10-Q 1 w71233e10vq.htm 10-Q e10vq
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
 
     
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
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 1-14331
 
 
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
 
 
     
Delaware
  52-2101815
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4501 North Fairfax Drive, Ste 500
Arlington, VA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  22203
(Zip Code)
 
 
www.ihrco.com
This Form 10-Q can be accessed at no charge through the above website.
 
 
(703) 387-3100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  þ Yes     o No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer o
    Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding at November 1, 2008 was 31,841,316.
 


 

 
INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
 
INDEX
 
                 
        Page
 
             
      Financial Statements (Unaudited):        
             
        Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007     2  
             
        Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007     3  
             
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007     4  
             
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     5  
             
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     25  
             
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     37  
             
      Controls and Procedures     38  
 
             
      Legal Proceedings     39  
             
      Risk Factors     39  
             
      Exhibits     40  


1


 

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1:   Financial Statements
 
INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)        
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 16,426     $ 9,775  
Restricted cash
    8,062       7,090  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,199 and $516, respectively
    20,831       27,989  
Due from related parties, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,464 and $1,465, respectively
    2,373       1,822  
Deferred income taxes
    5,178       3,796  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    4,821       5,101  
                 
Total current assets
    57,691       55,573  
Marketable securities
    2,204       1,905  
Property and equipment, net
    290,979       278,098  
Investments in unconsolidated entities
    47,143       27,631  
Notes receivable, net of allowance of $2,551 and $2,551, respectively
    5,529       4,976  
Deferred income taxes
    19,131       18,247  
Goodwill
    66,599       66,599  
Intangible assets, net
    17,752       17,849  
                 
Total assets
  $ 507,028     $ 470,878  
                 
 
LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 3,421     $ 2,597  
Accrued expenses
    70,924       64,952  
Current portion of long-term debt
    863       863  
                 
Total current liabilities
    75,208       68,412  
Deferred compensation
    2,165       1,831  
Long-term debt
    240,172       210,800  
                 
Total liabilities
    317,545       281,043  
Minority interest (redemption value of $127 at September 30, 2008)
    320       329  
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 10)
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
           
Common stock, $.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 31,858,116 and 31,841,316 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2008; 31,718,817 and 31,702,017 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2007
    319       317  
Treasury stock
    (69 )     (69 )
Paid-in capital
    196,809       195,729  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    43       (87 )
Accumulated deficit
    (7,939 )     (6,384 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    189,163       189,506  
                 
Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity
  $ 507,028     $ 470,878  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


2


 

 
INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
          (As restated)           (As restated)  
 
Revenue:
                               
Lodging
  $ 22,456     $ 20,628     $ 72,170     $ 52,325  
Management fees
    8,697       8,487       26,241       29,837  
Management fees-related parties
    1,754       1,147       4,939       2,846  
Termination fees
    1,446       935       5,650       4,928  
Other
    2,447       2,506       7,239       7,538  
                                 
      36,800       33,703       116,239       97,474  
Other revenue from managed properties
    155,448       147,562       463,795       488,725  
                                 
Total revenue
    192,248       181,265       580,034       586,199  
Expenses:
                               
Lodging
    16,803       14,604       51,255       36,535  
Administrative and general
    13,550       13,669       44,793       41,667  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,886       3,665       14,061       10,313  
Asset impairments and write-offs
    282       801       1,423       8,713  
                                 
      35,521       32,739       111,532       97,228  
Other expenses from managed properties
    155,448       147,562       463,795       488,725  
                                 
Total operating expenses
    190,969       180,301       575,327       585,953  
                                 
OPERATING INCOME
    1,279       964       4,707       246  
Interest income
    223       515       822       1,672  
Interest expense
    (3,433 )     (3,825 )     (10,581 )     (9,834 )
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities
    (29 )     563       2,867       1,818  
                                 
LOSS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES
    (1,960 )     (1,783 )     (2,185 )     (6,098 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
    554       (252 )     626       1,804  
Minority interest benefit (expense)
    3       (1 )     4       (43 )
                                 
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    (1,403 )     (2,036 )     (1,555 )     (4,337 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
          2,836             20,444  
                                 
NET (LOSS) INCOME
  $ (1,403 )   $ 800     $ (1,555 )   $ 16,107  
                                 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                               
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    110       (219 )     92       (242 )
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedge instrument
    (100 )           1        
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments
    (3 )     21       37       39  
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
  $ (1,396 )   $ 602     $ (1,425 )   $ 15,904  
                                 
BASIC (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.14 )
Discontinued operations
          0.09             0.65  
                                 
Basic (loss) earnings per share
  $ (0.05 )   $ 0.03     $ (0.05 )   $ 0.51  
                                 
DILUTIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.14 )
Discontinued operations
          0.09             0.65  
                                 
Dilutive (loss) earnings per share
  $ (0.05 )   $ 0.03     $ (0.05 )   $ 0.51  
                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


3


 

 
INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
                 
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2008     2007  
          (As restated)  
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,555 )   $ 16,107  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    14,061       10,313  
Amortization of deferred financing fees
    971       1,419  
Amortization of key money management contracts
    765       492  
Stock compensation expense
    1,332       863  
Discount on notes receivable
    (232 )      
Bad debt expense
    1,194       80  
Asset impairments and write-offs
    1,423       8,713  
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities
    (2,867 )     (1,818 )
Operating distributions from unconsolidated entities
    1,302       258  
Minority interest
    (4 )     43  
Deferred income taxes
    (2,266 )     (3,929 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
    89       (87 )
Discontinued operations:
               
Gain on sale
          (20,549 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    4,868       9,527  
Due from related parties, net
    (550 )     471  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    280       (1,137 )
Notes receivable related to termination fees
    (789 )      
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    8,355       2,522  
Changes in assets and liabilities held for sale
          93  
Other changes in asset and liability accounts
    (129 )     (74 )
                 
Cash provided by operating activities
    26,248       23,307  
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Acquisition of hotels
          (129,958 )
Purchases of property and equipment
    (25,395 )     (6,083 )
Additions to intangible assets
    (3,971 )     (3,163 )
Contributions to unconsolidated entities
    (20,243 )     (8,721 )
Distributions from unconsolidated entities
    1,830       3,187  
Purchases related to discontinued operations
          (68 )
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations
    959       35,958  
Change in restricted cash
    (972 )     (847 )
Changes in notes receivable
    (491 )     (473 )
                 
Cash used in investing activities
    (48,283 )     (110,168 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from borrowings
    58,535       147,825  
Repayment of borrowings
    (29,163 )     (60,101 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments
    (89 )     87  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    2       190  
Financing fees paid
    (810 )     (3,317 )
                 
Cash provided by financing activities
    28,475       84,684  
                 
Effect of exchange rate on cash
    211       (236 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    6,651       (2,413 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
    9,775       23,989  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
  $ 16,426     $ 21,576  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash paid for interest and income taxes:
               
Interest
  $ 9,550     $ 8,185  
Income taxes
    1,542       3,458  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


4


 

INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.   BUSINESS SUMMARY
 
We are a leading hotel real estate investor and the nation’s largest independent hotel management company, as measured by number of rooms under management and gross annual revenues of the managed portfolio. We have two reportable operating segments: hotel ownership (through whole-ownership and joint ventures) and hotel management. A third reportable operating segment, corporate housing, was disposed of on January 26, 2007 with the sale of BridgeStreet Corporate Housing Worldwide, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (“BridgeStreet”). The operations of BridgeStreet are presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. Each segment is reviewed and evaluated separately by the company’s senior management. For financial information about each segment, see Note 9, “Segment Information.”
 
Our hotel ownership segment includes our wholly-owned hotels and our minority interest investments in hotel properties through unconsolidated entities. Hotel ownership allows us to participate in operations and potential asset appreciation of the hotel properties. As of September 30, 2008, we wholly-owned and managed seven hotels with 2,050 rooms and held non-controlling equity interests in 19 joint ventures, which owned or held ownership interests in 50 of our managed properties.
 
We manage a portfolio of hospitality properties and provide related services in the hotel, resort and conference center markets to third parties. Our portfolio is diversified by location/market, franchise and brand affiliations, and ownership group(s). The related services provided include insurance and risk management, purchasing and capital project management, information technology and telecommunications, and centralized accounting. As of September 30, 2008, we and our affiliates managed 226 hotel properties with 46,194 rooms and six ancillary service centers (which consist of a convention center, a spa facility, two restaurants and two laundry centers), in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Belgium and Ireland.
 
Our subsidiary operating partnership, Interstate Operating Company, L.P, indirectly holds substantially all of our assets. We are the sole general partner of that operating partnership. Certain independent third parties and we are limited partners of the partnership. The interests of those parties are reflected in minority interests on our consolidated balance sheet. The partnership agreement gives the general partner full control over the business and affairs of the partnership. We own more than 99% of Interstate Operating Company, L.P.
 
2.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
General
 
We have prepared these unaudited consolidated interim financial statements according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures that are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, accompanying notes and other information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported asset and liability amounts, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Our actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of our results for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of all of our majority owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all intercompany balances and transactions.


5


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are presented as restated in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Subsequent to the issuance of our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, our Audit Committee determined, after discussions with management, that the previously-issued financial statements as of, and for the quarters ended, March 31, 2007, June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2007 should no longer be relied upon due to an error in the calculation of intangible asset impairment charges that resulted from the termination of certain hotel management contracts. For additional information on the restatement and the impact of the restatement on the condensed consolidated financial data, refer to Note 19, Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited), of our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
The following table presents the effects of correcting the errors described herein on our previously reported consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations (in thousands):
 
                         
    As of September 30, 2007  
    (As Reported)     Adjustments     (Restated)  
 
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and equivalents
  $ 21,576           $ 21,576  
Escrow and restricted funds
    7,332             7,332  
Accounts receivable, net
    22,039             22,039  
Due to related party, net
    998             998  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    7,423             7,423  
                         
Total current assets
    59,368             59,368  
Marketable securities
    1,772             1,772  
Property and equipment, net
    229,693             229,693  
Investments in unconsolidated entities
    18,662             18,662  
Notes receivable, net
    6,935             6,935  
Deferred income taxes
    13,467       3,349       16,816  
Goodwill
    73,672             73,672  
Intangible assets, net
    29,474       (6,751 )     22,723  
                         
Total assets
  $ 433,043       (3,402 )   $ 429,641  
                         
 
LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable
  $ 2,202           $ 2,202  
Accrued expenses
    69,776       1,344       71,120  
Current portion of long-term debt
    862             862  
                         
Total current liabilities
    72,840       1,344       74,184  
Deferred compensation
    1,712             1,712  
Long-term debt
    171,088             171,088  
                         
Total liabilities
    245,640       1,344       246,984  
Minority interests
    324       (20 )     304  
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 10)
                       
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Preferred stock, $.01 par value
                 
Common stock, $.01 par value
    317             317  
Treasury stock
    (69 )           (69 )
Paid in capital
    195,436             195,436  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (226 )           (226 )
Accumulated deficit
    (8,379 )     (4,726 )     (13,105 )
                         
