Winston Hotels Reports First Quarter 2002 Results

FFO Exceeds Consensus Analysts' Expectations

Press Release: Winston Hotels Inc.
May 7, 2002
RALEIGH, NC -- Winston Hotels, Inc., (NYSE: WXH), a real estate investment trust and owner of premium limited-service, high-end extended-stay and full-service hotels, yesterday announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002.

FFO totaled $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2002 as compared to $7.0 million for the first quarter 2001. On a per share basis, FFO for the first quarter of 2002 totaled $0.27 on 18.5 million weighted average shares outstanding compared to $0.38 on 18.2 million weighted average shares outstanding for the same quarter a year ago. Lease revenue totaled $9.9 million for the first quarter of 2002 compared to $9.7 million for the first quarter of 2001.

     Summary of First Quarter 2002 Unaudited Financial Highlights
              ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                  For the Three Months Ended March 31

---------------------------- ------------- --------------------------
                                      2002          2001       Change
Percentage Lease Revenue
 Pre-SAB 101                     $     12,548  $     14,903   (15.8) %
Deferred Lease Revenue           $      2,685  $      5,208   (48.4) %
Percentage Lease Revenue         $      9,863  $      9,695     1.7  %
FFO                              $      5,043  $      6,991   (27.9) %
FFO Per Diluted Common Share     $       0.27  $       0.38   (28.9) %

Bob Winston, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are pleased to have exceeded consensus analysts' expectations, which was preceded by a total return to shareholders of 22% for 2001. The Company's common shareholders who owned our stock from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001 and received all dividends paid received this total return. The excellent total return that those shareholders enjoyed in 2001 has continued this year. Through April, the Company's common shareholders who owned stock from the beginning of the year and received all dividends paid have received a total return of 23% compared to a negative 5% S&P and a negative 14% NASDAQ return. We believe that the strength of our performance, in part, allowed us to raise approximately $27 million in capital in the first quarter. Although we used the proceeds to pay down debt, we are in negotiations to buy back the leases relating to our hotels, and we are considering investments in certain mezzanine debt and distressed hotel opportunities.

First Quarter Highlights

Winston Hotels President & Chief Operating Officer, James D. Rosenberg commented on the first quarter highlights:

For the quarter, RevPar decreased 9.5% compared to the same period last year, versus a negative 10.4% RevPar decline for the industry. This is also an improvement from the negative 11% RevPar decline in the fourth quarter of 2001 compared to the fourth quarter of 2000. Our portfolios' RevPar yield index was 107% for the quarter, indicating that our portfolio as a whole achieved a RevPar greater than its fair share. These results, combined with our conservative balance sheet, enabled us to continue to pay a consistent dividend to our shareholders.

Compared to prior periods, our RevPar decreased 12.9% in January; 9.1% in February; and, 9.2% in March. The downturn in March from February was due in part to the timing of the Passover - Easter holiday. Based on the preliminary operating results from April, it appears that the rate of our RevPar decline is improving.

Our newer hotels were our best performers during the first quarter, and the Company's hotels near military/government installations performed particularly well. The Florida hotels, coastal hotels, Phoenix and Dallas hotels were the worst performers.

Operating Statistics

For the 50 hotels that were open during the quarters ended March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2001, including two joint venture hotels in which the Company holds a 49% interest, lease revenues and related statistics are as follows (note that the Company does not exclude "for sale" or "under renovation" hotels when making these comparisons):

                                Three Months Ended March 31,
                                    2002          2001       % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lease Revenues/a                 $ 13,391       $ 15,497      (13.6)
==========================

   Average Daily Rate             $ 79.11        $ 83.28       (5.0)
Occupancy                          62.29%         65.38%       (4.7)
RevPAR                            $ 49.28        $ 54.44       (9.5)

    /a: Pre SAB 101, $ in thousands



The Company's portfolio at March 31, 2002 included an aggregate total of 48 operating hotel properties, as well as a 49% ownership interest in three operating hotels. Additionally, the Company has provided mezzanine financing to a third party for the development and construction of a Hilton Garden Inn in Tampa, FL and Atlanta, GA, both of which are open and operating.

Dividend Performance

During the first quarter, Winston Hotels declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per common share. The cash dividend was paid on April 16, 2002 to shareholders of record on March 29, 2002. The regular quarterly dividend is equivalent to $0.60 on an annualized basis. Also in the first quarter, the Company announced its regular quarterly cash dividend to preferred shareholders of record of $0.578125 per share. This dividend also was paid on April 16, 2002 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2002.

