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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited 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 Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") applicable to financial information. The unaudited financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly state the consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity and statements of cash flows.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019.

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 two joint ventures in which it holds an indirect 50% interest using the equity method of accounting. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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 and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

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.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The guidance amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. The guidance simplifies the application of hedge accounting and it better aligns the financial reporting for hedging activities with the entity's economic and risk management activities. All changes in the fair value of highly effective cash flow hedges will be recorded in other comprehensive income and they will be reclassified to earnings when the hedged item impacts earnings. The Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2019. Based on the Company's assessment, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which provides the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach. There are two methods of applying the modified retrospective transition approach and the Company elected to not adjust the comparative periods in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes, so the Company did not recognize a cumulative effect adjustment on the date of adoption. The comparative historical periods will be presented in accordance with ASC 840, 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 sheet. 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 sheet 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 sheet.

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) the frequency to which the leased asset is used, or (iii) the lease payments are adjusted periodically for inflation; all of which are recognized as variable lease expense, when incurred, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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. For purposes of adopting ASC 842, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate on January 1, 2019 for the operating leases that commenced prior to that date.

Lessor, Leases [Policy Text Block]

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.

The Company elected the following practical expedients in adopting the new standard:


•	The Company elected the package of practical expedients that allows the Company to not reassess:


(i)	whether any expired or existing contracts meet the definition of a lease;


(ii)	the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and


(iii)	the initial direct costs for any existing leases.


•	The Company elected a practical expedient to make an accounting policy election to not recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less.


•	The Company elected a practical expedient to allow the Company to not reassess whether an existing land easement not previously accounted for as a lease under ASC 840 would now be considered to be a lease under ASC 842.


•	The Company elected a practical expedient whereby lessors, by class of underlying asset, are not required to separate the nonlease components from the lease components, if certain conditions are met.

Upon adoption of this standard on January 1, 2019, the Company recognized lease liabilities and the related lease right-of-use assets on the consolidated balance sheet for its ground leases, parking leases, office leases and equipment leases. In addition to recognizing the lease liabilities and the related lease right-of-use assets on the date of adoption, the Company reclassified its below market ground lease intangible assets from intangible assets, net, on the consolidated balance sheet to the lease right-of-use assets. In addition, the Company reclassified its above market ground lease liabilities and deferred rent liabilities from accounts payable and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet to the lease right-of-use assets.

The following table summarizes the impact of adopting this guidance on the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):



	January 1, 2019
	As Previously Reported		Impact of the Adoption of ASC 842			As Adjusted
Lease right-of-use assets	$	—	$	150,803		$	150,803
Intangible assets, net	$	52,448	$	(46,772	)	$	5,676
Accounts payable and other liabilities	$	203,833	$	(20,704	)	$	183,129
Lease liabilities	$	—	$	124,735		$	124,735

There was no impact to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, for the Company's disclosures about its lease contracts.

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the impact of adopting this guidance on the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):



	January 1, 2019
	As Previously Reported		Impact of the Adoption of ASC 842			As Adjusted
Lease right-of-use assets	$	—	$	150,803		$	150,803
Intangible assets, net	$	52,448	$	(46,772	)	$	5,676
Accounts payable and other liabilities	$	203,833	$	(20,704	)	$	183,129
Lease liabilities	$	—	$	124,735		$	124,735

Share-Based Compensation

Share Awards

From time to time, the Company may award unvested restricted shares under the 2015 Plan as compensation to officers, employees and non-employee trustees. The issued shares vest over a period of time as determined by the board of trustees at the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense for time-based 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 issuance, adjusted for forfeitures.

Non-employee trustees may also elect to receive unrestricted shares under the 2015 Plan as compensation that would otherwise be paid in cash for their services. The shares issued to 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 on the date of issuance based upon the fair market value of the shares on that date.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the SEC issued SEC Final Rule 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification. The amendments add certain disclosure requirements, such as requiring entities to disclose the current and comparative quarter and year-to-date changes in shareholders' equity for interim periods. The Company adopted the new disclosure requirement relating to changes in shareholders' equity for interim periods on January 1, 2019. Based on the Company's assessment, the adoption of the new disclosures did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The guidance modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing or modifying some of the disclosures, while also adding new disclosures. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and the interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this new standard on January 1, 2020. Based on the Company's assessment, the adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Management Agreements

As of September 30, 2019, 108 of the Company's hotel properties were operated pursuant to long-term management agreements with initial terms ranging from 3 to 25 years. This number includes 37 hotel properties that receive the benefits of a franchise agreement pursuant to management agreements with Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, or Wyndham. Each management company receives a base management fee generally between 2.0% and 3.5% of hotel revenues. Management agreements that include the benefits of a franchise agreement incur a base management fee generally between 3.0% and 7.0% of hotel revenues. The management companies are also eligible to receive an incentive management fee if hotel operating income, as defined in the management agreements, exceeds certain thresholds. The incentive management fee is generally calculated as a percentage of hotel operating income after the Company has received a priority return on its investment in the hotel.

Management fees are included in management and franchise fee expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred management fee expense, including amortization of deferred management fees, of approximately $9.0 million and $36.8 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company incurred management fee expense, including amortization of deferred management fees, of approximately $14.7 million and $45.7 million, respectively.

The Wyndham management agreements guarantee minimum levels of annual net operating income at each of the Wyndham-managed hotels for each year of the initial 10 year term to December 31, 2022, subject to an aggregate $100.0 million limit over the term and an annual $21.5 million limit. The Company recognizes the pro-rata portion of the projected aggregate full-year guaranties as a reduction of the contractual management and other fees. In September 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with Wyndham to terminate the management agreements and the related net operating income guarantee effective December 31, 2019. The Company has the option to enter into transitional franchise and/or management agreements effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, with an extension option through December 31, 2021. The Company will receive a lump sum termination payment from Wyndham of $35.0 million within 60 days of December 31, 2019. Wyndham will also forgive the $4.6 million remaining balance of a key money loan. The Company will recognize the $35.0 million termination payment and $4.6 million key money loan forgiveness over the estimated term of the transitional agreements beginning January 1, 2020 as a reduction to management fee expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Franchise Agreements

As of September 30, 2019, 70 of the Company’s hotel properties were operated under franchise agreements with initial terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. This number excludes 37 hotel properties that receive the benefits of a franchise agreement pursuant to management agreements with Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, or Wyndham. In addition, one hotel is not operated with a hotel brand so it does not have a franchise agreement. Franchise agreements allow the hotel properties to operate under the respective brands. Pursuant to the franchise agreements, the Company pays a royalty fee, generally between 4.0% and 6.0% of room revenue, plus additional fees for marketing, central reservation systems and other franchisor costs generally between 1.0% and 4.3% of room revenue. Certain hotels are also charged a royalty fee of generally 3.0% of food and beverage revenues.

Franchise fees are included in management and franchise fee expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred franchise fee expense of approximately $17.4 million and $59.6 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company incurred franchise fee expense of approximately $20.2 million and $62.1 million, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income 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 outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income 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 the unvested restricted share grants and unvested performance units, calculated using the treasury stock method. Any anti-dilutive shares have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating shares and are considered in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. If there were any undistributed earnings allocable to the participating shares, they would be deducted from net income attributable to common shareholders used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

The limited partners’ outstanding OP Units (which may be redeemed for common shares under certain circumstances) have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as there was no effect on the amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, since the limited partners’ share of income would also be added back to net income attributable to common shareholders.