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Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc., its majority-owned subsidiaries, and its majority-owned entities in which it has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in these consolidated financial statements. Ashford Prime OP is considered to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”), as defined by authoritative accounting guidance. A VIE must be consolidated by a reporting entity if the reporting entity is the primary beneficiary because it has (i) the power to direct the VIE’s activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. All major decisions related to Ashford Prime OP that most significantly impact its economic performance, including but not limited to operating procedures with respect to business affairs and any acquisitions, dispositions, financings, restructurings or other transactions with sellers, purchasers, lenders, brokers, agents and other applicable representatives, are subject to the approval of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Ashford Prime OP General Partner LLC, its general partner. As such, we consolidate Ashford Prime OP. The following items affect reporting comparability of our historical consolidated financial statements:
• | On July 9, 2015, we acquired the Bardessono Hotel, and on December 15, 2015, we acquired the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, USVI (“Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas”). The operating results of these hotel properties are included in our results of operations as of their acquisition dates.
• | On July 1, 2016, we sold the Courtyard Seattle Downtown.
• | On March 31, 2017, we acquired the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and on May 11, 2017, we acquired the Hotel Yountville. The operating results of these hotel properties have been included in our results of operations as of their acquisition dates.
• | On November 1, 2017, we sold the Plano Marriott Legacy Town Center.
Use of Estimates—The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand or held in banks and short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Restricted Cash—Restricted cash includes reserves for debt service, real estate taxes, and insurance, as well as excess cash flow deposits and reserves for furniture, fixtures, and equipment replacements of approximately 4% to 5% of property revenue for certain hotels, as required by certain management or mortgage debt agreement restrictions and provisions. We early adopted Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash effective January 1, 2017. See discussion in recently adopted accounting standards below. Accounts Receivable—Accounts receivable consists primarily of meeting and banquet room rental and hotel guest receivables. We generally do not require collateral. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of guests to make required payments for services. The allowance is maintained at a level believed adequate to absorb estimated receivable losses. The estimate is based on past receivable loss experience, known and inherent credit risks, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors, including specific reserves for certain accounts. Inventories—Inventories, which primarily consist of food, beverages, and gift store merchandise, are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Investments in Hotel Properties, net—Hotel properties are generally stated at cost. For hotel properties owned through our majority-owned entities, the carrying basis attributable to the partners’ minority ownership is recorded at historical cost, net of any impairment charges, while the carrying basis attributable to our majority ownership is recorded based on the allocated purchase price of our ownership interests in the entities. All improvements and additions which extend the useful life of the hotel properties are capitalized. Impairment of Investments in Hotel Properties—Hotel properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be 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 property’s net book value exceeds its estimated fair value, or fair value, less cost to sell. In evaluating the impairment of hotel properties, we make many assumptions and estimates, including projected cash flows, expected holding period and expected useful life. 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. Asset write-downs resulting from property damage are recorded up to the amount of the allocable property insurance deductible in the period that the property damage occurs. See note 3. Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations—We classify assets as held for sale when we have obtained a firm commitment from a buyer, and consummation of the sale is considered probable and expected within one year. The related operations of assets held for sale are reported as discontinued if the disposal is a component of an entity or group of components that represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and cash flows. Investment in Unconsolidated Entity and Ashford Inc.—We held an investment in an unconsolidated entity, in which we had an ownership interest of 45.3% that was accounted for under the equity method of accounting by recording the initial investment and our percentage of interest in the entity’s net income/loss. We liquidated our investment in April 2016. We review the investment in unconsolidated entity for impairment in each reporting period pursuant to the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. An investment is impaired when its estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of our investment. Any impairment is recorded in equity in loss in unconsolidated entity. No such impairment was recorded in the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. We also hold approximately 195,000 shares of Ashford Inc. common stock, which represented an approximate 9.3% ownership interest in Ashford Inc. and had a fair value of $18.1 million at December 31, 2017. This investment would typically be accounted for under the equity method of accounting, under Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 323-10 - Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures since we exercise significant influence. However, we have elected to record our investment in Ashford Inc. using the fair value option under ASC 825-10 - Fair Value Option - Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. Deferred Costs, net—Debt issuance costs are reflected as a direct reduction to the related debt obligation. Additionally, debt issuance costs associated with our secured revolving credit facility are presented as an asset on our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred loan costs are recorded at cost and amortized over the terms of the related indebtedness using the effective interest method. Deferred franchise fees are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related franchise agreements. Intangible Assets and Intangible Liabilities—Intangible assets and liabilities represent the assets and liabilities recorded on certain hotel properties’ ground lease contracts that were below or above market rates at the date of acquisition. These assets and liabilities are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining terms of the respective lease contracts. See note 8. Derivative