Total stockholders’ equity
    187,079       (4,726 )     182,353  
                         
Total liabilities, minority interests and stockholders’ equity
  $ 433,043       (3,402 )   $ 429,641  
                         


6


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2007  
    (As Reported)     Adjustments     (Restated)  
 
Total revenue
  $ 181,265           $ 181,265  
Expenses:
                       
Lodging
    14,604             14,604  
Administrative and general
    13,669             13,669  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,137       (472 )     3,665  
Asset impairments and write-offs
    6       795       801  
                         
      32,416       323       32,739  
Other expenses from managed properties
    147,562             147,562  
                         
Total operating expenses
    179,978       323       180,301  
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    1,287       (323 )     964  
LOSS BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS AND INCOME TAXES
    (1,460 )     (323 )     (1,783 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
    654       (906 )     (252 )
Minority interest expense
    (1 )           (1 )
                         
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    (807 )     (1,229 )     (2,036 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    2,836             2,836  
                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 2,029       (1,229 )     800  
                         
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                       
Continuing Operations
  $ (0.03 )     (0.03 )   $ (0.06 )
Discontinued Operations
  $ 0.09           $ 0.09  
                         
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.06       (0.03 )   $ 0.03  
                         
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                       
Continuing operations
  $ (0.03 )     (0.03 )   $ (0.06 )
Discontinued operations
  $ 0.09           $ 0.09  
                         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.06       (0.03 )   $ 0.03  
                         
 


7


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007  
    (As Reported)     Adjustments     (Restated)  
 
Total revenue
  $ 586,199           $ 586,199  
Expenses:
                       
Lodging
    36,535             36,535  
Administrative and general
    41,667             41,667  
Depreciation and amortization
    11,114       (801 )     10,313  
Asset impairments and write-offs
    1,161       7,552       8,713  
                         
      90,477       6,751       97,228  
Other expenses from managed properties
    488,725             488,725  
                         
Total operating expenses
    579,202       6,751       585,953  
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    6,997       (6,751 )     246  
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS AND INCOME TAXES
    653       (6,751 )     (6,098 )
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (201 )     2,005       1,804  
Minority interest (expense) benefit
    (63 )     20       (43 )
                         
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    389       (4,726 )     (4,337 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    20,444             20,444  
                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 20,833       (4,726 )   $ 16,107  
                         
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                       
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.01       (0.15 )   $ (0.14 )
Discontinued Operations
  $ 0.65           $ 0.65  
                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.66       (0.15 )   $ 0.51  
                         
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                       
Continuing operations
  $ 0.01       (0.15 )   $ (0.14 )
Discontinued operations
  $ 0.64       0.01     $ 0.65  
                         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.65       (0.14 )   $ 0.51  
                         
 
The effect of the restatement on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was a decrease in net income of $4.7 million, a decrease in deferred income taxes of $3.3 million, a decrease in depreciation and amortization of $0.8 million, an increase in asset impairment and write-off of $7.6 million, and an increase in accrued expenses for the change in taxes payable of $1.3 million. The effect on minority interest on the consolidated statement of cash flows was immaterial. Cash provided by operating activities did not change for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as a result of the restatement.
 
Revenue Recognition Related to Termination Fees
 
Termination fee revenue is recognized on terminated management contracts when all contingencies are removed. For the majority of contracts with The Blackstone Group (“Blackstone”), Blackstone can elect to pay a present value lump sum amount at time of termination or pay over a 48 month period during which Blackstone retains the right to replace a terminated management contract with a replacement contract on a different hotel and reduce the amount of any remaining unpaid termination fees dollar for dollar. For terminated contracts which allow for replacement, revenue is recognized as the contingency is removed which is generally over the payment period of 48 months.

8


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Related Parties
 
In January 2007, we were retained as manager for two properties owned by Capstar Hotel Company, LLC (“New Capstar”), a real estate investment company founded by Paul Whetsell, our current Chairman of the Board. Balances related to New Capstar have been included within “due from related parties” on our consolidated balance sheet and “management fees — related parties” on our consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented.
 
Our managed properties for which we also hold a joint venture ownership interest continue to be included in “management fees — related parties.” See Note 4, “Investments in Unconsolidated Entities” for further information on these related party amounts.
 
Fair Value Accounting
 
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The standard also establishes and outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy in order to increase the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and the related disclosures. Under GAAP, certain assets and liabilities must be measured at fair value, and SFAS 157 details the disclosures that are required for items measured at fair value. The provisions of SFAS 157 were adopted on January 1, 2008. In February 2008, the FASB staff issued Staff Position No. 157-2Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP SFAS 157-2”). FSP SFAS 157-2 delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of FSP SFAS 157-2 will be effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The deferral will apply to certain fair value measurements under FASB Statements 142 and 144 among other items.
 
We have various financial assets and liabilities that must be measured under the new fair value standard including marketable securities and derivative instruments. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are:
 
Level 1 Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
 
Level 3 Inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Such unobservable inputs include prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and that reflect our assumption(s) about the assumption(s) that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). We develop these inputs based on the best information available, including our own data.


9


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table sets forth our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by SFAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands).
 
                                 
    Fair Value at September 30, 2008  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Assets:
                               
Derivative instruments
  $ 214     $     $ 214     $  
Marketable securities
  $ 2,204     $ 2,204     $     $  
                                 
Total:
  $ 2,418     $ 2,204     $ 214     $  
                                 
 
Our marketable securities are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the marketable equity securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by us.
 
Our derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued using third-party pricing models which contain inputs that are derived from observable market data. Where possible, we verify the values produced by the pricing models to market prices. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit spreads, measures of volatility, and correlations of such inputs.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2007, FASB Statement No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”) was issued. SFAS 160 establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that does not result in deconsolidation. The statement also requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent’s owners and the interest of the non-controlling owners of the subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We believe the adoption of this statement will not have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In December 2007, FASB Statement No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”) was issued. SFAS 141R revises SFAS 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141”), but it retains a number of fundamental requirements of SFAS 141. SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, in-process research and development costs, and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS 141R, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS 141R, will be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition dates are on or after the start of the fiscal year beginning on or after December 15, 2008. SFAS 141R will have an impact on our financial statements each time we are involved in a business combination in 2009 and later years.
 
In March 2008, FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”) was issued. SFAS 161 amends FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”), and requires enhanced disclosure regarding an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We currently have only four derivative instruments and expect the impact of the adoption of this statement to add minimally to our current disclosures.
 
In May 2008, FASB issued statement No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60” (“SFAS 163”). SFAS 163 requires that an insurance enterprise recognize a claim liability prior to an event of default (insured event) when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an insured financial obligation. SFAS 163 also clarifies how FASB Statement No. 60 applies to


10


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition and measurement to be used to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities. SFAS 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and all interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this statement.
 
3.   EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
We calculate our basic earnings per common share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Our diluted earnings per common share assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive stock equivalents outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares include restricted stock, stock options granted under our various stock compensation plans and operating partnership units held by minority partners. In periods in which there is a loss, diluted shares outstanding will equal basic shares outstanding to prevent anti-dilution.
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended  
          September 30, 2007
 
    September 30, 2008     (As restated)  
                Per Share
                Per Share
 
    Loss     Shares     Amount     Income     Shares     Amount  
 
Loss from continuing operations
  $ (1,403 )     31,833     $ (0.05 )   $ (2,036 )     31,701     $ (0.06 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
                      2,836             0.09  
                                                 
Basic net (loss) income
  $ (1,403 )     31,833     $ (0.05 )   $ 800       31,701     $ 0.03  
                                                 
Assuming exercise of outstanding employee stock options less shares repurchased at average market price
                            13        
Assuming vesting of outstanding restricted stock
                            282        
                                                 
Diluted net (loss) income
  $ (1,403 )     31,833     $ (0.05 )   $ 800       31,996     $ 0.03  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended  
          September 30, 2007
 
    September 30, 2008     (As restated)  
                Per Share
                Per Share
 
    Loss     Shares     Amount     Income     Shares     Amount  
 
Loss from continuing operations
  $ (1,555 )     31,788     $ (0.05 )   $ (4,337 )     31,636     $ (0.14 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
                      20,444             0.65  
                                                 
Basic net (loss) income
  $ (1,555 )     31,788     $ (0.05 )   $ 16,107       31,636     $ 0.51  
                                                 
Assuming exercise of outstanding employee stock options less shares repurchased at average market price
                            43        
Assuming vesting of outstanding restricted stock
                            248        
                                                 
Diluted net (loss) income
  $ (1,555 )     31,788     $ (0.05 )   $ 16,107       31,927     $ 0.51  
                                                 


11


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
4.   INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of the following (in thousands, except number of hotels):
 
                                 
          Our Equity
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
Joint Venture
  Number of Hotels     Participation     2008     2007  
 
Amitel Holdings, LLC
    6       15.0 %   $ 4,322     $ 4,065  
Budget Portfolio Properties, LLC
    22       10.0 %     1,485       250  
Cameron S-Sixteen Broadway, LLC
    1       15.7 %     896       1,002  
Cameron S-Sixteen Hospitality, LLC
    1       10.9 %     222       399  
CNL/IHC Partners, L.P. 
    3       15.0 %     3,014       2,825  
Duet Fund(1)
                6,251        
Harte IHR Joint Venture
    4       20.0 %     11,138       2,356  
IHR Greenbuck Hotel Venture, LLC(2)
    2       15.0 %     2,440       2,038  
IHR Invest Hospitality Holdings, LLC
    2       15.0 %     4,022       4,372  
IHR/Steadfast Hospitality Management, LLC(3)
          50.0 %     742       649  
Interstate Cross Keys, LLC
    1       15.0 %     494       557  
JHM Interstate Hotels India Ltd(3)
          50.0 %     500        
MPVF IHR Lexington, LLC
    1       5.0 %     987        
RQB Resort/Development Investors, LLC
    1       10.0 %     2,230       1,378  
Steadfast Mexico, LLC
    3       15.0 %     5,976       6,133  
Other
    3       various       2,424       1,607  
                                 
Total
    50             $ 47,143     $ 27,631  
                                 
 
 
(1) This fund has not purchased or invested in real estate properties as of September 30, 2008.
 
(2) This joint venture opened two new hotels in June and September 2008.
 
(3) Hotel number is not listed as this joint venture owns a management company.
 
In February 2008, we invested $11.6 million to acquire a 20 percent equity interest in a joint venture with Harte Holdings (“Harte”) of Cork, Ireland. The joint venture purchased four hotels from affiliates of Blackstone for an aggregate price of $208.7 million. At the time of our investment, we managed three of the properties and had previously managed the fourth. The joint venture plans to invest more than $30 million for comprehensive renovations of the hotels over the 30 months following the acquisition. Our contribution for this renovation work is expected to be approximately $2 million. The four properties acquired by the joint venture were the 142-room Latham Hotel in Washington, DC, the 198-room Sheraton Frazer Great Valley in Frazer, Pennsylvania, the 225-room Sheraton Mahwah in Mahwah, New Jersey and the 327-room Hilton Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana.
 
In February 2008, our joint venture, Budget Portfolio Properties, LLC, acquired a portfolio of 22 properties located throughout the Midwest in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas. We invested $1.7 million, representing our 10 percent equity interest in the portfolio. Upon closing, all 22 properties, representing 2,397 rooms, were converted to various Wyndham Worldwide brands.
 
