8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): December 15, 2009

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland	001-31775	86-1062192
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission	(IRS employer
incorporation or organization)	File Number)	identification number)

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas	75254
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (972) 490-9600

Check the appropriated box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14-a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On December 15, 2009 Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors:

a) declared a dividend for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009, of $0.5344 per diluted share, for the Company’s 8.55% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable January 15, 2010, for shareholders of record on December 31, 2009.

b) declared a dividend for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009, of $0.5281 per diluted share, for the Company’s 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable January 15, 2010, for shareholders of record on December 31, 2009.

c) has also determined that, subject to ongoing review, the suspension of the common stock dividend will continue into 2010.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
99.1	Press Release of the Company, dated December 15, 2009, furnished under Item 7.01, announcing the declaration of dividends.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: December 15, 2009

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
By:	/s/ DAVID A. BROOKS
David A. Brooks
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:	Douglas Kessler	Tripp Sullivan
	President	Corporate Communications, Inc.
	(972) 490-9600	(615) 324-7318

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST DECLARES PREFERRED
DIVIDENDS FOR FOURTH QUARTER

DALLAS — (December 15, 2009) — Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) today announced the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.5344 per diluted share for the Company’s 8.55% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $2.1375 per share, is payable on January 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.

The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per diluted share for the Company’s Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $0.56 per share, is payable on January 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.

The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.5281 per diluted share for the Company’s 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $2.1125 per share, is payable on January 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.

The Company also noted that consistent with the 2009 dividend policy implemented by the Board in December 2008, the Board has determined the Company will not make a 2009 common stock dividend payment. The Board has also determined that, subject to ongoing review, the suspension of the common stock dividend will continue into 2010.

* * * * *

Ashford Hospitality Trust is a self-administered real estate investment trust focused on investing in the hospitality industry across all segments and at all levels of the capital structure, including direct hotel investments, second mortgages, mezzanine loans and sale-leaseback transactions. Additional information can be found on the Company’s web site at www.ahtreit.com.

Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon “forward-looking” information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. When we use the words “will likely result,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing for closing, the impact of the transaction on our business and future financial condition, our business and investment strategy, our understanding of our competition and current market trends and

-END-

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, TX 75254 Phone: (972) 490-9600

AHT Announces Fourth Quarter Dividends
Page 2
December 15, 2009

opportunities and projected capital expenditures. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside Ashford’s control.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock; changes in our business or investment strategy; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; changes in our industry and the market in which we operate, interest rates or the general economy; and the degree and nature of our competition. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in Ashford’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA yield is defined as trailing twelve month EBITDA divided by the purchase price. A capitalization rate is determined by dividing the property’s annual net operating income by the purchase price. Net operating income is the property’s funds from operations minus a capital expense reserve of either 4% or 5% of gross revenues. Funds from operations (“FFO”), as defined by the White Paper on FFO approved by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in April 2002, represents net income (loss) computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), excluding gains (or losses) from sales or properties and extraordinary items as defined by GAAP, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and net of adjustments for the portion of these items related to unconsolidated entities and joint ventures.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise.