period in 2009, and 17% from $133 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $156 for the year ended December 31, 2010 when measured in local currency.

 

Revenue at OEH’s Australian hotel increased by $2.7 million, or 24%, to $14.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2010; 75% of this increase, or $2.1 million, was due to the strengthening of the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

 

Average daily rate for the Rest of the World region on a same store basis in U.S. dollars increased from $300 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $342 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Same store occupancy also increased from 49% to 55%, which resulted in an increase in RevPAR on a same store basis in U.S. dollars of 28% from $147 in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $188 for the year ended December 31, 2010, and 22% when measured in local currency.

 

Hotel Management and Part-Ownership Interests:  Revenue decreased by $0.3 million, or 7%, from $4.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $4.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to lower management fees from the managed hotels in Peru.

 

Restaurants:  Revenue increased by $1.4 million, or 10%, from $14.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $15.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to an increase in the number of covers being served at `21’ Club.

 

Trains and Cruises:  Revenue increased by $3.7 million, or 6%, from $57.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $61.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase was primarily due to the Road to Mandalay river cruise ship returning to operation following repairs to damage from a cyclone in Burma in May 2008 when the ship was taken out of service. Road to Mandalay contributed $5.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2009. Management fee revenue from Peru Rail decreased by $1.0 million, or 32%, from $3.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $2.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. This was primarily as a result of the floods in January 2010, which caused damage to the rail tracks and disrupted rail services from the end of January to July 2010. Revenue generated from operations increased by $4.6 million, which was offset by exchange rate movements across the segment of $0.9 million.

 

Real Estate:  Ninety-five condominiums were delivered to customers at Porto Cupecoy generating revenue of $64.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. As at December 31, 2010, 103 units in total were

 

55



Table of Contents

 

sold, which includes 18 new sales contracts signed in the year, of which three were exchanged for land adjacent to La Samanna. There was no real estate revenue at Keswick Estate, Virginia, or Napasai, Koh Samui, Thailand in the year ended December 31, 2010.  In the year ended December 31, 2009, Napasai sold two villas worth $1.7 million.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $5.5 million, or 14%, from $40.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $45.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in depreciation also included the addition of new hotels in Sicily, the capital improvements at hotels in Brazil and Russia and additional depreciation after capital expenditures on all owned assets over the prior 12 months.

 

Cost of services

 

Cost of services increased by $89.7 million, or 41%, from $220.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $309.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. Cost of services included charges of $64.0 million in respect of Porto Cupecoy, principally due to delivery of units under previously contracted sales, and $8.0 million in respect of the recently acquired Sicilian hotels.  There were no equivalent charges in 2009. Excluding Porto Cupecoy and the Sicilian hotels, cost of services increased by $17.7 million. Exchange rate movements were responsible for $7.2 million of the total increase. Cost of services were 49% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2009 and 54% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2010. Excluding expenses of Porto Cupecoy and the Sicilian hotels, cost of services in 2010 were 48% of revenue.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $25.8 million, or 16%, from $164.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $190.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. The 2010 expense included a charge of $5.5 million in respect of the recently acquired Sicilian hotels. There was no equivalent charge in 2009. A net credit of $1.3 million was also recorded following the successful litigation against acts of infringement in Europe of the trademark “Cipriani” by Cipriani (Grosvenor Street) Ltd., representing cash received in excess of costs incurred. Exchange rate movements were responsible for $4.3 million of the total increase. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 37% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2009 and 33% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2010. Excluding the two Sicilian hotels’ expenses and the exchange rate movement, selling, general and administrative expenses in 2010 were 32% of revenue.

 

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, and property, plant and equipment increased by $32.0 million from $6.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $38.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified a non-cash real estate asset impairment charge of $24.6 million in respect of its Porto Cupecoy development project.  OEH determined that the

 

56



Table of Contents

 

fair value of the assets no longer exceeded the carrying value. The charge was computed using Level 3 inputs, namely the estimated selling prices and estimated selling costs based on OEH’s recent experience with sales of condominiums already completed. This impairment charge resulted from, primarily, changes in future sales estimates as a result of current economic conditions and in light of recent sales experience after completion of the project, a change in the estimate of the project’s estimated costs to complete the entire development, and the reclassification of the marina and commercial property units (as such assets were previously held at cost less depreciation).

 

In addition, OEH recorded an impairment charge against the carrying value of the two model homes on the residential home sites at Keswick Estate, Virginia.  This non-cash impairment charge of $1.6 million resulted from, primarily, a recent offer on one of the two model homes that did not exceed the carrying value of those assets.

 

OEH is currently seeking co-investors in its New York hotel development project or, subject to consent of the New York Public Library, to assign its purchase and development agreements with the Library relating to this project to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  Based on terms under negotiation with interested parties in 2010, OEH recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $6,386,000 at December 31, 2010 on land and buildings for the capitalized pre-development expenses incurred in the project.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified the non-cash goodwill impairments of $5.4 million at La Samanna and $0.5 million at Napasai within its continuing operations. OEH determined these impairments were triggered in each case due to expected reductions in future profits at the hotels that required a reassessment.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2009, OEH had identified non-cash goodwill impairments of $6.3 million at Miraflores Park Hotel, Casa de Sierra Nevada and Observatory Hotel. During the same year, an additional non-cash impairment of $0.2 million was recorded on the trade name of Casa de Sierra Nevada.

 

Segment EBITDA

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

37,388

 

38,595

 

North America

 

14,963

 

14,579

 

Rest of the world

 

33,399

 

25,513

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

2,228

 

2,995

 

Restaurants

 

2,476

 

1,757

 

 

 

90,454

 

83,439

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

17,444

 

20,569

 

Real estate

 

(5,329

)

(3,476

)

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

(38,497

)

(6,500

)

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

1,385

 

Central overheads

 

(26,503

)

(25,870

)

 

 

37,569

 

69,547

 

 

The European hotels collectively reported a segment EBITDA of $37.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $38.6 million in the same period in 2009.  Excluding the two Sicilian hotels, EBITDA for 2010 was $40.9 million. As a percentage of European hotels revenue, the European segment EBITDA margin fell from 25% in 2009 to 22% in 2010. Excluding the two Sicilian hotels, the 2010 EBITDA margin was 26%.

 

Segment EBITDA in the North American hotels region increased by 3% from $14.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $15.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. As a percentage of North American hotels revenue, the North American segment EBITDA margin decreased from 15% in 2009 to 14% in 2010.

 

Segment EBITDA in the Rest of the World hotels region increased by 31% from $25.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $33.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.  The segment EBITDA margin remained constant at 22% for both 2009 and 2010.

 

57



Table of Contents

 

(Losses)/earnings from operations before net finance costs

 

Earnings from operations decreased by $33.3 million from a profit of $20.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to a loss of $12.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, due to the factors described above.

 

Net finance costs

 

Net finance costs decreased by $3.9 million, or 12%, from $32.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 to $28.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The year ended December 31, 2009 included a foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million compared to a foreign exchange gain of $5.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. Excluding these foreign exchange items, net interest expense increased by $2.7 million, or 9%, from $31.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $33.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily as a result of expensing previously deferred financing costs which was triggered by the debt refinancing and the settlement of derivative instruments in connection with refinancing of long-term debt in the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year.

 

Provision for income taxes

 

The provision for income taxes increased by $11.6 million, or 89%, from $13.1 million in 2009 to $24.7 million in 2010.

 

The Company is incorporated in Bermuda, which does not impose an income tax.  Accordingly, the income tax provision was attributable to income tax charges incurred by subsidiaries operating in jurisdictions that impose an income tax and also attributable to the relative amount of earnings or loss in those jurisdictions, the effect of valuation allowances, and uncertain tax positions. It is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year, but are not consistent from year to year.  Significant discrete items included a deferred tax charge of $1.3 million arising in respect of foreign exchange gain/loss on timing differences, following movements in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and relevant local currencies.

 

The provision for income taxes for 2010 included a deferred tax provision of $9.0 million in respect of valuation allowances due to a change in estimate concerning OEH’s ability to realize loss carryforwards in certain jurisdictions compared to $3.1 million provision in 2009, and included a tax charge of $1.2 million to increase OEH’s uncertain tax positions including related interest and penalties.

 

The provision for income taxes of $13.1 million for 2009 included a tax credit of $4.2 million to reduce OEH’s uncertain tax provisions including related interest and penalties.

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies net of tax decreased by $1.9 million, or 45%, from $4.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 to $2.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.  This includes

 

58



Table of Contents

 

insurance income of $0.8 million from the Peru hotels joint venture, which was impacted by property damage and business interruption caused by floods during the first quarter of 2010. The tax expense associated with earnings from unconsolidated companies was $4.5 million in 2009 and $2.2 million in 2010.

 

Earnings/losses from discontinued operations

 

The earnings from discontinued operations in 2010 were $0.5 million, an increase of $49.1 million from the loss recognized in 2009 of $48.6 million.

 

During 2010, net gains of $6.7 million were realized on discontinued operations sold by OEH. In 2009, net gains of $3.7 million were realized on the sale of discontinued operations.

 

Included in the earnings for 2010 was an impairment charge of $6.0 million recognized against the fixed assets of Hôtel de la Cité to reflect the fair value of offers received for the purchase of the hotel. In November 2010, OEH decided to sell the hotel as an asset non-core to its future business. This was offset by the $7.2 million gain on sale of Lilianfels Blue Mountains recorded in the year.

 

Included in the loss for 2009 were impairment charges of $43.7 million recognized against the goodwill and fixed assets of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Windsor Court Hotel, La Cabana restaurant and Lilianfels Blue Mountains.

 

In December 2010, OEH decided to sell Internet-based companies O.E. Interactive Ltd. and Luxurytravel.com UK Ltd. which are included within the trains and cruises segment.  This Internet-based business became held for sale based on a purchase offer received.  A sale is expected to be completed within the first half of 2011.

 

In May 2010, OEH completed the sale of La Cabana restaurant for $2.7 million, which OEH decided to sell principally due to the restaurant’s underperformance and the small size of this activity.

 

In January 2010, OEH completed the sale of Lilianfels Blue Mountains for $18.7 million, as OEH considered this hotel to be in a non-core market.

 

In October 2009, OEH sold the Windsor Court Hotel for $44.3 million. Management did not believe that New Orleans was a prime leisure destination for OEH’s customers.  The hotel’s performance had been impacted by new local competition and significant capital investment in the hotel was needed.

 

In June 2009, OEH sold Lapa Palace as management had concluded that the Lisbon market was not a prime leisure destination and lacked sufficient appeal for OEH’s leisure audience. In addition, management did not see further opportunities to develop and grow business in Lisbon. This sale was completed for $26.3 million.

 

59



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to Year ended December 31, 2008

 

Operating information for OEH’s owned hotels for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Average Daily Rate (in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

702

 

815

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

342

 

374

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

293

 

280

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

407

 

441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rooms Available (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

257

 

263

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

271

 

269

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

448

 

430

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

976

 

962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rooms Sold (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

119

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

150

 

175

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

221

 

262

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

490

 

582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupancy (percentage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

46

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

55

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

49

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

50

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RevPAR (in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

325

 

449

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

189

 

243

 

 

 

 

 

Rest of the world

 

145

 

170

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

205

 

267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

 

Local
currency

 

Same Store RevPAR (in dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

325

 

452

 

(28

)%

(21

)%

North America

 

272

 

359

 

(24

)%

(23

)%

Rest of the world

 

158

 

181

 

(13

)%

(12

)%

Worldwide

 

232

 

302

 

(23

)%

(19

)%

 

Same store RevPAR is a comparison based on the operations of the same units in each period, by excluding the effect of any acquisitions, dispositions (including discontinued operations), closed periods or major refurbishments.  The same store data excludes the following operations:

 

Charleston Place Hotel

 

 

Hotel das Cataratas

 

 

The Governor’s Residence

 

 

La Résidence d’Angkor

 

 

 

60



Table of Contents

 

Revenue

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

155,830

 

209,748

 

North America

 

100,486

 

64,214

 

Rest of the world

 

116,182

 

129,317

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

4,616

 

10,629

 

Restaurants

 

14,436

 

18,499

 

 

 

391,550

 

432,407

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

57,654

 

76,423

 

Real estate

 

1,706

 

(14,154

)

 

 

450,910

 

494,676

 

 

Total revenue decreased by $43.8 million, or 9%, from $494.7 million in 2008 to $450.9 million in 2009.  Hotels and restaurants revenue decreased by $40.8 million, or 9%, from $432.4 million in 2008 to $391.6 million in 2009. Revenue from tourist trains and cruises decreased by $18.7 million, or 24%, from $76.4 million in 2008 to $57.7 million in 2009.  The decrease in revenues is generally due to the global economic downturn and the negative impact this had on the hotel and leisure industry.

 

Owned hotels revenue decreased by $30.8 million, or 8%, from $403.3 million in 2008 to $372.5 million in 2009, of which $23.8 million was due to exchange rate fluctuations and $7.0 million was due to hotel trading.  On a group basis, both average room rates and occupancy declined significantly.

 

Although 22 condominiums at Porto Cupecoy were sold during 2009, no revenue was recognized following OEH’s decision in 2008 to change the application of its accounting policy for revenue in respect of the Porto Cupecoy development project to account for sales proceeds as deposits, resulting in revenue of $15.3 million recognized in 2007 being reversed in 2008. Two villas at Napasai, Koh Samui, Thailand were sold during 2009 for $1.7 million. There were no real estate sales at Napasai in 2008. Real estate revenue derived from Keswick Estate was $1.1 million in 2008 and $nil in 2009.

 

Owned Hotels:  The decrease in owned hotels revenue of $30.8 million is analyzed by region as follows:

 

Europe:  Revenue decreased by $53.9 million, or 26%, from $209.7 million in 2008 to $155.8 million in 2009. On a same store basis across the European hotels, RevPAR decreased by 21% in local currency or 28% when translated in U.S. dollars. Occupancy on a same store basis declined from 55% in 2008 to 46% in 2009, and ADR declined 14% from $815 in 2008 to $702 in 2009.

 

North America:  Revenue increased by $36.3 million, or 57%, from $64.2 million in 2008 to $100.5 million in 2009. Excluding Charleston Place Hotel which was consolidated for the first time in 2009, North America revenue decreased by $10.2 million to $54.0 million in 2009 compared with $64.2 million in 2008. Across all of the North American properties, same store RevPAR decreased by 24%. Average occupancy was 55% in 2009 compared to 65% in 2008.

 

61



Table of Contents

 

Rest of the World:  Excluding Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil which was undergoing refurbishment for the major part of 2009, revenue in the Rest of the World region decreased by $11.4 million, or 9%, from $121.0 million in 2008 to $109.6 million in 2009. The Rest of the World region RevPAR, on a same store basis, decreased by 12% in local currency compared to 2008. This translated into a same store RevPAR decrease of 13% when expressed in U.S. dollars.

 

Hotel Management and Part-Ownership Interests:  Revenue from hotel management interests decreased by $6.0 million, or 57%, from $10.6 million in 2008 to $4.6 million in 2009, primarily due to the consolidation of Charleston Place Hotel for the first time in 2009. This property previously was accounted for under hotel management and part-ownership interests in 2008 and 2007. Weakened trading due to the global economic climate negatively impacted OEH’s interests at Hotel Ritz, Madrid and the Peru hotels by $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

 

Restaurants:  Revenue decreased by $4.1 million, or 22%, from $18.5 million in 2008 to $14.4 million in 2009. The number of covers at the ‘21’ Club in New York City dropped by 8%, and the average spend decreased 12%, from $125 in 2008 to $109 in 2009.

 

Tourist Trains and Cruises:  Revenue decreased by $18.7 million, or 24%, from $76.4 million in 2008 to $57.7 million in 2009. Exchange rate movements were responsible for $15.6 million of the revenue decrease.

 

Real Estate:  Following the change in the fourth quarter of 2008 to account for sales proceeds as deposits for the Porto Cupecoy development project, revenue of $15.3 million recognized in 2007 was reversed in 2008. Two villas at Napasai were sold during 2009 for $1.7 million. There were no real estate sales at Napasai in 2008. There was no real estate revenue at Keswick Estate in 2009 and $1.1 million in 2008 when two lots were sold.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $6.1 million, or 18%, from $33.9 million in 2008 to $40.0 million in 2009. Excluding Charleston Place Hotel which was consolidated for the first time, the increase was $0.8 million, $0.6 million being exchange rate movement year on year.

 

Cost of services

 

Cost of services decreased by $5.3 million, or 2%, from $225.4 million in 2008 to $220.1 million in 2009. The 2008 expense included a credit of $9.9 million following the change in the application of the accounting policy for the Porto Cupecoy development in the fourth quarter of 2008, excluding which the saving was $15.2 million. Furthermore, Charleston Place Hotel was consolidated for the first time in 2009 when cost of services for this property were $20.3 million. If this expense is also excluded, the decrease in cost of services was $35.5 million. Cost of services decreased as a result of lower trading levels due to the global economic downturn.

 

As a percentage of revenue, cost of services was 49% of revenue in 2009 and 46% in 2008. Excluding the Porto Cupecoy costs mentioned above and Charleston Place Hotel, cost of services was 49% of revenue in 2009 and 46% in 2008.

 

62



Table of Contents

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $12.3 million, or 7%, from $177.1 million in 2008 to $164.8 million in 2009. Excluding Charleston Place Hotel which was consolidated for the first time in 2009, the decrease was $25.7 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased as a result of lower trading levels due to the weakened global economic climate.

 

As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 37% of revenue in 2009 compared to 36% of revenue in 2008. Excluding Charleston Place Hotel, selling, general and administrative expenses were 37% in 2009.

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

As noted above, OEH recorded an estimated goodwill impairment charge of $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2009. The goodwill arose on the acquisition in previous years of Miraflores Park Hotel, Casa de Sierra Nevada and Observatory Hotel. In 2008, an impairment charge of $5.5 million was recorded.  The goodwill arose on acquisitions in previous years of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Keswick Hall.

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

There was a gain on the settlement of insurance proceeds for cyclone-damaged assets of the Road to Mandalay cruiseship of $1.4 million in 2009.

 

Earnings from operations

 

Earnings from operations decreased by $31.8 million from a profit of $52.7 million in 2008 to a profit of $20.9 million in 2009 due to the factors referred to in the preceding paragraphs.

 

Impairment of equity investment

 

OEH recorded an impairment charge of $23.0 million in 2008 in respect its 50% investment in Hotel Ritz in Madrid. There was no equivalent impairment expense in 2009.

 

Net finance costs

 

In 2009, net finance costs of $32.1 million include foreign currency translation losses of $1.1 million and a charge of $1.1 million relating to the movement in fair value of non-effective interest rate hedges.  In 2008, net finance costs of $41.9 million included a foreign currency gain of $4.9 million and a charge of $4.5 million for non-effective interest rate hedges.  Excluding this movement in fair value of interest rate hedges and foreign currency gains and losses, net finance costs decreased by $12.4 million reflecting a decrease in average borrowing levels and lower average interest rates.

 

63



Table of Contents

 

Provision for income taxes

 

The provision for income taxes increased by $14.9 million, from a tax credit of $1.8 million in 2008 to tax charge of $13.1 million in 2009.

 

Significant discrete items which had the most significant impact on the tax provision included a deferred tax charge of $5.4 million arising in respect of foreign exchange gain/loss on timing differences, following movements in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the relevant local currencies.

 

The income tax credit of $1.8 million for 2008 included a tax credit of $11.8 million to reduce OEH’s uncertain tax provisions including related interest and penalties. The provision of $13.1 million for 2009 included a tax credit of $4.2 million to reduce OEH’s uncertain tax positions including related interest and penalties.

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies, before taxes, which included OEH’s share of the net earnings of its equity investments as well as interest income related to loans and advances to the equity investees, decreased by $15.1 million, or 63%, from $23.8 million in 2008 to $8.7 million in 2009.

 

Earnings from the Charleston Place Hotel for 2009 are reflected within owned hotels, as the hotel was consolidated for the first time in 2009.  In 2008, earnings from the Charleston Place Hotel were $15.0 million.

 

Earnings from the Peruvian railway joint venture decreased by $0.5 million, or 5%, from $11.0 million in 2008 to $10.5 million in 2009. The Peruvian hotel joint venture earnings fell by $0.1 million from $2.4 million in 2008 to $2.3 million in 2009.

 

OEH’s share of earnings from Hotel Ritz in Madrid fell by $4.0 million from income of $0.1 million in 2008 to a loss of $3.9 million in 2009.

 

The income tax expense incurred by OEH in respect of these unconsolidated earnings was $4.5 million in 2009, compared to $7.0 million in 2008.

 

Losses from discontinued operations

 

The loss from discontinued operations in 2009 was $48.6 million, an increase of $15.8 million from the loss recognized in 2008 of $32.8 million.

 

Included in the loss for 2009 was an impairment charge of $43.7 million recognized against goodwill and fixed assets of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Windsor Court Hotel, La Cabana restaurant and Lilianfels Blue Mountains.

 

Included in the loss for 2008 was an impairment charge of $15.6 million recognized against the goodwill and fixed assets of Lapa Palace, Windsor Court Hotel and Bora Bora Lagoon Resort.

 

During 2009, net gains of $3.7 million were realized on discontinued operations sold by OEH. In 2008, there were no discontinued operations sold and therefore no gains or losses on sale were realized.

 

64



Table of Contents

 

During 2009, OEH continued in its program to sell non-core assets. In June 2009, OEH sold Lapa Palace as management had concluded that the Lisbon market was not a prime leisure destination and lacked sufficient appeal for OEH’s leisure audience. In addition, management did not see further opportunities to develop and grow business in Lisbon.

 

In October 2009, OEH sold the Windsor Court Hotel. Management did not believe that New Orleans was a prime leisure destination for OEH’s customers.  The hotel’s performance had been impacted by new local competition and significant capital investment in the hotel was needed.

 

In December 2009, OEH signed an agreement to sell Lilianfels Blue Mountains for A$21 million ($19.3 million). Again, this hotel was considered non-core for OEH.  The sale was completed in January 2010.

 

Also in December 2009, OEH contracted to sell La Cabana in Buenos Aires for $2.7 million (completed in May 2010), principally due to the restaurant’s underperformance and the small size of this activity.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Working Capital

 

OEH had cash and cash equivalents of $150.3 million at December 31, 2010, $78.6 million more than the $71.7 million at December 31, 2009.  In addition, OEH had restricted cash of $8.4 million (2009-$19.9 million). At December 31, 2010, there were undrawn amounts available to OEH under committed short-term lines of credit of $12.1 million (2009-$30.6 million) and undrawn amounts available to OEH under secured revolving credit facilities of $12.0 million, bringing total cash availability at December 31, 2010 to $182.8 million, including the restricted cash of $8.4 million.

 

Current assets less current liabilities, including the current portion of long-term debt, resulted in a working capital surplus of $143.3 million at December 31, 2010, an increase of $82.4 million from a working capital balance of $60.9 million at December 31, 2009.  Working capital surplus in 2010 resulted from a reduction of current liabilities of $104.1 million, with a significant reduction in deferred revenue at Porto Cupecoy and the current portion of long-term debt due to refinancing activity in the year.  In addition, cash and cash equivalents have increased from $71.7 million at December 31, 2009 to $150.3 million due to proceeds from two equity offerings in 2010.  See the discussion under “Liquidity” below.

 

Cash Flow

 

Operating Activities.  Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $50.5 million to a net surplus of $34.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, from a net deficit from operating activities of $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in operating cash flows was a result of strengthening operational performance across the OEH businesses through 2010. Net cash used in discontinued operations decreased by $9.5 million to $7.3 million in 2010 from $16.8 million in 2009. This was as a result of the disposal of loss making non-core assets in 2009 and in the first two quarters of 2010.

 

65



Table of Contents

 

Investing Activities.  Cash used in investing activities was $72.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to net cash used of $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $62.5 million. In 2010, $46.3 million, net of cash acquired, was used for the acquisition of the Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea. There were no acquisitions in 2009. Capital expenditure of $59.9 million included $9.3 million for the rebuilding of Hotel das Cataratas, $3.1 million for El Encanto construction, $3.0 million at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, $3.9 million at Mount Nelson Hotel, $2.3 million at the Copacabana Palace, $3.0 million at the Grand Hotel Europe, $1.2 million at the Observatory and 9.7 million at the Sicilian properties. In addition, $3.2 million was spent investing in U.K. train operations. Disposals of non-core assets, Lilianfels Blue Mountains and La Cabana, resulted in net proceeds of $20.4 million being realized within net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations. Restricted cash was $8.4 million at December 31, 2010 (2009-$19.9 million).  At December 31, 2010, the Porto Cupecoy escrow account balance was $2.0 million (2009-$9.4 million).

 

Financing Activities.  Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $116.8 million compared to cash provided by financing activities of $32.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $84.7 million. Proceeds from issuances of common shares, net of issuance costs in 2010 resulted in net proceeds of $248.1 million.  The proceeds of these share issuances are being used primarily for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt service and capital investment. As a result of the refinancing program undertaken by OEH, there was a net repayment of debt of $119.0 million in 2010. In 2009 under OEH’s European loan facility, $15.4 million was repaid on the sale of Lapa Palace in 2009.  In addition, $47.0 million of debt was repaid on the sale of Windsor Court in 2009.

 

Capital Commitments

 

There were $6.2 million of capital commitments outstanding at December 31, 2010 related to investments in owned hotels and a further $37.5 million commitment outstanding related to the purchase of land and a building adjoining ‘21’ Club from the New York Public Library. Outstanding contracts for project-related costs on the Porto Cupecoy development amounted to $5.5 million at December 31, 2010.

 

OEH has agreed to pay the vendor of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea a further €5,000,000 (equivalent to $6,708,000 at December 31, 2010) if, by 2015, additional rooms are constructed at Grand Hotel Timeo and certain required permits are granted to expand and add a swimming pool to Villa Sant’Andrea.