Outlook for the Remainder of 2002

As we stated in our February release, we expect a RevPar change of 0% to negative 4% for 2002, with negative performance continuing through the second quarter and positive performance during both the third and fourth quarters. Due to the impact of our common stock offering and first quarter results, we are forecasting FFO per share for the year ranging from $1.18 to $1.33.

Winston Hotels' first quarter investor conference call was scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on May 6, 2002. This call also was simulcast over the Internet via the Company's website at http://www.winstonhotels.com. The replay will be available on the Winston Hotels' website for 30 days, or via the telephone by dialing 800-475-6701, access code 636176.

About the Company

Raleigh, North Carolina-based Winston Hotels, Inc., is a real estate investment trust specializing in the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of premium limited-service, high-end extended-stay and full-service hotel properties, with a portfolio increasingly weighted toward the leading brands in the lodging industry's upscale segment. The Company currently owns or is invested in 53 hotels with 7,452 rooms in 14 states, which includes 48 wholly-owned properties with 6,574 rooms, a 49 percent ownership interest in 3 joint venture hotels with 453 rooms and a mezzanine financing interest in 2 hotels with 275 rooms.

Forward-Looking Statements

The press release contains "forward looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to, statements referring to total return to shareholders, estimated FFO per share in 2002 for the year and by quarter, expected RevPar growth for 2002, estimated development fees, interest income from mezzanine loans, other fee income and earnings from joint ventures, the anticipated benefits and development plans of the joint ventures and alliances, the possibility of buying back the leases that relate to our hotels, and additional investments in mezzanine debt and distressed hotel opportunities. You can identify these statements by use of words like "may," "will," "expect," "project," "anticipate," "estimate," or "continue" or similar expressions. These statements represent the Company's judgment and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual operating results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, lower occupancy rates, lower average daily rates, development risks including risk of construction delay, cost overruns, occupancy and other governmental permits, zoning, the increase of development costs in connection with projects that are not pursued to completion, the risk of non-payment of mezzanine loans, the failure of negotiations to buy back leases or to make additional mezzanine debt investments and investments in distressed hotel opportunities. Other risks are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to its Form S-3 Registration Statement filed on September 2, 1999 as amended on September 29, 1999 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its other periodic reports.

For more information on Winston Hotels visit the Winston Hotels page at www.winstonhotels.com .

                         WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
              ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                ASSETS

                                 March 31, 2002   December 31, 2001
                                 ---------------  -----------------
                                   (unaudited)

Land                                $    41,129      $    41,114
Buildings and improvements              359,293          359,024
Furniture and equipment                  44,769           44,376
                                 ---------------  ---------------
    Operating properties                445,191          444,514
Less accumulated depreciation           101,306           96,343
                                 ---------------  ---------------
                                        343,885          348,171
Properties under development              1,800            1,916
                                 ---------------  ---------------
   Net investment in hotel
    properties                          345,685          350,087
Corporate FF&E, net                         952            1,033
Cash                                        156              887
Lease revenue receivable                  6,407            4,786
Notes receivable                          3,266            3,516
Investment in joint ventures              8,067            8,173
Deferred expenses, net                    3,277            3,405
Prepaid expenses and other assets         5,395            5,017
                                 ---------------  ---------------
          Total assets               $  373,205       $  376,904
                                 ===============  ===============

                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Long-term debt                       $   67,374       $   67,684
Due to banks                             81,500          102,900
Deferred percentage lease revenue         3,911            1,226
Accounts payable and accrued
 expenses                                 5,178            8,175
Distributions payable                     4,885            4,468
Minority interest in Partnership          8,260            8,246
                                  ---------------  ---------------
           Total liabilities            171,108          192,699
                                  ---------------  ---------------

Shareholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value,
     10,000,000 shares authorized,
     3,000,000 shares issued and
     outstanding (liquidation preference
     of $76,734)                             30               30
    Common stock, $.01 par value,
     50,000,000 shares authorized,
     19,707,534 and 16,924,533 shares
     issued and outstanding                 197              169
    Additional paid-in capital          253,311          230,109
    Unearned compensation                  (659)            (542)
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income (loss)                       (1,281)          (1,844)
    Distributions in excess of
     earnings                           (49,501)         (43,717)
                                   ---------------  ---------------
      Total shareholders' equity        202,097          184,205
                                   ---------------  ---------------
      Total liabilities and
       shareholders'equity          $   373,205      $   376,904
                                   ===============  ===============


