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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2.              Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited interim combined consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to interim financial information. As such, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.  All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements include adjustments based on management’s estimates (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), which the Company considers necessary for a fair statement of the combined consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of changes in equity and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows for the interim periods presented. The financial information should be read in conjunction with the combined consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, included in the final prospectus relating to the IPO, dated May 10, 2011, which the Company filed with the SEC.  Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of actual operating results for the entire year.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and the amounts of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Reporting Periods

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company owned five hotels that are managed by affiliates of Marriott International (“Marriott”).   The Company’s hotels managed by Marriott are accounted for on a fiscal year comprised of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to December 31. The Company’s results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 include the results of operations for the Company’s Marriott-managed hotels for the 24-week periods ending June 17, 2011 and June 18, 2010, respectively.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain de minimus prior year amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact to net income, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

 

Investment in Hotel Properties

 

Hotel acquisitions consist almost exclusively of land, land improvements, buildings, furniture, fixtures and equipment and inventory. The Company records the purchase price among these asset classes based on their respective fair values. When the Company acquires properties, they are acquired for use. Generally, the Company does not acquire any significant in-place leases or other intangible assets (e.g., management agreements, franchise agreements or trademarks) when hotels are acquired.  The only intangible assets acquired through June 30, 2011 consisted of favorable tenant lease agreements and miscellaneous operating agreements, which are short-term in nature and at market rates.  In conjunction with the acquisition of a hotel, the Company typically negotiates new franchise and management agreements with the selected brand and manager.

 

The Company’s investments in hotels are carried at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 15 years for land improvements, 40 years for buildings and improvements and three to five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Intangible assets arising from favorable or unfavorable leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the non-cancelable portion of the term of the agreement.  Maintenance and repairs are expensed and major renewals or improvements are capitalized. Upon the sale or disposition of a fixed asset, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the related gain or loss is included in operations.

 

The Company considers each individual hotel to be an identifiable component of the business.  In accordance with the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets guidance, the Company does not consider a hotel as “held for sale” until it is probable that the sale will be completed within one year and the other requisite criteria for such classification have been met.  Once a hotel is designated as “held for sale” the operations for that hotel are included in discontinued operations.  The Company does not depreciate hotel assets so long as they are classified as “held for sale.”  Upon designation of a hotel as being “held for sale” and quarterly thereafter, the Company reviews the realizability of the carrying value, less cost to sell, in accordance with the guidance.  Any such adjustment in the carrying value of a hotel classified as “held for sale” is reflected in discontinued operations.  The Company includes in discontinued operations the operating results of those hotels that are classified as “held for sale.”

 

The Company assesses the carrying values of each hotel whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these hotels may not be fully recoverable.  Recoverability of the hotel is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the hotel to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows which take into account  current market conditions and  our intent with respect to holding or disposing of the hotel.  If our analysis indicates that the carrying value of the hotel is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the hotel. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques; including internally developed discounted cash flow models, comparable market transactions and third party appraisals, where considered necessary.

 

The use of projected future cash flows is based on assumptions that are consistent with a market participant’s future expectations for the travel industry and economy in general and our strategic plans to manage the underlying hotels.  However, assumptions and estimates about future cash flows and capitalization rates are complex and subjective.  Changes in economic and operating conditions and our ultimate investment intent that occur subsequent to a current impairment analysis could impact these assumptions and result in future impairment charges of the hotels.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the weighted average number of unvested restricted shares (“participating securities” as defined in Note 11). The basic earning per share calculation includes the effect of such participating securities.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus other potentially dilutive securities such as stock grants or shares that would be issued in the event of conversion of operating partnership units. No adjustment is made for shares that are anti-dilutive during a period.

 

Share Based Compensation

 

From time to time, the Company may award non-vested shares under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), as compensation to officers, employees and non-employee trustees (see Note 10). The shares issued to officers and employees vest over a period of time as determined by the Board of Trustees at the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense for non-vested shares on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, adjusted for forfeitures.