 

Indebtedness

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH had $636.1 million of consolidated debt, including the current portion and excluding debt held by consolidated variable interest entities, largely collateralized by OEH assets with a number

 

66



Table of Contents

 

of commercial bank lenders which is payable over periods of one to 22 years with a weighted average interest rate of 4.61%.  See Note 10 to the Financial Statements regarding the maturity of long-term debt.

 

Debt of consolidated variable interest entities at December 31, 2010 comprised $92.3 million, including the current portion, of debt obligations of Charleston Center LLC, owner of the Charleston Place Hotel in which OEH has a 19.9% equity investment. Since December 31, 2008, OEH considered itself the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity.  OEH was therefore required to consolidate the hotel’s assets and liabilities effective December 31, 2008. This debt is non-recourse to the members of Charleston Center LLC, including OEH, and therefore the hotel’s liabilities do not constitute obligations of OEH.

 

As noted under “Liquidity” below, many OEH financing agreements contain covenants that include limits on the property-owning subsidiary’s ability to raise additional debt collateralized by these properties, limits on liens on the properties and limits on mergers and asset sales and, in some cases, financial covenants such as a minimum interest coverage ratio and debt service coverage ratio and a maximum loan-to-value ratio. OEH guarantees some of these facilities which contain financial covenants measured on a consolidated basis including a minimum consolidated net worth and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. OEH was in full compliance with all financial covenants that applied to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2010.

 

Approximately 51% of the outstanding principal was drawn in European euros at December 31, 2010, and the balance primarily drawn in U.S. dollars.  At December 31, 2010, 46% of borrowings of OEH were in floating interest rates after hedges are taken into account.

 

Liquidity

 

During the 12 months ending December 31, 2011, OEH will have approximately $126.0 million of scheduled debt repayments including capital lease payments. However, $28.0 million of this amount relates to revolving credit facilities which, provided OEH complies with the terms of the facilities, are available for redrawing.  Of the balance, OEH is in negotiation to refinance approximately $59.0 million of debt falling due in 2011.

 

Additionally, OEH’s capital commitments at December 31, 2010 amounted to $43.7 million including $37.5 million related to the purchase of land and a building adjoining ‘21’ Club from the New York Public Library.  OEH expects to incur costs of a further $5.5 million to complete its Porto Cupecoy development, funded by sales proceeds as units are transferred to purchasers.

 

In November 2007, OEH entered into purchase and development agreements with the New York Public Library to acquire its Donnell Branch site adjacent to ‘21’ Club and to build a mixed use hotel, library and residential development. In July 2009, OEH and the Library signed agreements to spread future payments on this purchase over the next 24 months. In addition to the $7.0 million that OEH had already paid, OEH paid $9.0 million upon execution of the agreements, to be followed by 16 monthly payments of $0.5 million each commencing in February 2010, and final

 

67



Table of Contents

 

payments of $6.0 million and $29.0 million in June 2011. OEH is currently seeking co-investors in this development project or, subject to the Library’s consent, to assign the purchase and development agreements to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  In the event OEH is unable to find a co-investor or to assign the agreements and OEH elects not to close the transaction, the final payment of $29.0 million will not be due to the Library, in which event OEH would write off its remaining investment totaling approximately $22.9 million at December 31, 2010 including its capitalized costs and associated fees.

 

OEH expects to fund its working capital requirements, debt service and capital expenditure commitments for the foreseeable future from cash resources, operating cash flow, available committed borrowing facilities, issuing new debt or equity securities, rescheduling loan repayments or capital commitments, and disposing of non-core assets and developed real estate. During 2010, for example, OEH refinanced bank loans having total principal amounts outstanding of $374.4 million (at December 31, 2010 exchange rates) and publicly offered and sold in the United States new class A common shares of the Company raising total net proceeds of $248.1 million.

 

OEH has 19 loan facilities with commercial banks. There are five facilities which have outstanding principal amounts in excess of $50.0 million and eight with outstanding principal amounts greater than $10.0 million but less than $50.0 million, and the remainder has less than $10.0 million outstanding per facility.  Most of these loan facilities relate to specific hotel or other properties and are secured by a mortgage on the particular property.  In most cases, the Company is either the borrower or the subsidiary owning the property is the borrower and the loan is guaranteed by the Company.

 

The loan facilities generally place restrictions on the property-owning company’s ability to incur additional debt and limit liens, and to effect mergers and asset sales, and include financial covenants.  Where the property-owning subsidiary is the borrower, the financial covenants relate to the financial performance of the property financed and generally include covenants relating to interest coverage, debt service, and loan-to-value and debt-to-EBITDA ratio tests. Most of the facilities under which the Company is the borrower or the guarantor also contain financial covenants which are based on OEH’s performance on a consolidated basis.  The covenants include a quarterly interest coverage test and a quarterly net worth test.

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH was in compliance with all financial covenants applicable to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Two unconsolidated joint venture companies, however, have been out of compliance as follows:

 

·                 the unconsolidated Peru hotels joint venture company, in which OEH has a 50% interest, was out of compliance at December 31, 2010 with financial covenants in a loan facility of the joint venture amounting to $22.9 million.  Discussions with the banks are ongoing.  This loan is non-recourse to and not credit-supported by OEH while it remains a 50% owner of the joint venture; and

 

68



Table of Contents

 

·                 the Hotel Ritz, Madrid, 50% owned by OEH, was out of compliance during 2010 with loan-to-value and debt-service-coverage ratios in its first mortgage loan facility amounting to $96.9 million.  Although the loan is otherwise non-recourse to and not credit-supported by OEH or its joint venture partner in the hotel, they provided separate partial guarantees of $10.1 million each as of December 31, 2010 to obtain a waiver from the lender at least until March 1, 2011.  Discussions continue with the lender how to bring the hotel permanently into compliance.

 

OEH recognizes that in the current economic environment there is a risk that a property-specific loan covenant could be breached.  In order to minimize this risk, OEH regularly prepares cash flow projections which are used to forecast covenant compliance under all loan facilities.  If there is any likelihood of potential non-compliance with a covenant, OEH takes proactive steps to meet with the lending bank to seek an amendment to, or a waiver of, the financial covenant at risk.  Often obtaining such an amendment or waiver results in an increase in the borrowing costs.

 

Many of OEH’s bank loan facilities include cross-default provisions under which a failure to pay principal or interest by the borrower or guarantor under other indebtedness in excess of a specified threshold amount would cause a default under the facilities.  Under OEH’s largest loan facility, the specified cross-default threshold amount is $25.0 million.

 

In order to assure that OEH has sufficient liquidity in the future, OEH’s cash flow projections and available funds are discussed with the Company’s board of directors and OEH’s advisors to consider the most appropriate way to develop OEH’s capital structure and generate additional sources of liquidity. The options available to OEH will depend on the current economic and financial environment and OEH’s continued compliance with financial covenants. Options currently available to OEH include increasing the leverage on certain under-leveraged assets, issuing equity or debt instruments and disposing of non-core assets and sales of developed real estate.

 

Contractual Obligations Summary

 

The following table summarizes OEH’s material known contractual obligations in 2011 and later years as of December 31, 2010, excluding accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

 

69



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2011
$’000

 

2012-2013
$’000

 

2014-2015
$’000

 

Thereafter
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital facilities

 

1,174

 

 

 

 

1,174

 

Debt

 

124,591

 

281,676

 

198,768

 

25,917

 

630,952

 

Capital leases

 

438

 

654

 

616

 

23,994

 

25,702

 

Debt of consolidated variable interest entities

 

1,775

 

3,579

 

75,622

 

11,328

 

92,304

 

Operating leases

 

9,331

 

18,535

 

18,466

 

112,387

 

158,719

 

Capital commitments

 

43,658

 

 

 

 

43,658

 

Interest payments

 

33,814

 

48,223

 

27,494

 

6,057

 

115,588

 

Pension obligations

 

1,303

 

2,976

 

1,679

 

3,261

 

9,219

 

Porto Cupecoy project

 

5,535

 

 

 

 

5,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

221,619

 

355,643

 

322,645

 

182,944

 

1,082,851

 

 

Of the current portion of long-term debt of $124.6 million, $28.0 million related to revolving credit facilities which, although disclosed as falling due within 12 months, are available for re-borrowing throughout the period of the loan facilities which are repayable in 2012.

 

Interest payments have been calculated using the amortization profile of the debt outstanding at December 31, 2010, taking into account the fixed rate paid under interest rate swaps and the prevailing floating rates of interest at the year end.

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH has a provision of $8.2 million in respect of its uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740.  OEH is unable to estimate with any certainty when, or if, these liabilities will fall due.  Accordingly, they are excluded from the contractual obligations table.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

OEH had no material off-balance sheet arrangements at December 31, 2010 other than those involving its equity investees reported in Notes 1, 3, and 4 to the Financial Statements, and commitments and contingencies in Note 17.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preceding discussion and analysis of OEH’s financial condition and results of operations is based on its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  The preparation of these financial statements requires OEH management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  On an ongoing basis, OEH management evaluates these estimates.  Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the result of which form the basis for judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.  OEH management believes the following are OEH’s most critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

70



Table of Contents

 

Long-lived assets, real estate and goodwill

 

OEH management periodically evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  These evaluations include analyses based on the undiscounted cash flows generated by the underlying assets, profitability information including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value.  If the value of the asset determined by these evaluations is less than its carrying amount, a loss, if any, is recognized for the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset.  Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of the related business may indicate an inability to recover the carrying value of the asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

 

OEH recognized a non-cash property, plant and equipment charge of $6.0 million for Hôtel de la Cité in 2010. The carrying values of the assets were written down to the fair value to reflect the level of purchase offers received on the hotel and the price at which OEH is currently negotiating a sale completion. This hotel is currently classified as an asset held for sale and any impairments are included within discontinued operations.

 

In accordance with guidance, goodwill must be evaluated annually for impairment.  OEH’s goodwill impairment testing is performed in two steps, first, the determination of impairment based upon the fair value of each reporting unit as compared with its carrying value and, second, if there is an implied impairment, the measurement of the amount of the impairment loss is determined by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value of the goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the goodwill is deemed to be impaired and is written down to the extent of the difference. The determination of impairment incorporates various assumptions and uncertainties that OEH believes are reasonable and supportable considering all available evidence, such as the future cash flows of the business, future growth rates and the related discount rate. However, these assumptions and uncertainties are, by their very nature, highly judgmental. If the assumptions are not met, OEH may be required to recognize additional goodwill impairment losses.

 

OEH is currently seeking co-investors in its New York hotel development project or, subject to consent of the New York Public Library, to assign its purchase and development agreements with the Library relating to this project to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  Based on terms under negotiation with interested parties in 2010, OEH recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $6.4 million at December 31, 2010 on land and buildings for the capitalized pre-development expenses incurred in the project.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified goodwill impairments within its continuing operations of $5.4 million at La Samanna and $0.5 million at Napasai. OEH determined these impairments were triggered as both hotels had circumstances relating to performance that required a reassessment and arose primarily because of expected reductions in future profits at La Samanna and Napasai.

 

71



Table of Contents

 

Impairment charges of $6.1 million were recorded in 2008 and an additional $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2009, as a result of the completion of the 2008 annual impairment test (See Note 7 to the Financial Statement).

 

Other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are also reviewed for impairment in accordance with the applicable guidance.

 

Depreciation

 

Real estate and other fixed assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives by the straight-line method.  The depreciation rates on freehold buildings are up to 60 years with a 10% residual value, on trains are up to 75 years, and on machinery and other remaining assets range from 5 to 25 years.  Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the respective lease terms including lease extensions that are reasonably assured.

 

Pensions

 

OEH’s primary defined benefit pension plan is accounted for using actuarial valuations as required under applicable accounting guidance. Management considers accounting for pensions critical to all of OEH’s operating segments because management is required to make significant subjective judgments about a number of actuarial assumptions, which include discount rates, long-term return on plan assets and mortality rates.  On May 31, 2006, the plan was closed to future benefit accrual.

 

Management believes that a 6.6% long-term return on plan assets in 2010 is reasonable despite the recent market volatility.  In determining the expected long-term rate of return on assets, management has reviewed anticipated future long-term performance of individual asset classes and the consideration of the appropriate asset allocation strategy given the anticipated requirements of the plan to determine the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested.

 

The projected returns are based on broad equity and bond indices, including fixed interest rate gilts (U.K. government issued securities) of long-term duration since the plan operates in the U.K.

 

Management regularly reviews OEH’s actual asset allocation and periodically rebalances investments to targeted allocations when considered appropriate.  While the analysis considers recent fund performance and historical returns, the assumption is primarily a long-term, prospective rate.  Management will continue to evaluate the expected rate of return at least annually, and will adjust as necessary.

 

Depending on the assumptions and estimates used, pension expense could vary within a range of outcomes and have a material effect on OEH’s consolidated financial statements.  Management is currently monitoring and evaluating the level of pension contributions based on various factors that include investment performance, actuarial valuation and tax deductibility.  Management will evaluate the need for additional contributions in 2011 based on these factors.  Management believes that the cash flows from OEH’s operations will be sufficient to fund additional contributions, if any, to the plan.

 

72



Table of Contents

 

Foreign currency

 

The functional currency for each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency, except for French West Indies, Brazil, Peru and one property in Mexico where the functional currency is U.S. dollars.

 

For foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars, the reporting currency of the Company, at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.  The assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date and the related translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).  Translation adjustments arising from intercompany financing that is long-term in nature are accounted for similarly.  Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings as they occur.

 

Income Taxes

 

OEH’s income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense.

 

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. In evaluating OEH’s ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, OEH considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In projecting future taxable income, OEH begins with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and changes in accounting policies and incorporates assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pretax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates OEH is using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, OEH considers three years of cumulative operating income (loss).  OEH maintains a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to reflect the amount, based upon OEH’s estimates, that would more likely than not be realized.  If OEH’s future operations differed from those in the estimates, OEH may need to increase or decrease the valuation allowance, which could affect its reported operations.

 

The calculation of OEH’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations.  ASC 740 addresses accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements.  ASC 740 provides that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is

 

73



Table of Contents

 

more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. This interpretation also provides guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.  OEH recognizes tax liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 740 and OEH adjusts these liabilities when OEH’s judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from OEH’s current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which they are determined.

 

Real estate development accounting

 

Revenue from real estate activities represents the proceeds from sales of undeveloped land and developed properties that OEH is holding for sale. Earnings from sales of land and developed properties are recognized upon closing using the full accrual method of accounting, provided that all the requirements prescribed by ASC 360-20-40 have been met.  Revenue related to projects still under construction is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method where all criteria have been met.  For sales that do not meet these criteria, revenue is deferred.

 

The process of real estate revenue recognition involves significant estimates of total project revenue and costs. During the three months ended December 31, 2008, the downturn in the global economy resulted in a slowdown in the condominium apartment sales at Porto Cupecoy compared to prior estimates.  Accordingly, OEH’s management concluded that it was no longer possible to estimate reasonably total project sales proceeds and profits and, therefore, revenue on the Porto Cupecoy project could no longer be recorded using the percentage-of-completion method. Starting in 2010, OEH began to recognize revenues from Porto Cupecoy as the development was substantially completed and units were being occupied as sales were closed.

 

OEH management periodically evaluates the recoverability of real estate assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  This resulted in a $24.6 million impairment charge for Porto Cupecoy and a $1.6 million impairment charge in Keswick Estate in 2010.  The impairment is typically computed using Level 3 inputs, namely the estimated selling prices and estimated selling costs based on OEH’s recent experience with sales already completed.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

As of December 31, 2010, OEH had adopted all the relevant standards that impacted the accounting for fair value measurements and disclosures, variable interest entities, and accounting and disclosure requirements for transfers of financial assets, as reported in Note 1 to the Financial Statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance concerning the performance of the second step of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing the second step if qualitative factors indicate

 

74



Table of Contents

 

that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. OEH will adopt ASU 2010-28 for impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  OEH is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In addition, OEH is considering the guidance issued by the FASB in October 2009 that amends the accounting for revenue recognition on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. Specifically, the guidance addresses the unit of accounting for arrangements involving multiple deliverables. It also addresses how arrangement consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting, when applicable. The adoption of the provisions of this amendment is required for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and is not expected to have a material impact on OEH’s financial statements.

 

ITEM 7A.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

OEH is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  These exposures are monitored and managed as part of its overall risk management program, which recognizes the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to mitigate material adverse effects on consolidated earnings and cash flow.  OEH does not hold market rate sensitive financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

The market risk relating to interest rates arises mainly from the financing activities of OEH.  Earnings are affected by changes in interest rates on floating rate borrowings, principally based on U.S. dollar LIBOR and EURIBOR, and on short-term cash investments.  OEH management assesses market risk based on changes in interest rates using a sensitivity analysis.  If interest rates increased by 10% with all other variables held constant, annual net finance costs of OEH would have increased by approximately $0.8 million based on borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2010.

 

The market risk relating to foreign currencies arises from holding assets, buying, selling and financing in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the European euro, British pound, South African rand, Brazilian real and Australian dollar.  Some non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company borrow in local currencies, and OEH may in the future enter into forward exchange contracts relating to purchases denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Twelve of OEH’s owned hotels in 2010 operated in European euros, two operated in South African rand, one in Australian dollars, one in British pounds sterling, three in Botswana pula, two in Mexican pesos, one in Peruvian nuevo soles, six in various Southeast Asian currencies and one in Russian rubles. Revenue of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, British Pullman, Northern Belle and Royal Scotsman tourist trains was primarily in British pounds sterling, but the operating costs of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express were mainly denominated in euros. Revenue of the Copacabana Palace and Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil was recorded in U.S. dollars, but substantially all of the hotels’ expenses were denominated in Brazilian reals. Revenue derived by Maroma Resort and Spa and La Samanna was recorded in U.S. dollars, but the majority of the hotels’ expenses were denominated in Mexican pesos and the euro, respectively.

 

75



Table of Contents

 

OEH’s properties match foreign currency earnings and costs to provide a natural hedge against currency movements.  In addition, a significant proportion of the guests at OEH hotels located outside of the United States originate from the United States.  When a foreign currency in which OEH operates devalues against the U.S. dollar, OEH has considerable flexibility to increase prices in local currency, or vice versa.  Management believes that when these factors are combined, OEH does not face a material exposure to its net earnings from currency movements, although the reporting of OEH’s revenue and costs translated into U.S. dollars can, from period to period, be materially affected.

 

OEH management uses a sensitivity analysis to assess the potential impact on net earnings of changes in foreign currency financial instruments from hypothetical changes in the foreign currency exchange rates.  The primary assumption used in this model is a hypothetical 10% weakening or strengthening of the foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar.  At December 31, 2010, as a result of this analysis, OEH management determined that the impact on foreign currency financial instruments of a 10% strengthening of foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar would decrease OEH’s net earnings by approximately $2.9 million, consisting of Russian ruble $1.3 million, Mexican peso $0.6 million and Thai baht $1.0 million.

 

76



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 8.       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

Hamilton, Bermuda

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in total equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010.  Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15.  These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

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

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

 

 

 

London, England

 

February 25, 2011

 

 

77



Table of Contents

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

150,344

 

71,674

 

Restricted cash

 

8,429

 

19,894

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $474 and $388

 

51,386

 

59,968

 

Due from unconsolidated companies

 

19,643

 

19,385

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

23,663

 

22,276

 

Inventories

 

44,245

 

43,678

 

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

 

33,945

 

64,358

 

Real estate assets

 

68,111

 

120,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

399,766

 

421,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $277,209 and $246,912

 

1,268,822

 

1,191,531

 

Property, plant and equipment of consolidated variable interest entities

 

188,502

 

192,682

 

Investments in unconsolidated companies

 

60,428

 

58,432

 

Goodwill

 

177,498

 

149,180

 

Other intangible assets

 

18,987

 

18,936

 

Other assets

 

23,711

 

40,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,137,714

 

2,072,690

 

 

78



Table of Contents

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital facilities

 

1,174

 

6,666

 

Accounts payable

 

25,448

 

23,240

 

Accrued liabilities

 

71,436

 

73,875

 

Deferred revenue

 

28,963

 

68,784

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale

 

2,910

 

14,646

 

Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

 

124,805

 

173,223

 

Current portion of long-term debt of consolidated variable interest entities

 

1,775

 

165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

256,511

 

360,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

 

511,336

 

559,042

 

Long-term debt of consolidated variable interest entities

 

90,529

 

79,304

 

Liability for pension benefit

 

5,617

 

7,402

 

Other liabilities

 

30,095

 

19,742

 

Deferred income taxes

 

100,730

 

94,872

 

Deferred income taxes of consolidated variable interest entities

 

61,835

 

64,100

 

Liability for uncertain tax positions

 

8,194

 

7,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,064,847

 

1,192,212

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shares $0.01 par value (30,000,000 shares authorized, issued nil)

 

 

 

Class A common shares $0.01 par value (120,000,000 shares authorized):

 

 

 

 

 

Issued — 102,373,241 (2009 — 76,843,053)

 

1,023

 

769

 

Class B common shares $0.01 par value (120,000,000 shares authorized):

 

 

 

 

 

Issued — 18,044,478 (2009 — 18,044,478)

 

181

 

181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

968,492

 

714,980

 

Retained earnings

 

140,015

 

202,774

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(38,585

)

(39,814

)

Less: reduction due to class B common shares owned by a subsidiary — 18,044,478

 

(181

)

(181

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,070,945

 

878,709

 

Non-controlling interests

 

1,922

 

1,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

1,072,867

 

880,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,137,714

 

2,072,690

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

79



Table of Contents

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Statements of Consolidated Operations

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Year ended December 31,

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

571,942

 

450,910

 

494,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

45,483

 

39,950

 

33,931

 

Cost of services

 

309,768

 

220,114

 

225,388

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

190,594

 

164,827

 

177,088

 

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

38,497

 

6,500

 

5,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

584,342

 

431,391

 

441,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

1,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Losses)/earnings from operations

 

(12,400

)

20,904

 

52,718

 

Impairment of investment in unconsolidated company

 

 

 

(22,992

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Losses)/earnings before net finance costs, provision for income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

(12,400

)

20,904

 

29,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(33,839

)

(31,068

)

(46,874

)

Foreign currency, net

 

5,686

 

(1,067

)

4,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net finance costs

 

(28,153

)

(32,135

)

(41,929

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before provision for income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax

 

(40,553

)

(11,231

)

(12,203

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Provision for)/benefit from income taxes

 

(24,754

)

(13,076

)

1,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

(65,307

)

(24,307

)

(10,371

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax of $2,228, $4,510 and $6,986

 

2,258

 

4,183

 

16,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (losses)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(63,049

)

(20,124

)

6,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision/(credit) of $(1,684), $(10,004) and $5,620

 

469

 

(48,613

)

(32,754

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses

 

(62,580

)

(68,737

)

(26,354

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests

 

(179

)

(60

)

(197

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

 

(62,759

)

(68,797

)

(26,551

)

 

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Basic (losses)/earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (losses)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(0.69

)

(0.30

)

0.15

 

Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

(0.71

)

(0.76

)

Net losses

 

(0.68

)

(1.01

)

(0.61

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted (losses)/earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (losses)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(0.69

)

(0.30

)

0.15

 

Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

(0.71

)

(0.76

)

Net losses

 

(0.68

)

(1.01

)

(0.61

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

80



Table of Contents

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses

 

(62,580

)

(68,737

)

(26,354

)

Less: Earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

469

 

(48,613

)

(32,754

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (losses)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(63,049

)

(20,124

)

6,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to reconcile net (losses)/earnings to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

45,483

 

39,950

 

33,931

 

Amortization of finance costs

 

4,785

 

3,430

 

3,103

 

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

38,497

 

6,500

 

5,551

 

Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated companies

 

(4,254

)

(9,212

)

(11,690

)

Share-based compensation

 

5,965

 

4,121

 

2,800

 

Change in deferred income tax

 

3,652

 

11,720

 

(5,184

)

Gains/(losses) from the disposals of property, plant and equipment

 

(328

)

3,710

 

382

 

Increase/(decrease) in provisions for uncertain tax positions

 

1,153

 

(4,202

)

(11,756

)

Other non-cash items

 

(3,425

)

2,651

 

(136

)

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisition of subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease/(increase) in receivables, prepaid expenses and other

 

2,117

 

(6,498

)

(8,857

)

Decrease/(increase) in due from unconsolidated companies

 

2,579

 

(9,709

)

20,343

 

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

 

(13

)

(129

)

51

 

Decrease/(increase) in real estate assets

 

50,197

 

(36,305

)

(57,289

)

(Decrease)/increase in payables, accrued liabilities, and deferred revenue

 

(42,102

)

13,276

 

28,813

 

Dividends received from unconsolidated companies

 

 

1,064

 

3,840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

 

41,257

 

243

 

10,302

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities from discontinued operations

 

(7,289

)

(16,769

)

14,841

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

 

33,968

 

(16,526

)

25,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(59,866

)

(71,965

)

(107,623

)

Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired

 

(46,285

)

(86

)

(2,996

)

Increase in restricted cash

 

(2,815

)

(7,477

)

(9,079

)

Decrease in restricted cash

 

13,838

 

807

 

 

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

 

2,110

 

5,900

 

158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

 

(93,018

)

(72,821

)

(119,540

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities from discontinued operations

 

20,199

 

62,569

 

(5,353

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(72,819

)

(10,252

)

(124,893

)

 

81



Table of Contents

4

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (continued)

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from working capital facilities and redrawable loans

 

1,174

 

6,253

 

72,120

 

Payments on working capital facilities and redrawable loans

 

(6,666

)

(47,518

)

(15,695

)

Issuance of common shares

 

261,878

 

148,781

 

55,185

 

Issuance costs of common shares

 

(13,826

)

(7,880

)

(2,671

)

Stock options exercised

 

1

 

15

 

192

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

381,158

 

42,244

 

5,738

 

Principal payments of long-term debt

 

(500,197

)

(49,238

)

(33,936

)

Payment of common share dividends

 

 

 

(4,247

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations

 

123,522

 

92,657

 

76,686

 

Net cash (used in)/ provided by financing activities from discontinued operations

 

(6,757

)

(60,593

)

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

116,765

 

32,064

 

76,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(54

)

1,799

 

(2,031

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)in cash and cash equivalents

 

77,860

 

7,085

 

(25,041

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $1,295 (2010), $1,676 (2009), $4,310 (2008) of discontinued operations cash)

 

72,969

 

65,884

 

90,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (includes $485 (2010), $1,295 (2009), $1,676 (2008) of discontinued operations cash)

 

150,829

 

72,969

 

65,884

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

82



Table of Contents

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Statements of Changes in Consolidated Total Equity

 

 

 

Preferred
Shares
At Par
Value

 

Class A
Common
Shares
At Par
Value

 

Class B
Common
Shares
At Par
Value

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other

Comprehensive
Income/
(Loss)

 

Common
Shares
Held By A
Subsidiary

 

Total
Comprehensive
Income/
(Loss)

 

Non-
Controlling
Interests

 

Total

 

 

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2008

 

 

424

 

181

 

515,307

 

302,369

 

30,431

 

(181

)

 

 

1,754

 

850,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of class A common shares in direct offering, net of issuance costs

 

 

86

 

 

52,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,514

 

Share based compensation

 

 

 

 

2,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,800

 

Stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

192

 

Dividends on common shares

 

 

 

 

 

(4,247

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,247

)

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss on common shares

 

 

 

 

 

(26,551

)

 

 

(26,551

)

197

 

(26,354

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(90,641

)

 

(90,641

)

8

 

(90,633

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(117,192

)

 

 

 

 

Dividends to non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(388

)

(388

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2008

 

 

510

 

181

 

570,727

 

271,571

 

(60,210

)

(181

)

 

 

1,571

 

784,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of class A common shares in public offering, net of issuance costs

 

 

259

 

 

140,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140,901

 

Share based compensation

 

 

 

 

4,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,121

 

Stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss on common shares

 

 

 

 

 

(68,797

)

 

 

(68,797

)

60

 

(68,737

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,396

 

 

20,396

 

(47

)

20,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(48,401

)

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

(525

)

 

 

 

 

 

185

 

(340

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2009

 

 

769

 

181

 

714,980

 

202,774

 

(39,814

)

(181

)

 

 

1,769

 

880,478

 

Issuance of class A common shares in public offering, net of issuance costs

 

 

253

 

 

247,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

248,052

 

Share based compensation

 

 

 

 

5,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,713

 

Stock options exercised

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss on common shares

 

 

 

 

 

(62,759

)

 

 

(62,759

)

179

 

(62,580

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,229

 

 

1,229

 

(26

)

1,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(61,530

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2010

 

 

1,023

 

181

 

968,492

 

140,015

 

(38,585

)

(181

)

 

 

1,922

 

1,072,867

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

83



Table of Contents

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.                                     Summary of significant accounting policies and basis of presentation

 

Business

 

In this report Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. is referred to as the “Company”, and the Company and its subsidiaries are referred to collectively as “OEH”.

