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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. operates as a self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, or REIT, with its operations conducted solely through Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, operates through an umbrella partnership structure, with Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a Maryland corporation, as its sole general partner. In the notes to the consolidated financial statements, we use the terms “we” or “our” to refer to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. together, unless the context indicates otherwise. We also use the term “Host Inc.” to refer specifically to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and the term “Host L.P.” to refer specifically to Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. in cases where it is important to distinguish between Host Inc. and Host L.P. Host Inc. holds approximately 99% of Host L.P.’s partnership interests, or OP units.

Liquidity and Management’s Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant adverse impact on U.S. and global economic activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets beginning in the first quarter of 2020. The adverse economic impact continues as various restrictive measures remain in place in many jurisdictions where we own hotels, including quarantines, restrictions on travel, school closings, limitations on the size of gatherings and/or restrictions on types of business that may continue to operate. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact almost every industry directly or indirectly, including having a severe impact on the U.S. lodging industry generally and our company specifically.

At the start of the pandemic, we suspended operations at 35 hotels and, as of December 31, 2020, operations remain suspended at four of these hotels. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 on our operations and future bookings have had, and will continue to have, a material negative impact on our financial results and cash flows, and such negative impact may continue well after restrictive measures imposed by federal, state, local and other government authorities to contain the outbreak have been lifted. During 2020, we drew down $1.5 billion on the revolver portion of our credit facility as a precautionary measure in order to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility. We are continuing to take further measures to preserve our liquidity, including operating expense reductions, capital expenditures deferrals, suspension of future dividends and suspension of common stock repurchases. We also have reached agreements with our hotel managers to temporarily suspend furniture, fixture and equipment (“FF&E”) replacement fund contributions for our hotels and to defer certain hotel initiatives and brand standards.

Consolidated Portfolio

As of December 31, 2020, the hotels in our consolidated portfolio are in the following countries:

 

 

Hotels

 

United States

 

74

 

Brazil

 

3

 

Canada

 

2

 

Total

 

79

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Host Inc., Host L.P. and their subsidiaries and controlled affiliates, including joint ventures and partnerships. We consolidate subsidiaries when we have the ability to control them. For the majority of our hotel and real estate investments, we consider those control rights to be (i) approval or amendment of developments plans, (ii) financing decisions, (iii) approval or amendments of operating budgets, and (iv) investment strategy decisions.

We also evaluate our subsidiaries to determine if they are variable interest entities (“VIEs”). If a subsidiary is a VIE, it is subject to the consolidation framework specifically for VIEs. Typically, the entity that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact economic performance consolidates the VIE. We consider an entity to be a VIE if equity investors own an interest therein that does not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or if such investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. We review our subsidiaries and affiliates at least annually to determine (i) if they should be considered VIEs, and (ii) whether we should change our consolidation determination based on changes in the characteristics thereof.

Three partnerships are considered VIE’s, as the general partner of these partnerships maintains control over the decisions that most significantly impact the partnerships. The first VIE is the operating partnership, Host L.P., which is consolidated by Host Inc., of which Host Inc. is the general partner and holds 99% of the limited partner interests. Host Inc.’s sole significant asset is its investment in Host L.P. and substantially all of Host Inc.’s assets and liabilities represent assets and liabilities of Host L.P. All of Host Inc.’s debt is an obligation of Host L.P. and may be settled only with assets of Host L.P. The consolidated partnership that owns the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental, of which we are the general partner and hold 85% of the partnership interests, also is a VIE. The total assets of this VIE at December 31, 2020 are $59 million and consist primarily of cash, a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and property and equipment. Liabilities for the VIE total $28 million and consist of a lease liability, accounts payable and deferred revenue. The unconsolidated partnership that owns the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, of which we hold 11% of the limited partner interests, also is a VIE. The carrying amount of this investment at December 31, 2020 is $(7) million and is included in advances to and investments in affiliates. The mortgage debt held by this VIE is non-recourse to us.  

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Property and Equipment

Generally, property and equipment is recorded at cost. For hotels that we develop, cost includes interest and real estate taxes incurred during construction. For property and equipment acquired in a business combination, we record the assets acquired based on their fair value as of the acquisition date. Replacements and improvements and finance leases are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Properties acquired in an asset acquisition are recorded at cost. The acquisition cost is allocated to land, buildings, improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, as well as identifiable intangible and lease assets and liabilities. Acquisition cost is allocated using relative fair values. We evaluate several factors, including weighted market data for similar assets, expected future cash flows discounted at risk adjusted rates, and replacement costs for assets to determine an appropriate exit cost when evaluating the fair values.