In February 2008, True North Tesoro Property Partners, L.P., a joint venture in which we hold a 15.9 percent equity interest, sold the Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club, located near Dallas, Texas. Our portion of the joint ventures’ gain on sale of the hotel was approximately $2.4 million before post-closing adjustments and has been recorded as equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities on our consolidated statement of operations. In March 2008, we received $1.8 million in proceeds from the sale.


12


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In February 2008, we and JHM Hotels, LLC (“JHM”) formed a joint venture management company in which we hold a 50 percent ownership interest. The joint venture will seek management opportunities throughout India and signed its first management agreement in April 2008. Management of this hotel will commence in early 2009. We provided to our partner, JHM, $0.5 million in the form of a convertible note towards the working capital of the joint venture, which is expected to convert to an equity interest in the joint venture by the end of 2008. Simultaneous with the formation of this management company, we and JHM each committed to invest $6.25 million in the private real estate fund, Duet India Hotels (“Duet Fund”), which will seek opportunities to purchase and/or develop hotels throughout India. In February 2008 and June 2008, we contributed $1.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively, to the Duet Fund to fulfill our investment commitment. The Duet Fund will give our management company joint venture the right of first look to manage all hotels that it invests which are not already encumbered by an existing management contract.
 
In June 2008, IHR Greenbuck Hotel Venture, a joint venture in which we hold a 15.0 percent equity interest, opened the first aloft branded hotel in the United States. The aloft brand is a new upscale and select-service Starwood brand. The hotel has 136 rooms and is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. In September 2008, the joint venture opened its second, 143-room aloft hotel in Cool Springs, Tennessee. We manage both newly built hotels.
 
In July 2008, we formed a joint venture with an affiliate of Madison W Properties, LLC to recapitalize the existing ownership of the 367-room Radisson Plaza Hotel Lexington and adjacent 234,000 square foot class A office building in Lexington, Kentucky. Upon transition, the hotel was renamed the Lexington Downtown Hotel & Conference Center. We have invested $1.0 million for a 5% equity interest in the joint venture. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive, $13 million renovation encompassing guest rooms and public spaces, as well as a restaurant. Following completion of the renovation, the hotel will be re-branded as a Hilton. We currently manage the hotel and will operate the property as an independent hotel until the renovation is complete and the hotel is reflagged.
 
We had net related party accounts receivable for management fees and reimbursable costs from the hotels owned by unconsolidated entities of $2.2 million and $1.6 million as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. We earned related party management fees from our unconsolidated entities of $1.7 million and $4.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $1.0 million and $2.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
 
The recoverability of the carrying values of our investments in unconsolidated entities is dependent upon the operating results of the underlying hotel assets. Future adverse changes in the hospitality and lodging industry, market conditions or poor operating results of the underlying assets could result in future impairment losses or the inability to recover the carrying value of these interests. We continuously monitor the operating results of the underlying hotel assets for any indicators of permanent impairment to our joint venture investments. The debt of all investees is non-recourse to us, other than for customary non-recourse carveout provisions such as environmental conditions, misuse of funds and material misrepresentations, and we do not guarantee any of our investees’ obligations. We are not the primary beneficiary or controlling investor in any of these joint ventures. Where we exert significant influence over the activities of the investee, we account for our interests under the equity method.


13


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
5.   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Land
  $ 29,712     $ 26,912  
Furniture and fixtures
    38,043       28,841  
Building and improvements
    241,983       230,058  
Leasehold improvements
    5,986       5,695  
Computer equipment
    7,002       6,686  
Software
    12,519       12,336  
                 
Total
    335,245     $ 310,528  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (44,266 )     (32,430 )
                 
Property and equipment, net
  $ 290,979     $ 278,098  
                 
 
We acquired the Sheraton Columbia hotel in November 2007 and recorded a preliminary purchase allocation at that time. In early 2008, we received the property appraisal from a third-party hospitality consulting group to finalize the purchase allocation which increased the amount of the land allocation by $2.8 million to $6.5 million and increased furniture and fixtures by $0.8 million to $2.6 million. We reduced our previously recorded value for building and improvements by $3.6 million to $38.9 million.
 
The majority of the increase in property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 relates to renovations at two of our wholly-owned properties, the Westin Atlanta and the Sheraton Columbia.
 
6.   INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
 
Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Management contracts
  $ 22,356     $ 21,338  
Franchise fees
    1,925       1,925  
Deferred financing fees
    4,457       3,619  
                 
Total cost
    28,738       26,882  
Less accumulated amortization
    (10,986 )     (9,033 )
                 
Intangible assets, net
  $ 17,752     $ 17,849  
                 
 
The majority of our management contracts were identified as intangible assets at the time of the merger in 2002 and through the purchase of Sunstone Hotel Properties (“Sunstone”) in 2004, as part of the purchase accounting for each transaction. We also capitalize external direct costs, such as legal fees, which are incurred to acquire and execute new management contracts. Also included in management contracts are cash payments made to owners to incentivize them to enter into new management contracts in the form of a loan which is forgiven over the life of the contract. These arrangements are referred to as key money loans and the amortization reduces management fee revenue.
 
We amortize the value of our intangible assets, all of which have definite useful lives, over their estimated useful lives which generally correspond with the expected terms of the associated management, franchise, or financing agreements. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized impairment losses of $1.4 million, related to nine properties that were sold in 2008, four of which were sold by Blackstone and purchased


14


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
by two of our joint ventures. For the first nine months of 2007, $8.7 million of asset impairment charges were recorded as a result of the termination of 32 management contracts related to properties that were sold in 2007.
 
We incurred scheduled amortization expense on our remaining management contracts and franchise fees of $0.5 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $0.9 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. We also amortized deferred financing fees in the amount of $0.3 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $0.3 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. During the first quarter of 2007, $0.5 million of deferred financing fees related to our old senior credit facility was amortized in connection with our entrance into a $125.0 million senior secured credit facility (as amended, the “Credit Facility”) and the related payoff of our previous senior credit facility and subordinated term loan. In connection with the Credit Facility, we recorded $3.0 million of deferred financing fees which is amortized over the term of the Credit Facility. In May 2008, we placed a mortgage on the Sheraton Columbia and capitalized $0.8 million as deferred financing fees. Amortization of deferred financing fees is included in interest expense. See Note 8, “Long-Term Debt,” for additional information related to the Credit Facility.
 
Upon termination of a management agreement, we write off the entire value of the intangible asset related to the terminated contract as of the date of termination. We assess the recorded value of our management contracts and their related amortization periods as circumstances warrant.
 
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets purchased in a business combination. Evaluating goodwill for impairment involves the determination of the fair value of our reporting units in which we have recorded goodwill. A reporting unit is a component of an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by management on a regular basis. Inherent in the determination of our reporting units are certain estimates and judgments, including the interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations as well as our strategic plans with regard to our operations. To the extent additional information arises or our strategies change, it is possible that our conclusion regarding any potential goodwill impairment could change, which could have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.
 
Our goodwill is related to our hotel management segment. We evaluate goodwill annually for impairment during the fourth quarter; however, when circumstances warrant, we will assess the valuation of our goodwill more frequently. While we have not seen any indicators of reduced value in our management segment through September 30, 2008, economic and operating conditions appear to have deteriorated markedly at the outset of the fourth quarter. A prolonged weak economic environment may negatively impact our business to a material degree and may result in an impairment charge to goodwill that could have a material impact to our financial position and results of operations.
 
7.   ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Salaries and employee related benefits
  $ 24,152     $ 27,837  
Deferred revenues
    9,312       1,125  
Other
    37,460       35,990  
                 
Total
  $ 70,924     $ 64,952  
                 
 
The majority of deferred revenues are incentive fees. Certain hotel owners pay us a portion of the expected annual incentive fee on a monthly basis. As most of our contracts have annual incentive fee targets, we defer


15


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
recognition of the incentive fees from these contracts until the last month of each annual contract period when all contingencies and uncertainties have been resolved and the incentive fees have been earned.
 
“Other” consists of legal expenses, sales and use tax accruals, property tax accruals, owners insurance for our managed hotels, general and administrative costs of managing our business and various other items. No individual amounts in “Other” represent more than 5% of current liabilities.
 
8.   LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Our long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Senior credit facility — term loan
  $ 113,275     $ 114,138  
Senior credit facility — revolver loan
    45,235       40,000  
Mortgage debt
    82,525       57,525  
                 
Total long-term debt
    241,035       211,663  
Less current portion
    (863 )     (863 )
                 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
  $ 240,172     $ 210,800  
                 
 
Senior Credit Facility
 
In March 2007, we closed on a senior secured Credit Facility with various lenders. The Credit Facility consisted of a $65.0 million term loan and a $60.0 million revolving loan. Upon entering into the Credit Facility, we borrowed $65.0 million under the term loan, using a portion of it to pay off the remaining obligations under our previous credit facility. In May 2007, we amended the Credit Facility to increase the borrowings under our term loan by $50.0 million, resulting in a total of $115.0 million outstanding under the term loan, and increased the availability under our revolving loan to $85.0 million. In addition, we have the ability to increase the revolving loan and/or term loan by up to $75.0 million, in the aggregate, by and after seeking additional commitments from lenders and amending certain of our covenants. The Credit Facility matures in March 2010.
 
Simultaneously with the amendment, we used the additional $50.0 million under the term loan, along with cash on hand, to purchase the 495-room Westin Atlanta Airport in May 2007. In November 2007, we borrowed $40.0 million on the revolving loan, along with cash on hand, to purchase the 288-room Sheraton Columbia. We are required to make quarterly payments of $0.3 million on the term loan until its maturity date in March 2010.
 
The actual interest rates on both the revolving loan and term loan depend on the results of certain financial tests. As of September 30, 2008, based on those financial tests, borrowings under the term loan and the revolving loan bore interest at the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 275 basis points (a rate of 6.39 percent per annum). We incurred interest expense of $2.1 million and $7.1 million on the senior credit facilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $2.5 million and $5.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
 
The debt under the Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and collateralized by pledges of ownership interests, owned hospitality properties, and other collateral that was not previously prohibited from being pledged by any of our existing contracts or agreements. The Credit Facility contains covenants that include maintenance of certain financial ratios at the end of each quarter, compliance reporting requirements and other customary restrictions. At September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the loan covenants of the Credit Facility.
 
On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”) filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Lehman and its subsidiary, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“Lehman CPI”), are the administrator and one of the lenders under our


16


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Credit Facility. Lehman’s remaining commitment under this Credit Facility is 11.6 percent of the unfunded portion of the revolving loan, or approximately $4.5 million as of September 30, 2008. To date, we continue to have access to funding under this Credit Facility with the exception of Lehman’s commitment. It is uncertain whether future funding requests will be honored by Lehman or whether another lender will assume Lehman’s commitment. We believe that any loss of Lehman’s commitment under this Credit Facility will not be material to us and we expect to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our liquidity needs and execute our business strategy. We are in continuous discussion with Lehman regarding the future administration of our Credit Facility and their outstanding funding commitment.
 