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH owned or invested in 41 deluxe hotels and resorts located in the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, southern Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, Australia and South Pacific, a stand-alone restaurant in New York, six tourist trains in Europe, Southeast Asia and Peru, and a river cruise ship in Burma and five canal boats in France.

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company and all its majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which OEH is the primary beneficiary.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the historical basis in the assets and liabilities and the historical results of operations directly attributable to OEH, and all intercompany accounts and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated.  Unconsolidated companies that are 20% to 50% owned are accounted for on an equity basis.

 

“FASB” means Financial Accounting Standards Board.  “ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the FASB and “ASU” means an Accounting Standards Update of the FASB.

 

Discontinued operations

 

As reported in Note 2, OEH has presented certain activities within discontinued operations and, accordingly, the results of these activities have been reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented. These activities are the hotels Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Lapa Palace, Windsor Court, Lilianfels Blue Mountains and Hôtel de la Cité, the restaurant La Cabana, and two Internet-based companies, Luxurytravel.com UK Ltd. and O.E. Interactive Ltd.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly-liquid investments having original maturities of three months or less.

 

Cash proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

 

OEH has reclassified an item it had previously reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented. Proceeds from the sales of discontinued operations previously classified as investing activities from continuing operations have been presented in net cash flows from investing activities from discontinued operations. There has been no change to the total reported in net cash used in investing activities for the periods presented. The amounts of reclassification are $67,446,000 and $nil in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The reclassification has no impact on the statements of consolidated operations, consolidated balance sheets, or changes in cash or cash equivalents reported for the years presented.

 

84



Table of Contents

 

Foreign currency

 

The functional currency for each of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency, except for properties in French West Indies, Brazil, Peru and one property in Mexico, where the functional currency is U.S. dollars.

 

For foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars, the reporting currency of the Company, at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.  The assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date and the related translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).  Translation adjustments arising from intercompany financing of a subsidiary that is considered to be long-term in nature are accounted for and are also recorded in other comprehensive income/(loss) as they are considered part of the net investment in the subsidiary.  Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings as they occur.

 

Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Estimates include, among others, the allowance for doubtful accounts, fair value of derivative instruments, estimates for determining the fair value of goodwill, long-lived and other intangible asset impairment, stock compensation, depreciation and amortization, carrying value of assets including intangible assets, employee benefits, taxes, and contingencies, projected revenue and costs for real estate revenue recognition.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Share-based compensation

 

Share-based compensation expense for OEH’s share-based payment awards is recognized in earnings on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.  Compensation expense for performance share awards is recognized when it becomes probable that the performance criteria, if any, specified in the awards will be achieved.  The total cost of a share-based payment award is reduced by estimated forfeitures expected to occur over the vesting period of the award.  The grant date fair value of share-based payment awards is determined using the Black-Scholes model.  See Note 16.

 

Under its 2007 performance share plan and 2009 share award and incentive plan, the Company granted share-based payment awards with performance and market conditions to certain employees during the three years ended December 31, 2010.  The fair value of the awards at the grant date is determined using the Monte Carlo simulation model.  For awards with market conditions, the conditions are incorporated into the calculations, and the compensation value is not adjusted if the conditions are not met.  For awards with performance conditions, compensation expense is recognized when it becomes probable that the performance criteria specified in the awards will be achieved and, accordingly, the compensation value is adjusted following the changes in the estimates of shares likely to vest based on the performance criteria.

 

85



Table of Contents

 

Revenue recognition

 

Hotel and restaurant revenue is recognized when the rooms are occupied and the services are performed.  Tourist train and cruise revenue is recognized upon commencement of the journey.  Deferred revenue consisting of deposits paid in advance is recognized as revenue when the services are performed for hotels and restaurants and upon commencement of tourist train and cruise journeys.  Revenue under management contracts is recognized based upon the attainment of certain financial results, primarily revenue and operating earnings, in each contract as defined.

 

Real estate revenue recognition

 

Revenue from real estate activities represents the proceeds from sales of undeveloped land and developed properties that OEH is holding for sale.  Profit from sales of land and developed properties is recognized upon closing using the full accrual method of accounting, provided that all the requirements prescribed by the accounting guidance have been met.  Revenue related to projects still under construction is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method where all criteria have been met.  For sales that do not meet these criteria, revenue is deferred.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2008, the downturn in the global economy resulted in a slowdown in the condominium apartment sales at Porto Cupecoy compared to prior estimates.  Accordingly, OEH’s management concluded that it was no longer possible to estimate reasonably total project sales proceeds and profits and, therefore, revenue on the Porto Cupecoy project could no longer be recorded using the percentage-of-completion method.

 

Effective October 1, 2008, revenue on the Porto Cupecoy project is accounted for as deposits until the criteria required by the accounting guidance are met.  Under this method, all project-related costs are accumulated on the balance sheet as real estate assets held for sale and all customer sales proceeds are deferred on the balance sheet as deposits.

 

Revenue and costs previously recognized in OEH’s consolidated statements of operations were reversed in the three months ended December 31, 2008, in the following amounts:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Year ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

June 30,
2008

 

September
30, 2008

 

December 31,
2008

 

Total
Reversal

 

 

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

3,730

 

4,413

 

3,454

 

11,597

 

26,937

 

Costs

 

3,868

 

4,247

 

3,101

 

11,216

 

21,690

 

Gross profit

 

(138

)

166

 

353

 

381

 

5,247

 

 

Starting in 2010, OEH began to recognize revenues from Porto Cupecoy as the development was substantially completed and units were being occupied as sales were completed.

 

86



Table of Contents

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies include OEH’s share of the net earnings of its equity investments as well as interest income related to loans and advances to the equity investees. This interest income specifically related to Hotel Ritz, Madrid in 2010 and Charleston Place Hotel in 2008, and amounted to $372,000 in 2010 (2009-$nil; 2008-$12,608,000). See Note 3.

 

Marketing costs

 

Marketing costs are expensed as incurred (except in the case of real estate projects), and are reported in selling, general and administrative expenses.  Marketing costs include costs of advertising and other marketing activities.  These costs were $33,480,000 in 2010 (2009-$28,923,000; 2008-$36,382,000).

 

Interest expense, net

 

Interest expense, net includes $1,315,000 of interest income in 2010 (2009-$1,172,000; 2008-$1,597,000). OEH capitalizes interest during the construction of assets. Interest expense, net excludes interest which has been capitalized in the amount of $3,130,000 in 2010 (2009-$5,275,000; 2008-$7,628,000).

 

Foreign currency, net

 

Foreign currency, net consists entirely of foreign currency exchange transaction gain of $5,686,000 in 2010 (2009 — loss of $1,067,000; 2008 — gain of $4,945,000).

 

Income taxes

 

OEH accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.

 

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities.  Deferred taxes are recorded at enacted statutory rates and are adjusted as enacted rates change. Classification of deferred tax assets and liabilities corresponds with the classification of the underlying assets and liabilities giving rise to the temporary differences or the period of expected reversal, as applicable.  A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized based on available evidence.

 

In evaluating OEH’s ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event management were to determine that OEH would be able to realize its deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, management would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

 

Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not threshold to be recognized. Management recognizes tax liabilities in accordance with

 

87



Table of Contents

 

U.S. GAAP applicable to uncertain tax positions, and adjusts these liabilities when judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from OEH’s current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which they are determined.  OEH recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share exclude dilution and are computed by dividing net earnings/(losses) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of class A and B common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the increase in shares using the treasury stock method to reflect the impact of an equivalent number of shares of stock if share options were exercised and share-based awards were converted into common shares. The number of shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
‘000

 

2009
‘000

 

2008
‘000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

91,545

 

68,046

 

43,443

 

Effect of dilution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

91,545

 

68,046

 

43,443

 

 

For the three years ended December 31, 2010, all share options and share-based awards were excluded from the calculation of the diluted weighted average number of shares because OEH incurred a net loss in all periods and the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The number of share options and share-based awards excluded from the weighted average shares outstanding were as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
‘000

 

2009
‘000

 

2008
‘000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share options

 

2,159,624

 

1,367,530

 

611,235

 

Share-based awards

 

577,204

 

363,373

 

60,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,736,828

 

1,730,903

 

671,863

 

 

The numbers of share options and share-based awards at December 31, 2010 were 3,461,070 (2009—2,350,422; 2008—1,059,315).

 

Inventories

 

Inventories include food, beverages, certain operating stocks and retail goods.  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value under the first-in, first-out method.

 

88



Table of Contents

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

Property, plant and equipment, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  The cost of significant renewals and betterments is capitalized and depreciated, while expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

 

Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Descriptions

 

Useful lives

Buildings

 

Up to 60 years and 10% residual value

Tourist trains

 

Up to 75 years

River cruise ship and canal boats

 

25 years

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

5 to 25 years

Equipment under capital lease and leasehold improvements

 

Lesser of initial lease term or economic life

 

Certain art and antiques are not depreciated.

 

Real estate assets

 

Real estate assets consist primarily of inventory costs of real estate property developments.  Expenditures directly related to non-hotel real estate developments, such as real estate taxes and capital improvements, are capitalized.  Inventory costs of real estate development include construction costs and ancillary costs, which are expensed as real estate revenue is recorded.  Direct selling costs, such as the costs of model apartments and their furnishings and semi-permanent signs, are capitalized within the cost of real estate assets for sale.  Other costs directly associated with sales, such as direct sales commissions, are recorded as prepaid expenses and charged to expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognized as earned.  Costs that do not meet the criteria for capitalization, such as the salaries of sales personnel, general and administrative expenses of the sales office, advertising and promotions, are expensed as incurred.  Land property development costs are accumulated by project and are allocated to individual residential units, principally using the relative sales value method.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

OEH management evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the assets to the net book value of the assets if certain trigger events occur. If the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the assets, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is charged to current earnings. Fair value is based upon discounted cash flows of the assets at a rate deemed reasonable for the type of asset and prevailing market conditions, sales of similar assets, appraisals and, if appropriate, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers.  OEH evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets based on its plans, at the time, for such assets and such qualitative factors as future development in the surrounding area, status of expected local competition and projected incremental income from renovations. Changes to OEH’s plans, including a decision to dispose of or change the intended use of an asset, can have a material impact on the carrying value of the asset.

 

89



Table of Contents

 

Investments

 

Investments include equity interests in and advances to unconsolidated companies.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

Goodwill is not amortized and must be evaluated at least annually to determine impairment. Goodwill impairment testing is performed in two steps, first, the determination of impairment based upon the fair value of each reporting unit as compared with its carrying value and, second, if there is an implied impairment, the measurement of the amount of the impairment loss is determined by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value of the goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the goodwill is deemed to be impaired and is written down to the extent of the difference. The determination of impairment incorporates various assumptions and uncertainties that OEH believes are reasonable and supportable considering all available evidence, such as the future cash flows of the business, future growth rates and the related discount rate. Other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are also reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 350.

 

Concentration of credit risk

 

Due to the nature of the leisure industry, concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited.  OEH’s customer base is comprised of numerous customers across different geographic areas.

 

Pensions

 

OEH’s primary defined benefit pension plan is accounted for using actuarial valuations.  Net funded status is recognized on the balance sheet and any unrecognized prior service costs, experience gains and losses, or transition obligation are reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) in shareholders’ equity. See Note 12.

 

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on assets, management has reviewed anticipated future long-term performance of individual asset classes and the appropriate asset allocation strategy given the anticipated requirements of the plan to determine the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested.  The projected returns are based on broad equity and bond indices, including fixed interest rate gilts (United Kingdom Government issued securities) of long-term duration since the plan operates in the U.K.

 

Management reviews OEH’s actual asset allocation on an annual basis and rebalances investments to targeted allocations when considered appropriate.  While the analysis considers recent fund performance and historical returns, the assumption is primarily a long-term, prospective rate.

 

Management continues to monitor and evaluate the level of pension contributions based on various factors that include investment performance, actuarial valuation and tax deductibility.

 

90



Table of Contents

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.  If a derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes, the fluctuations in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in earnings.

 

If a derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings.  If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and is recognized in the statements of consolidated operations when the hedged item affects earnings.  The ineffective portion of a hedging derivative’s change in the fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.

 

OEH management formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions.  OEH links all hedges that are designated as fair value hedges to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments.  OEH links all hedges that are designated as cash flow hedges to forecasted transactions or to floating rate liabilities on the balance sheet.  OEH management also assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are designated in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.  Should it be determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, OEH will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and amounts held in accumulated other comprehensive income would be recognized within interest expense.

 

OEH is exposed to interest rate risk on its floating rate debt and management uses derivatives to manage the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows.  OEH’s policy is to enter into interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements from time to time to hedge the variability in interest rate cash flows on floating rate debt.  These swaps effectively convert the floating rate interest payments on a portion of the outstanding debt into fixed payments.

 

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges.  Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income/(loss) within foreign currency translation adjustment.  The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion will be recognized immediately in earnings within foreign currency gains and losses.  Gains and losses deferred in other comprehensive income/(loss) are recognized in earnings upon disposal of the foreign operation.  OEH links all hedges that are designated as net investment hedges to specifically identified net investments in foreign subsidiaries.

 

Fair value measurements

 

Guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures (i) applies to certain assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis, (ii) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and expands

 

91



Table of Contents

 

disclosure about fair value measurements and (iii) enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.

 

Guidance requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, namely quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data (Level 2), and unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data (Level 3).

 

OEH reviews its fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly.  Changes in significant observable valuation inputs identified during these reviews may trigger reclassification of fair value hierarchy levels of financial assets and liabilities.  These reclassifications are reported as transfers in Level 3 at their fair values at the beginning of the period in which the change occurs and as transfers out at their fair values at the end of the period.

 

The fair value of OEH’s derivative financial instruments is computed based on an income approach using appropriate valuation techniques including discounting future cash flows and other methods that are consistent with accepted economic methodologies for pricing financial instruments.  Where credit value adjustments exceeded 20% of the fair value of the derivatives, Level 3 inputs are assumed to have a significant impact on the fair value of the derivatives in their entirety and the valuation has been included in the Level 3 category.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting for fair value measurements and disclosures requiring a gross presentation of changes within Level 3 valuations period to period as a rollforward, and adding a new requirement to disclose transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 measurements. The new disclosures apply to all entities that report recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. This amendment is effective in the first interim reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009, with an exception for the gross presentation of Level 3 rollforward information, which is required for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim reporting periods within those years. The Company’s adoption of the provisions of this amendment during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends the evaluation criteria to identify the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and requires ongoing assessment of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity. The determination of whether a reporting entity is required to consolidate another entity is based on, among other things, the other entity’s purpose and design and the reporting entity’s ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the other entity’s economic performance. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance during the quarter ended March 31, 2010. There was no

 

92



Table of Contents

 

impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position, other than the modification of certain disclosures related to the Company’s involvement in variable interest entities.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting and disclosure requirements for transfers of financial assets, modifying the derecognition guidance and eliminating the exemption from consolidation for qualifying special-purpose entities. The Company adopted the provisions of the amendment during the quarter ended March 31, 2010, and there was no impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

The Company is considering the guidance issued by the FASB in October 2009 that amends the accounting for revenue recognition on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. Specifically, the guidance addresses the unit of accounting for arrangements involving multiple deliverables. It also addresses how arrangement consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting, when applicable. The adoption of the provisions of this amendment is required for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance concerning the performance of the second step of goodwill impairment testing, namely measurement of the amount of an impairment loss. The ASU amends the criteria for performing the second step for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing the second step if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. OEH will adopt ASU 2010-28 for impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2010, and OEH is currently evaluating the impact of this adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

 

2.                 Discontinued operations

 

(a)    Lilianfels Blue Mountains

 

On January 29, 2010, OEH completed the sale of the property and operations of Lilianfels Blue Mountains in Katoomba, Australia for a cash consideration of $18,667,000. The hotel was a part of OEH’s hotels and restaurants segment. The disposal resulted in a gain of $7,183,000 (including a $7,292,000 transfer of foreign currency translation gain from other comprehensive income) which is reported within earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations, net of tax.

 

93



Table of Contents

 

The following is a summary of the net assets sold and gain on sale:

 

 

 

January 29,
2010
$’000

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

18,582

 

Net working capital surplus

 

66

 

Other assets

 

158

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(730

)

Net assets

 

18,076

 

Transfer of foreign currency translation gain

 

(7,292

)

 

 

10,784

 

Consideration:

 

 

 

Cash

 

18,667

 

Less: costs to sell

 

(700

)

 

 

17,967

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale

 

 

7,183

 

 

Results of discontinued operations of Lilianfels Blue Mountains are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

856

 

9,555

 

9,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Losses)/earnings before tax and gain on sale

 

(132

)

246

 

(270

)

Gain on sale/(impairment)

 

7,183

 

(10,357

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) before tax

 

7,051

 

(10,111

)

(270

)

Tax provision

 

 

1,847

 

(201

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings /(losses) from discontinued operations

 

7,051

 

(8,264

)

(471

)

 

In the year ended December 31, 2009, OEH identified a non-cash property, plant and equipment impairment charge of $9,809,000 in respect of Lilianfels Blue Mountains. The carrying value of the assets was written down to the fair value based on management’s best estimate. In addition, an impairment of goodwill of $548,000 was recognized in the first quarter of 2009.

 

(b)          La Cabana

 

On May 25, 2010, OEH completed the sale of the restaurant La Cabana in Buenos Aires, Argentina for cash consideration of $2,712,000. The restaurant was a part of OEH’s hotels and restaurants segment. The disposal resulted in a loss on sale of $460,000 (including a $294,000 transfer of foreign currency gain from other comprehensive income) which is reported within earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations, net of tax. The assets of La Cabana were sold in December 2009 and the shares in the restaurant-owning company in May 2010.

 

94



Table of Contents

 

The following is a summary of the net assets sold and loss on sale:

 

 

 

May 25,
2010
$’000

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

2,985

 

Net working capital surplus

 

170

 

Other assets

 

43

 

Net assets

 

3,198

 

Transfer of foreign currency translation gain

 

(294

)

 

 

2,904

 

Consideration:

 

 

 

Cash

 

2,712

 

Less: costs to sell

 

(268

)

 

 

2,444

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale

 

 

(460

)

 

Results of discontinued operations of La Cabana are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

1,143

 

1,834

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before tax and gain on sale

 

 

(627

)

(800

)

Loss on sale/impairment

 

(460

)

(5,368

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before tax

 

(460

)

(5,995

)

(800

)

Tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses from discontinued operations

 

(460

)

(5,995

)

(800

)

 

An impairment loss of $5,368,000 was recognized for La Cabana tangible assets in the year ended December 31, 2009, to reflect the level of offers being received on the restaurant.

 

(c)          Lapa Palace Hotel

 

On June 2, 2009, OEH sold the shares in its Lapa Palace Hotel subsidiary in Lisbon, Portugal for $41,983,000. The hotel was a part of OEH’s hotels and restaurants segment.  Of the sale price, $26,287,000 was received in cash on the date of sale and the remaining amount was received in 2010. The disposal resulted in a gain on sale of $4,826,000 (including a $6,719,000 transfer of foreign currency gain from other comprehensive income/(loss)) which is reported within losses from discontinued operations, net of tax.

 

95



Table of Contents

 

The following is a summary of the net assets sold and gain on sale:

 

 

 

June 2,
2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

1,303

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

43,333

 

Net working capital deficit

 

(281

)

Loans

 

(715

)

Deferred income tax

 

(965

)

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

42,675

 

Reversal of foreign currency translation gain

 

(6,719

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,956

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration:

 

 

 

Cash

 

26,287

 

Deferred, discounted to present value

 

15,394

 

Less: costs to sell

 

(899

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,782

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale

 

4,826

 

 

Results of discontinued operations of the Lapa Palace Hotel are as follows, with 2010 earnings relating to interest income:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

2,860

 

12,457

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) before tax and gain on sale

 

280

 

(827

)

64

 

Gain on sale/impairment

 

 

4,826

 

(1,028

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) before tax

 

280

 

3,999

 

(964

)

Tax provision

 

 

 

(711

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations

 

280

 

3,999

 

(1,675

)

 

(d)          Windsor Court Hotel

 

On October 2, 2009, OEH sold the net assets of Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana for a cash consideration of $44,250,000. The hotel was a part of OEH’s hotels and restaurants segment.  The disposal resulted in a loss on sale of $1,089,000 which is reported within earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations, net of tax.

 

96



Table of Contents

 

The following is a summary of the net assets sold and loss on sale recorded in 2009:

 

 

 

October 2
2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

43,040

 

Net working capital surplus

 

928

 

Deferred costs

 

459

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

44,427

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration:

 

 

 

Cash

 

44,250

 

Less: working capital adjustment

 

(266

)

Less: costs to sell

 

(646

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,338

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale

 

1,089

 

 

Results of discontinued operations of Windsor Court Hotel are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

16,963

 

23,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before tax and loss on sale

 

(1,699

)

(25,597

)

(7,052

)

Loss on sale

 

 

(1,089

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before tax

 

(1,699

)

(26,686

)

(7,052

)

Tax benefit

 

 

6,114

 

2,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses from discontinued operations

 

(1,699

)

(20,572

)

(4,750

)

 

In 2010, a loss of $1,699,000 at Windsor Court Hotel was recorded following settlement of an insurance claim for $500,000, resulting in a write-off of costs above that amount.

 

(e)          Assets held for sale: Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Hôtel de la Cité, and O.E. Interactive/Luxurytravel.com

 

As previously reported, OEH is selling its investment in Bora Bora Lagoon Resort. The property sustained damage as a result of a cyclone in February 2010 and is currently closed.  The property continues to be actively marketed and is saleable in its current condition as land for future development. OEH engaged additional selling agents who are appropriately incentivized to sell the property within one year, which OEH expects to achieve, and is currently in discussions with interested parties.

 

In November 2010, OEH decided to sell Hôtel de la Cité in Carcassonne, France which is included in the hotels and restaurants segment. OEH is currently in negotiation to complete the sale of this hotel.

 

In December 2010, OEH decided to sell its Internet-based companies O.E. Interactive Ltd. and Luxurytravel.com UK Ltd. which are included in the trains and cruises segment.  These companies became held for sale based on an offer from a third party to purchase them.  This sale is expected to be completed in the first half of 2011.

