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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The 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").

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and joint ventures in which the Company has a majority voting interest and control. For the controlled subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned, the third-party ownership interest represents a noncontrolling interest, which is presented separately in the consolidated financial statements. The Company also records the real estate interests in one joint venture in which it holds an indirect 50% interest using the equity method of accounting. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of the Company’s financial statements 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.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications
 
Certain prior year amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact to net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity or cash flows.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue

Substantially all of the Company's revenues are derived from the operation of hotel properties. The Company generates room revenue by renting hotel rooms to customers at its hotel properties. The Company generates food and beverage revenue from the sale of food and beverage to customers at its hotel properties. The Company generates other revenue from parking fees, resort fees, gift shop sales and other guest service fees at its hotel properties.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A contract's transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company's contracts generally have a single performance obligation, such as renting a hotel room to a customer, or providing food and beverage to a customer, or providing a hotel property-related good or service to a customer. The Company's performance obligations are generally satisfied at a point in time.

The Company allocates revenue to the performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company determines the standalone selling price based on the price it charges each customer for the use or consumption of the promised good or service.

The Company's revenue is recognized when control of the promised good or service is transferred to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the promised good or service. The revenue is recorded net of any sales and occupancy taxes collected from the customer. All rebates or discounts are recorded as a reduction to revenue, and there are no material contingent obligations with respect to rebates and discounts offered by the hotel properties.

The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in the Company recognizing hotel and other receivables and advance deposits and deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet. Hotel and other receivables are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets when the Company has provided a good or service to the customer and is waiting for the customer to submit consideration to the Company. Advance deposits and deferred revenue are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets when cash payments are received in advance of the Company satisfying its performance obligation. Advance deposits and deferred revenue consist of amounts that are refundable and non-refundable to the customer. The advance deposits and deferred revenue are recognized as revenue in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) when the Company satisfies its performance obligation to the customer.

For the majority of its goods or services and customers, the Company requires payment at the time the respective good or service is provided to the customer. The Company's payment terms vary by the type of customer and the goods or services offered to the customer. The Company applied a practical expedient to not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts that have an original expected length of one year or less. Any contracts that have an original expected length of greater than one year are insignificant.
The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on its best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable portfolio. The Company recognizes increases to the allowance for doubtful accounts as bad debt expense. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated as a percentage of the aged accounts receivable based on the Company's historical collection activity and its understanding of the circumstances related to a specific receivable.
Investment in Hotel Properties
Investment in Hotel Properties
 
The Company’s acquisitions generally consist of land, land improvements, buildings, building improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment ("FF&E"), inventory, and assumed debt. The Company may also acquire intangible assets or liabilities related to in-place leases, management agreements, franchise agreements, and advanced bookings.  The Company allocates the purchase price among the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company estimates the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed by using a combination of the market, cost and income approaches. The Company determines the fair value by using market data and independent appraisals available to the Company and making numerous estimates and assumptions, such as estimates of future income growth, replacement cost per unit, value per acre or buildable square foot, capitalization rates, discount rates, borrowing rates, market rental rates, capital expenditures and cash flow projections at the respective hotel properties.

The Company’s investments in hotel properties are carried at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 15 years for land improvements, 15 years for building improvements, 40 years for buildings, and three to five years for FF&E. Maintenance and repairs are expensed and major renewals or improvements to the hotel properties are capitalized. Indirect project costs, including interest, salaries and benefits, travel and other related costs that are directly attributable to the development, are also capitalized. Upon the sale or disposition of a hotel property, the asset and related accumulated depreciation accounts are removed and the related gain or loss is included in the gain or loss on sale of hotel properties in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). A sale or disposition of a hotel property that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results is presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
In accordance with the guidance on impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, the Company does not consider the "held for sale" classification on the consolidated balance sheet until it is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year and the other requisite criteria for such classification have been met. The Company does not depreciate assets so long as they are classified as held for sale. Upon designation as held for sale and quarterly thereafter, the Company reviews the realizability of the carrying value, less costs to sell, in accordance with the guidance. Any such adjustment to the carrying value is recorded as an impairment loss.
The Company assesses the carrying value of its investments in hotel properties whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount to the projected undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operation and the eventual disposition of the hotel properties over the estimated hold period, which take into account current market conditions and the Company’s intent with respect to holding or disposing of the hotel properties. If the Company’s analysis indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable on a projected undiscounted cash flow basis, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. The fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including internally developed discounted cash flow models, comparable market transactions, third-party appraisals, the net sales proceeds from pending offers, or the net sales proceeds from transactions that closed subsequent to the end of the reporting period. 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 the economy in general, including discount rates, sales proceeds in the reversion year, average daily rates, occupancy rates, operating expenses and capital expenditures, and the Company's intent with respect to holding or disposing of the underlying hotel properties. Fair value may also be based on assumptions including, but not limited to, room revenue multiples and comparable sales adjusted for capital expenditures, if necessary.
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

If the Company determines that it does not have a controlling financial interest in a joint venture, either through a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity or through the Company's voting interest in a voting interest entity, but the Company exercises significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the joint venture, the Company accounts for the joint venture using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company's investment is adjusted each reporting period to recognize the Company's share of the net earnings or losses of the joint venture, plus any contributions to the joint venture, less any distributions received from the joint venture and any adjustment for impairment. In addition, the Company's share of the net earnings or losses of the joint venture is adjusted for the straight-line depreciation of the difference between the Company's basis in the investment in the unconsolidated joint venture as compared to the historical basis of the underlying net assets in the joint venture at the date of acquisition.