Mortgage Debt
 
The following table summarizes our mortgage debt as of September 30, 2008:
 
                                 
    Principal
    Maturity
    Spread Over
    Interest Rate as of
 
    Amount     Date     LIBOR(1)     September 30, 2008  
 
Hilton Arlington
  $ 24.7 million       November 2009       135 bps       3.85 %
Hilton Houston Westchase
  $ 32.8 million       February 2010       135 bps       3.85 %
Sheraton Columbia
  $ 25.0 million       April 2013       200 bps       4.80 %
 
 
(1) The interest rate for the Hilton Arlington and Hilton Houston Westchase mortgage debt is based on a 30-day LIBOR, whereas, the interest rate for the Sheraton Columbia mortgage is based on a 90-day LIBOR.
 
For the Hilton Arlington and the Hilton Houston Westchase, we are required to make interest-only payments until these loans mature, with two optional one-year extensions at our discretion to extend the maturity date beyond the date indicated. Based on the terms of these mortgage loans, a prepayment cannot be made during the first year after it has been entered. After one year, a penalty of 1 percent is assessed on any prepayments. The penalty is reduced ratably over the course of the second year. There is no penalty for prepayments made during the third year.
 
In May 2008, we placed a non-recourse mortgage of $25.0 million on the Sheraton Columbia. We are required to make interest-only payments until March 2011. Beginning May 2011, the loan will amortize based on a 25-year period. The loan bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points and based on the terms of this mortgage loan, a penalty of 0.5 percent is assessed on any prepayments made during the first year. The net proceeds were used to pay down the revolving loan under our Credit Facility.
 
We incurred interest expense related to our mortgage loans of $0.9 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $1.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
 
Interest Rate Caps
 
We have entered into three interest rate cap agreements in order to provide an economic hedge against the potential effect of future interest rate fluctuations. The following table summarizes our interest rate cap agreements as of September 30, 2008:
 
                         
          Maturity
    30-day LIBOR
 
    Amount     Date     Cap Rate  
 
October 2006 (Hilton Arlington mortgage loan)
  $ 24.7 million       November 2009       7.25 %
February 2007 (Hilton Westchase mortgage loan)
  $ 32.8 million       February 2010       7.25 %
April 2008 (Sheraton Columbia mortgage loan)
  $ 25.0 million       May 2013       6.00 %
 
At September 30, 2008, the total fair value of these interest rate cap agreements was approximately a $0.2 million asset on our consolidated balance sheet. The change in fair value for these interest rate cap agreements is recognized in our consolidated statement of operations.


17


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Interest Rate Collar
 
On January 11, 2008, we entered into an interest rate collar agreement for a notional amount of $110.0 million to hedge against the potential effect of future interest rate fluctuations underlying our Credit Facility. The interest rate collar consists of an interest rate cap at 4.0 percent and an interest rate floor at 2.47 percent on the 30-day LIBOR rate. We are to receive the effective difference of the cap rate and the 30-day LIBOR rate, should LIBOR exceed the stated cap rate. If, however, the 30-day LIBOR rate should fall to a level below the stated floor rate, we are to pay the effective difference. The interest rate collar became effective January 14, 2008, with monthly settlement dates on the last day of each month beginning January 31, 2008, and maturing January 31, 2010. At the time of inception, we designated the interest rate collar to be a cash flow hedge. The effective portion of the change in fair value of the interest rate collar is recorded as other comprehensive income. Ineffectiveness is recorded through earnings. At September 30, 2008, the interest rate collar had a fair value of $0. The amount of ineffectiveness was inconsequential.
 
We review quarterly our exposure to counterparty risk related to our interest rate cap and interest rate collar agreements. Based on the credit worthiness of our counterparties, we believe our counterparties will be able to perform their obligations under these agreements.
 
9.   SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
We are organized into two reportable segments: hotel ownership and hotel management. A third reportable segment, corporate housing, was disposed of on January 26, 2007, with the sale of BridgeStreet and its affiliated subsidiaries. Each segment is managed separately because of its distinctive economic characteristics. Reimbursable expenses, classified as “other revenue from managed properties” and “other expenses from managed properties” on the statement of operations, are not included as part of this segment analysis. These line items are all part of the hotel management segment and net to zero.
 
Hotel ownership includes our wholly-owned hotels and our minority interest investments in hotel properties through unconsolidated entities. For the hotel ownership segment presentation, we have allocated internal management fee expense of $0.7 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $0.7 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, to wholly-owned hotels. These fees are eliminated in consolidation but are presented as part of the segment to present their operations on a stand-alone basis. Interest expense related to hotel mortgages and other debt drawn specifically to finance the hotels is included in the hotel ownership segment.
 
Hotel management includes the operations related to our managed properties, our purchasing, construction and design subsidiary and our insurance subsidiary. Revenue for this segment consists of “management fees,” “termination fees” and “other” from our consolidated statement of operations. Our insurance subsidiary, as part of the hotel management segment, provides a layer of reinsurance for property, casualty, auto and employment practices liability coverage to our hotel owners.
 
Corporate is not a reportable segment but rather includes costs that do not specifically relate to any other single segment of our business. Corporate includes expenses related to our public company structure, certain restructuring charges, Board of Directors costs, audit fees, unallocated corporate interest expense and an allocation for rent and legal expenses. Corporate assets include our cash accounts, deferred tax assets, deferred financing fees and various other corporate assets. Due to the sale of our third reportable segment, corporate housing, in January 2007, the operations of this segment are included as part of discontinued operations on the consolidated 2007 statement of operations.
 
Capital expenditures includes the “acquisition of hotels” and “purchases of property and equipment” line items from our cash flow statement. All amounts presented are in thousands.
 


18


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                                 
    Hotel
    Hotel
             
    Ownership     Management     Corporate     Consolidated  
 
Three months ended September 30, 2008
                               
Revenue
  $ 22,456     $ 14,344     $     $ 36,800  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,887       898       101       4,886  
Operating expense
    17,427       12,346       862       30,635  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    1,142       1,100       (963 )     1,279  
Interest income
    99       124             223  
Interest expense
    (3,433 )                 (3,433 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
    (29 )                 (29 )
                                 
Income (loss) before minority interests and income taxes
  $ (2,221 )   $ 1,224     $ (963 )   $ (1,960 )
                                 
Capital expenditures
  $ 8,810     $ 315     $ 45     $ 9,170  
Three months ended September 30, 2007 (Restated)
                               
Revenue
  $ 20,628     $ 13,075     $     $ 33,703  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,243       1,407       15       3,665  
Operating expense
    15,325       13,102       647       29,074  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    3,060       (1,434 )     (662 )     964  
Interest income
    451       64             515  
Interest expense
    (3,737 )           (88 )     (3,825 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
    563                   563  
                                 
Income (loss) before minority interests and income taxes
  $ 337     $ (1,370 )   $ (750 )   $ (1,783 )
                                 
Capital expenditures
  $ 3,183     $ 390     $     $ 3,573  
 

19


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                                 
    Hotel
    Hotel
             
    Ownership     Management     Corporate     Consolidated  
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2008
                               
Revenue
  $ 72,170     $ 44,069     $     $ 116,239  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,855       2,874       332       14,061  
Operating expense
    53,256       40,839       3,376       97,471  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    8,059       356       (3,708 )     4,707  
Interest income
    461       361             822  
Interest expense
    (10,581 )                 (10,581 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
    2,867                   2,867  
                                 
Income (loss) before minority interests and income taxes
  $ 806     $ 717     $ (3,708 )   $ (2,185 )
                                 
Total assets
  $ 343,208     $ 118,377     $ 45,443     $ 507,028  
Capital expenditures
  $ 24,117     $ 1,114     $ 164     $ 25,395  
Nine months ended September 30, 2007 (Restated)
                               
Revenue
  $ 52,325     $ 45,149     $     $ 97,474  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,459       4,623       231       10,313  
Operating expense
    38,190       45,048       3,677       86,915  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    8,676       (4,522 )     (3,908 )     246  
Interest income
    1,538       134             1,672  
Interest expense
    (9,832 )           (2 )     (9,834 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
    1,818                   1,818  
                                 
Income (loss) before minority interests and income taxes
  $ 2,200     $ (4,388 )   $ (3,910 )   $ (6,098 )
                                 
Total assets
  $ 253,020     $ 136,321     $ 40,300     $ 429,641  
Capital expenditures
  $ 134,860     $ 1,023     $ 158     $ 136,041  
 
Revenues from foreign operations, excluding reimbursable expenses, were as follows (in thousands)(1),(2):
 
                                 
    Three Months
  Nine Months
    Ended September 30,   Ended September 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
 
Russia(3)
  $ 223     $ 179     $ 581     $ 539  
Other
  $ 113     $ 192     $ 321     $ 430  
 
 
(1) Revenues for the United Kingdom and France related solely to BridgeStreet operations have been reclassified as discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of operations for the related periods due to the sale of BridgeStreet during the first quarter of 2007 and therefore have not been included in the above table. BridgeStreet revenues from the United Kingdom and France were $2.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
 
(2) Management fee revenues from our managed properties in Mexico are recorded through our joint venture, IHR/Steadfast Hospitality Management, LLC, and as such, are included in equity in earnings in our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.
 
(3) Deferred revenues related to incentive fees paid, but not yet earned, of $7.9 million and $7.3 million have not been included for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

20


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
A significant portion of our managed properties and management fees are derived from seven owners. This group of owners represents 41.6 percent of our managed properties as of September 30, 2008, and 47.7 percent and 46.6 percent of our base and incentive management fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.
 
10.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Insurance Matters
 
As part of our management services to hotel owners, we generally obtain casualty (workers’ compensation and general liability) insurance coverage for our managed hotels. In December 2002, one of the carriers we used to obtain casualty insurance coverage was downgraded significantly by rating agencies. In January 2003, we negotiated a transfer of that carrier’s current policies to a new carrier. We have been working with the prior carrier to facilitate a timely and efficient settlement of the original 1,213 claims outstanding under the prior carrier’s casualty policies. The prior carrier has primary responsibility for settling those claims from its assets. As of September 30, 2008, 34 claims remained outstanding. If the prior carrier’s assets are not sufficient to settle these outstanding claims, and the claims exceed amounts available under state guaranty funds, we will be required to settle those claims. We are indemnified under our management agreements for such amounts, except for periods prior to January 2001, when we leased certain hotels from owners. Based on currently available information, we believe the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
During 2005, the prior carrier presented invoices to us and other policy holders related to dividends previously granted to us and other policy holders with respect to the prior policies. Based on this information we have determined that the amount is probable and estimable and have therefore recorded the liability. In September 2005, we invoiced the prior carrier for premium refunds due to us on previous policies. The initial premiums on these policies were calculated based on estimated employee payroll expenses and gross hotel revenues. Due to the September 11th terrorist attacks and the resulting substantial decline in business and leisure travel in the months that followed, we reduced hotel level headcount and payroll. The estimated premiums billed were significantly overstated and as a result, we are owed refunds on the premiums paid. The amount of our receivable exceeds the dividend amounts claimed by the prior carrier. We have reserved the amount of the excess given the financial condition of the carrier. We believe that we hold the legal right of offset in regard to this receivable and payable with the prior insurance carrier. In October 2008, subsequent to the end of this quarter, we paid our prior carrier approximately $0.4 million in settlement of all matters, except for covered claims described in the preceding paragraph. Simultaneous with this payment, we obtained a written release related to all amounts owed to us or owed by us to the prior carrier. Accordingly, we have written off the offsetting amounts related to the dividends claimed by the prior carrier and premium refunds owed to us in the fourth quarter.
 