 

The hotels and Internet-based companies have been classified as held for sale and their results have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

Summarized operating results of the hotels and Internet-based companies held for sale are as follows:

 

97



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

6,729

 

13,124

 

16,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before tax and impairment

 

(633

)

(3,314

)

(5,492

)

Impairment loss/other

 

(5,754

)

(16,510

)

(12,556

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses before tax

 

(6,387

)

(19,824

)

(18,048

)

Tax benefit/(provision)

 

1,684

 

2,043

 

(7,010

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses from discontinued operations

 

(4,703

)

(17,781

)

(25,058

)

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH settled outstanding claims with its insurance carrier regarding damages sustained at Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and has recorded an insurance gain of $5,750,000 in the year. This gain was offset by restructuring and inventory impairment charges.  The restructuring charges included a restructuring provision of $2,187,000 for an employee severance scheme completed in 2010. OEH also recorded an impairment of $459,000 due to obsolete inventory.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2009, impairment losses were recognized for Bora Bora Lagoon Resort tangible assets of $16,510,000 to reflect the level of offers being received for the purchase of the hotel.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified and recorded a non-cash property, plant and equipment impairment charge of $5,989,000 in respect of Hôtel de la Cité.  The carrying values of the assets were written down to the fair value to reflect the level of offers received on the hotel and the price at which OEH is currently negotiating a sale completion.

 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified and recorded a non-cash intangible asset impairment charge of $1,070,000 in respect of the two Internet-based businesses. The carrying values of the intangible assets were written down to reflect the level of offers being received.

 

Assets and liabilities of the hotels and Internet-based companies that have been classified as held for sale consisted of the following:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

4,565

 

6,683

 

Other assets

 

1,029

 

2,164

 

Property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation

 

28,351

 

55,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets held for sale

 

33,945

 

64,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

(2,910

)

(14,646

)

 

Prior year comparatives include balances of Windsor Court Hotel which was sold in October 2009: $2,034,000 of current assets, $9,000 of other assets and $202,000 of liabilities. Prior year comparatives also include balances of Lilianfels Blue Mountains which was sold in January 2010: $1,293,000 of current assets, $109,000 of other assets, $18,916,000 of fixed assets and $8,152,000 of liabilities. In addition, prior year comparatives include liabilities of $157,000 relating to Lapa Palace Hotel which was sold in June 2009.

 

98



Table of Contents

 

3.           Variable interest entities

 

In accordance with the guidance for the consolidation of a VIE, OEH analyzes its variable interests, including loans, guarantees and equity investments, to determine if an entity is a VIE. OEH’s analysis includes both quantitative and qualitative considerations. OEH bases its quantitative analysis on the forecast cash flows of the entity, and its qualitative analysis on a review of the design of the entity, organizational structure including decision-making ability, and relevant financial agreements. OEH also uses its qualitative analysis to determine if OEH is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

 

Charleston Place Hotel

 

OEH holds a 19.9% equity investment in Charleston Center LLC, owner of Charleston Place Hotel.  OEH has also made a number of loans to the hotel.  On evaluating its various variable interests in the hotel, OEH concluded that effective December 31, 2008, the hotel no longer qualified for certain scope exemptions under ASC 810-10 because OEH’s share of loans provided to the hotel had increased and OEH provides a majority of subordinated financial support.  OEH further concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of this VIE as defined in ASC 810-10 because OEH is expected to absorb a majority of the entity’s residual gains or losses based on the current organizational structure.  OEH has consolidated the VIE effective December 31, 2008. The results of the operation of Charleston Place Hotel were included in the consolidated financial statements of OEH from January 1, 2009 and therefore any intercompany transactions were eliminated from that date.

 

These conclusions have not changed as a result of subsequently issued accounting guidance of the FASB which requires an assessment of OEH’s ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance.

 

The carrying amounts of consolidated assets and liabilities of Charleston Center LLC included within OEH’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

5,897

 

 

5,027

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

188,502

 

192,682

 

Goodwill

 

40,395

 

40,395

 

Other assets

 

2,823

 

1,612

 

Total assets

 

237,617

 

239,716

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

(17,827

)

(17,940

)

Third-party debt, including $1,775 and $165 current portion

 

(92,304

)

(79,469

)

Deferred income taxes

 

(61,835

)

(64,100

)

Total liabilities

 

(171,966

)

(161,509

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets (before amounts payable to OEH of $94,141 and $107,362)

 

65,651

 

 

78,207

 

 

99



Table of Contents

 

4.            Significant acquisitions, dispositions and investments

 

(a)          Acquisitions

 

2010 Acquisitions

 

Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea

 

On January 22, 2010, OEH acquired 100% of the share capital of two hotels in Taormina, Sicily (Italy) — the Grand Hotel Timeo and the Villa Sant’Andrea — at a purchase price of €41,874,000 ($59,162,000) comprised of agreed consideration of €81,512,000 ($115,165,000) less existing indebtedness assumed and including estimated contingent consideration.  OEH purchased the two hotels to enhance both its presence in the Italian hotel market and its portfolio of leading luxury hotels globally.  No intangible assets were identified and the goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of profit growth opportunities these hotels are expected to generate. All of the goodwill was assigned to OEH’s hotels and restaurants segment. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

OEH performed a preliminary fair value exercise to allocate the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities as at January 22, 2010, which was finalized in the quarter ended December 31, 2010. This resulted in a $468,000 increase in goodwill from settlement of outstanding tax positions and working capital items with the vendor of the property.

 

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the hotels and the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate effective at the date of acquisition:

 

 

 

Fair value on
January
22, 2010

$’000

 

Consideration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total agreed consideration

 

 

115,165

 

Less: Existing debt assumed

 

(61,654

)

Plus: Contingent additional consideration

 

5,651

 

Purchase price

 

59,162

 

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

45

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

101,173

 

Inventories

 

215

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

406

 

Other assets

 

1,434

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(8,968

)

Deferred income taxes

 

(10,541

)

Other liabilities

 

(304

)

Long-term debt

 

(61,654

)

Goodwill

 

37,356

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

59,162

 

 

100



Table of Contents

 

Acquisition-related costs which are included within selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $684,000. The purchase price of €41,874,000 ($59,162,000), net of contingent consideration of €4,000,000 ($5,651,000) described below, was €37,874,000 ($53,509,000) which was funded by cash payments and new indebtedness totaling €32,843,000 ($46,400,000), vendor financing of €5,000,000 ($7,064,000) and cash acquired of €31,000 ($45,000).

 

The acquisition of the two hotels has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations.  The results of operation of the hotels have been included in the consolidated financial results since the date of acquisition.

 

OEH has agreed to pay the vendor up to a further €5,000,000 (equivalent to $7,064,000 at January 22, 2010) if, by 2015, additional rooms are constructed at Grand Hotel Timeo and certain required permits are granted to expand and add a swimming pool to Villa Sant’Andrea.  The fair value of the contingent additional consideration at January 22, 2010 was €4,000,000 ($5,651,000) (determined using an income approach) based on an analysis of the likelihood of the conditions for payment being met.

 

The following table presents information for Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea included in OEH’s consolidated statements of operations from the acquisition date:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

Revenue

 

10,960

 

Losses from continuing operations

 

(3,491

)

 

As the acquisition of the Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea occurred on January 22, 2010, the pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010, assuming acquisition of these hotels had taken place at the beginning of 2010, would not differ significantly from actual reported results. OEH is not able to provide reliable supplemental pro forma information as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2009.

 

Land at La Samanna

 

In June 2010, OEH purchased land adjacent to La Samanna in St. Martin from a third party. The consideration paid was a combination of cash and three condominium units and two boat slips at OEH’s Porto Cupecoy development. Presented below is a summary of the transaction:

 

101



Table of Contents

 

 

 

June 30,
2010
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash value of assets exchanged

 

 

2,932

 

Cash paid

 

1,641

 

Assumed basis for land received

 

 

4,573

 

 

2009 Acquisition

 

The Governor’s Residence non-controlling interest

 

Effective November 30, 2009, OEH purchased the remaining 35% non-controlling interest in The Governor’s Residence in Rangoon, Burma it did not own for a cash consideration of $340,000, including transaction costs, bringing its interest to 100%. Results in 2009 prior to the purchase of the remaining interest were a loss of $185,000.

 

(b)          Investments in unconsolidated companies

 

In June 2007, OEH acquired 50% of a company holding real estate in Buzios, Brazil for a cash consideration of $5,000,000.  OEH planned to build a hotel and villas on the acquired land and to purchase the remaining 50% of the company when the building permits were obtained from the local authorities. In February 2009, the Municipality of Buzios commenced a process for the compulsory purchase of the land by the municipality in exchange for a payment of fair compensation to the owners. OEH is currently in negotiation to recover its investment in the project based on the municipality’s decision to purchase the land.

 

Investments represent equity interests of 50% or less and in which OEH exerts significant influence but does not consolidate.  OEH does not have effective control of these unconsolidated companies and, therefore, accounts for these investments using the equity method.

 

OEH’s investments in and loans and advances to unconsolidated companies amounted to $60,428,000 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$58,432,000). OEH’s earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax were $2,258,000 in 2010 (2009-$4,183,000; 2008-$16,771,000).  See Note 20.

 

102



Table of Contents

 

Summarized financial data for unconsolidated companies are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

52,908

 

64,040

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

342,207

 

347,198

 

Other assets

 

4,695

 

5,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

399,810

 

416,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

165,416

 

45,581

 

Long-term debt

 

33,099

 

175,487

 

Other liabilities

 

91,123

 

71,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

110,172

 

123,949

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

399,810

 

416,288

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

113,953

 

125,173

 

209,093

 

Earnings from operations before net finance costs

 

19,602

 

22,497

 

44,789

 

Net earnings

 

3,977

 

8,659

 

8,645

 

 

Included in unconsolidated companies are OEH’s hotel and rail joint ventures in Peru, under which OEH and the other 50% participant must contribute equally additional equity capital needed for the businesses.  If the other participant does not meet this obligation, OEH has the right to dilute the other participant and obtain a majority equity interest in the affected joint venture company.  OEH also has rights to purchase the other participant’s interests, exercisable in limited circumstances such as its bankruptcy.

 

The Company has guaranteed, through 2012, $2,571,000 of the debt obligations of the rail joint venture in Peru and, through 2016, additional debt obligations of $10,416,000. The Company has also guaranteed the rail joint venture’s contingent obligations relating to the performance of its governmental rail concessions, currently in the amount of $6,508,000 through April 2011. The Company has also guaranteed, through 2011, a $3,000,000 working capital facility to Eastern and Oriental Express Ltd. in which OEH has a 25% equity investment. Additionally, OEH has guaranteed $10,062,000 of the interest and principal obligations and $550,000 of a working capital loan facility of Hotel Ritz, Madrid in which OEH has a 50% equity investment.

 

The Company has contingently guaranteed, through 2016, $14,796,000 of debt obligations of the joint venture in Peru that operates four hotels and, through 2016, a further $11,160,000 of its debt obligations.  The guarantees are contingent because they may only be enforced in the event there is a change in control of the joint venture, which would occur only if OEH’s ownership of the economic and voting interests in the joint venture falls below 50%, an event which has not occurred.

 

A portion amounting to $22,946,000 of the long-term debt of the Peru hotel joint venture company at December 31, 2010 has been classified within current liabilities of the joint venture as it was out of compliance with the financial covenants in its loan facilities. Discussions with the banks are ongoing.

 

103



Table of Contents

 

Due to the downturn in the travel and hospitality industry in Europe and elsewhere, operating results of Hotel Ritz in Madrid were lower than expected in the three months ended December 31, 2008.  The earnings forecast for the next few years was revised and an impairment assessment performed on OEH’s 50% investment in the hotel company.  At December 31, 2008, an impairment loss of $22,992,000 was recognized relating to OEH’s investment in this hotel.  The fair value of OEH’s investment was estimated using the hotel’s discounted future cash flow.

 

5.            Real estate impairment

 

Real estate assets at December 31, 2010 included condominiums remaining to be sold at Porto Cupecoy on the Dutch side of St. Martin.  In addition, OEH transferred marina and commercial property assets at Porto Cupecoy previously held as property, plant and equipment into real estate assets in 2010, as management has concluded that these assets will be sold rather than held for use.  See Note 6.

 

OEH records impairment charges against the carrying value of real estate assets if the carrying value exceeds the estimated selling price less costs to sell.  For the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH determined that the fair value of real estate assets of Porto Cupecoy was less than the carrying value, which resulted in the recognition of a non-cash impairment charge of $24,616,000 (computed using Level 3 inputs, namely the estimated selling prices and estimated selling costs based on OEH’s recent experience with sales of condominiums already completed).  This impairment charge resulted from, primarily, changes in future sales estimates as a result of current economic conditions and in light of recent sales experience after completion of the project, a change in the estimate of the project’s estimated costs to complete the entire development and the reclassification of the marina and commercial units (as such assets were previously held at cost less depreciation).

 

In addition, OEH recorded in 2010 an impairment charge against the carrying value of the two model homes at the residential home sites on Keswick Estate adjacent to Keswick Hall in Virginia.  This non-cash impairment charge of $1,600,000 resulted from, primarily, recent offers on one of the two model homes that did not exceed the carrying value of those assets.

 

104



Table of Contents

 

6.            Property, plant and equipment, net

 

The major classes of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and buildings

 

1,138,139

 

1,058,211

 

Machinery and equipment

 

191,664

 

182,772

 

Fixtures, fittings and office equipment

 

197,062

 

178,724

 

River cruise ship and canal boats

 

19,166

 

18,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,546,031

 

1,438,443

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(277,209

)

(246,912

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,268,822

 

1,191,531

 

 

The major classes of assets under capital leases included above are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freehold and leased land and buildings

 

4,614

 

15,821

 

Machinery and equipment

 

940

 

2,640

 

Fixtures, fittings and office equipment

 

446

 

2,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,000

 

21,207

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(1,492

)

(4,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,508

 

16,425

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, the property, plant and equipment of Charleston Center LLC, a consolidated VIE, of $188,502,000 (2009-$192,682,000) is separately disclosed on the balance sheet.  See Note 3.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH management concluded that marina and commercial property assets with a carrying value of $24,662,000 at Porto Cupecoy will no longer be held for use and will be sold as part of the Porto Cupecoy project. These assets were consequently transferred to real estate assets. See Note 5.

 

OEH is currently seeking co-investors in its New York hotel development project or, subject to consent of the New York Public Library, to assign its purchase and development agreements with the Library relating to this project to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  Based on terms under negotiation with interested parties in 2010, OEH recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $6,386,000 at December 31, 2010 on land and buildings for the capitalized pre-development expenses incurred in the project. See Note 17.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH capitalized interest in the amount of $3,130,000 (2009-$5,275,000).

 

The depreciation charge on property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $45,415,000 (2009-$39,397,000; 2008-$33,313,000).

 

105



Table of Contents

 

7.            Goodwill

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31, 2010

 

Hotels &
Restaurants

$’000

 

Trains &
Cruises

$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2010

 

141,226

 

7,954

 

149,180

 

Goodwill on acquisition (see Note 4)

 

37,356

 

 

 

37,356

 

Impairment

 

(5,895

)

 

(5,895

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(3,077

)

(66

)

(3,143

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2010

 

169,610

 

7,888

 

177,498

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2009

 

Hotels &
Restaurants

$’000

 

Trains &
Cruises

$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2009

 

145,829

 

7,673

 

153,502

 

Impairment

 

(6,287

)

 

(6,287

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

1,684

 

281

 

1,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2009

 

141,226

 

7,954

 

149,180

 

 

The gross goodwill amount at January 1, 2010 was $161,103,000 (2009- $159,138,000) and the accumulated impairment at that date was $11,923,000 (2009-$5,636,000). All impairments to that date related to hotel and restaurant operations.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH identified non-cash goodwill impairments of $5,895,000 at two hotels. Management’s estimates considered future profitability of the businesses, future growth rates and the related discount rates.  OEH determined these impairments were triggered in each case due to performance that required a reassessment.  There were no goodwill impairments recorded as part of OEH’s annual impairment analysis.  The impairment loss consisted of the following:

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

La Samanna

 

5,401

 

Napasai

 

494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,895

 

 

During the first quarter of 2009, OEH finalized its 2008 impairment analysis and identified a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $6,287,000 in addition to the estimated impairment loss of $5,636,000 included in its annual December 31, 2008 results referred to below, as follows:

 

106



Table of Contents

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

Miraflores Park Hotel

 

3,208

 

Casa de Sierra Nevada

 

2,805

 

Observatory Hotel

 

274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,287

 

 

In addition, an impairment charge of $213,000 was made in respect of trade names owned by the Casa de Sierra Nevada, bringing the total impairment charge to $6,500,000 in the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

At the date of filing the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, OEH had not completed its annual impairment analysis.  Based on the work performed, however, OEH concluded that an impairment loss could be reasonably estimated and recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge in continuing operations of $5,551,000 representing its best estimate of the impairment loss present at December 31, 2008, as follows:

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

 

5,270

 

Keswick Hall

 

281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,551

 

 

8.            Other intangible assets

 

Other intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

Year ended December 31, 2010

 

Favorable
lease
assets
$’000

 

Trade
names
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2010

 

13,046

 

7,100

 

20,146

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

457

 

 

457

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2010

 

13,503

 

7,100

 

20,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2010

 

1,210

 

 

1,210

 

Charge for the year

 

358

 

 

358

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

48

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2010

 

1,616

 

 

1,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net book value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2009

 

11,836

 

7,100

 

18,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2010

 

11,887

 

7,100

 

18,987

 

 

107



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31, 2009

 

Favorable
lease
assets
$’000

 

Trade
names
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2009

 

11,925

 

7,318

 

19,243

 

Impairment

 

 

(213

)

(213

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

1,121

 

(5

)

1,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2009

 

13,046

 

7,100

 

20,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2009

 

790

 

 

790

 

Charge for the year

 

326

 

 

326

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

94

 

 

94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2009

 

1,210

 

 

1,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net book value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2008

 

11,135

 

7,318

 

18,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2009

 

11,836

 

7,100

 

18,936

 

 

The Internet-based businesses O.E. Interactive Ltd. and Luxurytravel.com UK Ltd. were classified as assets held for sale in the year ended December 31, 2010.  Internet sites intangible assets for those two entities were transferred to assets held for sale.  See Note 2.

 

Favorable lease intangible assets are amortized over the term of the lease. The longest lease has a term of 50 years and the average remaining lease term is 28 years.

 

Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $358,000 (2009-$326,000; 2008-$338,000).

 

Estimated amortization expense for each of the years 2011 to 2015 is $358,000.

 

9.            Working capital facilities

 

Working capital facilities are composed of the following, all repayable within one year:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured working capital facilities, with a weighted average interest rate of 9.00% and 4.22%, respectively

 

1,174

 

6,666

 

 

OEH had approximately $13,286,000 of working capital lines of credit at December 31, 2010 (2009-$37,243,000) issued by various financial institutions and having various expiration dates, of which $12,112,000 was undrawn (2009-$30,577,000).

 

108



Table of Contents

 

10.          Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

 

(a)          Long-term debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans from banks and other parties collateralized by property, plant and equipment payable over periods of one to 22 years, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.61% and 3.33%, respectively

 

630,952

 

720,197

 

Obligations under capital lease (see Note 10(b))

 

5,189

 

12,068

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

636,141

 

732,265

 

Less: current portion

 

124,805

 

173,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

511,336

 

559,042

 

 

Included in the current portion of long-term debt is $28,000,000 related to a revolving credit facility which, although falling due within 12 months, is available for re-borrowing throughout the period of the loan facility which is repayable in 2012. Included in the current portion of long-term debt at December 31, 2009 was $114,083,000 related to revolving credit facilities which, although falling due within 12 months, were available for re-borrowing throughout the period of the loan facilities which were repayable in 2011 and 2012.

 

In connection with the acquisition of the two hotels in Sicily, Italy, in January 2010, OEH assumed $61,654,000 of existing debt.  At December 31, 2010 this assumed debt totaled $57,662,000.

 

Two loans totaling $113,400,000 were refinanced in 2010 with two new loans totaling $122,900,000, one of which matures in approximately three years, and the other has a maturity of three years, with two one-year extension options available to OEH.  A further loan totaling €238,700,000 ($320,200,000 at the exchange rate at December 31, 2010) has been refinanced in 2010 with two new loan facilities totaling €187,500,000 ($251,500,000 at the exchange rate of December 31, 2010), which have maturities of three and five years.  These four new loans were funded in October and November 2010. Altogether, these refinancings required a net repayment, excluding fees, of $59,200,000, which was paid out of cash resources. The refinancing of the facilities has been treated as an extinguishment of debt and resulted in the write-off of deferred financing costs of $1,287,000.

 

Most of OEH’s loan facilities relate to specific hotel or other properties and are secured by a mortgage on the particular property.  In most cases, the Company is either the borrower or the subsidiary owning the property is the borrower, with the loan guaranteed by the Company.

 

The loan facilities generally place restrictions on the property-owning company’s ability to incur additional debt and limit liens, and to effect mergers and asset sales, and include financial covenants. Where the property-owning subsidiary is the borrower, the financial covenants relate to the financial performance of the property financed and generally include covenants relating to interest coverage, debt

 

109



Table of Contents

 

service, and loan-to-value and debt-to-EBITDA tests.  Most of the facilities under which the Company is the borrower or the guarantor also contain financial covenants which are based on the performance of OEH on a consolidated basis. The covenants include a quarterly interest coverage test and a quarterly net worth test.

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH was in compliance with all financial covenants.  One unconsolidated joint venture company, however, was out of compliance. See Note 4.

 

The following is a summary of the aggregate maturities of consolidated long-term debt excluding obligations under capital leases at December 31, 2010:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

124,668

 

2012

 

121,313

 

2013

 

160,286

 

2014

 

16,228

 

2015

 

182,540

 

2016 and thereafter

 

25,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

630,952

 

 

The Company has guaranteed $391,893,000 of the long-term debt of its subsidiary companies as at December 31, 2010 (2009-$474,902,000).

 

The fair value of the debt excluding obligations under capital leases at December 31, 2010 has been estimated in the amount of $601,147,000 (2009-$658,851,000).

 

Deferred financing costs related to the above outstanding long-term debt are $14,297,000 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$9,077,000) and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the corresponding long-term debt. The increase from December 31, 2009 reflects the up-front fees associated with the debt refinanced during 2010.

 

The debt of Charleston Center LLC, a consolidated VIE, at December 31, 2010 of $92,304,000 (2009-$79,469,000) is non-recourse to OEH and separately disclosed on the balance sheet. See Note 3.

 

(b)          Obligations under capital leases

 

The following is a summary of future minimum lease payments under capital leases together with the present value of the minimum lease payments at December 31, 2010:

 

110



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31,

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

438

 

2012

 

353

 

2013

 

301

 

2014

 

306

 

2015

 

310

 

2016 and thereafter

 

23,994

 

Minimum lease payments

 

25,702

 

Less: amount of interest contained in above payments

 

(20,513

)

Present value of minimum lease payments

 

5,189

 

Less: current portion

 

(137

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,052

 

 

The amount of interest deducted from minimum lease payments to arrive at the present value is the interest contained in each of the leases.

 

11.          Other liabilities

 

The major balances in other liabilities are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred acquisition consideration and other liabilities relating to land at Maroma Resort and Spa

 

 

 

 

1,520

 

Deferred income on guarantees of bank loans to hotel joint venture in Peru (see note 4)

 

932

 

1,607

 

Interest rate swaps (see note 18)

 

9,768

 

3,573

 

Long-term accrued interest at Charleston Place Hotel

 

13,540

 

12,940

 

Cash-settled stock appreciation rights plan

 

354

 

102

 

Contingent consideration on acquisition of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea (see note 4)

 

5,501

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,095

 

 

19,742

 

 

12.          Pension plans

 

From January 1, 2003, a number of non-U.S. OEH employees participated in a funded defined benefit pension plan in the United Kingdom called Orient-Express Services 2003 Pension Scheme.  On May 31, 2006, the plan was closed for future benefit accruals.

 

The significant weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic costs of the plan during the year were as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
%

 

2009
%

 

2008
%

 

Discount rate

 

5.80

 

5.70

 

5.70

 

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

 

6.60

 

6.50

 

7.50

 

 

The significant weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations of the plan at year end were as follows:

 

111



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
%

 

2009
%

 

Discount rate

 

5.40

 

5.80

 

 

The discount rate effectively represents the average rate of return on high quality corporate bonds at the end of the year in the country in which the assets are held.

 

The expected rate of return on the pension fund assets, net of expenses has been determined by considering the actual asset classes held by the plan at December 31, 2010 and the yields available on U.K. government bonds at that date.

 

For equities and corporate bonds, management has assumed that long-term returns will exceed those expected on U.K. government bonds by a risk premium. This is based on historical equity and bond returns over the long term. As these returns are long-term expected returns, the total returns on equities and corporate bonds only vary in line with the U.K. government bond yields and are not further adjusted for current market trends.

 

The expected returns on annuities are set equal to the end of year discount rate as the value of annuities is tied to that rate.

