Press Release: FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated
September 5, 2001
IRVING, TX -- FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE: FCH), the nation's second largest hotel real estate investment
trust (REIT), yesterday announced that it received a minimum commitment of $325 million for a non-recourse first
mortgage loan and related mezzanine financing. Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and Deutsche Bank are
providing the first mortgage loan, and Deutsche Banc Alex.Brown is arranging the mezzanine financing. The $325
million financing is being put in place in connection with the May 10, 2001 announcement of FelCor's $2.7 billion
acquisition of MeriStar Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: MHX).
The mortgage loan will have an initial term of three years and be extendible for an additional two years, subject
to certain conditions, and will be secured by 17 hotels. The mezzanine financing also will have an initial term
of three years, will be extendible for an additional two years, subject to certain conditions, and will be secured
by a pledge of the ownership interests in the entity owning the mortgaged properties. The floating rate mortgage
loan and mezzanine financing will bear interest at a blended rate of approximately LIBOR + 2.00%. The financings
are subject to the closing of the merger and other customary closing conditions, and are scheduled to close immediately
following the merger. The proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the MeriStar indebtedness to be assumed in
the merger.
Richard J. O'Brien, FelCor's Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President said, ``We are pleased to announce
that all of the financing associated with the merger has now been obtained or committed.''
FelCor's hotel portfolio consists of 185 hotels with approximately 50,000 rooms and suites and is concentrated
primarily in the upscale and full-service segments. FelCor is the owner of the largest number of Embassy Suites®,
Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® and independently owned Doubletree®-branded hotels. Other leading hotel
brands under which FelCor's hotels are operated include Sheraton Suites®, Sheraton® and Westin®. On
May 10, 2001, FelCor announced the $2.7 billion acquisition of MeriStar Hospitality Corporation. The Company currently
expects to close the transaction near the end of September, subject to its approval by FelCor and MeriStar shareholders.
FelCor has a current market capitalization of approximately $3.4 billion. Additional information can be found on
the Company's website at www.felcor.com .
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this news release include ``forward looking
statements'' within the meaning of the federal securities laws that are qualified by cautionary statements contained
herein and in FelCor's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated