Interstate Hotels & Resorts Reports Second-Quarter Results

Press Release: Interstate Hotels & Resorts
August 9, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC -- Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), the nation's largest independent hotel management company, yesterday reported pro forma results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2002.

The company was formed July 31, 2002, following the merger of MeriStar Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: MMH) and Interstate Hotels Corporation (Nasdaq: IHCO). Both combined pro forma financial data (assuming the merger was completed on January 1, 2001) and historical financial data for the two former companies for the 2002 second quarter are included in the tables of this press release.

Second-quarter pro forma revenues for 2002 declined 0.7 percent to $316.8 million. Excluding non-recurring items, pro forma net income for the quarter was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share on a diluted basis, compared to pro forma net loss of $(0.7) million, or $(0.03) per share, in the 2001 second quarter. Recurring pro forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 14.6 percent to $7.7 million.

The pro forma statement of operations for the 2002 second quarter includes the following non-recurring charges:

Same-store revenue per available room (RevPAR) for all full-service managed hotels in the 2002 second quarter decreased 10.4 percent to $74.69. The decline was driven by a 6.9 percent fall-off in average daily rate (ADR) to $106.40 and a 3.7 percent drop in occupancy to 70.2 percent.

Same-store RevPAR for all limited-service managed hotels in the 2002 second quarter fell 5.7 percent to $60.67. ADR decreased 5.2 percent to $85.33, and occupancy declined 0.4 percent to 71.1 percent.

On a historical basis, net income for MeriStar Hotels & Resorts was $6.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the 2002 second quarter, compared to net loss of $(1.4) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2001. Net loss available to common stockholders for Interstate Hotels Corporation was $(12.7) million, or $(2.08) per diluted share, in the 2002 second quarter, compared to net loss of $(0.1) million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2001.

"The merger creates a stronger company with an excellent balance sheet, great geographic dispersion and a solid platform for growth," said Paul W. Whetsell, chairman and chief executive officer. "We have been working hard for the past three months to ensure that this merger would be as smooth and transparent as possible, especially at the property level. We are fortunate that our operating philosophies and cultures are quite similar, and we already are operating as a unified company."

Whetsell said that both MeriStar Hotels & Resorts and Interstate Hotels Corporation's results exceeded their internal plans for the first half of the year. In addition, he noted that the assignment of the remaining 47 leases for $17 million to a subsidiary of Winston Hotels during the second quarter was a significant de-leveraging event and would benefit both companies. "The conversion of the leases to management contracts provides for a more stable and predictable earnings stream and reflects a much better business model for both Winston Hotels and Interstate Hotels & Resorts going forward."

The company's corporate housing division, BridgeStreet Corporate Housing Worldwide, achieved improved results within its U.S. markets. "The improvement domestically can be attributed to an inventory adjustment in the second half of 2001 when we reduced our number of leased apartments and a restructuring of our operations within the division. European operations experienced a decline in demand due to a decrease in business travel both to and within Europe."

Merger Completed

Following the end of the second quarter, MeriStar Hotels & Resorts and Interstate Hotels Corporation completed their merger. The combined company, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: IHR - News), began trading on August 1. In conjunction with the merger, Interstate Hotels & Resorts will evaluate and consolidate its operating activities, including personnel and offices. The company will record a restructuring charge in the third quarter for the costs associated with the consolidation of these functions.

"With over 400 hotels and approximately 86,000 rooms under management, our size allows us to achieve significant economies of scale," said John Emery, president and chief operating officer. "We are on target to realize annualized synergistic corporate savings of approximately $8 million to $10 million."

Outlook

"The anticipated economic recovery has been delayed, and nationwide travel, particularly among business transient travelers, has remained sluggish," Emery said. "We are working diligently to improve our transient business traveler base for our managed properties. The struggling economy and the heightened security measures at airports, however, continue to negatively impact this sector, especially for shorter trips. This lingering slowdown is expected to make it more difficult to achieve significant incentive fees in the second half of the year."

With regard to growth opportunities available to the company, Emery commented, "We have a joint venture in place to acquire $300 million to $500 million of hotel assets, and we are beginning to see more attractively priced properties that represent significant turnaround opportunities."

For the third quarter of 2002, the company expects pro forma EBITDA of $6 million to $8 million and net income per share of $(0.05) to $0.01. For the full year 2002, the company expects pro forma EBITDA of $30 million to $34 million and net income per share of $(0.07) to $0.05.