We capitalize certain inventory (such as china, glass, silver, and linen) at the time of a hotel opening or acquisition, or when significant inventory is purchased (in conjunction with a major rooms renovation or when the number of rooms or meeting space at a hotel is expanded). These amounts then are amortized over the estimated useful life of three years. Subsequent replacement purchases are expensed when placed in service.

We maintain a furniture, fixtures and equipment replacement fund for renewal and replacement capital expenditures at our hotels, which generally is funded with 5% of property revenues.

Impairment testing. We analyze our consolidated hotels for impairment throughout the year when events or circumstances occur that indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We test for impairment in several situations, including:

 

when a hotel has a current or projected loss from operations;

 

when management’s intent or ability to hold a property for a period that recovers its carrying value changes, making it more likely than not that a hotel will be sold before the end of its previously estimated useful life and the anticipated sales price is at or below the book value; or

 

when other events, trends, contingencies or changes in circumstances indicate that a triggering event has occurred and the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations, we performed recoverability assessments on all of our hotels. Recoverability of hotels is measured by performing a comparison of the carrying amount of each hotel to its expected undiscounted future cash flows over its remaining useful life. While expected undiscounted future cash flows are subject to uncertainty due to factors including the duration and financial impact of the resulting economic downturn and changes in travel patterns of hotel customers, we assumed a four-year recovery period to 2019 operating levels, based on previous disruptions and recoveries, as well as

industry forecasts. In order to assess the sensitivity of the four-year recovery assumption, we performed the recoverability assessment using a six-year recovery period, with no changes to the outcome. To the extent that a hotel has a substantial remaining estimated useful life and management does not believe that it is more likely than not that it will be sold prior to the end thereof, it would be unusual for undiscounted cash flows to be insufficient to recover the property’s carrying amount. In the absence of other factors, we assume that the estimated useful life is equal to the remaining GAAP depreciable life because of the continuous property maintenance and improvement capital expenditures required under our management agreements, including critical infrastructure, which regularly is maintained and then replaced at the end of its useful life. We adjust our assumptions with respect to the remaining useful life of the property if situations dictate otherwise, such as an expiring ground lease, or that it is more likely than not that the hotel will be sold prior to the end of its previously expected useful life.

During 2019, due to a reduction in the estimated hold period of the assets, we recognized impairment expense of $14 million related to one hotel and a right of use asset associated with an operating lease. No other properties had triggering events warranting impairment testing. During 2018, we recognized impairment expense of $260 million on four hotels. See Note 13 - Fair Value Measurements.

Classification of Assets as Held for Sale.  We will classify a hotel as held for sale when its sale is probable, will be completed within one year and actions to complete the sale are unlikely to change or it is unlikely that the sale will not occur. This policy is consistent with our experience with real estate transactions under which the timing and final terms of a sale frequently are not known until purchase agreements are executed, the buyer has a significant deposit at risk and no financing contingencies exist that could prevent the transaction from being completed in a timely manner. We typically classify hotels as held for sale when all the following conditions are met:

 

Host Inc.’s Board of Directors has approved the sale (to the extent that the dollar amount of the sale requires Board approval);

 

a binding agreement to sell the property has been signed under which the buyer has committed a significant amount of nonrefundable cash; and

 

no significant financing or legal contingencies exist that could prevent the transaction from being completed in a timely manner.

If these criteria are met, we will cease recording depreciation expense and will record an impairment expense if the fair value less costs to sell is less than the carrying amount of the hotel. We will classify the assets and related liabilities as held for sale on the balance sheet. Gains on sales of properties are recognized at the time of sale or are deferred and recognized as income in subsequent periods as conditions requiring deferral are satisfied or expire without further cost to us.

Discontinued Operations. We generally include the operations of a hotel that was sold or a hotel that has been classified as held for sale in continuing operations, including the gain or loss on the sale, unless the sale represents a strategic shift that will have a major impact on our future operations and financial results.

