XML 32 R21.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.21.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies  

As of March 31, 2021, we had outstanding commitments under third-party contracts of approximately $52 million for capital expenditures at certain hotels. Our contracts contain clauses that allow us to cancel all or some portion of the work. If cancellation of a contract occurred, our commitment would be any costs incurred up to the cancellation date, in addition to any costs associated with the discharge of the contract.

We are involved in litigation arising from the normal course of business, some of which includes claims for substantial sums, and may make certain indemnifications or guarantees to select buyers of our hotels as part of a sale process. We are also involved in claims and litigation that is not in the ordinary course of business in connection with the spin-off from Hilton.  The spin-off agreements indemnify us from certain of these claims as well as require us to indemnify Hilton for other claims. In addition, losses related to certain contingent liabilities could be apportioned to us under the spin-off agreements. In connection with our obligation to indemnify Hilton under the spin-off agreements, we have reserved approximately $8 million, as of March 31, 2021, related to litigation with respect to an audit by the Australian Tax Office (“ATO”) of Hilton related to the sale of the Hilton Sydney in June 2015. In February 2021, we were required to make a payment to Hilton of approximately $11 million representing our share of the deposit required by the ATO of Hilton to further defend against the claim and for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Hilton. This amount could change as the litigation of the ATO’s claim progresses.