Key Financial Information

Pro forma as of June 30, 2002:

To listen to a webcast of the company's second-quarter conference call, interested parties may visit the company's Web site at www.ihrco.com and click on Investor Relations and then Second-Quarter Conference Call. Interested parties also may listen to an archived webcast of the conference call on the Web site, or may dial (800) 405-2236, pass code 489283, to hear a telephone replay. The telephone replay will be available through Monday, August 12, 2002. The archived webcast will be available on Interstate Hotels & Resorts' Web site.

Interstate Hotels & Resorts operates more than 400 hospitality properties with approximately 86,000 rooms in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Russia, including 55 properties managed by Flagstone Hospitality Management, a subsidiary of Interstate Hotels & Resorts. BridgeStreet Corporate Housing Worldwide, an Interstate Hotels & Resorts subsidiary, is one of the world's largest corporate housing providers, offering upscale, fully furnished corporate housing throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and 39 additional countries through its network partners.

For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company's Web site: www.ihrco.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, including those statements regarding future operating results and the timing and composition of revenues, among others, and statements containing words such as "expects," "believes" or "will," which indicate that those statements are forward-looking. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including the current slowdown of the national economy, economic conditions generally and the real estate market specifically, the impact of the events of September 11, 2001, legislative and regulatory changes, availability of debt and equity capital, interest rates, competition, supply and demand for lodging facilities in our current and proposed market areas, and the company's ability to manage integration and growth. Additional risks are discussed in Interstate Hotels & Resorts' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Interstate Hotels & Resorts' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and joint proxy statement and prospectus, filed on July 2, 2002.

                   Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
              Pro Forma Statements of Operations (1)(2)
         (Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts and
                         operating statistics)

                               Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,              June 30,
                                2002        2001      2002       2001
 Revenue
     Lodging revenues         $ 37,146  $ 45,492   $ 69,430  $ 89,211
     Net management fees        15,749    17,700     29,909    33,377
     Corporate housing          27,424    26,488     51,670    50,937
     Other fees                  6,492     4,437     11,263     9,821
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------
                                86,811    94,117    162,272   183,346

    Other revenue from
     managed properties        229,954   224,981    404,794   415,226
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------

Total revenue                  316,765   319,098    567,066   598,572

 Operating expenses by
  department:
     Lodging expenses            9,960    12,566     18,764    24,748
     Corporate housing          20,415    19,464     39,236    36,805
     Property operating
      costs                      7,787     9,616     14,852    33,584
     Administrative and
      general                   25,985    28,431     48,817    55,409
     Lease expense              14,917    17,277     27,569    18,431
     Depreciation and
      amortization               4,842     5,455      9,759    10,657
     Charges to
      investments in and
       advances to
       affiliates, accounts
        and notes
         receivable,
          and other                  -         -          -    15,298
     Gain on Winston lease
      conversion                (7,229)        -     (7,229)        -
     Merger costs                1,622       614      2,001     4,385
     Restructuring expenses        682       912        682       912
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------
                                78,981    94,335    154,451   200,229

    Other expenses from
     managed properties        229,954   224,981    404,794   415,226
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------
 Total operating expenses      308,935   319,316    559,245   615,455
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------
 Net operating income
 (loss)                          7,830      (218)     7,821   (16,883)

 Interest expense, net           2,488     2,559      5,398     4,962
 Equity in (income) loss
  of affiliates                    298      (468)       712      (758)
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------
 Loss before minority
  interests and income
   taxes                         5,044    (2,309)     1,711   (21,087)

 Minority interests                 52       166         34        15
 Income tax benefit               (670)     (765)    (1,771)   (7,991)
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------
 Net income (loss)             $ 5,662  $ (1,710)   $ 3,448 $ (13,111)
                             ========== =========  ========= =========

 Weighted average
  number of:
    Basic shares of
     common stock
      outstanding (3)           20,179    20,179     20,179    20,179
                             ========== =========  ========= =========
    Diluted shares of
     common stock
      outstanding (3)           20,718    20,179     20,688    20,179
                             ========== =========  ========= =========

 Net income (loss)
  per basic common
   share                        $ 0.28   $ (0.08)    $ 0.17   $ (0.65)
                             ========== =========  ========= =========
 Net income (loss)
  per diluted common
   share                         $0.27   $ (0.08)    $ 0.17   $ (0.65)
                             ========== =========  ========= =========

 Net operating income
 (loss)                        $ 7,830    $ (218)   $ 7,821 $ (16,883)
 Depreciation and
  amortization                   4,842     5,455      9,759    10,657
 Gain on Winston lease
  conversion                    (7,229)              (7,229)        -
 Charges to investments
  in and advances to
   affiliates, accounts
    and notes receivable,
     and other                       -         -          -    15,298
 Merger costs                    1,622       614      2,001     4,385
 Restructuring expenses            682       912        682       912
                             ---------- ---------  ---------  --------