The Company assesses the carrying value of its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures whenever events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the carrying value of the investment exceeds its fair value on an other-than-temporary basis. When an impairment indicator is present, the Company will estimate the fair value of the investment, which will be determined by using internally developed discounted cash flow models, comparable market transactions, third-party appraisals, the net sales proceeds from pending offers, or the net sales proceeds from transactions that closed subsequent to the end of the reporting period. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, and management determines that the decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the Company will recognize an impairment loss on its investment in the joint venture.
The Company evaluates the nature of the distributions from each of its unconsolidated joint ventures in order to classify the distributions as either operating activities or investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Any cash distribution that is considered to be a distribution of the earnings of the unconsolidated joint venture is presented as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Any cash distribution that is considered to be a return of capital from the unconsolidated joint venture is presented as an investing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and highly liquid investments that mature three months or less when they are purchased. The Company maintains its cash at domestic banks, which, at times, may exceed the limits of the amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Restricted Cash Reserves
Restricted Cash Reserves

Restricted cash reserves consist of all cash that is required to be maintained in a reserve escrow account by a management agreement, franchise agreement, and/or a mortgage loan agreement for future capital expenditures (including the periodic replacement or refurbishment of FF&E) and the funding of real estate taxes and insurance.
Hotel Receivables
Hotel Receivables

Hotel receivables consist mainly of receivables due from hotel guests and meeting and banquet room rentals. The Company typically does not require collateral as ongoing credit evaluations are performed. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established against any receivable that is estimated to be uncollectible.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are the costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The deferred financing costs are recorded at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, over the respective term of the financing agreement and are included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company expenses unamortized deferred financing costs when the associated financing agreement is refinanced or repaid before the maturity date, unless certain criteria are met that would allow for the carryover of such costs to the refinanced agreement. The Company presents the deferred financing costs for its Senior Notes and Term Loans (as defined in Note 7) and mortgage loans on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the respective debt liability, which is included in debt, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the deferred financing costs for its Revolver (as defined in Note 7) on the balance sheet as an asset, which is included in prepaid expense and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, approximately $6.1 million, $6.0 million and $5.9 million, respectively, of amortization expense was recorded as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Transaction Costs
Transaction Costs
The Company incurs costs during the review of potential hotel property acquisitions and dispositions, including legal fees and other professional service fees. In addition, if the Company completes a hotel property acquisition, the Company may incur transfer taxes and integration costs, including professional fees and employee-related costs. If the Company completes a hotel property acquisition that is considered to be an asset acquisition, the transaction costs are capitalized on the consolidated balance sheets. If the Company completes a hotel property acquisition that is considered to be a business combination, the transaction costs are expensed as incurred in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Transaction costs related to successful dispositions are included in (loss) gain on sale of hotel properties, net, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). All transaction costs incurred in connection with unsuccessful transactions are expensed.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effects of interest rate changes. The Company utilizes a variety of borrowing vehicles, including the Revolver and medium and long-term financings. The Company reduces its risk to interest rate changes by following its established risk management policies and procedures, including the use of derivative financial instruments to manage, or hedge, interest rate risk. To mitigate the Company's exposure to interest rate changes, the Company uses interest rate derivative instruments, typically interest rate swaps, to convert a portion of its variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The Company attempts to require the hedging derivative instruments to be effective in reducing the interest rate risk exposure that they are designated to hedge. This effectiveness is essential in order to qualify for hedge accounting. Derivative instruments that meet the hedging criteria are formally designated as cash flow hedges at the inception of the derivative contract. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest rate swap agreements contain a credit risk that the counterparties may be unable to fulfill the terms of the agreement. The Company has minimized the credit risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, who are limited to major banks and financial institutions, and it does not anticipate nonperformance by these counterparties.

The estimated fair values of the derivatives are determined by using available market information and appropriate valuation methods.  Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value.  Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.   

The Company recognizes all derivatives as assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The gains and losses on the derivatives that have been determined to be effective cash flow hedges are reported in other comprehensive
income (loss) and are reclassified to interest expense in the period in which the interest expense is recognized on the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized in earnings immediately.

When the terms of an underlying transaction are modified, or when the underlying hedged item ceases to exist, and the interest rate derivative no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, all changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are marked-to-market with the changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period until the derivative instrument matures.
Leases
Leases

As a lessee in a lease contract, the Company recognizes a lease right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company is a lessee in a variety of lease contracts, such as ground leases, parking leases, office leases and equipment leases. The Company classifies its leases as either an operating lease or a finance lease based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset. For operating leases, the Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For finance leases, the Company recognizes lease expense on the effective interest method, which results in the interest component of each lease payment being recognized as interest expense and the lease right-of-use asset being amortized into amortization expense using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. For leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, the Company will not recognize a lease right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the consolidated balance sheets and lease expense will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

At the lease commencement date, the Company determines the lease term by incorporating the fixed, non-cancelable lease term plus any lease extension option terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised. The ability to extend the lease term is at the Company's sole discretion. The Company calculates the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term in order to determine the lease liability and the related lease right-of-use asset that is recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.