 

The fair value of OEH’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009 by asset category is as follows:

 

112



Table of Contents

 

December 31, 2010

 

Total
$’000

 

Quoted
prices in
active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)
$’000

 

Significant
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
$’000

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

242

 

242

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.K. managed funds

 

5,277

 

5,277

 

 

 

Overseas managed funds

 

3,978

 

3,978

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.K. government bonds

 

994

 

994

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

1,595

 

1,595

 

 

 

Other types of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge funds

 

702

 

 

702

 

 

Annuities

 

1,669

 

 

 

1,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,457

 

12,086

 

702

 

1,669

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

Total
$’000

 

Quoted
prices in
active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)
$’000

 

Significant
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
$’000

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

246

 

246

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.K. managed funds

 

4,708

 

4,708

 

 

 

Overseas managed funds

 

3,294

 

3,294

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.K. government bonds

 

345

 

345

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

1,637

 

1,637

 

 

 

Other types of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annuities

 

1,603

 

 

 

1,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,833

 

10,230

 

 

1,603

 

 

Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31, 2010

 

Annuities
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at January 1, 2010

 

1,603

 

1,603

 

Actual return on assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Assets still held at the reporting date

 

171

 

171

 

Purchases, sales and settlements

 

(66

)

(66

)

Foreign exchange

 

(39

)

(39

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at December 31, 2010

 

1,669

 

1,669

 

 

113



Table of Contents

 

Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Annuities
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at January 1, 2009

 

 

 

Actual return on assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Assets sold during the period

 

(196

)

(196

)

Transfers in/out of Level 3

 

1,799

 

1,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at December 31, 2009

 

1,603

 

1,603

 

 

The allocation of the assets was in compliance with the target allocation set out in the plan investment policy, the principal objectives of which are to deliver returns above those of government and corporate bonds and to minimize the cost of providing pension benefits.  OEH is currently purchasing annuities to match the benefits of pensioners.  OEH is allocating a majority of the plan’s assets to equities as they have historically outperformed bonds over the long term.  OEH will allocate plan assets to bonds and cash to help reduce the volatility of the portfolio and reflect the age profile of the membership.

 

The changes in the benefit obligation, the plan assets and the funded status for the plan were as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

19,235

 

15,995

 

Service cost

 

 

 

Interest cost

 

1,067

 

994

 

Plan participants’ contributions

 

 

 

Net transfer in

 

 

 

Actuarial loss

 

471

 

829

 

Benefits paid

 

(246

)

(506

)

Curtailment gain

 

 

 

Settlement

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

(453

)

1,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

20,074

 

19,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

11,833

 

8,774

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

1,538

 

1,187

 

Employer contributions

 

1,571

 

1,291

 

Plan participants’ contributions

 

 

 

Net transfer in

 

 

 

Benefits paid

 

(246

)

(506

)

Settlement

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

(239

)

1,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

14,457

 

11,833

 

Funded status at end of year

 

(5,617

)

(7,402

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss recognized in other comprehensive loss

 

12,578

 

13,190

 

 

114



Table of Contents

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

5,617

 

7,402

 

 

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) consist of the following:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

(9,806

)

(10,421

)

Prior service cost

 

 

 

Net transitional obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount recognized in other comprehensive loss

 

(9,806

)

(10,241

)

 

The following table details certain information with respect to OEH’s U.K. defined benefit pension plan:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

20,074

 

19,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

20,074

 

19,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

14,457

 

11,833

 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the OEH employees covered under the plan consisted of the following:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

 

 

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

1,088

 

994

 

1,160

 

Expected return on assets

 

(805

)

(645

)

(1,103

)

Net amortization and deferrals

 

678

 

620

 

448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

961

 

969

 

505

 

 

115



Table of Contents

 

OEH expects to contribute $1,871,000 to the U.K. defined benefit pension plan in 2011.  The following benefit payments, which reflect assumed future service, are expected to be paid:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

1,303

 

2012

 

2,722

 

2013

 

254

 

2014

 

1,099

 

2015

 

580

 

Next five years

 

3,261

 

 

The estimated net loss amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) into net periodic pension cost in the next fiscal year is $595,000.

 

Also included in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 is an amount of $374,000 (2009-$359,000) relating to defined benefit pension obligations at the hotels in Bali, Indonesia.  The accrual was made based on actuarial valuation as at December 31, 2010.  There are no assets to be disclosed.

 

OEH has another defined benefit pension plan in South Africa for certain employees of the Mount Nelson Hotel.  The total number of active members is three, and the remaining members are retired pensioners.  The latest actuarial valuation performed as at December 31, 2007 and updated for foreign exchange rates at December 31, 2010 showed a net pension plan surplus of approximately $90,000 (2009-$81,000) based on fair value of plan assets of $1,558,000 (2009-$1,400,000) and projected benefit obligation of $1,468,000 (2009-$1,319,000). The surplus has not been recognized in the financial statements as it is deemed not recoverable.

 

Certain employees of OEH are members of the British Rail pension plan, which is a governmental multi-employer defined benefit pension plan.  Total OEH contributions into the plan for 2010 were $63,000 (2009-$63,000; 2008-$74,000).

 

Certain employees of OEH were members of defined contribution pension plans.  Total contributions to the plans were as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer’s contributions

 

1,893

 

1,676

 

 

13.          Income taxes

 

The Company is incorporated in Bermuda, which does not impose an income tax.  Accordingly, the income tax provision was attributable to income tax charges incurred by subsidiaries operating in jurisdictions that impose an income tax and also attributable to the relative amount of earnings or loss in various jurisdictions, the effect of valuation allowances, and uncertain tax positions. The income tax provision is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year, but are not consistent from year to year. Discrete items which had the most significant impact on the tax rate include a deferred tax charge of $990,000 in 2010 (2009-$5,200,000) arising in respect of foreign exchange gain/loss on Brazilian timing differences, following movements in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Brazilian real.

 

116



Table of Contents

 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

 

Year ended December 31, 2010

 

Pre-Tax
(Loss)/
Income
$’000

 

Current
$’000

 

Non-
current
$’000

 

Deferred
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

(16,208

)

 

 

 

 

United States

 

(11,183

)

1,510

 

 

 

(1,786

)

(276

)

Rest of the world

 

(13,162

)

7,618

 

 

 

17,412

 

25,030

 

 

 

(40,553

)

9,128

 

 

15,626

 

24,754

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2009

 

Pre-Tax
(Loss)/
Income
$’000

 

Current
$’000

 

Non-
current
$’000

 

Deferred
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

679

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

(3,226

)

928

 

 

(401

)

527

 

Rest of the world

 

(8,684

)

9,413

 

 

3,136

 

12,549

 

 

 

(11,231

)

10,341

 

 

2,735

 

13,076

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2008

 

Pre-Tax
(Loss)/
Income
$’000

 

Current
$’000

 

Non-
current
$’000

 

Deferred
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

(17,735

)

 

 

 

 

United States

 

(854

)

1,742

 

 

(1,994

)

(252

)

Rest of the world

 

6,386

 

7,271

 

 

(8,851

)

(1,580

)

 

 

(12,203

)

9,013

 

 

(10,845

)

(1,832

)

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  The following represents OEH’s net deferred tax liabilities:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss carryforwards

 

52,791

 

47,926

 

50,977

 

Pensions

 

1,517

 

2,072

 

2,021

 

Other

 

6,975

 

1,820

 

2,337

 

Less: valuation allowance

 

(28,201

)

(6,506

)

(3,371

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

33,082

 

45,312

 

51,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciable assets

 

(195,647

)

(187,109

)

(196,868

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

(195,647

)

(187,109

)

(196,868

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

(162,565

)

(141,797

)

(144,904

)

 

The net deferred tax assets or liabilities are included in other assets or deferred tax liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

 

117



Table of Contents

 

A net deferred tax liability of $64,000,000 was recognized at December 31, 2008 on the consolidation of Charleston Center LLC in accordance with ASC 810-10. This liability results from the difference between the tax basis of the hotel’s depreciable assets and the fair value of these assets consolidated in the OEH balance sheet. A net deferred tax liability of $61,835,000 was recognized at December 31, 2010 and is included in the table above.

 

The gross amount of tax loss carryforwards is $200,152,509 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$205,250,000). Of this amount, $15,238,716 will expire in the five years ending December 31, 2015 and a further $60,061,482 will expire in the five years ending December 31, 2020. The remaining losses of $124,852,311 will expire after December 31, 2020 or have no expiry date. After weighing all positive and negative evidence, a valuation allowance has been provided against gross deferred tax assets where it is thought more likely than not that the benefits associated with these assets will not be realized.

 

Except for earnings that are currently distributed, income taxes and foreign withholding taxes have not been recognized on the excess of the amount for financial reporting purposes over the tax basis of investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration.  A liability could arise if amounts are distributed by the subsidiaries or if the subsidiaries are ultimately disposed of.  The amount of temporary differences totaled $73,856,347 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$29,196,470).  It is not practicable to estimate the additional income taxes related to permanently reinvested earnings or the temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries.

 

OEH’s 2010 tax provision of $24,754,000 (2009-$13,076,000) included a charge of $1,153,000 (2009-$1,097,000) in respect of the provision for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740, including a charge of $547,000 (2009-$349,000) that relates to the potential interest and penalty costs associated with the uncertain tax positions.

 

The 2010 provision for income taxes included a deferred tax provision of $8,980,000 in respect of valuation allowances due to a change in estimate concerning OEH’s ability to realize loss carryforwards in certain jurisdictions compared to a $3,135,000 provision in 2009.

 

Included within the tax provision for 2010 is a net foreign currency loss of $1,305,000 (2009—net foreign currency loss of $5,407,000). The aggregate of foreign currency net gain included in the statement of consolidated operations for 2010 is $4,381,000 (2009 — net foreign currency loss of $6,474,000).

 

118



Table of Contents

 

At December 31, 2010, the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits included the following:

 

Year ended December 31, 2010

 

Total
$’000

 

Principal
$’000

 

Interest
$’000

 

Penalties
$’000

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

 

7,151

 

4,054

 

1,219

 

1,878

 

Additional uncertain tax provision identified during the year

 

1,153

 

606

 

408

 

139

 

Uncertain tax provision on prior year positions

 

 

 

 

 

Uncertain tax provisions paid or expensed during the year

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange

 

(110

)

(110

)

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

8,194

 

4,550

 

1,627

 

2,017

 

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH recognized a $8,194,000 liability in respect of its uncertain tax positions. All of this ASC 740 provision arises in jurisdictions in which OEH conducts business other than Bermuda. The balance of uncertain tax benefit at December 31, 2010, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

 

At December 31, 2009, the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits included the following:

 

Year ended December 31, 2009

 

Total
$’000

 

Principal
$’000

 

Interest
$’000

 

Penalties
$’000

 

Balance at January 1, 2009

 

11,493

 

8,180

 

1,140

 

2,173

 

Additional uncertain tax provision identified during the year

 

1,097

 

748

 

254

 

95

 

Uncertain tax provision on prior year positions

 

(4,959

)

(4,523

)

(83

)

(353

)

Uncertain tax provisions paid or expensed during the year

 

(340

)

(272

)

(68

)

 

Foreign exchange

 

(140

)

(79

)

(24

)

(37

)

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

7,151

 

4,054

 

1,219

 

1,878

 

 

119



Table of Contents

 

At December 31, 2008, the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits included the following:

 

Year ended December 31, 2008

 

Total
$’000

 

Principal
$’000

 

Interest
$’000

 

Penalties
$’000

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

24,025

 

14,912

 

2,035

 

7,078

 

Additional uncertain tax provision identified during the year

 

424

 

167

 

136

 

121

 

Uncertain tax provision on prior year positions

 

(12,180

)

(6,277

)

(994

)

(4,909

)

Uncertain tax provisions paid or expensed during the year

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange

 

(776

)

(622

)

(37

)

(117

)

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

11,493

 

8,180

 

1,140

 

2,173

 

 

Certain subsidiaries of the Company are subject to taxation in the United States and various states and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2010, these subsidiaries are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities in these jurisdictions for years before 2006.

 

OEH believes that it is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months the ASC 740 provision will decrease by approximately $500,000 to $1,000,000 as a result of expiration of uncertain tax positions in certain foreign jurisdictions in which OEH operates.

 

14.                              Supplemental cash flow information and restricted cash

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

33,854

 

35,602

 

54,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

14,420

 

14,412

 

16,248

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

In conjunction with certain acquisitions in 2010, 2009 and 2008 (see Note 4), liabilities were assumed as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

 

115,165

 

86

 

2,996

 

Cash paid

 

(46,285

)

(86

)

(2,996

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities assumed

 

(68,880

)

 

 

 

The purchase price, net of contingent consideration, of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea acquired in January 2010 included vendor financing of €5,000,000 ($7,064,000) at the date of acquisition.

 

OEH entered into a non-cash transaction in June 2010 to purchase land adjacent to its hotel at La Samanna in St. Martin from a third party.  See Note 4.

 

120



Table of Contents

 

Restricted cash

 

Restricted cash was $8,429,000 at December 31, 2010 (2009- $19,894,000), $4,204,000 of which relates to cash deposits required to be held with banks which lend to OEH to support OEH’s payment of interest and principal, $1,558,000 of collateral to support derivatives with a negative mark-to-market position, $1,960,000 (2009-$9,397,000) of escrow deposits from purchasers of units at Porto Cupecoy which will be released to OEH as sales close, and $707,000 of prepaid customer deposits which will be released to OEH under its revenue recognition policy.

 

15.                              Shareholders’ equity

 

(a)                              Public offerings

 

On November 15, 2010, the Company issued and sold through underwriters 11,500,000 class A common shares in a public offering registered in the United States.  Net proceeds amounted to $117,277,000.

 

On January 19, 2010, the Company issued and sold through underwriters 13,800,000 class A common shares in a public offering registered in the United States.  Net proceeds amounted to $130,775,000.

 

In May 2009, the Company issued and sold through underwriters 25,875,000 class A common shares in a public offering registered in the United States.  Net proceeds amounted to $140,901,000.

 

In November 2008, the Company issued and sold in a registered direct offering in the United States 8,490,000 class A common shares.  Net proceeds amounted to $52,514,000.

 

(b)                              Dual common share capitalization

 

The Company has been capitalized with class A common shares, of which there are 120,000,000 authorized, and class B common shares, of which there are 120,000,000 authorized, each convertible at any time into one class A common share.  In general, holders of class A and class B common shares vote together as a single class, with holders of class B shares having one vote per share and holders of class A shares having one-tenth of one vote per share.  In all other substantial respects, the class A and class B common shares are the same.

 

(c)                               Shareholder rights agreement

 

The Company has in place a shareholder rights agreement which will be implemented not earlier than the tenth day following the first to occur of (i) the public announcement of the acquisition by a person (other than a subsidiary of the Company) of 15% or more of the outstanding class A common shares or 15% or more of the outstanding class B common shares, and (ii) the commencement or announcement of a tender offer or exchange offer by a person for 30% or more of the outstanding class A common shares or 30% or more of the outstanding class B common shares.  At that time, the rights will detach from the class A and class B common shares, and the holders of the rights will be entitled to purchase, for each right held, one one-hundredth of a series A junior participating preferred share of the Company at an exercise price of $70 (the “Purchase Price”) for each one one-hundredth of such junior preferred share, subject to adjustment in

 

121



Table of Contents

 

certain events.  From and after the date on which any person acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding class A common shares or 15% or more of the outstanding class B common shares, each holder of a right (other than the acquiring person) will be entitled upon exercise to receive, at the then current Purchase Price and in lieu of the junior preferred shares, that number of class A or class B common shares (depending on whether the right was previously attached to a class A or B share) having a market value of twice the Purchase Price.  If the Company is acquired or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power is sold, each holder of a right will be entitled to receive, upon exercise at the then current Purchase Price, that amount of common equity of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market value of two times the Purchase Price.  Also, the Company’s board of directors may exchange all or some of the rights for class A and class B common shares (depending on whether the right was previously attached to a class A or B share) if any person acquires 15% beneficial ownership as described above, but less than 50% beneficial ownership.  The rights will expire on June 1, 2020 but may be redeemed at a price of $0.05 per right at any time prior to the tenth day following the date on which a person acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding class A common shares or 15% or more of the outstanding class B common shares.

 

(d)                              Acquired shares

 

Included in shareholders’ equity is a reduction for 18,044,478 class B common shares of the Company that a subsidiary of the Company acquired in 2002.  Under applicable Bermuda law, these shares are outstanding and may be voted although in computing earnings per share these shares are treated as a reduction to outstanding shares.

 

(e)                               Preferred shares

 

The Company has 30,000,000 authorized preferred shares, par value $0.01 each, 500,000 of which have been reserved for issuance as series A junior participating preferred shares upon exercise of preferred share purchase rights held by class A and B common shareholders in connection with the shareholder rights agreement.

 

16.                              Share-based compensation plans

 

At December 31, 2010, OEH had five share-based compensation plans, which are described below.  The compensation cost that has been charged against earnings for these plans was $5,965,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 (2009-$4,121,000; 2008-$2,800,000). Cash received from exercised options was $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 (2009-$15,000); 2008-$192,000).

 

(a)                              2000 and 2004 stock option plans

 

Under the Company’s 2000 and 2004 stock option plans, options to purchase up to 750,000 and 1,000,000 class A common shares, respectively, could be awarded to employees of OEH at fair market value at the date of grant.  Options are exercisable three years after award and must be exercised ten years from the date of grant.  At December 31, 2010, 78,200 class A common shares were reserved under the 2000 plan for issuance pursuant to options awarded to 16 persons, and 730,300 class A common shares were reserved under the 2004 plan

 

122



Table of Contents

 

for issuance pursuant to options awarded to 79 persons.  At December 31, 2010, no shares remain available for future grants under the 2000 and 2004 plans as these have been transferred to the 2009 plan described below.

 

The total compensation cost related to unexercised options at December 31, 2010 to be recognized over the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, was $379,000.  The fair value of grants made in the year to December 31, 2010 was $nil (2009-$nil; 2008-$2,099,000).  The fair value of options which became exercisable in the year to December 31, 2010 was $3,514,000. For options which became exercisable during the year, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 5.1 years and the weighted average exercise price is $36.71. The fair value of options which were exercised in the year to December 31, 2010 was $27,000.  Transactions under the 2000 and 2004 plans have been as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,2010

 

Shares

 

Option price
$

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

 

874,950

 

5.89-59.23

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(52,950

)

5.89-52.51

 

Exercised

 

(13,500

)

5.89

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

 

808,500

 

5.89-59.23

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2010

 

408,800

 

13.06-42.87

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,2009

 

Shares

 

Option price
$

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

 

995,950

 

5.89-59.23

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(114,099

)

5.89-59.23

 

Exercised

 

(6,901

)

5.89

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

874,950

 

5.89-59.23

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2009

 

262,250

 

13.06-42.87

 

 

123



Table of Contents

 

The options outstanding under the 2000 and 2004 plans at December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

Exercise
prices

$

 

Outstanding at
12/31/2010

 

Exercisable at
12/31/2010

 

Remaining
contractual
lives

 

Exercise prices
for outstanding
options

$

 

Exercise prices
for exercisable
options
$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.89

 

334,300

 

 

7.9

 

5.89

 

 

13.06

 

14,250

 

14,250

 

1.8

 

13.06

 

13.06

 

13.40

 

15,000

 

15,000

 

2.4

 

13.40

 

13.40

 

14.70

 

51,500

 

51,500

 

3.6

 

14.70

 

14.70

 

19.00

 

18,750

 

18,750

 

0.2

 

19.00

 

19.00

 

28.40

 

33,000

 

33,000

 

4.7

 

28.40

 

28.40

 

28.50

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

4.5

 

28.50

 

28.50

 

34.88

 

7,800

 

7,800

 

5.2

 

34.88

 

34.88

 

34.90

 

15,500

 

15,500

 

5.6

 

34.90

 

34.90

 

35.85

 

24,600

 

 

7.7

 

35.85

 

 

36.45

 

11,000

 

11,000

 

5.7

 

36.45

 

36.45

 

36.50

 

33,950

 

33,950

 

5.5

 

36.50

 

36.50

 

42.87

 

14,000

 

14,000

 

5.9

 

42.87

 

42.87

 

45.69

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

6.6

 

45.69

 

45.69

 

46.08

 

21,600

 

 

7.4

 

46.08

 

 

51.90

 

19,200

 

 

7.2

 

51.90

 

 

52.51

 

12,850

 

12,850

 

6.2

 

52.51

 

52.51

 

52.51

 

100,250

 

100,250

 

6.7

 

52.51

 

52.51

 

52.59

 

14,450

 

14,450

 

6.5

 

52.59

 

52.59

 

59.23

 

16,500

 

16,500

 

6.9

 

59.23

 

59.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

808,500

 

408,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2010 was $nil (2009-$nil; 2008-$4.25).

 

Estimates of fair values of stock options on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option pricing model were based on the following assumptions:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Expected share price volatility

 

 

 

38.9%-47.5%

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

 

1.67%-3.2%

 

Expected annual dividends per share

 

 

 

$0.10

 

Expected life of stock options

 

 

 

5 years

 

 

Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s class A common share price and other factors.  The expected term of options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding.  The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

(b)                              2007 performance share plan

 

Under the Company’s 2007 performance share plan, awards of up to 500,000 class A common shares could be granted to OEH employees.  The shares covered by the awards are to be issued after at least one year from the grant date upon payment of a nominal amount, subject to meeting performance criteria set forth in the awards.  Awards have also been granted under the plan without any specified performance criteria. When the shares are issued under the awards, the grantees are also entitled to receive a cash equivalent of the dividends, if any, that would have been paid on the shares in respect of dividend record dates occurring during the period between the award grant date and the share issue date. At December 31, 2010, no shares remain available for future grants as these have been transferred to the 2009 plan described below.

 

124



Table of Contents

 

At December 31, 2010, 284,512 class A common shares were reserved under the plan for issuance pursuant to awards made to 15 persons.

 

Awards covering a total of 72,070 class A common shares do not specify any performance criteria and will vest as long as the grantees are still directors or employees after three years from the grant date.

 

In 2009, the Company granted to ten OEH employees share-based awards with performance and market conditions covering a total of up to 210,519 class A common shares.  Half of each award is subject to performance criteria based on OEH’s earnings before tax for the year ending December 31, 2011, and the other half of each award is subject to market criteria based on OEH’s total shareholder return compared to the average total shareholder return of a specified group of other hotel and leisure companies over the period of three years.

 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested awards granted under the plan at December 31, 2010, to be recognized over the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, was $269,000.  The fair value of grants made in the year to December 31, 2010 was $nil (2009-$1,590,825; 2008-$598,000). The fair value of grants vested in the year to December 31, 2010 was $2,351,000.

 

The status of the awards as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the years then ended are presented as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,2010

 

Shares

 

Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
$

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

 

466,081

 

5.57

 

Exercised

 

(180,744

)

8.21

 

Forfeited

 

(825

)

0.94

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

 

284,512

 

3.90

 

 

Year ended December 31,2009

 

Shares

 

Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
$

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

 

63,365

 

31.28

 

Granted

 

436,635

 

3.64

 

Exercised

 

(5,278

)

0.94

 

Forfeited

 

(28,641

)

5.13

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

466,081

 

5.57

 

 

Estimates of fair values of the awards with performance and market conditions were made using the Monte Carlo valuation model, and estimates of fair values of the awards without performances and market conditions issued were made using Black-Scholes valuation model based on the following assumptions:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Expected share price volatility

 

 

49.00%

 

33.1%

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

1.75%

 

1.76%

 

Expected annual dividends per share

 

 

$0.00

 

$0.10

 

Expected life of awards

 

 

1-3 years

 

3 years

 

 

The basis of assumptions was similar to that used for the 2000 and 2004 stock option plans.

 

125



Table of Contents

 

(c)          2007 stock appreciation rights plan

 

Under the Company’s 2007 stock appreciation rights plan, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) may be awarded to eligible employees.  Each award is to be settled in cash measured by the increase (if any) of the publicly-quoted price of the Company’s class A common shares between the date of the award and the third anniversary of that date, multiplied by the number of SARs granted in the individual award.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH awarded 57,455 SARs at a price of $11.44 per SAR vesting in December 2013. In the year ended December 31, 2009, OEH awarded 65,415 SARs at a price of $6.50 per SAR vesting in 2012.  The 2010 SARs have been recorded as liabilities with a fair value of $11,000 at December 31, 2010. No awards were granted under the 2007 plan in the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested awards granted under the plan at December 31, 2010, to be recognized over the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, was $297,000.  The fair value of grants awarded in the year to December 31, 2010 was $308,000. Previous awards of SARs have been recorded as other liabilities with a fair value of $344,000.

 

Estimates of fair values of the awards were made using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on the following assumptions:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Expected share price volatility

 

55%

 

49%-50%

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.02%

 

1.48%-2.69%

 

 

Expected annual dividends per share

 

$0.00

 

$0.00

 

 

Expected life of awards

 

3 years

 

3 years

 

 

 

The basis of assumptions was similar to that used for the 2000 and 2009 stock option plans.

 

(d)          2009 share award and incentive plan

 

On June 5, 2009, the shareholders of the Company approved a new 2009 share award and incentive plan which replaced the 2000 stock option plan, 2004 stock option plan and 2007 performance share plan (the “Pre-existing Plans”). A total of 1,084,550 class A common shares plus the number of class A common shares subject to outstanding awards under the Pre-existing Plans which become available after June 5, 2009 as a result of expirations, cancellations, forfeitures or terminations, are reserved for issuance for awards under the 2009 share award and incentive plan. On June 3, 2010 the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment of the 2009 plan to increase by 4,000,000 the number of class A shares authorized for issuance under the plan.

 

The 2009 plan permits awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, deferred shares, bonus shares and awards in lieu of obligations, dividend equivalents, other share-based awards, performance-based awards, or any combination of the foregoing. Each type of award is granted and vests based on its own terms, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s board of directors.

 

126



Table of Contents

 

On February 3, 2010, OEH granted under the 2009 plan stock options on 5,000 class A common shares at an exercise price of $9.93 per share vesting in February 2013.  It also awarded deferred shares covering 91,270 class A common shares becoming exercisable in February 2011 and 40,000 class A common shares vesting in August 2010. Both awards of deferred shares had no performance criteria attached. The share price at the date of the award of deferred shares was $9.93 per share.

 

On June 6, 2010, OEH granted under the 2009 plan stock options on 521,100 class A common shares at an exercise price of $8.37 per share becoming exercisable in June 2013.  It also awarded 67,200 deferred shares without performance criteria and up to 169,547 deferred shares with performance criteria, all vesting in June 2013. The share price at the date of the award of deferred shares was $8.37 per share.