 Recurring EBITDA              $ 7,747   $ 6,763   $ 13,034  $ 14,369
                             ========== =========  ========= =========


 Net income (loss )            $ 5,662  $ (1,710)   $ 3,448 $ (13,111)
 Adjustments to net
  loss, net of income
   taxes:
    Gain on Winston lease
     conversion                 (7,229)        -     (7,229)        -
    Charges to investments
     in and advances to
      affiliates, accounts
       and notes receivable,
        and other                    -         -          -     9,485
    Merger costs                 1,135       424      1,361     2,719
    Restructuring expenses         477       629        464       565
    Minority interests              60       (19)       (22)     (226)
                             ---------- ---------  --------- ---------

 Net income (loss),
  excluding non-recurring
   items                         $ 105    $ (676)  $ (1,978)   $ (568)
                             ========== =========  ========= =========

        (1) Excludes the effect of EITF 98-9.

        (2) Assumes merger transaction between Interstate Hotels
            Corporation and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, Inc. was
            completed on January 1, 2001.

        (3) On August 1, 2002 Interstate Hotels and Resorts effected a
            one-for-five reverse stock split. The weighted average
            number of basic and diluted common shares outstanding is
            presented assuming the reverse stock split occurred on
            January 1, 2001.

 Pro forma hotel
  operating statistics:
 Full-service hotels:
 Occupancy                        70.2%     72.9%      66.8%     71.4%
 ADR                          $ 106.40  $ 114.33   $ 106.11  $ 115.23
 RevPAR                        $ 74.69   $ 83.33    $ 70.91   $ 82.29

 Limited-service hotels:
 Occupancy                        71.1%     71.4%      68.2%     69.8%
 ADR                           $ 85.33   $ 90.06    $ 84.44   $ 89.05
 RevPAR                        $ 60.67   $ 64.34    $ 57.60   $ 62.20


                    MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
                     Statements of Operations (1)
                  (Unaudited, in thousands except per
                share amounts and operating statistics)

                                Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,             June 30,
                               2002       2001       2002      2001
 Revenue
      Rooms                 $ 32,827   $ 39,121   $ 61,418   $ 76,661
      Food and beverage        2,037      3,107      3,806      6,241
      Other operating
       departments             1,502      1,841      2,751      3,785
      Corporate housing       27,424     26,488     51,670     50,937
      Management and
       other fees             11,925     12,960     22,580     25,643
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
                              75,715     83,517    142,225    163,267

     Other revenue from
      managed properties     158,080    154,527    270,479    275,367
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
 Total revenue               233,795    238,044    412,704    438,634

 Operating expenses by
  department:
      Rooms                    7,275      8,771     13,781     17,276
      Food and beverage        1,508      2,304      2,826      4,644
      Other operating
       departments
        expenses                 973      1,171      1,762      2,213
      Corporate housing       20,415     19,464     39,236     36,805
 Undistributed operating
  expenses:
      Administrative and
       general                17,402     20,383     34,599     39,545
      Property operating
       costs                   7,442      9,185     14,217     18,149
      Participating lease
       expense                14,926     17,089     27,569     33,034
      Depreciation and
       amortization            2,230      3,411      4,459      6,546
      Gain on Winston
       lease conversion       (7,229)         -     (7,229)         -
      Charges to
       investments in and
        advances to
         affiliates,
          accounts
           and notes
            receivable,
             and other             -          -          -     15,298
      Merger costs               741        614      1,001      4,385
      Restructuring
       expenses                  682        912        682        912
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
                              66,365     83,304    132,903    178,807

     Other expenses from
      managed properties     158,080    154,527    270,479    275,367
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
 Total operating expenses    224,445    237,831    403,382    454,174
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
 Net operating income
 (loss)                        9,350        213      9,322    (15,540)

 Interest expense, net         2,427      2,777      5,263      5,662
 Equity in (income)
  loss of affiliates            (118)      (327)       116       (440)
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
 Income (loss) before
  minority interests
   and income taxes            7,041     (2,237)     3,943    (20,762)

 Minority interests              325         69        190       (594)
 Income tax benefit             (206)      (922)    (1,391)    (8,067)
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------
 Net income (loss)           $ 6,922   $ (1,384)   $ 5,144  $ (12,101)
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========

 Weighted average
  number of:
     Basic shares of
      common stock
       outstanding            37,188     37,172     37,188     36,787
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========
     Diluted shares of
      common stock
       outstanding            39,684     37,172     39,610     36,787
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========

 Net income (loss) per
  basic common share          $ 0.19    $ (0.03)    $ 0.14    $ (0.32)
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========
 Net income (loss) per
  diluted common share        $ 0.18    $ (0.03)    $ 0.13    $ (0.32)
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========

