HEI Hotels & Resorts Sells Two Philadelphia Hotels to LaSalle Hotel Properties

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Sept.  2, 2010—HEI Hotels & Resorts (HEI), the nation’s fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate, today announced that it has sold two of its Philadelphia hotels, the 294-room Westin Philadelphia (top left photot) and the 288-room Embassy Suites Philadelphia-Center City,(top right photo) to LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), for an undisclosed amount.

Under terms of the deal, brokered by Hodges Ward Elliott, HEI will continue to operate the hotels on behalf of its new owners.

“While our strategic plans included the eventual sale of these two quality assets, our continued management of the hotels allows HEI to maintain its strong presence in the Philadelphia marketplace,” said Steve Mendell, (middle left photo) president—acquisitions and development.

“Along with the Le Meridien Philadelphia, we manage three Philadelphia hotels, allowing us certain synergies and economies of scale. Furthermore, it is consistent with our desire to focus on major destination markets with barriers to new entry.”

Situated in the heart of historic Philadelphia, the 18-story Westin Philadelphia is located at 99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place.

Steps away from upscale shopping, award-winning restaurants and conveniently connected to the offices at Liberty Place, the Westin also is convenient to museums and historical attractions, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Constitution Center.

 Guest rooms are equipped with the Westin Heavenly Bed, a two-line telephone, data port and high-speed Internet access.

The hotel also offers unusually spacious Grand Luxury suites, with marble baths and Westin’s other special touches.

 Hotel amenities include a 24-hour business center, Westin Workout fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, the contemporary cuisine Citygrange restaurant, and seven meeting rooms totaling 17,424 square feet of flexible space.

The Embassy Suites Philadelphia – Center City is nestled in the heart of Philadelphia’s business district, just eight miles from Philadelphia International Airport and near such attractions as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, (lower right photo)  City Hall and the Philadelphia Zoo.

 The hotel features a business center, Precor® fitness room, indoor pool, meeting space for up to 120 people, on-site T.G.I. Friday’s, complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast and nightly manager’s reception.

“HEI prides itself on aligning itself with world-class hoteliers, and we look forward to building upon this new relationship with LaSalle Hotel Properties,” said Anthony Rutledge, (bottom left photo)  HEI chief financial officer.

“We see obvious similarities in the way we conduct our respective business, with emphasis on our guests, associates and shareholders.”

Media Contacts:

Stephen Chan, Vice President, Acquisitions and Development,

 (203) 849-8844, schan@heihotels.com

Julie Tullbane, Daly Gray, Inc., T 703-435-6293, F 703-435-6297, julie@dalygray.com