Insurance Receivables and Reserves
 
Our insurance captive subsidiary earns insurance revenues through direct premiums written and reinsurance premiums ceded. Reinsurance premiums are recognized when policies are written and any unearned portions of the premium are recognized to account for the unexpired term of the policy. Direct premiums written are recognized in accordance with the underlying policy and reinsurance premiums ceded are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the life of the related policies. Losses, at present value, are provided for reported claims and claim settlement expenses. We provide a reinsurance layer between the primary and excess carrier that we manage through our captive insurance subsidiary. Consultants determine loss reserves and we evaluate the adequacy of the amount of reserves based on historical claims and future estimates. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our reserve for claims was $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively.


21


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Leases
 
As of September 30, 2008, our lease obligations consist of office space for our corporate offices. Future minimum lease payments required under these operating leases as of September 30, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):
 
         
September 30, 2008-2009
  $ 4,145  
September 30, 2009-2010
    4,227  
September 30, 2010-2011
    4,042  
September 30, 2011-2012
    3,680  
September 30, 2012-2013
    3,494  
Thereafter
    598  
         
Total
  $ 20,186  
         
 
The operating lease obligations shown in the table above have not been reduced by a non-cancelable sublease related to our former corporate office space. We remain secondarily liable under this lease in the event that the sub-lessee defaults under the sublease terms. Given the size and financial stability of the sub-lessee, we do not believe that any payments will be required as a result of the secondary liability provisions of the primary lease agreements. We expect to receive minimum payments under this sublease as follows (in thousands):
 
         
September 30, 2008-2009
  $ 1,167  
September 30, 2009-2010
    1,214  
September 30, 2010-2011
    1,263  
September 30, 2011-2012
    1,313  
September 30, 2012-2013
    1,251  
Thereafter
     
         
Total
  $ 6,208  
         
 
Commitments Related to Management Agreements and Hotel Ownership
 
Under the provisions of management agreements with certain hotel owners, we are obligated to provide an aggregate of $2.4 million to these hotel owners in the form of advances or loans. The timing or amount of working capital loans to hotel owners is not currently known as these advances are at the hotel owner’s discretion.
 
In connection with our owned hotels, we have committed to provide certain funds for property improvements as required by the respective brand franchise agreements. As of September 30, 2008, we had ongoing renovation and property improvement projects with remaining expected costs to complete of approximately $12.7 million.
 
Guarantees
 
As discussed in Note 8 “Long-Term Debt,” on May 1, 2008, our wholly-owned subsidiary which owns the Sheraton Columbia hotel entered into a mortgage which is non-recourse to us, other than for customary non-recourse carveout provisions. However, in order to obtain this mortgage we entered into a guarantee agreement in favor of the lender which requires the prompt completion and payment of the required improvements as defined in the agreement. These required improvements are included in the property improvement plan, as required by the brand franchise agreement and are subject to change based upon changes in the construction budget. As of September 30, 2008, the required improvements were approximately $6.7 million and we anticipate the completion prior to September 30, 2009. No liability has been recognized related to this guarantee. If the required improvements are not completed, the lender has the right to force us to do so. We expect that the required improvements will be completed in a timely basis and no amounts will be funded under this guarantee.


22


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Letters of Credit
 
As of September 30, 2008, we had a $1.0 million letter of credit outstanding from Northridge Insurance Company in favor of our property insurance carrier. The letter of credit expires on April 4, 2009. We are required by the property insurance carrier to deliver the letter of credit to cover its losses in the event we default on payments to the carrier. Accordingly, the lender has required us to restrict a portion of our cash equal to the amount of the letter of credit, which we present as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet. We also have a $0.75 million letter of credit outstanding in favor of the insurance carrier that issues surety bonds on behalf of the properties we manage. The letter of credit expires on March 31, 2009. We are required by the insurance carrier to deliver the letter of credit to cover its risk in the event the properties default on their required payments related to the surety bonds.
 
Contingent Liabilities Related to Partnership Interests
 
In connection with one of our development joint ventures, we have agreed to fund, through additional contributions, a portion of any development and construction cost overruns up to $0.6 million of the approved capital spending plan for each hotel developed and constructed by our joint venture, IHR Greenbuck Hotel Venture. We believe that with our experience in project management and design, the risk of any required additional funding in excess of our planned equity investments is minimal. However, certain circumstances throughout the design and construction process could arise that may prevent us from completing the project with total costs under 110 percent and therefore require us to contribute additional funding. As construction and development of each hotel is completed, the contingency for cost overruns on that hotel is removed. As of September 30, 2008, our joint venture had completed construction on two properties and the contingency related to one of those properties has been removed while the contingency related to the second property is expected to be removed in late 2008. We do not currently have any new properties being developed that are covered by this guarantee.
 
Additionally, we own interests in other partnerships and joint ventures. To the extent that any of these partnerships or joint ventures become unable to pay its obligations, those obligations would become obligations of the general partners. We are not the sole general partner of any of our joint ventures. The debt of all investees is non-recourse to us, other than for customary non-recourse carveout provisions, and we do not guarantee any of our investees’ obligations. Furthermore, we do not provide any operating deficit guarantees or income support guarantees to any of our joint venture partners. While we believe we are protected from any risk of liability because our investments in certain of these partnerships as one of several general partners were conducted through the use of single-purpose entities, to the extent any debtors pursue payment from us, it is possible that we could be held liable for those liabilities, and those amounts could be material.
 
Litigation
 
During the third quarter of 2008, we reached a settlement with plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed against Sunstone Hotel Properties, Inc., our subsidiary management company, in late 2007. The lawsuit alleged that our subsidiary did not compensate hourly employees for break time in accordance with state labor requirements. The gross settlement agreed upon was $1.7 million, which includes approximately $0.5 million to be paid for the plaintiffs’ legal costs and other various administrative costs to oversee payment to the individuals who will participate in the settlement. The remaining $1.2 million of the gross settlement is the maximum amount that our subsidiary has agreed to pay out to participating plaintiffs in the aggregate. As part of this settlement, we have guaranteed that we will make a minimum payment to all participating plaintiffs of at least 50% of our proposed settlement, or approximately $0.6 million. Accordingly, we have recorded an aggregate of $1.1 million for payment of the $0.5 million in plaintiffs’ legal costs and administrative fees and the $0.6 million minimum guaranteed amount to be paid under the settlement to the plaintiffs. This aggregate amount is recorded as other expenses from managed properties in our statement of operations. Additionally, we have also recorded the same amount as a receivable and as other revenue from managed properties as we are entitled to reimbursement for all operating expenses, including all employee related expenses, under the terms of our management contract with the hotel owner.


23


 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
We are subject to various other claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of our business activities. Management believes that any liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
11.   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
On January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) using the modified prospective method. Since January 1, 2003, we have used the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees. The adoption of SFAS No. 123R did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position as all of our unvested stock-based awards as of December 31, 2005 had previously been accounted for under the fair value method of accounting.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we granted 844,414 shares of restricted stock to members of senior management and the board of directors. The restricted stock awards granted vest ratably over four years, except for our chief executive officer whose awards vest over three years based on his employment agreement. No stock options were granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
 
We recognized restricted stock and stock option expense of $0.4 million and $1.3 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, there was $4.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock awards granted under our compensation plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average recognition period of 2.86 years.


24


 

Item 2:   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which we refer to as MD&A, is intended to help the reader understand Interstate Hotels & Resorts Inc., our operations and our present business environment. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated interim financial statements and the accompanying notes and the MD&A included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the information incorporated by reference herein, we make some “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “expect,” “will continue,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would,” “outlook” and other similar terms and phrases. Any statements in this document about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties include those risk factors discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and in Item 1A of this Form 10-Q.
 
Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the documents incorporated by reference herein. You should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
 
Overview and Outlook
 
Our Business — We are a leading hotel real estate investor and the nation’s largest independent hotel management company, as measured by number of rooms under management and gross annual revenues of the managed portfolio. We have two reportable operating segments: hotel ownership (through whole-ownership and joint ventures) and hotel management. A third reportable operating segment, corporate housing, was disposed of on January 26, 2007 with the sale of BridgeStreet. The results of this segment are reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
 
As of September 30, 2008, we wholly-owned and managed seven hotels with 2,050 rooms and held non-controlling joint venture equity interests in 19 joint ventures, which owned or held ownership interests in 50 of our managed properties.
 
As of September 30, 2008, we and our affiliates managed 226 hotel properties with 46,194 rooms and six ancillary service centers (which consist of a convention center, a spa facility, two restaurants and two laundry centers), in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Belgium and Ireland. Our portfolio of managed properties is diversified by location/market, franchise and brand affiliations, and ownership group(s). We manage hotels represented by more than 30 franchise and brand affiliations in addition to operating 17 independent hotels. Our managed hotels are owned by more than 60 different ownership groups.
 
Industry Overview — The lodging industry, of which we are a part, is subject to both national and international extraordinary events. Over the past several years we have continued to be impacted by events including the ongoing war on terrorism, the potential outbreak and epidemic of infectious disease, natural disasters, the continuing change in the strength and performance of regional and global economies and the level of hotel transaction activity by


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private equity investors and other acquirers of real estate. More recently, the collapse of the financial markets has also impacted the lodging industry.
 
Although the lodging industry experienced a tremendous period of growth from 2003 through 2007, demand has declined in the nine months of 2008 as a result of the slowing economic growth coupled with higher oil prices, the rising cost of airline travel and companies attempting to limit or reduce spending. This decrease in demand has been most notable in transient business, which is composed of the travelers generally paying the highest rate, but it has also affected group and leisure business as well. The collapse of the financial markets in the fourth quarter is expected to further exacerbate the decline in demand through the remainder of 2008 and into 2009.
 
During the first nine months of 2008 we achieved year over year RevPAR growth of 3.1%, but this growth is significantly slower than the 8.9% RevPAR growth achieved in the first nine months of 2007. In order to partially mitigate the decrease in demand and maximize our ability to maintain rate we have focused our properties’ efforts on adjusting the business mix by shifting efforts toward group sales, managing off-peak periods, and increasing sales efforts at both the local and national levels in order to capture the highest amount of available business. We have also installed cost control measures and contingency plans at every hotel in order to hold or reduce salary, energy, maintenance and other overhead costs to ensure the effect to operating margins is minimized during this slowdown.
 
The financial market crisis and dramatic decline in the overall economy is expected to cause RevPAR to decline in the fourth quarter and in 2009. We believe we have taken steps to partially mitigate the effects, to the extent possible, of current economic conditions and their impact on the lodging industry. We have maintained higher cash balances and reviewed our capital expenditure plans for 2009 to ensure that we are positioned to meet our short term obligations. However, we believe the uncertainty of the current economy does not allow us to give any assurances that further decline in the economy will not lead to further decline in our hotel revenues and our earnings both from our owned portfolio and our managed portfolio. These declines could cause impairment of our goodwill and other long lived assets as well as the underlying value of the long lived assets owned by our joint ventures. Any impairment of these assets could have a material effect on our results of operations.
 