 

On November 22, 2010, OEH granted under the 2009 plan stock options on 545,850 class A common shares at an exercise price of $11.44 per share becoming exercisable in November 2013. It also awarded 7,500 deferred shares without performance criteria vesting in March 2011. The share price at the date of the award of deferred shares was $11.44 per share.

 

The total compensation cost related to unexercised stock options at December 31, 2010 to be recognized over the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, was $7,599,000.  The fair value of option grants made in the year to December 31, 2010 was $5,271,000.  The fair value of options which became exercisable in the year to December 31, 2010 was $123,000. The fair value of options which were exercised in the year was $123,000.

 

Transactions relating to stock options under the 2009 plan have been as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,2010

 

Shares

 

Option Price
$

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

 

987,200

 

7.71-8.91

 

Granted

 

1,071,950

 

9.93-11.44

 

Forfeited

 

(20,000

)

8.91

 

Exercised

 

(28,800

)

8.38-8.91

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

 

2,010,350

 

7.71-11.44

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,2009

 

Shares

 

Option Price
$

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,061,600

 

7.71-8.91

 

Forfeited

 

(72,748

)

8.38

 

Exercised

 

(1,652

)

8.38

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

987,200

 

7.71-8.91

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

127



Table of Contents

 

The options outstanding under the 2009 plan at December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

Exercise prices
$

 

Outstanding
at
12/31/2010

 

Exercisable
at
12/31/2010

 

Remaining
contractual
lives

 

Exercise
prices for
outstanding
options
$

 

Exercise
prices for
exercisable
options
$

 

8.38

 

539,600

 

 

8.4

 

8.38

 

 

7.71

 

5,000

 

 

8.5

 

7.71

 

 

8.91

 

393,800

 

 

8.9

 

8.91

 

 

9.93

 

5,000

 

 

9.1

 

9.93

 

 

8.37

 

521,100

 

 

9.5

 

8.37

 

 

11.44

 

545,850

 

 

9.9

 

11.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,010,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimates of the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model were based on the following assumptions:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Expected share price volatility

 

55%-58%

 

55%-56%

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.44%-2.71%

 

2.14%-2.95%

 

 

Expected annual dividends per share

 

$0.00

 

$0.00

 

 

Expected life of stock options

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

 

 

The basis of assumptions was similar to that used for the 2000 and 2004 stock option plans.

 

As mentioned above at December 31, 2010, 357,708 class A common shares were reserved under the 2009 plan for issuance pursuant to awards of deferred shares made to 18 persons.  Of these awards, 187,235 do not specify any performance criteria and will vest up to June 2013. The remaining awards of up to 170,473 deferred shares will also vest up to June 2013 and are subject to performance and market criteria. Half of the 170,473 deferred share awards is subject to performance criteria based on OEH’s earnings before tax for the year ending December 31, 2013, and the other half is subject to market criteria based on OEH’s total shareholder return compared to the average total shareholder return of a specified group of other hotel and leisure companies over the period of three years. Also as mentioned above, awards of 40,000 deferred shares without performance criteria made on February 3, 2010 vested in August 2010.

 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested deferred share awards granted under the 2009 plan at December 31, 2010, to be recognized over the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, was $933,000.  The fair value of deferred shares awarded in the year to December 31, 2010 was $2,706,000. The fair value of deferred shares vested in the year to December 31, 2010 was $397,000.

 

128



Table of Contents

 

The status of the deferred share awards as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the years then ended were as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,2010

 

Shares

 

Weighted
average

grant date
fair value
$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

 

22,191

 

8.37

 

Granted

 

375,517

 

7.21

 

Vested

 

(40,000

)

9.92

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

 

357,708

 

6.98

 

 

Year ended December 31,2009

 

Shares

 

Weighted
average

grant date
fair value
$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

22,191

 

8.37

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

22,191

 

8.37

 

 

Estimates of fair values of the awards with performance and market conditions were made using the Monte Carlo valuation model, and estimates of fair values of the awards without performances and market conditions issued were made using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on the following assumptions:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Expected share price volatility

 

93%

 

55.00%

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.11

 

2.95

 

 

Expected annual dividends per share

 

0.00

 

0.00

 

 

Expected life of stock options

 

3 years

 

3 years

 

 

 

The basis of assumptions was similar to that used for the 2000 and 2004 stock option plans and the 2007 performance share plan.

 

17.          Commitments and contingencies

 

Outstanding contracts to purchase fixed assets were approximately $43,658,000 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$54,627,000), including $37,500,000 (2009-$43,000,000) in respect of the New York Public Library contracts referred to below. Additionally, outstanding contracts for project-related costs on the Porto Cupecoy development were approximately $5,535,000 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$9,264,000).

 

OEH has agreed to pay the vendor of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant’Andrea a further €5,000,000 (equivalent to $6,708,000 at December 31, 2010) if, by 2015, additional rooms are constructed at Grand Hotel Timeo and certain required permits are granted to expand and add a swimming pool to Villa Sant’Andrea.  See Note 4.

 

In May 2010, OEH settled litigation for infringement of its “Cipriani” trademark in Europe.  An amount of $3,947,000 was paid by the defendants to OEH on March 2, 2010 with the balance of $9,833,000, after amounts recognized in 2010, being payable in installments over five years with interest.  These deferred payments have not been recognized by OEH because of the uncertainty of collectability.

 

As previously reported, OEH entered into purchase and development agreements in November 2007 with the New York Public Library to acquire its Donnell branch site adjacent to ‘21’ Club and to construct a mixed use hotel, library and residential development in New York City. In February 2009, in light of then current and anticipated

 

129



Table of Contents

 

future economic conditions, OEH decided to suspend further payments under the agreements, as they had been amended in December 2008. On July 9, 2009, OEH and the Library signed agreements to spread future payments on this purchase over the next 24 months. In addition to the $7,000,000 that OEH had already paid, OEH paid $9,000,000 upon execution of the agreements, to be followed by 16 monthly payments of $500,000 each commencing in February 2010, and final payments of $6,000,000 and $29,000,000 in June 2011. OEH made its required payments in 2010 under the July 2009 agreements and has given the Library security on unencumbered villas at La Samanna to secure the payments. OEH is currently seeking co-investors in this development project or, subject to the Library’s consent, to assign the purchase and development agreements to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  In the event OEH is unable to find a co-investor or to assign the agreements and OEH elects not to close the transaction, the final payment of $29,000,000 will not be due to the Library, in which event OEH would write off its remaining investment including its capitalized costs and associated fees.

 

Future rental payments under operating leases in respect of equipment rentals and leased premises are payable as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

9,331

 

2012

 

9,275

 

2013

 

9,260

 

2014

 

9,238

 

2015

 

9,228

 

2016 and thereafter

 

112,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

158,719

 

 

Rental expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $9,459,000 (2009-$8,825,000; 2008-$8,806,000).

 

18.          Derivative financial instruments and fair value accounting

 

Risk management objective of using derivatives

 

OEH enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which is determined by interest rates. OEH’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of OEH’s known or expected cash receipts and payments principally related to its investments and borrowings.

 

130



Table of Contents

 

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

 

OEH’s objective in using interest rate derivatives is to add certainty and stability to its interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, OEH primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for OEH making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional loan amount.

 

Derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.  The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges is recorded in other comprehensive income/(loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecast transaction affects earnings. During the next 12 months, OEH estimates that an additional $8,635,080 will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2010, these derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable interest rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.

 

As of December 31, 2010, OEH had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives stated at their notional amounts that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

158,495

 

165,000

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

$

154,728

 

$

181,250

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

A$

11,100

 

A$

20,000

 

 

Non-derivative financial instruments — net investment hedges

 

OEH uses certain of its debt denominated in foreign currency to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. OEH designated its euro-denominated revolving indebtedness as a net investment hedge of long-term investments in its euro-functional subsidiaries.  These contracts are included in non-derivative hedging instruments. The values of non-derivative hedging instruments were $50,310,000 at December 31, 2010 (2009-$86,083,000), both liabilities. Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income/(loss) were a $4,398,000 gain for the year ended December 31, 2010 (2009-$2,680,000 loss).

 

Non-designated hedges of interest rate risk

 

Derivatives not designated as hedges are used to manage OEH’s exposure to interest rate movements but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements of ASC 815. As of December 31, 2010, OEH had one interest rate swap with a notional amount of €6,207,000 ($8,327,000 in U.S. dollars)(2009-$24,700,000) that was non-designated hedge of OEH’s exposure to interest rate risk, and interest rate options of €44,719,000 and $55,720,000 (2009-$67,000,000).

 

131



Table of Contents

 

The table below presents the fair value of OEH’s derivative financial instruments and their classification as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

Balance Sheet

Location

 

Fair Value as of
December 31,2010
$’000

 

Fair Value as of
December 31,2009
$’000

 

Derivatives designated in a cash flow hedging relationship:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

Other Assets

 

1,033

 

37

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(6,061

)

(8,886

)

Interest Rate Swaps

 

Other liabilities

 

(9,114

)

(3,238

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(14,142

)

(12,087

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Options

 

Other Assets

 

361

 

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(131

)

(1,159

)

Interest Rate Swap

 

Other liabilities

 

(654

)

(335

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(424

)

(1,494

)

 

The table below (in which “OCI” means other comprehensive income) presents the effect of OEH’s derivative financial instruments on the statements of consolidated operations and the statements of changes in consolidated total equity for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

Interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of loss recognized in OCI (effective portion)

 

(9,031

)

(9,710

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into interest income (effective portion)

 

(10,146

)

(7,056

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax on OCI movement

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of loss recognized in interest expense on derivatives (ineffective portion)

 

(1,527

)

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of loss recognized in interest expense

 

(2,217

)

(1,081

)

 

At December 31, 2010, the amount accounted for in other comprehensive income/(loss) which is expected to be reclassified to interest expense in the next 12 months is $8,635,000 (2009-$8,082,000).

 

Credit-risk-related contingent features

 

OEH has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain provisions under which, if OEH defaults on any of its indebtedness, OEH could also be declared in default in respect of its derivative obligations.

 

As of December 31, 2010, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest and an adjustment for non-performance risk, related to these agreements was $14,927,000

 

132



Table of Contents

 

(2009-$13,618,000). As of December 31, 2010, OEH has posted cash collateral of $1,558,000 (2009-$3,710,000) with certain of its derivative counterparties in respect of these net liability positions. If OEH breached any of these provisions, it would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $15,161,000 (2009-$14,087,000)

 

Fair value measurements

 

In calculating the fair value of derivatives, OEH uses a standardized approach with market inputs such as forward interest rates, interest rate volatilities, and credit measures.  The following tables summarize the valuation of OEH’s assets and liabilities by the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

December 31, 2010

 

Level 1
$’000

 

Level 2
$’000

 

Level 3
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

1,394

 

 

1,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

1,394

 

 

1,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

15,683

 

277

 

15,960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net liabilities

 

 

14,289

 

277

 

14,566

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

Level 1
$’000

 

Level 2
$’000

 

Level 3
$’000

 

Total
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

37

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

37

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

13,618

 

 

13,618

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net liabilities

 

 

13,581

 

 

13,581

 

 

The tables below present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of liabilities having fair value measurements based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

Beginning
 balance
 at
 January 1,
 2010
$’000

 

Transfers
 into
 Level 3
$’000

 

Realized
 losses
 included
 in
 earnings
$’000

 

Unrealized
 gains
 included in
 other
comprehensive
 income
$’000

 

Settlements
$’000

 

Ending
 balance
 at
December 31,
2010
$’000

 

Liabilities at fair value: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

277

 

 

277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

 

277

 

 

277

 

 

133



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Beginning
 balance
 at
 January 1,
 2009
$’000

 

Transfers
 into
 Level 3
$’000

 

Realized
 losses
 included
 in
 earnings
$’000

 

Unrealized
 gains
 included in
 other
comprehensive
 income
$’000

 

Settlements
$’000

 

Ending
 balance
 at
December  31,
2009
$’000

 

Liabilities at fair value: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

5,858

 

(5,202

)

1,405

 

(671

)

(1,390

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

5,858

 

(5,202

)

1,405

 

(671

)

(1,390

)

 

 

The transfers into Level 3 in 2010 represent new swaps with a fair value close to zero where the credit valuation adjustment is greater than 20% of the fair value.

 

The amount of total losses for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those liabilities still held was $nil (2009-$15,000; 2008-$673,000).

 

OEH reviews its fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly.  Changes in significant observable valuation inputs identified during these reviews may trigger a reclassification of the fair value hierarchy levels of financial assets and liabilities.  These reclassifications are reported as transfers into Level 3 at their fair values at the beginning of the period in which the change occurs and the transfers out at their fair values at the end of the period.

 

Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:

 

The estimated fair values of OEH’s non-financial assets measured on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value measurements using

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value
At December 
31, 2010
$’000

 

Quoted 
prices

 in active
 markets
 for
 identical
assets
 (Level 1)
$’000

 

Significant
 other
 observable
inputs
 (Level 2)
$’000

 

Significant
unobservable

inputs
 (Level 3)
$’000

 

Total losses
 for year
 ended
December 31,
 2010
$’000

 

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

 

18,287

 

 

 

18,287

 

(5,634

)

Property, plant and equipment

 

22,912

 

 

 

22,912

 

(6,386

)

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

(5,895

)

Real estate assets

 

81,784

 

 

 

78,667

 

(26,216

)

 

134



Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value measurements using

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value
At December 
31, 2009
$’000

 

Quoted 
prices

 in active
 markets
 for
 identical
assets
 (Level 1)
$’000

 

Significant
 other
 observable
inputs
 (Level 2)
$’000

 

Significant
unobservable

inputs
 (Level 3)
$’000

 

Total losses
 for year
 ended
December 31,
 2009
$’000

 

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

 

41,770

 

 

41,770

 

 

(32,235

)

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

(6,500

)

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

(213

)

 

Assets of discounted operations held for sale

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, assets of discontinued operations held for sale with a carrying amount of $5,000,000 (net of offsetting amounts within the currency translation adjustments account) of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort were increased to their fair value, resulting in a gain of $1,425,000 from foreign currency fluctuations.  Assets of discontinued operations held for sale of Hôtel de la Cité with a carrying value of $18,276,000 were written down to their fair value of $12,287,000, resulting in an impairment charge of $5,989,000. Assets of discontinued operations held for sale of Internet-based businesses Luxurytravel.com UK Ltd. and O.E. Interactive Ltd. with a carrying value of $2,070,000 were written down to their fair value of $1,000,000, resulting in an impairment charge of $1,070,000.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, assets of discontinued operations held for sale of Windsor Court Hotel, Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and La Cabana with carrying amounts of $74,005,000 were written down to their fair value, less costs to sell, resulting in a loss of $32,235,000. 

 

Any gains or losses on movements are included in earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations in the period incurred.  See Note 2.

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

OEH is currently seeking co-investors in its New York hotel development project or, subject to consent of the New York Public Library, to assign its purchase and development agreements with the Library relating to this project to a third-party developer and be reimbursed for OEH’s remaining investment in the project.  Based on terms under negotiation with interested parties in 2010, OEH recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $6,386,000 at December 31, 2010 on land and buildings for the capitalized pre-development expenses incurred in the project.  See Note 6.

 

Goodwill

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, goodwill of La Samanna and Napasai with a carrying value of $5,895,000 was written down to its fair value of $nil, resulting in an impairment charge of $5,895,000 which was included in earnings from continuing operations for the period.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, goodwill with a carrying amount of $6,500,000 of several hotels based on annual impairment tests were written down to its fair value of $nil, resulting in an impairment charge of $6,500,000. 

 

Impairments are included in earnings from continuing operations in the period incurred. See Note 7.

 

135



Table of Contents

 

Real estate assets

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, real estate assets held for sale of Porto Cupecoy were written down to their fair value, including costs to sell, resulting in an impairment charge of $24,616,000.  In addition, real estate assets held for sale of Keswick Estate model development homes were written down to their fair value, including costs to sell, resulting in an impairment charge of $1,600,000.  These impairments were included in earnings from continuing operations for the period. See Note 5.

 

Other intangible assets

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, other intangible assets with a carrying amount of $213,000 were written down to their fair value of $nil, resulting in an impairment charge of $213,000 which was included in earnings from continuing operations for the period. See Note 7.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

Certain methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and working capital facilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

 

The fair value of OEH’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to OEH for debt of the same remaining maturities.

 

The estimated fair values of OEH’s financial instruments (other than derivative financial instruments) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

December 31, 2010

 

Carrying 
amounts

$’000

 

Fair value
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

150,344

 

150,344

 

Accounts receivable

 

51,386

 

51,386

 

Working capital facilities

 

1,174

 

1,174

 

Accounts payable

 

25,448

 

25,448

 

Accrued liabilities

 

71,436

 

71,436

 

Long-term debt, including current portion, excluding obligations under capital leases

 

630,931

 

601,126

 

Long-term debt held by a consolidated VIE

 

92,304

 

91,511

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

Carrying 
amounts
$’000

 

Fair value
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

71,674

 

71,674

 

Accounts receivable

 

59,968

 

59,968

 

Working capital facilities

 

6,666

 

6,666

 

Accounts payable

 

23,240

 

23,240

 

Accrued liabilities

 

73,875

 

73,875

 

Long-term debt, including current portion, excluding obligations under capital leases

 

720,197

 

658,851

 

Long-term debt held by a consolidated VIE

 

79,469

 

72,256

 

 

136



Table of Contents

 

19.          Other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

The accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income/ (loss) are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $nil and $nil

 

(20,034

)

(18,118

)

Derivative financial instruments, net of tax of $112 and $nil

 

(8,745

)

(11,275

)

Pension liability, net of tax of $1,517 and $2,072

 

(9,806

)

(10,421

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(38,585

)

(39,814

)

 

The components of comprehensive income/(loss) are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

2008
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses on common shares

 

(62,759

)

(68,797

)

(26,551

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(1,916

)

22,733

 

(79,042

)

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $122, $nil and $nil

 

2,530

 

(2,642

)

(9,363

)

Change in pension liability

 

615

 

305

 

(2,236

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive losses

 

(61,530

)

(48,401

)

(117,192

)

 

20.                              Information concerning financial reporting for segments and operations in different geographical areas

 

OEH’s segment information has been prepared in accordance with accounting guidance.  OEH has three reporting segments, (i) hotels and restaurants, (ii) tourist trains and cruises, and (iii) real estate and property development, which are grouped into various geographical regions.  At December 31, 2010, hotels are located in the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, southern Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, Australia and South Pacific, a restaurant is located in New York, tourist trains operate in Europe, Southeast Asia and Peru, a river cruise ship operates in Burma and five canal boats in France, and real estate developments are located in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Southeast Asia.  Segment performance is evaluated based upon segment net earnings before interest expense, foreign currency, tax (including tax on earnings from unconsolidated companies), depreciation and amortization (“segment EBITDA”).  Segment information is presented in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1.

 

137



Table of Contents

 

Financial information regarding these business segments is as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010 
$’000

 

2009 

$’000

 

2008 
$’000

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels - Europe

 

169,772

 

155,830

 

209,748

 

- North America

 

107,909

 

100,486

 

64,214

 

- Rest of World

 

148,778

 

116,182

 

129,317

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

4,300

 

4,616

 

10,629

 

Restaurants

 

15,809

 

14,436

 

18,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

446,568

 

391,550

 

432,407

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

61,355

 

57,654

 

76,423

 

Real estate

 

64,019

 

1,706

 

(14,154

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

571,942

 

450,910

 

494,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels - Europe

 

18,457

 

15,649

 

15,848

 

- North America

 

11,659

 

11,834

 

5,526

 

- Rest of World

 

11,340

 

8,953

 

8,401

 

Restaurants

 

671

 

718

 

808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,127

 

37,154

 

30,583

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

3,356

 

2,796

 

3,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,483

 

39,950

 

33,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels - Europe

 

37,388

 

38,595

 

60,756

 

- North America

 

14,963

 

14,579

 

9,455

 

- Rest of World

 

33,399

 

25,513

 

32,197

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

2,228

 

2,995

 

23,302

 

Restaurants

 

2,476

 

1,757

 

3,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90,454

 

83,439

 

129,228

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

17,444

 

20,569

 

24,279

 

Real estate

 

(5,329

)

(3,476

)

(6,433

)

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

1,385

 

 

Impairment of real estate assets, goodwill, other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment

 

(38,497

)

(6,500

)

(5,551

)

Impairment of equity investment

 

 

 

(22,992

)

Central overheads

 

(26,503

)

(25,870

)

(31,117

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,569

 

69,547

 

87,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA/net earnings reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

 

37,569

 

69,547

 

87,414

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

45,483

 

39,950

 

33,931

 

Interest expense, net

 

33,839

 

31,068

 

46,874

 

Foreign currency, net

 

(5,686

)

1,067

 

(4,945

)

Provision for income taxes

 

24,754

 

13,076

 

(1,832

)

Share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies

 

2,228

 

4,510

 

6,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Losses)/earnings from continuing operations

 

(63,049

)

(20,124

)

6,400

 

 

138



Table of Contents

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010 
$’000

 

2009 
$’000

 

2008 
$’000

 

Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

(2,026

)

(2,809

)

9,090

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

4,284

 

6,992

 

7,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,258

 

4,183

 

16,771

 

Capital expenditure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels - Europe

 

21,864

 

13,435

 

30,152

 

- North America

 

13,302

 

21,493

 

24,531

 

- Rest of World

 

18,720

 

24,599

 

29,852

 

Restaurants

 

257

 

342

 

530

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,143

 

59,869

 

85,065

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

3,726

 

9,098

 

3,777

 

Real estate

 

2,017

 

2,998

 

18,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59,886

 

71,965

 

107,623

 

 

December 31,

 

2010
$’000

 

2009
$’000

 

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels and restaurants

 

 

 

 

 

Owned hotels - Europe

 

762,553

 

639,123

 

- North America

 

610,123

 

597,465

 

- Rest of World

 

438,794

 

405,306

 

Hotel management/part ownership interests

 

70,844

 

68,221

 

Restaurants

 

31,081

 

31,367

 

 

 

1,913,395

 

1,741,482

 

Tourist trains and cruises

 

104,881

 

105,083

 

Real estate

 

85,493

 

161,767

 

Discontinued operations held for sale

 

33,945

 

64,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,137,714

 

2,072,690

 

 

Financial information regarding geographic areas based on the location of properties is as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2010 
$’000

 

2009 
$’000

 

2008 
$’000

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

224,794

 

211,247

 

280,011

 

North America

 

187,737

 

114,922

 

75,459

 

Rest of World

 

159,411

 

124,741

 

139,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

571,942

 

450,910

 

494,676

 

 

December 31,

 

2010 
$’000

 

2009 
$’000

 

Long-lived assets at book value:

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

720,429

 

610,256

 

North America

 

569,427

 

599,381

 

Rest of World

 

424,381

 

401,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,714,237

 

1,610,761

 

 

139



Table of Contents

 

Long-lived assets at book value constitute the following:

 

December 31,

 

2010 
$’000

 

2009 
$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

1,268,822

 

1,191,531

 

Property, plant and equipment of consolidated variable interest entities

 

188,502

 

192,682

 

Investments

 

60,428

 

58,432

 

Goodwill

 

177,498

 

149,180

 

Other intangible assets

 

18,987

 

18,936

 

 

 

1,714,237

 

1,610,761

 

 

21.          Related party transactions

 

OEH manages under long-term contract the tourist train owned by Eastern and Oriental Express Ltd., in which OEH is an equity method investor, and guarantees its $3,000,000 working capital facility.  This guarantee was in place before December 31, 2004.  The amount due to OEH from Eastern and Oriental Express Ltd. at December 31, 2010 was $1,126,000 (2009-$647,000).

 

OEH manages under a long-term contract the Charleston Place Hotel (accounted for under the equity method until December 31, 2008) and made loans to the hotel-owning company.  As discussed in Note 3, with effect from December 31, 2008, the hotel-owning company has been consolidated into the financial statements of OEH.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, OEH earned $4,867,000 in management fees which are recorded in revenue, and $12,068,000 in interest income on partnership and other loans, which is recorded in earnings from unconsolidated companies.

 

OEH manages under long-term contracts the Hotel Monasterio, Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Las Casitas del Colca and Hotel Rio Sagrado owned by its 50/50 joint venture with local Peruvian interests, as well as the 50/50 owned Peru Rail and Ferrocaril Transandino rail operations, and provides loans, guarantees and other credit accommodation to these joint ventures.  See Note 4.  In the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH earned management and guarantee fees of $5,303,000 (2009-$6,610,000; 2008-$7,685,000) and loan interest of $nil (2009-$nil; 2008-$44,000) which are recorded in revenue.  The amount due to OEH from its joint venture Peruvian operations at December 31, 2009 was $2,826,000 (2009-$7,931,000).

 

OEH manages under a long-term contract the Hotel Ritz in Madrid, Spain, in which OEH holds a 50% interest and which is accounted for under the equity method.  For the year ended December 31, 2010, OEH earned $1,107,000 (2009-$1,113,000; 2008-$1,321,000) in management fees, which are recorded in revenue, and $372,000 (2009-$nil; 2008-$nil) in interest income which are recorded in earnings from unconsolidated companies.  The amount due to OEH from the Hotel Ritz at December 31, 2010 was $15,689,000 (2009-$10,807,000).  See Note 4 regarding impairment of this investment and a partial guarantee of the hotel’s bank indebtedness.

