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): March 16, 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 March 16, 2009 Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors:

a) declared a dividend for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, of $0.5344 per diluted share, for the Company’s 8.55% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable April 15, 2009, for shareholders of record on March 31, 2009, and

b) declared a dividend for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, of $0.5281 per diluted share, for the Company’s 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable April 15, 2009, for shareholders of record on March 31, 2009.

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 March 16, 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: March 17, 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

The premier capital provider to the hospitality industryTM	NEWS RELEASE

Contact:	Douglas Kessler	Tripp Sullivan
	President	Corporate Communications, Inc.
	(972) 490-9600	(615) 254-3376

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST DECLARES PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
FOR FIRST QUARTER

DALLAS – (March 16, 2009) – Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) today announced the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.5344 per diluted share for the Company’s 8.55% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock for the first quarter ending March 31, 2009. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $2.1375 per share, is payable on April 15, 2009, to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2009.

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

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

* * * * *

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, first mortgages, mezzanine loans and sale-leaseback transactions. Additional information can be found on the Company’s web site at www.ahtreit.com.

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