Asset retirement obligations.  We recognize the fair value of any liability for conditional asset retirement obligations, including environmental remediation liabilities, when incurred, which generally is upon acquisition, construction, or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset, if information exists with which to reasonably estimate the fair value of the obligation.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. We depreciate our property and equipment using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense is based on the estimated useful life of our assets and amortization expense for leasehold improvements is based on the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets. The useful lives of the assets are based on several assumptions, including cost and timing of capital expenditures to maintain and refurbish the assets, as well as specific market and economic conditions. While management believes its estimates are reasonable, a change in the estimated useful lives could affect depreciation expense and net income or the gain or loss on the sale of any of our hotels.

Intangible Assets and Acquired Liabilities

In conjunction with our acquisitions, we may identify intangible assets and other liabilities. These identifiable intangible assets and other liabilities typically include above and below-market contracts, including ground and retail leases and management and franchise agreements, which are recorded at fair value in a business combination and at its relative fair value in an asset acquisition. These contract values are based on the present value of the difference between contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the contracts acquired and our estimate of the fair value of terms and conditions for similar contracts measured over the period equal to the

remaining non-cancelable term of the contract. Intangible assets and other liabilities are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining non-cancelable term of the related agreements.

Non-Controlling Interests

Other Consolidated Partnerships. As of December 31, 2020, we consolidate two majority-owned partnerships that have third-party, non-controlling ownership interests. The third-party partnership interests are included in non-redeemable non-controlling interests - other consolidated partnerships on the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $5 million and $6 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests of consolidated partnerships is included in our determination of net income. Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties was $(1) million, $2 million and $52 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Host Inc.’s treatment of the non-controlling interests of Host L.P. Host Inc. adjusts the non-controlling interests of Host L.P. each period so that the amount presented equals the greater of its carrying amount based on its historical cost or its redemption value. The historical cost is based on the proportional relationship between the historical cost of equity held by our common stockholders relative to that of the unitholders of Host L.P. The redemption value is based on the amount of cash or Host Inc. common stock, at our option, that would be paid to the non-controlling interests of Host L.P. if it were terminated. We have estimated that the redemption value is equivalent to the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the OP units currently owned by unaffiliated limited partners (one OP unit may be exchanged for 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. common stock) valued at the market price of Host Inc. common stock at the balance sheet date. Redeemable non-controlling interests of Host L.P. are classified in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet as they do not meet the requirements for equity classification because the redemption feature requires the delivery of registered shares.

The table below details the historical cost and redemption values for the non-controlling interests of Host L.P.:

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

OP units outstanding (millions)

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

7.5

 

Market price per Host Inc. common share

 

$

14.63

 

 

$

18.55

 

Shares issuable upon conversion of one OP unit

 

 

1.021494

 

 

 

1.021494

 

Redemption value (millions)

 

$

108

 

 

$

142

 

Historical cost (millions)

 

 

67

 

 

 

79

 

Book value (millions) (1)

 

 

108

 

 

 

142

 

___________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)The book value recorded is equal to the greater of the redemption value or the historical cost.

Net income (loss) is allocated to the non-controlling interests of Host L.P. based on their weighted average ownership percentage during the period. Net income (loss) attributable to Host Inc. has been reduced by the amount attributable to non-controlling interests in Host L.P., which totaled $(8) million, $10 million, and $12 million for 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Investments in Affiliates

Distributions from Investments in Affiliates. We classify the distributions from our equity investments in the statements of cash flows based upon an evaluation of the specific facts and circumstances of each distribution. For example, distributions of cash that were generated by property operations are classified as cash flows from operating activities. However, distributions of cash that were generated by property sales are classified as cash flows from investing activities.

Income Taxes

Host Inc. elected to be treated as a REIT effective January 1, 1999 pursuant to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. It is our intention to continue to comply with the REIT qualification requirements and to maintain our qualification for treatment as a REIT. A corporation that elects REIT status and meets certain tax law requirements regarding the distribution of its taxable income to its stockholders as prescribed by applicable tax laws and that complies with certain other requirements (relating primarily to the composition of its assets and the sources of its gross income) generally is not subject to federal and state corporate income taxation on its operating income that is distributed to its stockholders. As a partnership for federal income tax purposes, Host L.P. is not subject to federal income tax. Host L.P. is, however, subject to state, local and foreign income and franchise tax in certain jurisdictions. Additionally, each of the Host L.P. taxable REIT subsidiaries is taxable as a regular C corporation, and is subject to federal, state and foreign corporate income tax. Our consolidated income tax provision (benefit) includes the income tax provision

(benefit) related to the operations of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, and state, local, and foreign income and franchise taxes incurred by Host L.P. and its subsidiaries.

