Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hersha Hospitality Trust (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the general instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals), considered necessary for fair presentation, have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011 or any future period.  Accordingly, readers of these consolidated interim financial statements should refer to the Company's audited financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP, and the related notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2010, which are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as certain footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this report pursuant to the rules of the SEC.

We are a self-advised Maryland real estate investment trust that was organized in May 1998 and completed our initial public offering in January 1999. Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HT.” We own our hotels and our investments in joint ventures through our operating partnership, Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership (“HHLP”), for which we serve as general partner. As of June 30, 2011, we owned an approximate 95.8% partnership interest in our operating partnership, including a 1.0% general partnership interest.

Noncontrolling Interest

We classify the noncontrolling interests of our consolidated joint ventures and certain common units of limited partnership interests in HHLP (“Nonredeemable Common Units”) as equity.  The noncontrolling interests of Nonredeemable Common Units totaled $18,018 as of June 30, 2011 and $19,410 as of December 31, 2010.  As of June 30, 2011, there were 4,209,660 Nonredeemable Common Units outstanding with a fair market value of $23,448, based on the price per share of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.  These units are only redeemable by the unit holders for cash or, at our option, common shares on a one-for-one basis.

Certain common units of limited partnership interests in HHLP (“Redeemable Common Units”) have been pledged as collateral in connection with a pledge and security agreement entered into by the Company and the holders of the Redeemable Common Units.  The redemption feature contained in the pledge and security agreement where the Redeemable Common Units serve as collateral contains a provision that could result in a net cash settlement outside the control of the Company.  As a result, the Redeemable Common Units are classified in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets as they do not meet the requirements for equity classification under US GAAP.  The carrying value of the Redeemable Common Units equals the greater of carrying value based on the accumulation of historical cost or the redemption value.

As of June 30, 2011, there were 3,064,252 Redeemable Common Units outstanding with a redemption value equal to the fair value of the Redeemable Common Units, or $17,068.  The redemption value of the Redeemable Common Units is based on the price per share of our common shares on the NYSE on such date.  As of June 30, 2011, the Redeemable Common Units were valued on the consolidated balance sheets at redemption value since the Redeemable Common Units redemption value was greater than historical cost of $13,273.  As of December 31, 2010, the Redeemable Common Units were valued on the consolidated balance sheets at redemption value since the Redeemable Common Units redemption value of $19,894 was greater than historical cost of $13,521.

Net income or loss related to Nonredeemable Common Units and Redeemable Common Units (collectively, “Common Units”), as well as the net income or loss related to the noncontrolling interests of our consolidated joint ventures, is included in net income or loss in the consolidated statements of operations and is excluded from net income or loss applicable to common shareholders in the consolidated statements of operations.

Shareholders' Equity

On May 18, 2011, we completed a public offering of 4,600,000 8% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, including 600,000 Preferred Shares subject to an overallotment option exercised by the underwriters.  Net proceeds of the offering, less expenses and underwriters commissions, were approximately $111,160.  Proceeds from the offering were used to reduce some of the indebtedness outstanding under our revolving line of credit facility and the purchase of Courtyard by Marriot, Westside, Los Angeles, CA.

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.