Investments in and Acquisitions of Real Estate — In the first nine months of 2008, we continued to implement our growth strategy of selective hotel ownership primarily through joint venture investments. In February 2008, our joint venture with Harte closed on the purchase of a four property portfolio from affiliates of Blackstone, for an aggregate price of $208.7 million. We invested $11.6 million representing our 20 percent equity interest in the portfolio. At the time of our investment, we managed three of the properties and had previously managed the fourth. The joint venture plans to invest more than $30 million of additional funds for comprehensive renovations of the hotels over the 30 months following the acquisition, with our contribution expected to be approximately $2 million. The four properties included in the joint venture acquisition were as follows:
 
             
Property
 
Location
  Guest Rooms  
 
Sheraton Frazer Great Valley
  Frazer, PA     198  
Sheraton Mahwah
  Mahwah, NJ     225  
Latham Hotel Georgetown
  Washington, DC     142  
Hilton Lafayette
  Lafayette, LA     327  
 
In February 2008, our joint venture, Budget Portfolio Properties, LLC, acquired a portfolio of 22 properties located throughout the Midwest in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas. We invested $1.7 million, representing our 10 percent equity interest in the portfolio. Upon closing, all 22 properties, representing 2,397 rooms, were converted to various Wyndham Worldwide brands. The properties are located along major interstates and proximate to major commercial and leisure demand generators. Our investment includes our share of planned capital improvements to re-brand, re-image, and reposition the hotels.
 
In February 2008, we and JHM formed a joint venture management company in which we hold a 50 percent ownership interest. The joint venture will seek management opportunities throughout India and has already signed its first management agreement in April 2008. Management of this hotel will commence in early 2009. We provided to our partner, JHM, $0.5 million in the form of a convertible note towards the working capital of the joint venture, which is expected to convert to an equity interest in the joint venture by the end of 2008. Simultaneous with the formation of this management company, we and JHM each committed to invest $6.25 million in the Duet Fund,


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which will seek opportunities to purchase and/or develop hotels throughout India. As of September 30, 2008, we had invested $6.25 million in the Duet Fund. In return for our investment, the Duet Fund will give our management company joint venture the right of first look to manage all hotels that it invests which are not already encumbered by an existing management contract.
 
In February 2008, True North Tesoro Property Partners, L.P., a joint venture in which we hold a 15.9 percent equity interest, sold the Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club, located near Dallas, Texas. Our portion of the joint venture’s gain on sale of the hotel was approximately $2.4 million before post-closing adjustments. In March 2008, we received $1.8 million in proceeds from the sale. This transaction serves as a primary example of the value we seek to create through the operational expertise we provide to owners, combined with the realization of the equitable appreciation of the underlying real estate asset. The joint venture also owns a separate entity that holds mineral rights and receives royalties related to gas production activities which was not marketed in the sale of the hotel and we continue to own this entity and expect to receive royalty payments periodically.
 
In June 2008, IHR Greenbuck Hotel Venture, a joint venture in which we hold a 15.0 percent equity interest, opened the first aloft branded hotel in the United States. The aloft brand is a new upscale and select-service Starwood brand. The hotel has 136 rooms and is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. In September 2008, the joint venture opened its second, 143-room aloft hotel in Cool Springs, Tennessee. We manage both newly built hotels.
 
In July 2008, we formed a joint venture with an affiliate of Madison W Properties, LLC to recapitalize the existing ownership of the 367-room Radisson Plaza Hotel Lexington and adjacent 234,000 square foot class A office building in Lexington, Kentucky. Upon transition, the hotel was renamed the Lexington Downtown Hotel & Conference Center. We invested $1.0 million for a 5% equity interest in the joint venture. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive, $13 million renovation encompassing guest rooms and public spaces, as well as a restaurant. Following completion of the renovation, the hotel will be re-branded as a Hilton. We currently manage the hotel and will operate the property as an independent hotel until the renovation is complete and the hotel is reflagged.
 
Turnover of Management Contracts — During the first nine months of 2008, we continued to see a reduction in the number of hotel real estate transactions, leading to further stabilization in our third-party managed portfolio. The increased transaction activity beginning in 2005 had created a higher level of contract attrition within our portfolio; however, due to the tightening of the credit markets and the reduction in transaction activity during the past three quarters, we have seen our managed portfolio stabilize and begin to grow.
 
During the third quarter of 2008, we have grown our management contract portfolio by a net five properties, providing a net increase of 234 additional rooms. Although our management contract losses were significant between 2005 and 2007, principally due to Blackstone’s disposition of substantially all of the hotel assets they acquired from Meristar Hospitality, we believe the attrition we have experienced within our portfolio of third party management agreements has leveled off, and we have begun to expand our portfolio once again, as evidenced by a net increase of 42 properties over the past four quarters.
 
The following table highlights the contract activity within our managed portfolio:
 
                 
    Number of
    Number of
 
    Properties     Rooms  
 
As of December 31, 2007
    191       42,620  
New contracts
    51       7,205  
Lost contracts
    (16 )     (3,631 )
                 
As of September 30, 2008
    226       46,194  
                 
 
As of September 30, 2008, we continued to manage eight Blackstone properties, which accounted for $0.8 million and $2.5 million in management fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. During the first nine months of 2008, Blackstone sold four hotels which we managed, all of which we now continue to manage through one of our joint venture partnerships. Unpaid termination fees due to us from Blackstone as of September 30, 2008 for hotels previously sold by Blackstone are $15.4 million. For 21 of the hotels sold and with respect to $13.3 million of the unpaid fees, Blackstone retains the right to replace a terminated management contract during the 48 month payment period with a replacement contract on a different hotel and reduce the amount of any remaining unpaid fees.


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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Application of these policies involves the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. We evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to the impairment of long-lived assets, on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
 
We have discussed those policies that we believe are critical and require judgment in their application in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ending December 31, 2007.
 
Results of Operations
 
Operating Statistics
 
Statistics related to our managed hotel properties (including wholly-owned hotels) are set forth below:
 
                         
    As of September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs.’07  
 
Hotel Ownership
                       
Number of properties
    7       6       16.7 %
Number of rooms
    2,050       1,757       16.7 %
Hotel Management(1)
                       
Properties managed
    226       184       22.8 %
Number of rooms
    46,194       42,435       8.9 %
 
 
(1) Statistics related to hotels in which we hold a partial ownership interest through a joint venture or wholly-owned have been included in hotel management.
 
Hotels under management increased by a net of 42 properties as of September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007, due to the following:
 
  •  We acquired 22 management contracts through our investment in the Budget Portfolio Properties, LLC joint venture.
 
  •  We signed 7 new management contracts with Equity Inns, Inc.
 
  •  We secured 11 additional management contracts from Inland Lodging Corporation.
 
  •  We obtained 21 new management contracts with various other owners.
 
  •  19 properties owned by various owners were transitioned out of our system.
 
The operating statistics related to our managed hotels, including wholly-owned hotels, on a same-store basis(2) were as follows:
 
                         
    Three Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Hotel Management
                       
RevPAR
  $ 103.93     $ 102.32       1.6 %
ADR
  $ 139.84     $ 132.99       5.2 %
Occupancy
    74.3 %     76.9 %     (3.4 )%


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    Nine Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Hotel Management
                       
RevPAR
  $ 103.30     $ 100.21       3.1 %
ADR
  $ 140.72     $ 133.03       5.8 %
Occupancy
    73.4 %     75.3 %     (2.5 )%
 
 
(2) We present these operating statistics for the periods included in this report on a same-store basis. We define our same-store hotels as those which (i) are managed or owned by us for the entirety of the reporting periods being compared or have been managed by us for part of the reporting periods compared and we have been able to obtain operating statistics for the period of time in which we did not manage the hotel and (ii) have not sustained substantial property damage, business interruption or undergone large-scale capital projects during the periods being reported. In addition, the operating results of hotels for which we no longer manage as of September 30, 2008 are not included in same-store hotel results for the periods presented herein. Of the 226 properties that we managed as of September 30, 2008, 174 properties have been classified as same-store hotels.
 
Three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to three months ended September 30, 2007
 
Revenue
 
Revenue consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    Three Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Lodging
  $ 22,456     $ 20,628       8.9 %
Management fees
    10,451       9,634       8.5 %
Termination fees
    1,446       935       54.7 %
Other
    2,447       2,506       (2.4 )%
Other revenue from managed properties
    155,448       147,562       5.3 %
                         
Total revenue
  $ 192,248     $ 181,265       6.1 %
                         
 
Lodging
The increase in lodging revenue of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the inclusion of revenues of $2.9 million from the Sheraton Columbia, which was purchased in November 2007, however, this was offset by a decrease in revenues in 2008 of $1.0 million from the Westin Atlanta as the property was impacted by the on-going renovations.
 
Management fees and termination fees
The increase in management fee revenue of $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the increase in average total properties under management.
 
The increase in termination fees of $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the recognition of $0.2 million related to the sale by Blackstone of the Radisson Plaza Lexington property to one of our joint ventures and $0.3 million related to the sales of various other properties by Blackstone.
 
Other revenue from managed properties
These amounts represent the payroll and related costs, and certain other costs of the hotel’s operations that are contractually reimbursed to us by the hotel owners, the payments of which are recorded as “other expenses from managed properties.” The increase of $7.9 million in other revenue from managed properties in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 is primarily due to the increase in the average total properties under management.


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Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    Three Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Lodging
  $ 16,803     $ 14,604       15.1 %
Administrative and general
    13,550       13,669       (0.9 )%
Depreciation and amortization
    4,886       3,665       33.3 %
Asset impairments and write-offs
    282       801       (64.8 )%
Other expenses from managed properties
    155,448       147,562       5.3 %
                         
Total operating expenses
  $ 190,969     $ 180,301       5.9 %
                         
 
Lodging
The increase in lodging expense of $2.2 million in the third quarter was primarily due to the inclusion of lodging expense of $2.1 million from the Sheraton Columbia, which was purchased in November 2007.
 
Administrative and general
These expenses consisted of payroll and related benefits for employees in operations management, sales and marketing, finance, legal, human resources and other support services, as well as general corporate and public company expenses. Administrative and general expenses remained flat in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
 
Depreciation and amortization
We had a significant increase in depreciable assets as we acquired the Sheraton Columbia subsequent to the third quarter of 2007 and underwent renovations at the Westin Atlanta, which resulted in additional depreciation expense for these two properties of $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. These changes were offset by the decrease of approximately $0.4 million in amortization expense of intangibles associated with management contracts that were terminated.
 
Asset impairments and write-offs
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, $0.3 million of asset impairment was recorded primarily on the termination of the management contract intangible asset related to the sale of the Radisson Plaza Lexington property by Blackstone to our MPVF IHR Lexington, LLC joint venture. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, $0.8 million of asset impairment was recorded as a result of the termination of management contracts related to four properties that were sold during the period.
 