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to its partnership agreement, Host L.P. generally is required to reimburse Host Inc. for any tax payments it is required to make. Accordingly, the tax information included herein represents disclosures regarding Host Inc. and its subsidiaries. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for net operating loss and capital loss carryovers. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which such amounts are expected to be realized or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted. However, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realized based on consideration of available evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future projected taxable income and tax planning strategies.

GAAP prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. We must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. This accounting standard applies to all tax positions related to income taxes.  We recognize any accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.

Deferred Charges

Financing costs related to long-term debt are deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the debt using the effective interest method. These costs are presented as a direct deduction from the related long-term debt on the balance sheets.

Foreign Currency Translation

As of December 31, 2020, our foreign operations consist of hotels located in Brazil and Canada, as well as an investment in an Asia/Pacific joint venture. The financial statements of these hotels and our investments therein are maintained in their functional currency, which generally is the local currency, and their operations are translated to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates for the period. The assets and liabilities of the hotels and the investments therein are translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are reflected in other comprehensive income (loss).

Foreign currency transactions are recorded in the functional currency for each applicable foreign entity using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured at period end exchange rates. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and derivatives on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, except when recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as qualifying net investment hedges.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the balance sheets are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Gain on foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

2

 

 

$

3

 

Loss on interest rate swap cash flow hedges

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(57

)

Other comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

$

(74

)

 

$

(56

)

 

During 2019, we reclassified a net loss due to foreign currency translation of $4 million related to foreign subsidiaries that were substantially liquidated. No material amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in 2020.

Revenues

Substantially all of our operating results represent revenues and expenses generated by property-level operations. Payments are due from customers when services are provided to them. Due to the short-term nature of our contracts and the almost concurrent

receipt of payment, we have no material unearned revenues at year end. We collect sales, use, occupancy and similar taxes at our hotels, which we present on a net basis (excluded from revenues) on our statements of operations. Revenues are recognized as follows:

 

Income statement line item

 

Recognition method

Rooms revenues

 

Rooms revenues represent revenues from the occupancy of our hotel rooms and are driven by the occupancy and average daily rate charged. Rooms revenues do not include ancillary services or fees charged. The contracts for room stays with customers generally are very short term in duration and revenues are recognized over the course of the hotel stay.

Food and beverage revenues

 

Food and beverage revenues consist of revenues from group functions, which may include banquet revenues and audio-visual revenues, as well as outlet revenues from the restaurants and lounges at our properties. Revenues are recognized as the services or products are provided. Our hotels may employ third parties to provide certain services, for example, audio and visual services.  These contracts are evaluated to determine if the hotel is the principal or the agent in the transaction and we record the revenues as appropriate (i.e., gross vs. net).    

Other revenues

 

Other revenues consist of ancillary revenues at the property, including attrition and cancelation fees, golf courses, resort and destination fees, spas, entertainment and other guest services, as well as rental revenues; primarily consisting of leased retail outlets. Other revenues generally are recognized as the services or products are provided. Attrition and cancelation fees are recognized for non-cancelable deposits when the customer provides notification of cancelation or is a no-show for the specified date, whichever comes first.

 

Fair Value Measurement

In evaluating the fair value of both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, GAAP outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market assumptions based on market data (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s own assumptions about market data (“unobservable inputs”). Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability at the measurement date in an orderly transaction (an “exit price”). Assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels are as follows:

Level 1 — Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market is defined as a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 — Inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active (markets with few transactions), 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 correlation or other means.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflect our assumptions about the pricing of an asset or liability when observable inputs are not available.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Unit)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share (unit) is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (unitholders) by the weighted average number of shares of Host Inc. common stock or Host L.P. common units outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (unit) is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (unitholders), as adjusted for potentially dilutive securities, by the weighted average number of shares of Host Inc. common stock or Host L.P. common units outstanding plus other potentially dilutive securities. Dilutive securities may include shares granted under comprehensive stock plans or the common OP units distributed to Host Inc. to support such shares granted, and other non-controlling interests that have the option to convert their limited partner interests to common OP units. No effect is shown for any securities that are anti-dilutive.

The calculation of Host Inc. basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share is shown below (in millions, except per share amounts):  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(741

)

 

$

932

 

 

$

1,151

 

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

9

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(64

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Host Inc.