Instruments—We use interest rate derivatives to hedge our risks and to capitalize on the historical correlation between changes in LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) and RevPAR. Interest rate derivatives could include swaps, caps, floors and flooridors. We also use credit default swaps to hedge financial and capital market risk. All of our derivatives are subject to master- netting settlement arrangements and the credit default swaps are subject to credit support annexes. For credit default swaps, cash collateral is posted by us as well as our counterparty. We offset the fair value of the derivative and the obligation/right to return/reclaim cash collateral. We also purchase options on Eurodollar futures as a hedge against our cash flows. Eurodollar futures prices reflect market expectations for interest rates on three month Eurodollar deposits for specific dates in the future, and the final settlement price is determined by three month LIBOR on the last trading day. Options on Eurodollar futures provide the ability to limit losses while maintaining the possibility of profiting from favorable changes in the futures prices. As the purchaser, our maximum potential loss is limited to the initial premium paid for the Eurodollar option contracts, while our potential gain has no limit. These exchange-traded options are centrally cleared, and a clearinghouse stands in between all trades to ensure that the obligations involved in the trades are satisfied. All derivatives are recorded at fair value in accordance with the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Interest rate derivatives, credit default swaps and options on futures contracts are reported as “derivative assets, net” in our consolidated balance sheets. For interest rate derivatives, credit default swaps and options on futures contracts, changes in fair value and realized gains and losses are recognized in earnings as “unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives” and “other income (expense)”, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. Due to/from Related Party, net—Due to/from related party, net, represents current receivables related to advances for project management services and payables resulting from transactions related to hotel management, project management and market services with a related party. These receivables and payables are generally settled within a period not exceeding one year. Due to Ashford Inc.—Due to Ashford Inc. primarily represents payables related to the advisory services fee, including reimbursable expenses. These payables are generally settled within a period not exceeding one year. See note 21 Due to/from Third-Party Hotel Managers—Due from third-party hotel managers primarily consists of amounts due from Marriott related to cash reserves held at the Marriott corporate level related to operating, real estate taxes, and other items, as well as current receivables and payables resulting from transactions with other third-party managers related to hotel management. Noncontrolling Interests—The redeemable noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership represent the limited partners’ proportionate share of equity in earnings/losses of the operating partnership, which is an allocation of net income/loss attributable to the common unitholders based on the weighted average ownership percentage of these limited partners’ common unit holdings throughout the period. The redeemable noncontrolling interests in our operating partnership is classified in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets as these redeemable operating partnership units do not meet the requirements for permanent equity classification prescribed by the authoritative accounting guidance because these redeemable operating partnership units may be redeemed by the holder for cash or registered shares in certain cases outside of the Company’s control. The carrying value of the noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership is based on the greater of the accumulated historical cost or the redemption value. The noncontrolling interest in consolidated entities represents an ownership interest of 25% in two hotel properties at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and is reported in equity in our consolidated balance sheets. Net income/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership and income/loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated entities are reported as deductions/additions from/to net income/loss. Comprehensive income/loss attributable to these noncontrolling interests is reported as reductions/additions from/to comprehensive income/loss. Revenue Recognition—Hotel revenues, including room, food, beverage, and ancillary revenues such as long-distance telephone service, laundry, parking and space rentals, are recognized when services have been rendered. Taxes collected from customers and submitted to taxing authorities are not recorded in revenue. Other Expenses—Other expenses include telephone charges, guest laundry, valet parking, hotel-level general and administrative expenses, sales and marketing expenses, repairs and maintenance, franchise fees and utility costs. They are expensed as incurred. Advertising Costs—Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we incurred advertising costs of $3.4 million, $3.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Advertising costs are included in “Other expenses” in our consolidated statements of operations. Equity-Based Compensation—Stock/unit-based compensation for non-employees is accounted for at fair value based on the market price of the shares at period end in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance that results in recording expense, included in “advisory services fee” and “management fees,” equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period. Performance stock units (“PSUs”) and performance-based Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) units granted to certain executive officers are accounted for at fair value at period end based on a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model that results in recording expense, included in “advisory services fee,” equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period. Stock/unit grants to independent directors are recorded at fair value based on the market price of the shares at grant date, which amount is fully expensed as the grants of stock/units are fully vested on the date of grant and included in “corporate general and administrative” expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation and Amortization—Hotel properties are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the assets and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets. Presently, hotel properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over lives ranging from 7.5 to 39 years for buildings and improvements and 1.5 to 5 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. While we believe our estimates are reasonable, a change in estimated useful lives could affect depreciation expense and net income (loss) as well as resulting gains or losses on potential hotel sales. Income Taxes—As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal corporate income tax on the portion of our net income (loss) that does not relate to taxable REIT subsidiaries. However, Prime TRS and