 

OEH has granted to James Sherwood, a director of the Company, a right of first refusal to purchase the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy in the event OEH proposes to sell it.  The purchase price would be the offered sale price in the case of a cash sale or the fair market value of the hotel, as determined by an independent valuer, in the case of a non-cash sale.  Mr. Sherwood has also been granted an option to

 

140



Table of Contents

 

purchase the hotel at fair market value if a change in control of the Company occurs.  Mr. Sherwood may elect to pay 80% of the purchase price if he exercises his right of first refusal, or 100% of the purchase price if he exercises his purchase option, by a non-recourse promissory note secured by the hotel payable in ten equal annual instalments with interest at LIBOR.  These agreements relating to the Hotel Cipriani between Mr. Sherwood and OEH and its predecessor companies have been in place since 1983 and were last amended and restated in 2005.

 

141



Table of Contents

 

Summary of quarterly earnings (unaudited)

 

 

 

Quarter ended

 

 

 

December 31

 

September 30

 

June 30

 

March 31

 

2010

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

133,564

 

179,679

 

166,712

 

91,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) from operations

 

(5,734

)

(10,633

)

14,974

 

(11,007

)

Net finance costs

 

(9,005

)

(4,828

)

(11,385

)

(2,935

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

(14,739

)

(15,461

)

3,589

 

(13,942

)

Provision for income taxes

 

(8,787

)

(8,762

)

(6,061

)

(1,144

)

Earnings/(losses) from unconsolidated companies net of tax

 

(165

)

1,117

 

3,357

 

(2,051

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations

 

(23,691

)

(23,106

)

885

 

(17,137

)

Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations

 

(2,793

)

631

 

(1,667

)

4,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses

 

(26,484

)

(22,475

)

(782

)

(12,839

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (earnings)/losses attributable to non-controlling interests

 

5

 

23

 

(38

)

(169

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

 

(26,479

)

(22,452

)

(820

)

(13,008

)

 

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Net losses per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

(0.27

)

(0.25

)

(0.01

)

(0.15

)

Diluted

 

(0.27

)

(0.25

)

(0.01

)

(0.15

)

Dividends per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

142



Table of Contents

 

Summary of quarterly earnings (unaudited) - continued

 

 

 

Quarter ended

 

 

 

December 31

 

September 30

 

June 30

 

March 31

 

2009

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

$’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

109,850

 

137,082

 

124,949

 

79,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) from operations

 

(165

)

15,651

 

13,686

 

(8,268

)

Net finance costs

 

(8,116

)

(3,107

)

(7,903

)

(13,009

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(losses) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated companies

 

(8,281

)

12,544

 

5,783

 

(21,277

)

Provision for income taxes

 

(1,878

)

(10,279

)

(10,296

)

9,377

 

Earnings/(losses) from unconsolidated companies net of tax

 

(424

)

1,439

 

2,049

 

1,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations

 

(10,583

)

3,704

 

(2,464

)

(10,781

)

Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations

 

(6,199

)

(16,757

)

(21,950

)

(3,707

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses

 

(16,782

)

(13,053

)

(24,414

)

(14,488

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (earnings)/losses attributable to non-controlling interests

 

(48

)

38

 

101

 

(151

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

 

(16,830

)

(13,015

)

(24,313

)

(14,639

)

 

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Net losses per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

(0.22

)

(0.17

)

(0.36

)

(0.28

)

Diluted

 

(0.22

)

(0.17

)

(0.36

)

(0.28

)

Dividends per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

143



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 9.                             Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A.                    Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of OEH’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) as of December 31, 2010 and, based on that evaluation, believe those disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of that date.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

OEH management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(f)).  OEH’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Management assessed the effectiveness of OEH’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework.  Based on this assessment and those criteria, management believes that OEH’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010.

 

Deloitte LLP, OEH’s independent registered public accounting firm, issued the report below on the effectiveness of OEH’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

Hamilton, Bermuda

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable

 

144



Table of Contents

 

assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 of the Company and our report dated February 25, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

 

London, England

February 25, 2011

 

145



Table of Contents

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in OEH’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, OEH’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met, such as prevention and detection of misstatements.  In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.  Controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate, for example.  Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

ITEM 9B.       Other Information

 

None.

 

146



Table of Contents

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10.       Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

Directors

 

The directors of the Company are as follows:

 

Name, Age

 

Principal Occupation and Other Major Affiliations

 

Year First
Became 
Director

 

 

 

 

 

John D. Campbell, 68

 

Senior Counsel (retired) of Appleby (attorneys)

 

1994

Mitchell C. Hochberg, 58

 

Managing Principal of Madden Real Estate Ventures LLC (real estate investment, development and advisory firm)

 

2009

James B. Hurlock, 77

 

Non-executive Chairman of the Board of the Company, and Partner (retired) of White & Case (attorneys)

 

2000

Prudence M. Leith, 71

 

Freelance food consultant, television presenter and novelist

 

2006

J. Robert Lovejoy, 66

 

Managing Member of J.R. Lovejoy & Co. LLC (financial and strategic advisory firm)

 

2000

Georg R. Rafael, 73

 

Vice Chairman of Board of the Company, and Managing Director of Rafael Group S.A.M. (hoteliers)

 

2002

James B. Sherwood, 77

 

Retired Chairman of the Board of the Company

 

1994

Paul M. White, 46

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company

 

2008

 

The principal occupation of each director during at least the last five years is that shown in the table supplemented by the following information.

 

Mr. Campbell was a member of the law firm Appleby until March 1999 and retired as Senior Counsel in July 2003.  Mr. Campbell is the non-executive Chairman of the Board of HSBC Bank of Bermuda Ltd., a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings PLC, and a non-executive director and Chairman of the Nominations and Governance Committee of Argus Group Holdings Ltd., a public company listed on the Bermuda Stock Exchange engaged principally in the insurance business.  Mr. Campbell was also a non-executive director of Sea Containers Ltd. (“SCL”), formerly a leasing and transport company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and subsequently subject to Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in the United States in 2006 to 2009 and subject to liquidation proceedings in Bermuda since January 2010 when Mr. Campbell stepped down as a director.

 

Mr. Hochberg has been the Managing Principal of Madden Real Estate Ventures (formerly named Madden Capital LLC) since March 2007.  He was President and Chief Operating Officer of Ian Schrager Company, a developer and manager of innovative luxury hotels and residential projects in the United States, in 2006 and early 2007.  Mr. Hochberg founded, and for 20 years to December 2005, was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Communities and its successor, developers of luxury home communities in the northeastern United States.  He is a lawyer and a certified public accountant.

 

147



Table of Contents

 

Mr. Hurlock acted as Chairman of the Management Committee of White & Case LLP overseeing worldwide operations from 1980 until his retirement in 2000.  He also served as Interim CEO of Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group Ltd., a chemical transport services company, from July 2003 until June 2004.  Mr. Hurlock was appointed non-executive Chairman of the Board of the Company in June 2007.

 

Ms. Leith was the founder, owner and Managing Director of Leith’s Group which, from 1960 until its sale in 1995 to Accor, grew to encompass restaurants, a prestigious London-based chef school, contract catering, and event and party catering.  Part of her current consulting activities is with Compass Group PLC, a large food service business with operations principally in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and North America.  Ms. Leith has served in the past as a non-executive director on the boards of British Railways, Whitbread PLC, Halifax PLC, Safeway PLC, Woolworths Group PLC, Nations Healthcare Ltd. and Omega International Group PLC.  She has been honored with the award of a CBE by the British government for services to the catering industry.

 

Mr. Lovejoy in 2010 was Senior Advisor, General Counsel and an officer of Coatue Management LLC, a long/short equity manager of about $2.5 billion of institutional assets.  During the four prior years, he was Managing Director of Groton Partners LLC, a private merchant banking firm.  In 2000-2005, he was Senior Managing Director of Ripplewood Holdings LLC, a private equity investment firm.  Prior to that position he was a Managing Director of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, an investment banking firm, and a General Partner of Lazard’s predecessor partnership for over 15 years.  Mr. Lovejoy is a lawyer, and also a non-executive director of One Liberty Properties Inc., a commercial and industrial real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Mr. Rafael was until early 2002 the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of Mandarin Oriental Hotels, having sold Rafael Hotels Ltd., a deluxe hotel owning and operating company that Mr. Rafael founded in 1986, to Mandarin in 2000.  Before Rafael Hotels, he was joint Managing Director of Regent International Hotels, a deluxe hotel group Mr. Rafael established with partners in 1972.  He was appointed non-executive Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company in March 2010.

 

Mr. Sherwood founded the hotel business of a predecessor of the Company (an affiliate of SCL) in 1976 when it purchased its first hotel, the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy.  He retired from his executive duties with the Company in December 2006 (having ceased to be a co-principal executive officer in October 2006) and stepped down as Chairman of the Board in June 2007.  He resigned as a director and non-executive Chairman of SCL in March 2006 having founded its predecessor company in 1965.  He also served as President of SCL during that time until January 2006.  As noted above regarding Mr. Campbell, SCL has been in reorganization and liquidation proceedings since 2006.

 

Mr. White was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in August 2007, having served as Vice President—Finance and Chief Financial Officer from September 2005.  Previously, he was Vice President—Hotels, Africa, Australia and South America of the Company from 1999 to 2005, and was Director of Hotel Operations for the same geographical region in 1998 and 1999. As a qualified accountant he

148



Table of Contents

 

joined the Company’s predecessor, Orient-Express Hotels Inc., in 1991 from Forte Hotels, initially as Financial Controller. He was the Company’s acting chief financial and accounting officer until March 2008 when Martin O’Grady assumed those duties for the Company.

 

Director Qualifications

 

When considering whether the directors have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Company’s board of directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of OEH’s business and structure, the board of directors considered each person’s background and experience outlined above.

 

In particular, with regard to Mr. Campbell, the board of directors considered his work on other company boards and corporate governance experience, including his service as a director and Chairman of the Nominations and Governance Committee of another publicly traded company and as Chairman of the Board of HSBC Bank of Bermuda Ltd., as well as his leadership, operational and legal experience, including his experience as a member of a global law firm.

 

With regard to Mr. Hochberg, the board of directors considered his real estate industry and operational experience, including his service as an executive officer of a developer and manager of innovative luxury hotels and residential projects in the United States and as an executive officer of developers of luxury home communities in the northeastern United States.  Also relevant was his background in accounting and law.

 

With regard to Mr. Hurlock, the board of directors considered his leadership, operational and legal background, including his service as Chairman of the Management Committee of a global law firm.  The board of directors also appreciated his understanding of international business, general management and corporate strategy, including his service as Interim CEO of a chemical transport services company.

 

With regard to Ms. Leith, the board of directors considered her industry and operational experience in restaurants and catering, including in founding and managing restaurants, a chef school, a contract catering business, and event and party catering business and consulting for a large food service business, and the fact of her years of board and corporate governance experience as a director of other public companies.

 

With regard to Mr. Lovejoy, the board of directors considered his understanding of international business, finance and corporate strategy, including his extensive knowledge in complex financial matters, numerous and varied global industries, and international corporate strategy.  The board of directors also considered his leadership and board experience, including as an executive officer in the financial industry and as a director of a commercial and industrial real estate investment trust.

 

With regard to Mr. Rafael, the board of directors considered his hotel industry and operational experience, including his background founding deluxe hotel owning and operating companies, and his understanding of international business, general management and corporate strategy, including his service as Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of a luxury hotel group.

 

149



Table of Contents

 

With regard to Mr. Sherwood, the board of directors considered his industry and operational experience in founding the hotel business of a predecessor of the Company and his service as a former executive officer of the Company, and also considered his understanding of international business, general management and corporate strategy, including his extensive knowledge of international business, numerous and varied global industries, and international corporate strategy.

 

With regard to Mr. White, the board of directors considered his hotel industry and operational experience through long association with OEH and its industry, much of it as an officer of the Company.  His extensive knowledge of OEH’s day to day business operations and his background in general management, corporate strategy, accounting and finance were also important factors.

 

Executive Officers

 

The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

 

Name, Age

 

Position

 

 

 

Paul M. White, 46

 

President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2007

Martin O’Grady, 47

 

Vice President—Finance and Chief Financial Officer since March 2008

Filip J.M. Boyen, 52

 

Vice President since September 2007 and Chief Operating Officer since September 2009

Roy Paul, 61

 

Vice President and Chief Development Officer since February 2011

Raymond R.A. Blanc, 61

 

Vice President—Gastronomy since December 2010

Philip A. Calvert, 58

 

Vice President—Legal and Commercial Affairs since June 2010

Roger V. Collins, 64

 

Vice President—Design and Technical Services since June 2001

Phillip A. Gesue, 41

 

Vice President—Real Estate since September 2009

Edwin S. Hetherington, 61

 

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since December 2006

Maurizio Saccani, 60

 

Vice President-Italy since September 2007

David C. Williams, 56

 

Vice President-Sales and Marketing since June 2004

 

The principal occupation of each person during at least the last five years is shown in the table supplemented by the following information.

 

Mr. White’s previous experience is reported above regarding the Company’s directors.

 

Prior to becoming an officer of the Company, Mr. O’Grady served as Chief Financial Officer of Orion Capital Managers LP, a European private equity real estate investment firm including hotels.  From 1999 until 2005, he worked for Security Capital European Realty, where he served as Chief Financial Officer of Access Self Storage, a retail self-storage operator in the United Kingdom, France and Australia.  From 1992 until 1998, Mr. O’Grady held a number of senior finance and accounting positions with Jardine Matheson Group, an Asian-based conglomerate, including Group Financial Controller of Mandarin Oriental Hotels from 1992 to 1995.  Mr. O’Grady began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and is an Associate Chartered Accountant in England and Wales.

 

150



Table of Contents

 

Mr. Boyen held positions with Marco Polo Hotels, Sun International Hotels and Ramada Renaissance before he joined OEH in 1997.  Initially, he served as General Manager of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort until 1999, when he became Managing Director of OEH’s hotel and tourist train operations in Peru.  He was appointed Vice President—Hotels, Africa, Australia and South America of the Company in September 2005, and Vice President—Operations in September 2007.

 

In November 2008, Mr. Boyen settled an investigation into alleged insider dealing in shares of a mining company publicly traded in the United Kingdom brought by the Financial Services Authority, an independent non-governmental body that regulates the financial services industry in the United Kingdom (“FSA”).   In settling the matter, the FSA imposed a civil penalty of $152,000 on Mr. Boyen for engaging in market abuse for trading on behalf of himself and a third party on the basis of inside information in contravention of the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.  Mr. Boyen fully cooperated with the FSA’s investigation.  None of the activities or information involved in the investigation related to OEH or the Company’s securities.

 

Mr. Paul was until 2007 a Senior Vice President of Four Seasons Hotels, a global luxury hotel operator. He led the development function for 20 years during which Four Seasons added 50 properties to its portfolio. More recently, Mr. Paul was Chairman and CEO of Icon Hospitality Advisors, a private consultancy which he formed in 2007 to advise on hotel and resort acquisitions and which he merged with Cedar Capital Partners in 2009, a hotel investment and asset management business where he continued as a partner.

 

Mr. Blanc is the chef-patron of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons which he founded in 1984 and whose restaurant has achieved two stars in the influential Michelin Guide for 27 years.  He began his career in the restaurant business in 1969 and opened the first of a series of restaurants in the U.K. in 1977.  Over the years, working with the chefs in his various restaurants, more than 25 of those chefs have subsequently achieved Michelin star status.  A prolific food writer, Mr. Blanc often appears on food-related television programs, and has been honored with the award of an OBE by the British government for services promoting culinary excellence and food ethics.  He began his association with the Company when it acquired Le Manoir in 2002.

 

Mr. Calvert joined a subsidiary of the Company in October 2008 as Director of Legal Services.  He held a similar position with SCL, having joined in 1983, and worked on many OEH matters while SCL was a shareholder in the Company.  Mr. Calvert is an English barrister and New York lawyer.  As noted above under “Directors” regarding Mr. Campbell, SCL has been in reorganization and liquidation proceedings since 2006.

 

Mr. Collins, an engineer, has worked in the hotel industry since 1979 with Grand Metropolitan Hotels, Courage Inns and Taverns, and Trusthouse Forte Hotels, having joined Orient-Express Hotels Inc. in 1991.

 

Mr. Gesue joined OEH in February 2009 as Director of Real Estate responsible initially for its Porto Cupecoy project and other real estate activities in the U.S. and Caribbean.  Previously, he was Director of Acquisitions and Development of Time Equities Inc., a U.S.-based investor in office, residential, retail and mixed-use properties.  In 2000 to 2002, he was President and a partner of Biba

 

151



Table of Contents

 

Hotels, developer of an award-winning boutique hotel in Florida.  Before these positions, he worked in project management of residential condominium and rental developments and in mortgage banking.

 

Mr. Hetherington started with Orient-Express Hotels Inc. as Counsel and Secretary in 1980, and served as the Company’s Secretary starting in 1994.  He is a New York lawyer.  Until the end of 2006, he was also Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of SCL.  As noted above under “Directors” regarding Mr. Campbell, SCL has been in reorganization and liquidation proceedings since 2006.

 

Mr. Saccani joined Orient-Express Hotels Inc. in 1978 as Food and Beverage Manager of the Hotel Cipriani.  After serving as Manager in Italy of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, he became Managing Director of the Villa San Michele in 1985 and, by 2007, had assumed responsibility for all of the Company’s hotels in Italy.

 

Mr. Williams joined Orient-Express Hotels Inc. in 1981 as Sales and Reservations Manager.  He became responsible for strategic marketing developments and business initiatives in the Americas, Europe and Asia.  He previously worked for Carlson Marketing Group.

 

Pippa Isbell resigned as a Vice President—Corporate Communications of the Company in September 2010.

 

Corporate Governance

 

The board of directors of the Company has established corporate governance measures substantially in compliance with requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).  These include a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, Charters for each of the standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee of the full board, and a Code of Business Conduct for Directors, Officers and Employees.  The board of directors has also adopted a Code of Business Practices for the Company’s Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officers, which is filed as an exhibit to this report.  These documents are published on the Company’s website (www.orient-express.com).

 

Because the Company is a foreign private issuer as defined in SEC rules, it is not required to comply with all NYSE corporate governance requirements as they apply to U.S. domestic companies listed on the NYSE.  The Company’s corporate governance measures, however, do not differ in any significant way from those requirements.

 

The present members of the Company’s Audit Committee are Messrs. Campbell, Hurlock and Lovejoy.  The board has designated Mr. Lovejoy, an independent director, as an audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC rules.  The present members of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee are Ms. Leith and Messrs. Campbell, Hurlock, Lovejoy and Rafael.  See Item 13—Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence below.  In addition, the board has designated Messrs. Hurlock, Lovejoy and Rafael as a committee to consider strategic overtures to the Company, and Messrs. Hochberg, Hurlock, Lovejoy, Rafael and White as a committee to consider important finance and development matters in preparation of presentation of those matters to the full board for discussion.

 

152



Table of Contents

 

The non-executive directors of the Company meet regularly without management present.  Mr. Hurlock presides at these executive sessions of the board.

 

Interested persons may communicate directly with any of the Company’s directors by writing to him or her at the Company’s registered office address (Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda).

 

Information responding to Item 405 of SEC Regulation S-K is omitted because the Company is a foreign private issuer.

 

ITEM 11.       Executive Compensation

 

Because the Company is a foreign private issuer, it is responding to this Item 11 as permitted by Item 402(a)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

The following table shows the salary and bonus paid in cash during 2010 to Mr. White, and to all executive officers as a group, for services to OEH in all capacities:

 

Name of Individual
or Group

 

Principal Capacities in Which Served

 

Cash
Compensation

 

Paul M. White

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

$

695,600

 

All executive officers as a group (11 persons)

 

 

 

$

3,888,300

 

 

The data in this table and the other data about executive officers of the Company in this Item 11 exclude Pippa Isbell who resigned as an executive officer in September 2010, and Roy Paul who joined as an executive officer in February 2011.

 

OEH has entered into agreements with Mr. White and most of the Company’s other executive officers entitling them to receive employment termination payments in certain circumstances constituting a change in control of the Company in an amount equal to two times each officer’s annual compensation.  The agreements of the U.S. tax-paying officers also require the Company to pay the excise tax on their severance payments imposed pursuant to section 4999 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

 

Retirement Plans

 

Through May 2006, certain executive officers who are United Kingdom citizens participated in a contributory defined benefit pension plan established by an OEH subsidiary for British employees.  The amount of contribution by the subsidiary to the plan in respect of a specific person cannot readily be separated or individually calculated.  Participants in the plan are eligible to receive at their normal retirement date an annual pension based on the number of years of pensionable service and their final pensionable compensation.

 

In May 2006, the subsidiary froze its U.K. defined benefit pension plan, thus stopping future benefit accrual, so that the benefit payable to participants at their normal retirement date will be calculated using pensionable service and final pensionable salary at

 

153



Table of Contents

 

that date.  From May 2006 and for later years, the OEH subsidiary established a defined contribution retirement plan for British employees, including U.K.-based officers, under which the subsidiary contributes to individual accounts established by employees.  The subsidiary currently contributes for the executive officer participants in the new plan at the rate of up to ten percent of annual salary.

 

Under the U.K. defined benefit plan, currently estimated accrued annual benefits payable to participating executive officers of the Company amounted to approximately $126,000 in the aggregate at December 31, 2010, and under the U.K. defined contribution plan, the OEH subsidiary contributed on behalf of participating executive officers a total of $165,000 during 2010.  See Note 12 to the Financial Statements regarding retirement plans.

 

Certain U.S. subsidiaries of OEH have adopted a 401(k) retirement plan that permits employees to contribute amounts out of their compensation into individual tax-deferred accounts.  The maximum contribution an employee could make was $16,500 in 2010.  Three executive officers of the Company based in the U.S. participated in this plan in 2010, and OEH paid a total of $50,200 into their accounts as partial matching payments under the plan in addition to their own contributions.

 

Option Awards under 2000 and 2004 Stock Option Plans and 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan

 

Options to purchase class A common shares of the Company at market value at the time of award have been granted to directors, executive officers and selected employees under the Company’s 2000 and 2004 Stock Option Plans and 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan.  These plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors.  The options awarded have substantially the same terms and, in general, become exercisable three years after the date of grant and expire ten years from date of grant.  In certain circumstances constituting a change in control of the Company, outstanding options become immediately exercisable, and optionees may thereafter surrender their options instead of exercising them and receive directly from the Company in cash the difference between the option exercise price and the value of the underlying shares determined according to the plans.

 

During 2010, options to purchase an aggregate of 805,300 class A shares were granted under the 2009 plan to executive officers of the Company at prices ranging from $8.37 to $11.44 per share, including options on 187,100 shares to Mr. White.  During 2010, no options were granted to the seven non-executive directors of the Company, and no options were exercised by directors or officers.

 

At December 31, 2010, options under the three plans to purchase an aggregate of 1,984,850 class A shares (of which 277,550 were exercisable by June 30, 2011) were held by directors and executive officers at per share exercise prices ranging from $5.89 to $59.23 and expiring between 2011 and 2020.  See Note 16 to the Financial Statements.

 

Following approval of the 2009 plan by shareholders at the June 5, 2009 annual general meeting of the Company, no further grants of stock options may be made under the 2000 and 2004 plans.

 

154



Table of Contents

 

Share Awards under 2007 Performance Share Plan and 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan

 

Like the 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan, the Company’s 2007 Performance Share Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors.  Directors, executive officers and selected employees have been awarded amounts of class A common shares of the Company under the 2007 and 2009 plans to be issued currently or on a deferred basis after the expiration of a vesting period.  The Compensation Committee may condition the vesting of deferred shares on achievement, in whole or in part, of specified performance criteria in the individual award such as earnings targets, total shareholder return goals or other criteria.  Shares may also be issued under the awards before the vesting period has expired if a change in control of the Company occurs or certain other early vesting events occur.

 

During 2010, awards were made under the 2009 plan with performance criteria based on total shareholder return and earnings before tax on up to 44,648 class A shares to Mr. White and up to 117,723 shares to the other executive officers, all vesting in 2013, and additional awards were made without performance criteria on 19,216 class A shares to Mr. White and 66,610 class A shares to the other executive officers, all vesting and issued in February 2011.  Also during 2010, 67,200 class A shares without performance criteria were awarded to the seven non-executive directors of the Company, vesting in 2013. Finally during 2010 under the 2007 and 2009 plans, a total of 129,314 class A shares were issued to executive officers, including 76,184 shares to Mr. White, and 20,259 class A shares were issued to one non-executive director (Mr. Hurlock).

 

At December 31, 2010, awards on a total of up to 612,421 class A shares of the Company were outstanding to directors and executive officers under the 2007 and 2009 plans vesting in 2011 to 2013, including the shares vested and issued in February 2011.  See Note 16 to the Financial Statements.

 

As noted above with respect to the 2000 and 2004 Stock Option Plans, following shareholder approval of the 2009 plan, no further share awards may be made under the 2007 plan.

 

Non-Executive Director Fees

 

In 2010, each of Ms. Leith and Messrs. Campbell, Hochberg, Lovejoy, Rafael and Sherwood received an annual cash retainer fee as a member of the Company’s board of directors in the amount of $41,250, and a cash attendance fee of between $1,500 and $5,500 for each meeting of the board or a committee thereof which he or she attended, depending on the location of the meeting and whether it was held by conference telephone call.

 

In 2010, Messrs. Campbell and Lovejoy as members of the Audit Committee were each paid an annual cash retainer fee of $5,000, and Ms. Leith and Messrs. Campbell, Lovejoy and Rafael as members of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee were each paid an annual cash retainer fee of $2,500 for service on each of those two Committees. In addition, as chairmen of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, Messrs. Lovejoy and Campbell and Ms. Leith were each paid a cash chairman fee of $18,700, $5,000 and $5,000, respectively.

 

155



Table of Contents

 

As Chairman of the Board and a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, Mr. Hurlock in 2010 was paid an all-inclusive cash amount of $500,000 in lieu of annual retainer or per meeting attendance fees.  As Vice Chairman of the Board, Mr. Rafael was paid a cash amount of $79,200 in 2010 in addition to payment to him of the foregoing retainer and attendance fees.