 

$

(732

)

 

$

920

 

 

$

1,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

705.9

 

 

 

730.3

 

 

 

739.8

 

Assuming distribution of common shares granted under the comprehensive stock plans, less shares assumed purchased at market

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.8

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

705.9

 

 

 

731.1

 

 

 

740.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(1.04

)

 

$

1.26

 

 

$

1.47

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

(1.04

)

 

$

1.26

 

 

$

1.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The calculation of Host L.P. basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common unit is shown below (in millions, except per unit amounts):  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(741

)

 

$

932

 

 

$

1,151

 

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-

     controlling interests

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(52

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Host L.P.

 

$

(740

)

 

$

930

 

 

$

1,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average units outstanding

 

 

698.4

 

 

 

722.5

 

 

 

732.2

 

Assuming distribution of common units to support shares granted under the comprehensive stock plans, less shares assumed purchased at market

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.8

 

Diluted weighted average units outstanding

 

 

698.4

 

 

 

723.3

 

 

 

733.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common unit

 

$

(1.06

)

 

$

1.29

 

 

$

1.50

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common unit

 

$

(1.06

)

 

$

1.29

 

 

$

1.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-Based Payments

Upon the issuance of Host’s common stock under the compensation plans, Host L.P. will issue to Host Inc. common OP units of an equivalent value. These liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements for Host Inc. and Host L.P.

We recognize costs resulting from Host Inc.’s share-based payment transactions over their vesting periods. We classify share-based payment awards granted in exchange for employee services either as equity-classified awards or liability-classified awards. Equity-classified awards are measured based on the fair value on the date of grant. Liability-classified awards are remeasured to fair value each reporting period. The plan includes awards that vest over a one-year, two-year and three-year period. For performance-based awards, compensation cost will be recognized when the achievement of the performance condition is considered probable. If a performance condition has more than one outcome that is probable, recognition of compensation cost will be based on the condition that is the most likely outcome. No compensation cost is recognized for awards for which employees do not render the requisite services.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. We are exposed to credit risk with respect to cash held at various financial institutions and access to our credit facility, however, this cash balance is spread among a diversified group of investment grade financial institutions.

Acquisitions and Business Combinations

When acquiring an asset, we determine whether the acquisition is an asset acquisition or a business combination based on whether the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single (group of similar) identifiable assets, resulting in an asset acquisition or, if not, resulting in a business combination. If treated as an asset acquisition, the asset is recorded in accordance with our property and equipment policy and related acquisition costs are capitalized as part of the asset.

In a business combination, we recognize identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interests at their fair values at the acquisition date based on the exit price (i.e., 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). We evaluate several factors, including market data for similar assets, expected cash flows discounted at risk adjusted rates and replacement cost for the assets to determine an appropriate exit cost when evaluating the fair value of our assets and liabilities acquired. Property and equipment are recorded at fair value and such fair value is allocated to land, buildings, improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment using appraisals and valuations performed by management and independent third parties. Acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are not capitalized or applied in determining the fair value of the acquired assets.

Other items that we evaluate include identifiable intangible assets, lease assets and liabilities and, in a business combination, goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets typically consist of assumed contracts, including ground and retail leases and management and franchise agreements, which are recorded at fair value. Finance lease obligations that are assumed as part of the acquisition of a leasehold interest are measured at fair value and are included as debt on the accompanying balance sheet and we record the corresponding right-of-use assets. Classification of a lease does not change if it is part of an asset acquisition or a business combination. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, we may utilize a number of sources that arise in connection with the acquisition or financing of a property and other market data, including third-party appraisals and valuations. In certain situations, and usually only in connection with the acquisition of a foreign hotel, a deferred tax liability is recognized due to the difference between the fair value and the tax basis of the acquired assets at the acquisition date. In a business combination, any consideration paid in excess of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired would be recorded to goodwill. In very limited circumstances, we may record a bargain purchase gain if the consideration paid is less than the net fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.

Leases

We consider an arrangement to contain a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for compensation. All leases pursuant to which we are the lessee, including operating leases, are recognized as lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the present value of our fixed payment obligations. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. We use our estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of our lease obligations at initiation or modification. Our operating leases may require fixed payments, variable payments based on a percentage of revenue or income, or payments equal to the greater of a fixed or variable payment. Variable payments are excluded from the ROU assets and lease liabilities and are recognized in the period in which the obligation is incurred. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Our lease terms include renewal options that we are reasonably certain to exercise, and renewal options controlled by the lessor.