 Net operating income
 (loss)                      $ 9,350      $ 213    $ 9,322  $ (15,540)
 Depreciation and
  amortization                 2,230      3,411      4,459      6,546
 Charges to investments
  in and advances to
   affiliates, accounts
    and notes receivable,
     and other                     -          -          -     15,298
 Gain on Winston lease
  conversion                  (7,229)         -     (7,229)         -
 Merger costs                    741        614      1,001      4,385
 Restructuring expenses          682        912        682        912
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------

 Recurring EBITDA            $ 5,774    $ 5,150    $ 8,235   $ 11,601
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========


 Net income (loss)           $ 6,922   $ (1,384)   $ 5,144  $ (12,101)
 Adjustments to net
  loss, net of income
   taxes:
     Gain on Winston
      lease conversion        (7,229)         -     (7,229)         -
      Charges to investments
       in and advances to
        affiliates,
         accounts and
          notes receivable,
           and other               -          -          -      9,179
     Merger costs                445        368        601      2,631
     Restructuring expenses      409        547        409        547
     Minority interests          160        (42)       153       (553)
                            --------- ----------  --------- ----------

 Net income (loss), excluding
  non-recurring items          $ 707     $ (511)    $ (922)    $ (297)
                            ========= ==========  ========= ==========

        (1)Excludes the effect of EITF 98-9.


                     Interstate Hotels Corporation
                       Statements of Operations
          (Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

                            Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
                                  June 30,              June 30,
                              2002      2001       2002       2001

 Lodging revenues             $ 779   $ 1,423    $ 1,455    $ 2,524
 Net management
  fees                        6,336     6,404     11,994     12,880
 Other fees                   5,451     4,437      9,464      7,945
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
                             12,566    12,264     22,913     23,349

 Other revenue
  from managed
   properties                71,874    70,454    134,315    139,859
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
 Total revenue               84,440    82,718    157,228    163,208


 Lodging expenses               549       939      1,030      1,718
 Administrative
  and general                 3,742     2,911      5,685      5,748
 Payroll and related
  benefits                    5,279     5,461      9,522     10,818
 Depreciation and
  amortization                2,582     2,694      5,110      5,400
 Accelerated vesting
  of preferred
   stock held by
    executives                1,000         -      1,000          -
 Tender offer costs             881         -      1,000          -
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
                             14,033    12,005     23,347     23,684

 Other expenses from
  managed properties         71,874    70,454    134,315    139,859
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
 Total operating
  expenses                   85,907    82,459    157,662    163,543
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
 Net operating income
 (loss)                      (1,467)      259       (434)      (335)

 Interest expense, net          937       165      1,912        232
 Accelerated amortization
  of financing fees from
   conversion of debt         1,223         -      1,223          -
 Other, net                               (16)                  (16)
 Equity in (income)
  loss of affiliates            416      (141)       596       (318)
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
 Income (loss) before
  minority interests
   and income taxes          (4,043)      251     (4,165)      (233)

 Minority interests             (12)       54         52         90
 Income tax expense
 (benefit)                   (1,105)       79     (1,176)      (129)
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

 Net income (loss)           (2,926)      118     (3,041)      (194)

Mandatorily redeemable
 preferred stock:
 Dividends                      148       159        307        318
 Accretion                      340        15        355         30
 Conversion incentive
  payments                    9,250         -      9,250          -
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
 Net loss available to
  common stockholders      $(12,664)    $ (56)  $(12,953)    $ (542)
                           ========= =========  =========  =========

 Weighted average number
  of basic and diluted
   shares of common stock
    outstanding               6,094     6,539      5,913      6,510
                           ========= =========  =========  =========

 Net loss per basic and
  diluted common share      $ (2.08)  $ (0.01)     (2.19)   $ (0.08)
                           ========= =========  =========  =========

 Net operating income
 (loss)                    $ (1,467)    $ 259     $ (434)    $ (335)
 Depreciation and
  amortization                2,582     2,694      5,110      5,400
 Accelerated vesting of
  preferred stock held by
   executives                 1,000         -      1,000          -
 Tender offer costs             881         -      1,000          -
                           --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

 Recurring EBITDA           $ 2,996   $ 2,953    $ 6,676    $ 5,065
                           ========= =========  =========  =========

---------------------------------------
Contact: 
     Interstate Hotels & Resorts
     Finance:
     Bruce Riggins, 202/295-2276
     Corporate Communications:
     Melissa Thompson, 202/295-2228
            or
     Daly Gray Public Relations
     Media:
     Jerry Daly or Carol McCune, 703/435-6293