 

Aggregate cash retainer, attendance and other director fees to Ms. Leith and Messrs. Campbell, Hochberg, Hurlock, Lovejoy, Rafael and Sherwood described above amounted to $1,199,000 in 2010.

 

In addition, as noted above, these seven non-executive directors participate in the Company’s 2000 and 2004 Stock Option Plans, 2007 Performance Share Plan and 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan.  Included in the awards summarized above are awards in 2010 of deferred shares without performance criteria under the 2009 plan on a total of 67,200 class A shares to the seven non-executive directors, vesting in 2013.

 

In March 2007, the Company and Mr. Sherwood entered into an agreement regarding his retirement from executive duties with OEH in December 2006, and his continuing thereafter as a non-executive director of the Company including Chairman of the Board until June 2007.  The agreement requires the Company to provide office accommodation and secretarial services to Mr. Sherwood, and private medical cover for him and his wife under OEH’s employee health insurance.  The agreement also required the Company to reimburse Mr. Sherwood up to £50,000 per year for his personal business expenses while a non-executive director during the three-year period ending June 2010.  Final reimbursement of £25,000 ($38,500) was paid to him in 2010.

 

See Item 13—Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence regarding other agreements between OEH and Mr. Sherwood.

 

Mr. Hurlock and his family may stay at OEH’s properties without charge, except for third-party provided services used during his visits.  The other non-executive directors and their families are entitled to 75% discounts off the usual room rates and food and beverage prices for their personal visits at OEH’s properties.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The Compensation Committee of the Company’s board of directors is composed of five non-executive directors, namely Ms. Leith and Messrs. Campbell, Hurlock, Lovejoy and Rafael.  No Compensation Committee member has served as an officer or employee of the Company in an executive capacity.  No executive officer of the Company serves on the board of directors or compensation committee of another company that has an executive officer serving on the Company’s board of directors or its Compensation Committee,

 

156



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 12.                          Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Five Percent Shareholders

 

The following table contains information concerning the beneficial ownership of the Company’s class A common shares and class B common shares by the only persons known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of either class of common shares.

 

Orient-Express Holdings 1 Ltd. (“Holdings”) listed in the table below is a subsidiary of the Company, which owns only class B shares.  Under Bermuda law, the shares owned by Holdings are outstanding and may be voted.  In a strategic transaction involving OEH such as a takeover of the Company, this structure may assist in maximizing the value that the Company and its shareholders receive in the transaction.  See Item 3—Legal Proceedings regarding a judgment of the Bermuda Supreme Court on June 1, 2010 upholding this class B share ownership and voting structure.  Each class B share is convertible at any time into one class A share and, therefore, the shares listed as owned by Holdings represent class B shares and the class A shares into which those shares are convertible.

 

Voting and dispositive power with respect to the class B shares owned by Holdings is exercised by its board of directors, who are Ms. Leith, Mr. Campbell and two other persons who are not directors or officers of the Company.  Each of these persons may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the class B shares owned by Holdings for which he or she serves as a director, as well as the class A shares into which those class B shares are convertible, but is not shown in the table below.

 

157



Table of Contents

 

Name and Address

 

No. of
Class A
and
Class B

Shares

 

Percent
of
Class A
Shares(1)

 

Percent
of
Class B
Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orient-Express Holdings 1 Ltd.
22 Victoria Street
Hamilton HM 12 Bermuda

 

18,044,478

 

15.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC,

Teachers Advisors Inc. and

College Retirement Equities Fund (2)

730 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 

12,038,902

(8)

11.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. (3)
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

8,906,400

(8)

8.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. and
Samsara Properties Ltd. (4)
Mandlik House, Mandlik Road
Mumbai 400 001, India

 

7,130,764

(8)

7.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock Inc. (5)
40 East 52nd Street
New York, New York 10022

 

5,661,389

(8)

5.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AllianceBermstein LP (6)
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105

 

5,424,142

(8)

5.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (7)
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas 78746

 

5,263,876

(8)

5.1

%

 

 


(1)                                 The percentage of class A shares shown is based on 102,466,966 class A shares outstanding on February 18, 2011, plus the class A shares issuable upon conversion of the class B shares beneficially owned by that person, if any.

 

(2)                                 The information with respect to TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC (“TIAA-CREF”), Teachers Advisors Inc. (“Teachers”) and College Retirement Equities Fund (“College”) relates only to class A shares and is derived from their joint Schedule 13G reports amended February 11, 2011 and filed with the SEC on that date.  The reports state that (a) TIAA-CREF and Teachers are registered investment advisers, and College is a registered investment company, (b) TIAA-CREF acts as investment adviser to College, and Teachers acts as investment adviser to other related investment companies, funds and accounts, (c) TIAA-CREF has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 8,601,583 class A shares owned by College, (d) Teachers has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 3,437,319 class A shares owned by those other investment companies, funds and accounts, and (e) College has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 5,943,900 class A shares.

 

158



Table of Contents

 

(3)                                 The information with respect to T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. (“T. Rowe Price”) relates only to class A shares and is derived from its Schedule 13G report amended February 14, 2011 and filed with the SEC on that date.  The report states that (a) T. Rowe Price is a registered investment adviser and (b) it has sole voting power with respect to 2,276,300 class A shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 8,906,400 class A shares.

 

(4)                                 The information with respect to The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. (“Indian Hotels”) and its subsidiary Samsara Properties Ltd. relates only to class A shares and is derived from their joint Schedule 13D report as amended as of May 1, 2009 and filed with the SEC on that date.  The report states that these companies have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 7,130,764 class A shares.

 

(5)                                 The information with respect to BlackRock Inc. (“BlackRock”) relates only to class A shares and is derived from its Schedule 13G report dated January 21, 2011 and filed with the SEC on February 7, 2011.  The report states that (a) BlackRock is a parent holding company and a registered investment adviser, (b) certain subsidiaries of BlackRock (BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Asset Management Australia Ltd., BlackRock Advisors LLC, BlackRock Investment Management LLC, BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd. and BlackRock International Ltd.) hold class A shares, and (c) BlackRock has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 5,661,389 Class A shares.

 

(6)                                 The information with respect to AllianceBernstein LP (“AllianceBernstein”) relates only to class A shares and is derived from its Schedule 13G report dated February 9, 2011 and filed with the SEC on that date.  The report states that (a) AllianceBernstein is a registered investment adviser, (b) class A shares are held on behalf of undisclosed client discretionary investment advisory accounts of AllianceBernstein, and (c) AllianceBerstein has sole voting power with respect to 5,030,632 Class A shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 5,330,412 class A shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 93,730 class A shares.

 

(7)           The information with respect to Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”) relates only to class A shares and is derived form its Schedule 13G report dated February 11, 2011 and filed with the SEC on that date.  The report states that (a) Dimensional is a registered investment adviser, (b) Dimensional furnishes investment advice to four registered investment companies and serves an investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts, in certain cases with subsidiaries of Dimensional as sub-advisors, and (c) Dimensional has sole voting power with respect to 5,161,987 class A shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 5,263,876 class A shares.

 

(8)                      Class A shares only.

 

159



Table of Contents

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table contains information concerning the beneficial ownership of class A common shares of the Company by each current director and executive officer of the Company and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.  Each person has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to his or her shares, except Mr. Campbell who shares voting and dispositive power with respect to his shares, Mr. Lovejoy who shares voting and dispositive power with respect to 4,100 shares, and Mr. Sherwood who shares voting and dispositive power with respect to 10,300 shares.  Each individual’s holding is less than 1% of the class A shares outstanding.

 

The group total in the following table includes class A shares beneficially owned by directors and executive officers  as well as (a) 277,550 class A shares covered by stock options held by them becoming exercisable before June 30, 2011 under the Company’s 2000 and 2004 Stock Option Plans and (b) up to 24,203 class A shares covered by deferred share awards with performance criteria held by officers vesting before June 30, 2011 under the Company’s 2007 Performance Share Plan.  The group total represents 1.0% of class A shares outstanding.

 

As noted above, certain of the directors of the Company may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the class B shares held by Holdings because they are also directors of that subsidiary, but those shares are not included in the following table.

 

Name

 

No. of
Class

A Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Raymond R.A. Blanc

 

 

Filip J.M. Boyen

 

35,209

 

Philip A. Calvert

 

5,812

 

John D. Campbell

 

11,000

 

Roger V. Collins

 

8,555

 

Phillip A. Gesue

 

7,538

 

Edwin S. Hetherington

 

20,565

 

Mitchell C. Hochberg

 

10,000

 

James B. Hurlock

 

20,759

 

Prudence M. Leith

 

4,250

 

J. Robert Lovejoy

 

9,100

 

Martin O’Grady

 

20,108

 

Roy Paul

 

 

Georg R. Rafael

 

62,500

 

Maurizio Saccani

 

8,390

 

James B. Sherwood

 

545,295

 

Paul M. White

 

70,350

 

David C.Williams

 

11,651

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons) including 301,753 exercisable stock option shares and early vesting deferred shares

 

1,152,835

 

 

The foregoing table does not include stock options to purchase an aggregate of 1,707,300 class A shares becoming exercisable after June 30, 2011 held by directors and executive officers under the Company’s 2000 and 2004 Stock Option Plans and 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan, and does not include currently unvested awards of deferred share covering an aggregate of up to 502,392 class A shares vesting after June 30, 2011 held by directors and executive officers under the Company’s 2007 Performance Share Plan and 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan.

 

160



Table of Contents

 

During 2010, the board of directors of the Company amended its guidelines concerning class A share ownership by non-executive directors.  The current guidelines are for each director to own beneficially class A shares in an amount equivalent to three times the annual cash retainer fee for board service (currently $50,000) within four years and five times that amount within six years, with owned class A shares valued at the higher of cost or current market value.

 

Voting Control of the Company

 

The following table lists the voting power held by the known beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding class A or class B common shares of the Company and all directors and executive officers as a group.  The directors of the Company who are deemed to be beneficial owners solely because they are directors of Holdings are not listed individually but are included in the group.

 

Name

 

No. of
Class A
Shares

 

No. of
Class B
Shares

 

Combined
Voting
Power

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holdings

 

 

18,044,478

 

63.8

%

TIAA-CREF et al.

 

12,038,902

 

 

4.3

%

T. Rowe Price

 

8,906,400

 

 

3.1

%

Indian Hotels et al.

 

7,130,764

 

 

2.5

%

BlackRock

 

5,661,389

 

 

2.0

%

AllianceBernstein

 

5,424,142

 

 

1.9

%

Dimensional

 

5,263,876

 

 

1.9

%

All directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons) including 301,753 exercisable stock option shares and early vesting deferred shares

 

1,152,835

 

18,044,478

 

64.1

%

 

In general the holders of class A and B common shares of the Company vote together as a single class on most matters submitted to general meetings of shareholders, with holders of class B shares having one vote per share and holders of class A shares having one-tenth of a vote per share.  Each class B share is convertible at any time into one class A share.  In all other material respects, the class A and B shares are identical and are treated as a single class of common shares.

 

Holdings and the Company’s directors and executive officers hold in total approximately 16% in number of the outstanding class A and class B shares having approximately 64% of the combined voting power of the outstanding common shares of the Company for most matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders.  Other shareholders, accordingly, hold approximately 84% in number of the outstanding common shares having about 36% of combined voting power in the Company.

 

Under Bermuda law, the class B shares owned by Holdings (representing approximately 64% of the combined voting power) are outstanding and may be voted by that subsidiary.  The investment by Holdings in class B shares and the manner in which Holdings votes those shares are determined by the board of directors of Holdings (two of whom are also directors of the Company) consistently with the exercise by those directors of their fiduciary duties to the subsidiary.  Holdings,

 

161



Table of Contents

 

therefore, has the ability to elect at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company and to control the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders.

 

With respect to a number of strategic matters which would tend to change control of the Company, its memorandum of association and bye-laws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire OEH without the consent of the Company’s board of directors.  These provisions include supermajority shareholder voting provisions for the removal of directors and for “business combination” transactions with beneficial owners of shares carrying 15% or more of the votes which may be cast at any general meeting of shareholders, and limitations on the voting rights of such 15% beneficial owners.  Also, the Company’s board of directors has the right under Bermuda law to issue preferred shares without shareholder approval, which could be done to dilute the share ownership of a potential hostile acquirer.  Also, the rights to purchase series A junior participating preferred shares, one of which is attached to each class A and class B common share of the Company, may have anti-takeover effects.  See Note 15(c) to the Financial Statements.  Although OEH management believes these provisions provide the Company and its shareholders with the opportunity to receive appropriate value in a strategic transaction by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with the Company’s board of directors, these provisions apply even if the potential transaction may be considered beneficial by many shareholders.

 

Information responding to Item 201(d) of SEC Regulation S-K is omitted because the Company is a foreign private issuer.

 

ITEM 13.                          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Mr. Sherwood owns a private residential apartment in the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy, a hotel owned by a subsidiary of the Company.  OEH has granted Mr. Sherwood a right of first refusal to purchase the hotel in the event OEH proposes to sell it.  The purchase price would be the offered sale price in the case of a cash sale or the fair market value of the hotel, as determined by an independent valuer, in the case of a non-cash sale.  Similarly, if Mr. Sherwood proposes to sell his apartment, he has granted OEH a right of first refusal to purchase it at fair market value or, at Mr. Sherwood’s option in the case of a proposed cash sale, the offered sale price.  In addition, the Company has granted an option to Mr. Sherwood to purchase the hotel at fair market value if a change in control of the Company occurs.  Mr. Sherwood may elect to pay 80% of the purchase price if he exercises his right of first refusal, or 100% of the purchase price if he exercises his purchase option, by a non-recourse promissory note secured by the hotel payable in ten equal annual instalments with interest at LIBOR.  These agreements relating to the Hotel Cipriani between Mr. Sherwood and OEH and its predecessor companies have been in place since 1983 and were last amended and restated in 2005.

 

Mr. Sherwood and the subsidiary of the Company which owns the Hotel Cipriani have an agreement entered into in 1982 under which he may rent his apartment to the hotel in return for 50% of the amounts paid

 

162



Table of Contents

 

by hotel guests for use of the apartment.  In 2010, the hotel paid Mr. Sherwood $146,000 for the use of his apartment.  Also, in any calendar year when the apartment is made available to the hotel for 90 days or more when the hotel is open to guests, the hotel is obligated to clean, repair and insure the apartment at its expense and provide Mr. Sherwood and his guests with all hotel services other than food and beverages free of charge, including electricity, air conditioning, telephone rental, water and room services for the apartment.  To the extent that the apartment is made available to the hotel for less than 90 days per year, Mr. Sherwood must pay a proportionate share of those expenses.

 

Mr. Sherwood owns Capannelle S.r.l., a wine estate in the Chianti region of Italy that produces wine, olive oil and other products principally for public sale.  In 2010, the estate sold $82,600 of products to OEH hotels at prices the same as its public prices.

 

Capannelle and the Company’s subsidiary that owns the Villa San Michele near Florence, Italy had an agreement dating from 2002 under which Capannelle would make the main house and other parts of the wine estate available to short-stay guests provided by the hotel.  The incremental costs of Capannelle and Villa San Michele in servicing the guests each year were netted against the amounts charged by the hotel for guest accommodation, food, beverage and other hotel services, and the net amount was shared equally between Capannelle and Villa San Michele.  In 2010, Capannelle earned $nil from this arrangement which was terminated by mutual agreement at the end of 2010.

 

In April 2009, the Company and Mr. Sherwood entered into an agreement limiting his acts and communications on behalf of the Company involving third parties outside of the Company, without the prior written authorization of the board of directors or the President and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Sherwood agreed that if he consciously fails to abide by the limitations, he may be removed as a director by the board for cause in accordance with the Company’s bye-laws.

 

See also “Non-Executive Director Fees” in Item 11—Executive Compensation regarding other agreements between OEH and Mr. Sherwood, and Note 21 to the Financial Statements (Item 8 above) regarding other related party transactions.

 

Director Independence

 

The eight members of the board of directors of the Company are identified in Item 10—Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.  Regarding the independence of directors from OEH’s management, the board has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of the eight directors of the Company has with OEH either directly or indirectly through another organization, including the fees and other compensation described under “Non-Executive Director Fees” in Item 11—Executive Compensation and including the transactions described under “Related Party Transactions” above.  The criteria applied included the director independence requirements set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, any other managerial, familial, professional, commercial or affiliated relationship between a director and the Company, a subsidiary or another director and, with respect to the Company’s Audit Committee, the SEC’s independence rules.

 

163



Table of Contents

 

Based on this review, the Board has determined that Ms. Leith and Messrs. Campbell, Hurlock, Lovejoy and Rafael are independent directors.  The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines are filed as an exhibit to this report and are available at OEH’s website www.orient-express.com.

 

ITEM 14.       Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The following table presents the fees of Deloitte LLP, OEH’s independent registered public accounting firm, for audit and permitted non-audit services in 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit fees

 

$

1,927,000

 

$

2,014,000

 

Audit-related fees

 

167,000

 

434,000

 

Tax fees

 

507,000

 

654,000

 

All other fees

 

 

 

Total

 

$

2,601,000

 

$

3,102,000

 

 

Audit services consist of work performed in connection with the audits of OEH’s financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting for each fiscal year and in the review of financial statements included in quarterly reports during the year, as well as work normally done by the independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings, such as statutory audits of non-U.S. subsidiaries, and consents and comfort letters for SEC registration statements.

 

Audit-related services consist of assurance and related services that are normally performed by the independent auditor and that are reasonably related to the audit or review of financial statements but are not reported under audit services, including due diligence reviews in potential transactions, specific procedures for lenders agreed in loan documents, and audits of benefit plans.

 

Tax services consist of all services performed by the independent auditor’s tax personnel, except those services specifically related to the audit or review of financial statements, and include fees in the areas of tax return preparation and compliance and tax planning and advice.

 

Other services consist of those services permitted to be provided by the independent auditor but not included in the other three categories.  There were no other services provided in 2010 and 2009.

 

The Audit Committee of the board of directors of the Company has established a policy to preapprove all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent auditor.  Prior to engagement of the auditor for the next year’s audit, management and the auditor submit to the Committee a description of the audit and permitted non-audit services expected to be provided during that year in each of four categories of services described above, together with a fee proposal for those services.  Prior to the engagement of the independent auditor, the Audit Committee considers with management and the auditor and approves (or revises) both the description of audit and permitted non-audit services proposed and the budget for those services.  If circumstances arise during the year when it becomes

 

164



Table of Contents

 

necessary to engage the independent auditor for additional services not contemplated in the original preapproval, the Audit Committee at its regularly scheduled meetings requires separate pre-approval before engaging the independent auditor.  To ensure prompt handling of unexpected matters, the Committee may delegate preapproval authority to one or more of its members who report any preapproval decisions to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting.  For 2010 and 2009, all of the audit and permitted non-audit services described above were pre-approved under the policy.

 

165



Table of Contents

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15.       Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

Page
Number

 

 

1. Financial Statements

 

 

 

Reports of independent registered public accounting firm

77 and 144

 

 

Consolidated financial statements - years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

Balance sheets (December 31, 2010 and 2009)

78

Statements of operations

80

Statements of cash flows

81

Statements of total equity

83

Notes to financial statements

84

 

 

2. Financial Statement Schedule

 

 

 

Schedule II — Valuation and qualifying accounts (years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008)

167

 

 

3. Exhibits

 

 

 

The index to exhibits appears below, on the pages immediately following the signature pages to this report.

 

 

166



Table of Contents

 

ORIENT-EXPRESS HOTELS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

 

Column B

 

Column C - Additions

 

 

 

Column E

 

 

 

Balance

 

Charged

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

at

 

to

 

Charged to

 

 

 

at

 

 

 

beginning

 

costs and

 

other

 

Column D

 

end

 

Column A

 

of period

 

expenses

 

accounts

 

Deductions

 

of period

 

Description

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

388,000

 

223,000

 

(6,000

)(2)

(131,000

)(1)

474,000

 

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

6,506,000

 

8,980,000

 

12,715,000

 

 

28,201,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

637,000

 

204,000

 

(4,000

)(2)

(449,000

)(1)

388,000

 

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

3,371,000

 

 

3,135,000

 

 

6,506,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

777,000

 

175,000

 

(48,000

)(2)

(267,000

)(1)

637,000

 

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

4,378,000

 

 

(1,007,000

)(3)

 

3,371,000

 

 


(1)           Bad debts written off, net of recoveries.

(2)           Foreign currency translation adjustments.

(3)           Release of valuation allowance

 

167



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Dated:  February 25, 2011

 

 

ORIENT-EXPRESS HOTELS LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul M. White

 

 

Paul M. White

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

168



Table of Contents

 

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

 

Dated: February 25, 2011

 

Name

 

Title

 

 

 

/s/ John D. Campbell

 

Director

John D. Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mitchell C. Hochberg

 

Director

Mitchell C. Hochberg

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ James B. Hurlock

 

Chairman and Director

James B. Hurlock

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Prudence M. Leith

 

Director

Prudence M. Leith

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ J. Robert Lovejoy

 

Director

J. Robert Lovejoy

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Georg R. Rafael

 

Vice Chairman and Director

Georg R. Rafael

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ James B. Sherwood

 

Director

James B. Sherwood

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Paul M. White

 

President, Chief Executive

Paul M. White

 

Officer and Director

 

 

 

/s/ Martin O’Grady

 

Vice President—Finance and

Martin O’Grady

 

Chief Financial Officer
(Chief Accounting Officer)

 

169



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Incorporated by Reference to

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Exhibit 3.1 to July 9, 2007 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Memorandum of Association and Certificate of Incorporation of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

3.2

 

Exhibit 3.2 to June 15, 2007 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Bye-Laws of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

3.3

 

Exhibit 1 to April 23, 2007 Amendment No. 1 to Form 8-A Registration Statement (File No. 1-16017)

 

Rights Agreement dated June 1, 2000, and amended and restated April 12, 2007, between Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Computershare Trust Company N.A., as Rights Agent

3.4

 

Exhibit 4.2 to December 10, 2007 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Amendment No. 1 dated December 10, 2007 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (Exhibit 3.3)

3.5

 

Exhibit 4.3 to May 27, 2010 Form 8-K Current Report (File 1-16017)

 

Amendment No. 2 dated May 27, 2010 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (Exhibit 3.3)

4.1

 

Exhibit 1.1 to November 3, 2010 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Secured Facility Agreement dated October 28, 2010 for Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and certain subsidiaries arranged by Barclays Bank PLC and other banks

 

OEH has no instrument with respect to long-term debt not listed above under which the total amount of securities authorized exceeds 10% of the total assets of OEH on a consolidated basis.  The Company agrees to furnish to the SEC upon request a copy of each instrument with respect to long-term debt not filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

10.1

 

Exhibit 10.1 to 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. 2000 Stock Option Plan

10.2

 

Exhibit 10.2 to 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. 2004 Stock Option Plan

10.3

 

Exhibit 10.3 to 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. 2007 Performance Share Plan

10.4

 

Exhibit 10.4 to 2009 Form 10-K Annual Report (File 1-16017)

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. 2007 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan

10.5

 

Exhibit 10.1 to June 4, 2010 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. 2009 Share Award and Incentive Plan

 

170



Table of Contents

 

Exhibit 
No.

 

Incorporated by Reference to

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

 

Exhibit 10.3 to 2004 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Amended and Restated Agreement Regarding Hotel Cipriani Interests dated February 8, 2005 between James B. Sherwood, Hotel Cipriani S.r.l. and Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

10.7

 

Exhibit 10.4 to 2004 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Amended and Restated Right of First Refusal and Option Agreement Regarding Indirectly Held Hotel Cipriani Interests dated February 8, 2005 between James B. Sherwood and Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

10.8

 

Exhibit 10.4 to Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-12030

 

Agreement dated February 18, 1982 between James B. Sherwood and Hotel Cipriani S.p.A. regarding apartment

10.9

 

Exhibit 10.10 to 2003 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Contract of Special Partnership or Joint Venture dated August 1, 2002 between Alberghiera Fiesolana S.p.A. and Capannelle S.r.l.

10.10

 

Exhibit 10 to July 25, 2007 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Form of Severance Agreement dated December 1, 2006, as amended July 25, 2007, between Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and Paul White

10.11

 

Exhibit 10.11 to 2006 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Form of Severance Agreement between Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and each of Filip Boyen (dated December 1, 2006), Roger Collins (dated December 1, 2006), Martin O’Grady (dated November 15, 2007), Philip Calvert (dated December 5, 2008) and Roy Paul (dated February 1, 2011)

10.12

 

Exhibit 10.12 to 2006 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Form of Severance Agreement between Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and each of Edwin Hetherington (dated December 1, 2006), David Williams (dated December 1, 2006) and Phillip A. Gesue (dated February 9, 2009)

11

 

 

 

Statement of computation of per share earnings

12

 

 

 

Statement of computation of ratios

14

 

Exhibit 14 to 2003 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Code of Business Practices for Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officers

21

 

 

 

Subsidiaries of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

23

 

 

 

Consent of Deloitte LLP relating to Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-158308 and Form S-8 Registration Statements No. 333-58298, No. 333-129152, No. 333-147448, No. 333-161459 and No. 333-168588

31

 

 

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification

32

 

 

 

Section 1350 Certification

99.1

 

Exhibit 99 to 2004 Form 10-K Annual Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines of Orient- Express Hotels Ltd.

99.2

 

Exhibit 99.1 to June 1, 2010 Form 8-K Current Report (File No. 1-16017)

 

Judgment of Bermuda Supreme Court dated June 1, 2010 in D.E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios LLC et al. vs. Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. et al.

100

 

 

 

Interactive data file

 

171