Other expenses from managed properties
These expenses represent the payroll and related costs, and certain other costs of the hotel’s operations that are contractually reimbursed to us by the hotel owners and are also recorded as “other revenues from managed properties.” The increase of $7.9 million in other expenses from managed properties in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to increase in the average total properties under management


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Other Income and Expense
 
Other income and expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    Three Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Interest expense, net
  $ 3,210     $ 3,310       (3.0 )%
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities
    (29 )     563       > (100 )%
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (554 )     252       > (100 )%
Minority interest (benefit) expense
    (3 )     1       > (100 )%
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
          2,836       (100 )%
 
Interest expense, net
The decrease in net interest expense of $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to $1.3 million in interest savings as a result of significantly lower interest rates during the period offset by additional interest expense of $0.9 million due to the increase in total debt outstanding. Furthermore, the significantly lower interest rates resulted in a decrease of $0.3 million in interest income in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
The decrease of $0.6 million in equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to decreased activity at certain of our joint venture properties as a result of a combination of renovations and the slowdown in the economy.
 
Income tax expense
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded an income tax benefit of $0.6 million compared with an income tax expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The $0.2 million income tax expense in 2007 includes an adjustment of approximately $0.7 million to reduce the income tax benefit that was previously recorded in the first two quarters of 2007. This adjustment resulted from a change in tax laws that allowed us to utilize certain tax credits which we previously recorded a tax valuation allowance against. This resulted in a reduction of our annualized effective tax rate.
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was primarily due to additional gain recognized from the settlement of working capital adjustments related to the sale of BridgeStreet, which occurred in January 2007.


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Nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2007
 
Revenue
 
Revenue consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    Nine Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Lodging
  $ 72,170     $ 52,325       37.9 %
Management fees
    31,180       32,683       (4.6 )%
Termination fees
    5,650       4,928       14.7 %
Other
    7,239       7,538       (4.0 )%
Other revenue from managed properties
    463,795       488,725       (5.1 )%
                         
Total revenue
  $ 580,034     $ 586,199       (1.1 )%
                         
 
Lodging
The increase in lodging revenue of $19.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the inclusion of $9.6 million of revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the Sheraton Columbia, which was purchased in November 2007, $7.3 million in additional revenue from the Westin Atlanta, which was purchased in May 2007, and $2.5 million in additional revenue from the Hilton Houston Westchase, which was purchased in February 2007. In addition, lodging revenue from the Hilton Concord increased $0.4 million as a result of an increase in ADR in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
 
Management fees and termination fees
The decrease in management fee revenue was mainly due to the net loss of full-service properties, which on average, yield a higher management fee than limited service properties. This decrease was offset by a 23% increase in the total number of managed properties and improved operating efficiencies at our managed properties including increasing RevPAR by 3.1% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
 
The majority of the termination fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were due to the recognition of $5.3 million of termination fees from Blackstone, of which $1.4 million related to three properties sold by Blackstone to our Harte IHR Joint Venture and $0.2 million for one property sold by Blackstone to our MPVF IHR Lexington, LLC joint venture. For the three hotels purchased by our joint venture with Harte, Blackstone has waived the right to replace the management contract with another contract. As all contingencies have been removed, we recognized the full amount of the termination fees related to these three hotels. Termination fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were due to the recognition of $1.3 million of termination fees from Blackstone on the sale of the Westin Atlanta Airport, $1.0 million from the sale of Hilton Houston Westchase, and $1.6 million from sales of various other Blackstone properties. In addition, $1.0 million of termination fees were related to the loss of management contracts from other owners for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
 
Other
Other revenues decreased $0.3 million due to a decrease of $0.6 million in purchasing fees and $0.5 million in insurance revenues partially offset by an increase of $0.6 million in capital project management revenue and $0.3 million in accounting fees.
 
Other revenue from managed properties
These amounts represent the payroll and related costs, and certain other costs of the hotel’s operations that are contractually reimbursed to us by the hotel owners, the payment of which are recorded as “other expenses from managed properties.” The decrease of $24.9 million in other revenue from managed properties is primarily due to the loss of full-service properties.


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Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    Nine Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Lodging
  $ 51,255     $ 36,535       40.3 %
Administrative and general
    44,793       41,667       7.5 %
Depreciation and amortization
    14,061       10,313       36.3 %
Asset impairments and write-offs
    1,423       8,713       (83.7 )%
Other expenses from managed properties
    463,795       488,725       (5.1 )%
                         
Total operating expenses
  $ 575,327     $ 585,953       (1.8 )%
                         
 
Lodging
The increase in lodging expense of $14.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the inclusion of lodging expense of $6.7 million from the Sheraton Columbia, which was purchased in November 2007, additional lodging expense of $6.3 million for the Westin Atlanta, which was purchased in May 2007, and additional lodging expense of $1.6 million for the Hilton Houston Westchase, which was purchased in February 2007.
 
Administrative and general
These expenses consisted of payroll and related benefits for employees in operations management, sales and marketing, finance, legal, human resources and other support services, as well as general corporate and public company expenses. Administrative and general expenses increased $3.1 million between periods, primarily due to increased legal fees of $1.8 million and increased bad debt expense of $1.0 million.
 
Depreciation and amortization
We had a significant increase in depreciable assets due to the increase in our wholly-owned hotel portfolio to seven. The Sheraton Columbia, Westin Atlanta Airport, and Hilton Houston Westchase, all of which were acquired in 2007, resulted in additional depreciation expense of $2.2 million, $2.6 million, and $0.3 million, respectively. These changes were offset by the decrease in scheduled amortization expense for our management contracts by approximately $1.6 million as a result of the significant decrease in intangible assets resulting from the write-off of properties as they were terminated.
 
Asset impairments and write-offs
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized impairment losses of $1.4 million related to nine properties that were sold in 2008, four of which were sold by Blackstone to two of our joint ventures. In the first nine months of 2007, $8.7 million of asset impairments were recorded as a result of the termination of 32 management contracts related to properties that were sold in 2007.
 
Other expenses from managed properties
These expenses represent the payroll and related costs, and certain other costs of the hotel’s operations that are contractually reimbursed to us by the hotel owners and are also recorded as “other revenues from managed properties.” The decrease of $24.9 million in other expenses from managed properties in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the loss of full-service properties.


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Other Income and Expense
 
Other income and expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    Nine Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Interest expense, net
  $ 9,759     $ 8,162       19.6 %
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
    2,867       1,818       57.7 %
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (626 )     (1,804 )     65.3 %
Minority interest (benefit) expense
    (4 )     43       > (100 )%
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
          20,444       (100 )%
 
Interest expense, net
The majority of the increase in net interest expense of $1.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was due to interest expense of $2.0 million incurred on the borrowings made under the revolving loan on our Credit Facility and $0.5 million for the Sheraton Columbia mortgage debt which was placed in May 2008. These increases, however, were offset by interest savings as a result of the downward trend in the 30 day LIBOR rates and repayment of the Hilton Concord mortgage debt in April 2007. Furthermore, interest income decreased approximately $0.9 million as a result of decreased cash and cash equivalents.
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities increased $1.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to $2.3 million in earnings which represented our portion of the gain on sale of the Doral Tesoro Hotel and Golf Club by one of our joint ventures. The gain was offset by equity losses of $1.1 million related to other joint ventures.
 
Income tax expense
The change in income tax expense is a result of the decrease in loss from continuing operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 represents the $20.5 million gain on the sale of BridgeStreet in January 2007 offset by the $0.3 million operating loss, net of tax of the subsidiary prior to the sale. In September 2005, we sold the Pittsburgh Airport Residence Inn by Marriott and recognized an additional net gain on sale of $0.1 million in 2007 related to adjustments from finalizing the sale.
 
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
 
Key metrics related to our liquidity, capital resources and financial position were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Nine Months
       
    Ended September 30,     Percent Change
 
    2008     2007     ’08 vs. ’07  
 
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 26,248     $ 23,307       12.6 %
Cash used in investing activities
    48,283       110,168       (56.2 )%
Cash provided by financing activities
    28,475       84,684       (66.4 )%
Working capital
    (17,517 )     (14,816 )     (18.2 )%
Cash interest expense
    9,550       8,185       16.7 %
Debt balance
    241,035       171,950       40.2 %


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Operating Activities
 
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to an increase of $4.5 million in operating income which was primarily driven by the increase in our wholly-owned hotel operations. This increase was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses.
 
Investing Activities
 
The major components of the decrease in cash used in investing activities during the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 were:
 
  •  The purchase of two wholly-owned properties in 2007 compared to none in 2008. In February 2007, we purchased the Hilton Houston Westchase for $51.9 million, and in May 2007 we purchased the Westin Atlanta Airport for $76.1 million. In addition, a $2.0 million deposit associated with the subsequent purchase of the Sheraton Columbia was made during the first nine months of 2007.
 
  •  In 2008, we invested a total of $20.2 million in joint ventures, of which $18.3 million was in five new joint ventures, while receiving distributions totaling $1.8 million from one joint venture. In 2007, we invested a total of $8.7 million in joint ventures, of which $7.4 million was in four new joint ventures, while receiving distributions totaling $3.2 million from four joint ventures. Distributions which are a return of our investment in the joint venture are recorded as investing cash flows, while distributions which are a return on our investment are recorded as operating cash flows.
 
  •  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2008, we spent $25.4 million on property improvements compared with $6.0 million in the same period in 2007. Of the $25.4 million spent, approximately $24.1 million was used on renovations on our wholly-owned properties.
 
  •  The cash expenditures above were offset by proceeds of $35.0 million from the sale of BridgeStreet which occurred in January 2007.
 
Financing Activities
 
The decrease in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to net borrowings on long-term debt of $29.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared with $87.7 million during the same period in 2007. We borrowed $29.4 million in the first nine months of 2008 primarily to continue our two major renovations and execute our growth strategy of continuing to invest in joint ventures, while the borrowings in 2007 were primarily related to the $32.8 million and $50.0 million used for the purchase of the Hilton Westchase and the Westin Atlanta Airport, respectively.
 
In 2008, we paid $0.8 million in financing fees for the mortgage loan on the Sheraton Columbia. We incurred total financing fees of $3.0 million in connection with the Credit Facility entered in March 2007 and the first amendment to the Credit Facility in May 2007.
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity Requirements — Our known short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for operating expenses and other expenditures, including: corporate expenses, payroll and related benefits, legal costs, and other costs associated with the management of hotels, interest and scheduled principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness and capital expenditures, which include renovations and maintenance at our owned hotels. Our long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for scheduled debt maturities, capital improvements at our owned hotels and costs associated with potential acquisitions.
 
Our ability to incur additional debt is dependent upon a number of factors, including our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets (if any), our public debt ratings and borrowing restrictions imposed by existing lenders and the current financial market unrest. In addition, we have certain limitations under our Credit Facility that could limit our ability to make future investments without the consent of our lenders. We expect to use additional cash flows from operations and amounts available under the Credit Facility to pay required debt service, income taxes and


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make planned capital purchases for our wholly-owned hotels, as well as fund our growth strategy. We believe we have adequate funds available through cash flows from operations as well as availability under our Credit Facility to fund our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements. We may also seek to raise additional funding for future investments and growth opportunities by raising additional debt or equity from time to time based on the specific needs of those future investments. Given the current environment within the global financial markets, management has maintained higher cash reserves to ensure adequate cash is available to continue to implement our business strategy in the near term should the availability to the debt and equity markets continue to remain limited.
 