our USVI TRS are treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, we account for income taxes related to our TRSs using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. In addition, the analysis utilized by us in determining our deferred tax asset valuation allowance involves considerable management judgment and assumptions. The entities that own eleven of our twelve hotel properties are considered partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Partnerships are not subject to U.S. federal income taxes. The partnerships’ revenues and expenses pass through to and are taxed on the owners. The states and cities where the partnerships operate follow the U.S. federal income tax treatment, with the exception of the District of Columbia, Texas, and the city of Philadelphia. Accordingly, we provide for income taxes in these jurisdictions for the partnerships. The consolidated entities that operate the twelve hotel properties are considered taxable corporations for U.S. federal, foreign, state, and city income tax purposes and have elected to be taxable REIT subsidiaries of Ashford Prime. The entities that operate the two hotel properties owned by a consolidated partnership elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries of Ashford Trust in April 2007, when the partnership was acquired by Ashford Trust. As a result of Ashford Trust’s distribution of its remaining common units of Ashford Prime OP and shares of common stock of Ashford Prime on July 27, 2015, the Prime TRSs revoked their elections to be taxable REIT subsidiaries of Ashford Trust effective July 29, 2015. The Prime TRSs remain taxable REIT subsidiaries of Ashford Prime. The “Income Taxes” Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification addresses the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The guidance requires us to determine whether tax positions we have taken or expect to take in a tax return are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority based on the technical merits of the positions. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not threshold would be recorded as additional tax expense in the current period. We analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations for each jurisdiction, which includes the federal jurisdiction and various states. We classify interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes as income tax expense. We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and cities. Tax years 2013 through 2017 remain subject to potential examination by certain federal and state taxing authorities. Income (Loss) Per Share—Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method prescribed by applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Diluted income (loss) per common share is calculated using the two-class method, or the treasury stock method, if more dilutive. Diluted income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares, whereby such exercise or conversion would result in lower income per share. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”), which clarifies the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statements of cash flows. Under ASU 2016-18 restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard resulted in the inclusion of restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows for all periods presented. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash provided by operating activities increased $1.5 million and net cash provided by investing activities increased $3.2 million and for the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities decreased $418,000 and net cash used in investing activities decreased $3.9 million. Our beginning-of-period cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $37.9 million, $33.1 million and $29.6 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model, which requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The update will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date to fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect (modified) transition method. Based on our assessment of this standard, it will not materially affect the amount or timing of revenue recognition for revenues from room, food and beverage, and other hotel level sales. Additionally, we have historically disposed of hotel properties for cash sales with no contingencies and no future involvement in the hotel operations. Therefore, ASU No. 2014-09 will not impact the recognition of hotel sales. We have selected the modified retrospective method. We continue to evaluate the related disclosure requirements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires an entity to: (i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present in OCI the changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 provides an election to subsequently measure certain nonmarketable equity investments at cost less any impairment and adjusted for certain observable price changes. It also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Certain provisions of ASU 2016-01 are eligible for early adoption. We do not expect that ASU 2016-01 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The accounting for leases under which we are the lessor remains largely unchanged. While we are currently in the initial stages of assessing the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements, we expect the primary impact to our consolidated financial statements upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of our future minimum rentals due under our hotel ground leases and other noncancelable leases on our consolidated balance sheets resulting in the recording of ROU assets and lease obligations. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). The ASU sets forth an “expected credit loss” impairment model to replace the current “incurred loss” method of recognizing credit losses. The standard requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for most financial assets held. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments - a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2016-15”). The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. Certain issues addressed in this guidance include - debt payments or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, distributions received from equity method investments and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-15 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether a transaction should be accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of an asset or a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. While we are currently evaluating the potential impact of the standard, we currently expect that certain future hotel acquisitions may be considered asset acquisitions rather than business combinations, which would affect capitalization of acquisitions costs (such costs are expensed for business combinations and capitalized for asset acquisitions). In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (ASU “2017-05”), which clarifies the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. An entity may elect to apply ASU 2017-05 under a retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are evaluating the impact that ASU 2017-05 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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