                         WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
            UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                         Three Months    Three Months
                                            Ended          Ended
                                          March 31,       March 31,
                                             2002           2001
                                        --------------  --------------
Revenue:
   Percentage lease revenue            $  9,863          $ 9,695
   Interest, joint venture and
    other income                            359              459
                                        --------------  --------------
        Total revenue                    10,222           10,154
Expenses:
   Real estate taxes and property and
    casualty insurance                    1,886            1,977
   General and administrative             1,555            1,391
   Interest                               2,832            3,219
   Depreciation                           5,048            5,291
   Amortization                             199              236
                                         --------------  -------------
        Total expenses                   11,520           12,114

    Loss before allocation to
     minority interest                   (1,298)          (1,960)
Loss allocation to minority interest       (204)            (263)
                                         --------------  -------------
        Net loss                         (1,094)          (1,697)
Preferred stock distribution             (1,734)          (1,734)
                                         --------------  -------------
        Net loss applicable to common
         shareholders                  $ (2,828)       $  (3,431)
                                         ==============  =============

 Earnings per share:
       Net loss per common share       $  (0.16)       $   (0.20)
                                        ===============  =============
       Net loss per common share
        assuming dilution              $  (0.16)       $   (0.20)
                                        ===============  =============
       Weighted average number of
        common shares                    17,171           16,926
       Weighted average number of
        common shares assuming
        dilution                         18,470           18,225


WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
CALCULATION OF FFO AND EBITDA
(in thousands, except per share data)

                                            For the Quarter Ended
                                                  March 31,
                                           2002                2001
                                       -------------------------------
Funds from operations:                 (unaudited)         (unaudited)


Net Loss                                $ (1,094)           $ (1,697)
Minority interest allocation                (204)               (263)
Preferred stock dividend                  (1,734)             (1,734)
Depreciation                               5,048               5,291
Depreciation from joint ventures             184                 118
Deferred revenue                           2,685               5,208
Deferred revenue from joint ventures         158                  68
Loss on sale of property                       -                   -
                                       -------------------------------
      Funds from operations              $ 5,043             $ 6,991
                                       ===============================


Weighted average common shares
 assuming dilution                        18,470              18,225
                                       -------------------------------
FFO per share                             $ 0.27              $ 0.38
                                       ===============================



Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
  and amortization (EBITDA):

FFO                                      $ 5,043             $ 6,991
Interest expense                           2,832               3,219
Interest expense from joint ventures         148                 157
Amortization                                 199                 236
Dividend on preferred stock                1,734               1,734
                                       -------------------------------
      EBITDA                             $ 9,956            $ 12,337
                                       ===============================


Winston Hotels, Inc.
RevPAR Results for 1st Quarter
50 Hotels Reporting
                              # of
                             Hotels    2002         2001       %Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                All Hotels     50     $49.28       $54.44        -9.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

      Comfort Inn/Suites &
           Quality Suites      10     $35.70       $37.94        -5.9%
Courtyard, Fairfield Inn &
            Residence Inn       6     $51.50       $57.77       -10.9%
        Hampton Inn/Suites     18     $46.83       $51.75        -9.5%
        Hilton Garden Inns      4     $64.00       $66.29        -3.5%
Holiday Inn/Express/Select      5     $49.46       $60.84       -18.7%
           Homewood Suites      7     $67.84       $74.24        -8.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                All Brands     50     $49.28       $54.44        -9.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

        East North Central      2     $54.95       $57.82        -5.0%
                  Mountain      3     $54.77       $71.97       -23.9%
            South Atlantic     36     $45.33       $49.39        -8.2%
        West South Central      3     $46.30       $51.53       -10.1%
               New England      2     $57.42       $57.71        -0.5%
           Middle Atlantic      4     $71.10       $79.49       -10.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
               All Regions     50     $49.28       $54.44        -9.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

          Mid-scale w/ F&B      3     $65.66       $69.43        -5.4%
         Mid-scale w/o F&B     29     $41.11       $45.92       -10.5%
                   Upscale     18     $58.03       $64.00        -9.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
              All Segments     50     $49.28       $54.44        -9.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

           Limited-service     29     $41.11       $45.92       -10.5%
              Full-Service     12     $56.39       $60.17        -6.3%
             Extended-stay      9     $64.45       $73.35       -12.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
               All Service     50     $49.28       $54.44        -9.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------------
Contact: 
     Winston Hotels Inc., Raleigh
     Patti L. Bell, 919/510-8003; Pbell@winstonhotels.com