Certain lease contracts may include an option to purchase the leased property, which is at the Company's sole discretion. The Company's lease contracts do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company's leases include a base lease payment, which is recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, certain of the Company's leases may include an additional lease payment that is based on either (i) a percentage of the respective hotel property's financial results, or (ii) changes in an index such as the consumer price index; all of which are recognized as variable lease expense, when incurred, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company will use the implicit rate in a lease contract in order to determine the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term.  If the implicit rate in the lease contract is not available, then the Company will use its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date.  The Company determined its incremental borrowing rate for each lease contract by using the U.S. Treasury interest rates yield curve, and then making adjustments for the lease term, the Company’s credit spread, the Company’s ability to borrow on a secured basis, the quality and condition of the leased asset and the current economic environment.
Leases As a lessor in a lease contract, the Company classifies its leases as either an operating lease, direct financing lease, or a sales-type lease. The Company leases space at its hotel properties to third parties, who use the space for their restaurants or retail locations. The Company classifies these lease contracts as operating leases, so the Company will continue to recognize the underlying leased asset as an investment in hotel properties on the consolidated balance sheets. Lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease revenue is recognized over the lease term when it is earned and becomes receivable from the lessee, according to the provisions of the respective lease contract. The Company only capitalizes the incremental direct costs of leasing, so any indirect costs of leasing will be expensed as incurred.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling Interests

The consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries controlled by the Company. For the controlled subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned, the third-party ownership interest represents a noncontrolling interest, which is presented separately in the consolidated financial statements.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company consolidated the Operating Partnership, which has a 0.5% third-party ownership interest. The third-party ownership interest is included in the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. The portion of the income and losses associated with the third-party
ownership interest are included in the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company consolidated the joint venture that owns The Knickerbocker hotel property; this joint venture has a 5% third-party ownership interest in the joint venture. The Company also consolidated the joint venture that owned the DoubleTree Metropolitan Hotel New York City hotel property; this joint venture had a 1.7% third-party ownership interest in the joint venture. This hotel property was sold in December 2021. In addition, the Company consolidated the operating lessee of the Embassy Suites Secaucus - Meadowlands hotel property through its 51% controlling financial interest in the operating lessee of the joint venture; this joint venture had a 49% third-party ownership interest in the joint venture. On October 31, 2021, the ground lease associated with this hotel property was terminated and the hotel property reverted to the ground lessor. The third-party ownership interests are included in the noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. The income and losses associated with the third-party ownership interest are included in the noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, subject to certain adjustments and excluding any net capital gain, to shareholders. The Company's intention is to adhere to the REIT qualification requirements and to maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT.

As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on the portion of taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and it may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. As a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to U.S. federal income and excise taxes on undistributed taxable income. Taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through the Company's TRSs is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes at the applicable rates.

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases, and for net operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted income tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. The effect on the 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 all available evidence, including the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future projected taxable income and tax planning strategies. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company performs an annual review for any uncertain tax positions and, if necessary, will record the expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax positions in the consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings Per Common Share 

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the weighted-average number of unvested restricted shares and unvested performance units outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus any shares that could potentially be outstanding during the period.  The potential shares consist of unvested restricted share grants and unvested performance units, calculated using the treasury stock method, and convertible Series A Preferred Shares, calculated using the if-converted method. Any anti-dilutive shares have been excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculation.
Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation
 
The Company may issue share-based awards as compensation to officers, employees, non-employee trustees and other eligible persons under the RLJ Lodging Trust 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2021 Plan"). The vesting of the awards issued to the officers and employees is based on either the continued employment (time-based) or the absolute and relative total shareholder returns of the Company and continued employment (performance-based), as determined by the board of trustees at the date of grant. For time-based awards, the Company recognizes compensation expense for the unvested restricted 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.  For performance-based awards, the Company recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period for each award, based on the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, as determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, adjusted for forfeitures.

Non-employee trustees may elect to receive unrestricted shares under the 2021 Plan as compensation that would otherwise be paid in cash for their services. The shares issued to the non-employee trustees in lieu of cash compensation are unrestricted and include no vesting conditions. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the unrestricted shares issued in lieu of cash compensation based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The guidance provides optional expedients for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate that was expected to be discontinued at the end of 2021 because of reference rate reform. The guidance was effective upon issuance and expired on December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which deferred the expiration date of Topic 848 to December 31, 2024.

The Company elected to apply certain of the optional expedients for contract modifications to its financial instruments impacted by the discontinuance of LIBOR. The Company has completed its modifications to these financial instruments
affected by reference rate reform. The application of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosures. The ASU expands public entities’ segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. It also requires disclosure of the amount and description of the composition of other segment items, as well as interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. The ASU also applies to entities with a single reportable segment. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which includes amendments that further enhance income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The amendments are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.