NEWTON, Massachusetts--Hospitality Properties Trust today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2011: Funds from operations, or FFO, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 were $102.4 million, or $0.83 per share, compared to FFO for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 of $94.3 million, or $0.76 per share. Click here for a link to HPT's earnings release, including tables. Net income available for common shareholders was $45.6 million, or $0.37 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to

Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels, today announced that it was the successful bidder in two separate and distinct bankruptcy court auctions resulting in aggregate investments by Chatham of over $230 million, doubling Chatham's current investments.

About Chatham Lodging Trust

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised real estate investment trust that was organized to invest in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels. The company currently owns 13 hotels with an aggregate of 1,650 rooms/suites in nine states and has six hotels comprising 938 rooms under contract to purchase. Additional information about Chatham may be found at www.chathamlodgingtrust.com.

DALLAS-Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. is experiencing increased demand from business travelers who are not part of a high-volume corporate contract. These people, known as “transient business travelers” pay higher rates than those with corporate rates.

The REIT’s CEO Monty Bennett made the announcement during the company’s first quarter 2011 earnings call. “While group demand is picking up, a big chunk of our business is transient corporate, maybe 25% of our overall businesses grew, but 75% is transient,” he explained. “And then most of that, a good majority of that is business transient, and that business coming back with their high associated rates is what we're very excited about, and what we think should move the needle across the industry going forward.”

The closing of share offerings by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and Sunstone Hotel Investors highlight this week’s roundup of public hotel company financial news.

Read more on hotelnewsnow.com http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/articles.aspx/5315/Stock-update-Pebblebrook-Shangri-La-Sunstone

Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index
The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index ended March with a 4.9% decrease to 2,294. During the first quarter of 2011 the index was down 3%. The Hotel Stock Index ended 2010 at 2,364.

Randy Smith, chairman and co-founder of STR, said fuel prices and summer travel could have a further affect on the Index. Smith and David Loeb, senior analyst at Baird, said guidance from companies such as Marriott International helped fuel the Index’s March decline.

The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index closed Thursday at 2214.52. It was at 2224.71 as of 10 a.m. (eastern) today.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) of Bethesda, Maryland, announced it closed its offering of 10.93 million shares at a price of US$21.60, less the underwriting discount. The offering included 1.43 million shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option.

Net proceeds, including the overallotment option, are approximately US$226.3 million, after deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated offering-related costs. The proceeds will be used to invest in hotel properties.

The blind pool real-estate investment trust’s stock closed Thursday at US$21.60 per share, up 6.3% year-to-date.

Shangri-La Asia Limited
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Asia Limited (HKG: 0069) is planning to issue a US$500-million convertible bond issue, according to Reuters. Proceeds would help fund spending and working capital.

The company’s stock price closed Friday at HKD20.75 per share (US$2.67 per share) and is up nearly 2.0% year-to-date.

Sunstone Hotel Investors
Sunstone Hotel Investors (NYSE: SHO) of Aliso Viejo, California, announced the closing of its offering of 4.6 million shares of 8% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock for US$115 million. The closing included the full exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option.

The REIT’s stock price closed Thursday at US$9.85 per share and is down 4.7% year-to-date.

Key Host Hotels & Resorts Acquisitions
Host has been in acquisition mode thus far this year, spending more than US$1 billion in the first three months. The company will continue to monitor the transactions market for opportunities, although not aggressively. On Thursday's call, the company announced it will acquire a 75% interest in the US$150-million Hilton Melbourne South Wharf complex, part of a convention center mixed-use development in Melbourne, Australia.

Read more on hotelnewsnow.com http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/articles.aspx/5448/Host-continues-global-buying-strategy

Other Stories about Host on our site:

Highlighting Helmsley and Host Hotels

Saturday, 12 February 2011 06:49

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. of Bethesda, MD is buying the 775-room New York Helmsley Hotel for $313.5 million (almost $415,000 per room). The seller is the estate of Leona Helmsley who passed away in 2007. Leona Helmsley had inherited $5 billion in real estate holdings from her husband, Harry Helmsley

. CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. represented the seller in the transaction.

The deal is expected to close in March. At closing, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will take over the management of the Midtown Manhattan hotel. The greater part of the proceeds will go to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The estate has been selling assets in a gradual manner.

Host Hotels are getting a good deal with this NYC hotel. The upscale establishment at E. 42nd St. near Third Ave is popular with guests. The hotel has oversized rooms and sits in a prime location. The New York Helmsley Hotel is near Grand Central Station, the Midtown Tunnel, and United Nations Headquarters, as well as the Chrysler Building.

Of course, the building needs major renovations. Yet Host Hotels has still made another good investment in the NYC hospitality industry. Host Hotels focuses on high-priced hotels. In fact, the company is one of the largest owners of luxury and upper upscale hotels.

The luxury market is in demand in New York City. Host Hotels is quite willing to make extensive improvements to the guest rooms, bathrooms, and meeting spaces. Actually, Host Hotels is allocating $50 million for renovations.

Ownership of a New York City hotel is well-worth the extra expense. When the improvements are completed, the Westin brand will be added to the hotel. Host Hotels projects early-mid 2012 for the completion of renovations.

According to a company report in October 2010, Host Hotels are interested in 'high growth areas' in the eastern and western US. The company plans to sell assets in central US. Since Host Hotels are interested in primary markets, the firm is investing in NYC hotels. Besides the recent purchase of the Helmsley Hotel, they bought the W New York Union Square in July with partners including Istithmar World PJSC.

At a panel discussion during the January Americas Lodging & Investment Summit (ALIS) in San Diego, Edward Walter, Host’s president and chief executive officer, explained the company's strategy.

"There are great opportunities to buy assets at a discount right now. We're in buy mode," says Host Hotel's president.

Host Hotels

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company, is the largest U.S. lodging real estate investment trust by market value. At present, the company owns 104 U.S. properties and nine international hotels or 62,000 rooms in total. In addition, Host Hotels holds a non-controlling interest in a joint venture owning 11 hotels (3,500 rooms) in Europe.

The company has an additional joint venture interest in Asia. The specific project is development of seven properties (1,750 rooms) in India. Host Hotels partners with major brands including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, and Hyatt, as well as many more in over 50 top markets worldwide.

NYC’s Helmsley Hotel Bought by Host for $313.5 Million