Senior Credit Facility — In March 2007, we closed on our $125.0 million Credit Facility. The Credit Facility consisted of a $65.0 million term loan and a $60.0 million revolving loan. Upon entering into the Credit Facility, we borrowed $65.0 million under the term loan and used a portion of those proceeds to pay off the remaining obligations under the old credit facility. In connection with the purchase of the Westin Atlanta Airport in May 2007, we amended the Credit Facility. The amendment increased our total borrowing capacity to $200.0 million, consisting of a $115.0 term loan and a $85.0 million revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2008, we had $32.3 million available under our revolver. In addition, we have the ability to increase the revolving credit facility and/or term loan by up to $75.0 million, in the aggregate, by seeking additional commitments from lenders. Under the Credit Facility, we are required to make quarterly payments on the term loan of approximately $0.3 million. The Credit Facility matures in March 2010. We will begin the refinancing process of the Credit Facility in early 2009 and to the extent possible, pay down our debt to minimize our leverage leading up to the refinancing.
 
On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”) filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Lehman and its subsidiary, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“Lehman CPI”), are the administrator and one of the lenders under our Credit Facility. Lehman’s remaining commitment under this Credit Facility is 11.6 percent of the unfunded portion of the revolving loan, or approximately $4.5 million as of September 30, 2008. To date, we continue to have access to funding under this Credit Facility with the exception of Lehman’s commitment. It is uncertain whether future funding requests will be honored by Lehman or whether another lender will assume Lehman’s commitment. We believe that any loss of Lehman’s commitment under this Credit Facility will not be material to us and we expect to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our liquidity needs and execute our business strategy. We are in continuous discussion with Lehman regarding the future administration of our Credit Facility and their outstanding funding commitment.
 
The actual interest rates on both the revolving loan and term loan depend on the results of certain financial tests. As of September 30, 2008, based on those financial tests, borrowings under the term loan and the revolving loan bore interest at the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 275 basis points (a rate of 6.39 percent per annum). We incurred interest expense of $2.1 million and $7.1 million on the senior credit facilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $2.5 million and $5.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
 
The debt under the Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and collateralized by pledges of ownership interests, owned hospitality properties, and other collateral that was not previously prohibited from being pledged by any of our existing contracts or agreements. The Credit Facility contains covenants that include maintenance of certain financial ratios at the end of each quarter, compliance reporting requirements and other customary restrictions. We continually monitor our operating and cash flow models in order to forecast our compliance with the financial covenants. As of September 30, 2008 we are in compliance with all of those covenants.
 
Mortgage Debt — The following table summarizes our mortgage debt as of September 30, 2008:
 
                                 
                      Interest Rate as of
 
    Principal
    Maturity
    Spread Over
    September 30,
 
    Amount     Date     LIBOR(1)     2008  
 
Hilton Arlington
  $ 24.7 million       November 2009       135 bps       3.85 %
Hilton Houston Westchase
  $ 32.8 million       February 2010       135 bps       3.85 %
Sheraton Columbia
  $ 25.0 million       April 2013       200 bps       4.80 %
 
 
(1) The interest rate for the Hilton Arlington and Hilton Houston Westchase mortgage debt is based on a 30-day LIBOR, whereas, the interest rate for the Sheraton Columbia mortgage is based on a 90-day LIBOR.


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For the Hilton Arlington and the Hilton Houston Westchase, we are required to make interest-only payments until these loans mature, with two optional one-year extensions at our discretion to extend the maturity date beyond the date indicated. Based on the terms of these mortgage loans, a prepayment cannot be made during the first year after it has been entered. After one year, a penalty of 1 percent is assessed on any prepayments. The penalty is reduced ratably over the course of the second year. There is no penalty for prepayments made during the third year.
 
In May 2008, we placed a non-recourse mortgage of $25.0 million on the Sheraton Columbia. We are required to make interest-only payments until March 2011. Beginning May 2011, the loan will amortize based on a 25-year period. The loan bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points and based on the terms of this mortgage loan, a penalty of 0.5 percent is assessed on any prepayments made during the first year. We used the net proceeds to pay down the revolver under our Credit Facility. We also have the ability to borrow up to an additional $10.0 million under the mortgage based upon achieving certain net operating income hurdles and renovation milestones.
 
We incurred interest expense related to our mortgage loans of $0.9 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $1.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
 
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
There have been no significant changes to our “Contractual Obligations” table in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2007 Form 10-K. We have discussed changes to our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements in Note 8 “Long Term Debt” and Note 10 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the notes to the accompanying financial statements.
 
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
In an effort to manage interest rate risk covering our outstanding debt, we have entered into interest rate cap agreements and an interest rate collar agreement that are designed to provide an economic hedge against the potential effect of future interest rate fluctuations.
 
In October 2006, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement in connection with the purchase of the Hilton Arlington. The $24.7 million, three-year interest rate cap agreement is designed to hedge against the potential effect of future interest rate fluctuations. The interest rate agreement caps the 30-day LIBOR at 7.25 percent and is scheduled to mature on November 19, 2009. In February 2007, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement in connection with the purchase of the Hilton Houston Westchase. The $32.8 million, three-year interest rate cap agreement is designed to hedge against the potential effect of future interest rate fluctuations. The interest rate agreement caps the 30-day LIBOR at 7.25 percent and is scheduled to mature on February 9, 2010. In April 2008, we entered into a $25.0 million, five-year interest rate cap agreement in conjunction with our mortgage loan associated with the Sheraton Columbia. The interest rate agreement caps the three-month LIBOR at 6.00 percent and is scheduled to mature on May 1, 2013. At September 30, 2008, the total fair value of these interest rate cap agreements was approximately a $0.2 million asset on our consolidated balance sheet.
 
In January 2008, we entered into an interest rate collar agreement for a notional amount of $110.0 million to hedge against the potential effect of future interest rate fluctuation underlying our Credit Facility. The interest rate collar consists of an interest rate cap at 4.0 percent and an interest rate floor at 2.47 percent on the 30-day LIBOR rate. We are to receive the effective difference of the cap rate and the 30-day LIBOR rate, should LIBOR exceed the stated cap rate. Should the 30-day LIBOR rate fall to a level below the stated floor rate, we are to pay the effective difference. The interest rate collar became effective January 14, 2008, with monthly settlement dates on the last day of each month beginning January 31, 2008, and maturing January 31, 2010. At the time of inception, we designated the interest rate collar to be a cash flow hedge. The effective portion of the change in fair value of the interest rate collar is recorded as other comprehensive income. Ineffectiveness is recorded through earnings. At September 30, 2008, the interest rate collar had a fair value of $0. The amount of ineffectiveness was inconsequential.
 
We review quarterly our exposure to counterparty risk related to our interest rate cap and interest rate collar agreements. Based on the credit worthiness of our counterparties, we believe our counterparties will be able to perform their obligations under these agreements.


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The 30-day LIBOR rate, upon which our debt and interest rate cap and collar agreements are based, decreased from 5.0 percent per annum, as of December 31, 2007, to 3.7 percent per annum, as of September 30, 2008. At September 30, 2008, we had $241.0 million of outstanding debt that was variable rate. Based upon this amount of variable rate debt and giving effect to our interest rate hedging activities, a 1.0 percent change in the 30-day LIBOR would have changed our interest expense by approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and by approximately $1.7 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
There were no other material changes to the information provided in Item 7A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding our market risk other than the entrance into an interest rate collar agreement.
 
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that the information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and chief accounting officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15-d-15(e)).
 
In connection with the preparation of our year end financial statements, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2007 because of the following material weakness:
 
The Company did not have effective policies and procedures designed either to evaluate or review changes in accounting principles in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Specifically, the consideration and supervisory review of potential changes in the Company’s accounting principles was not designed to encompass all of the factors required by GAAP. Furthermore, the Company’s disclosure committee did not have procedures suitably designed to ensure that all of these factors were reviewed before approving a change in accounting principle. As a result, management adopted a new accounting policy related to impairment of intangible assets during the first quarter of 2007 that was not in accordance with GAAP. This material weakness resulted in material misstatements in the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 31, 2007, June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2007, all of which have been restated in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Following the implementation of the remedial actions described below and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2008.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
In order to remedy the material weakness described above, management formalized specific actions that are required to be performed by the disclosure committee with respect to the evaluation of accounting changes. During the second quarter, we implemented various remedial actions, including a requirement that documentation and evaluation of all changes in accounting policies are performed quarterly and reviewed by senior management and the disclosure committee. While management believes progress has been made regarding the implementation of these initiatives as of the date of this report, additional procedures and further evaluation are ongoing.
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our 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. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their stated goals under all potential future conditions.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
 
In the course of normal business activities, various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against us. Based on currently available facts, we believe that the disposition of matters pending or asserted will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Other than with respect to the risk factors below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on form 10-Q.
 
Our lenders may have suffered losses related to the weakening economy and may not be able to fund our borrowings.
 
Our lenders, including the lenders participating in our Credit Facility, may have suffered losses related to their lending and other financial relationships, especially because of the general weakening of the national economy and increased financial instability of many borrowers. As a result, lenders may become insolvent, choose not to perform their obligations under our Credit Facility, or tighten their lending standards, which could make it more difficult for us to borrow under our Credit Facility or to obtain alternate financing on favorable terms or at all. Our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected if we were unable to draw funds under our Credit Facility because of a lender default or to obtain other cost-effective financing.
 
Our business may be harmed if we cannot maintain our listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
 
To maintain our listing on the NYSE, we must satisfy certain quantitative and qualitative continued listing criteria, including, among other requirements, a $1.00 minimum average closing stock price over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. Our stock price has seen volatility in recent months and has closed below $1.00 on occasion over the past month. There can be no assurance that we will meet the continued listing criteria for the NYSE, or that we will be able to maintain our listing on the NYSE, in the future. If our common stock is delisted by the NYSE, there could be a material adverse effect on the trading price, liquidity, value and marketability of our common stock.
 
Our joint venture partners may not fund their portion of the calls for additional capital contribution.
 
We are minority interest partners in various real estate joint ventures. From time to time, these joint ventures may require additional capital contributions from its partners to fund operating shortfalls or renovation projects. Our partners, for a variety of reasons including their financial or liquidity position, may not be able or willing to fund their portion of these capital calls. This could lead to a deterioration of the operations and cash flow of these joint venture properties and may reduce the value of our investment in these joint ventures.


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Item 6.   Exhibits
 
(a)  Exhibits (Filed herewith)
 
         
Exhibit No.
 
Description of Document
 
  10 .5.2   Amended Employment Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2008, by and between Thomas F. Hewitt and the Company.
  10 .19   Amended Employment Agreement, dated September 26, 2008, by and between Leslie Ng and the Company.
  31 .1   Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer.
  31 .2   Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer.
  32     Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 906 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.


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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
 
  By: 
/s/  Denis S. McCarthy
Denis S. McCarthy
Chief Accounting Officer
 
Dated: November 5, 2008


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