10-Q

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

OR

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                   to

Commission File Number 001-35169

RLJ LODGING TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland	27-4706509
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)		3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1000
---	---	---
Bethesda,	Maryland	20814
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(301) 280-7777

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol	Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share	RLJ	New York Stock Exchange
$1.95 Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share	RLJ-A	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes  ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  ☒ Yes  ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  ☐ Yes ☒ No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of April 28, 2023, 159,150,293 common shares of beneficial interest of the Registrant, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
	Balance Sheets as ofMarch31, 2023and December 31, 2022	1
	Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Incomefor the threemonths endedMarch31, 2023and 2022	2
	Statements of Changes in Equity for the threemonths endedMarch31, 2023and 2022	4
	Statements of Cash Flows for thethreemonths endedMarch31, 2023and 2022	6
	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	30
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	31
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	31
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	31
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	32
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	32
Item 5.	Other Information	32
Item 6.	Exhibits	33
Signatures		34

ii

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.         Financial Statements

RLJ Lodging Trust

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

		December 31, 2022
Assets
Investment in hotel properties, net	4,165,843	$	4,180,328
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures		6,979
Cash and cash equivalents		481,316
Restricted cash reserves		55,070
Hotel and other receivables, net of allowance of 323 and 319, respectively		38,528
Lease right-of-use assets		136,915
Prepaid expense and other assets		79,089
Total assets	4,931,952	$	4,978,225
Liabilities and Equity
Debt, net	2,219,284	$	2,217,555
Accounts payable and other liabilities		155,916
Advance deposits and deferred revenue		23,769
Lease liabilities		117,010
Accrued interest		20,707
Distributions payable		14,622
Total liabilities		2,549,579
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Equity
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, 0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized
Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, 0.01 par value, 12,950,000 shares authorized; 12,879,475 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation value of 328,266, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022		366,936
Common shares of beneficial interest, 0.01 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized; 160,077,784 and 162,003,533 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		1,620
Additional paid-in capital		3,054,958
Distributions in excess of net earnings		(1,049,441)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		40,591
Total shareholders’ equity		2,414,664
Noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership		6,313
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		7,669
Total noncontrolling interests		13,982
Total equity		2,428,646
Total liabilities and equity	4,931,952	$	4,978,225

All values are in US Dollars.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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RLJ Lodging Trust

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

	For the three months ended March 31,
		2023		2022
Revenues
Operating revenues
Room revenue		$	260,832	$	205,779
Food and beverage revenue		33,288		20,901
Other revenue		20,383		16,219
Total revenues		314,503		242,899
Expenses
Operating expenses
Room expense		66,051		53,828
Food and beverage expense		26,137		16,169
Management and franchise fee expense		26,182		20,388
Other operating expenses		82,624		68,654
Total property operating expenses		200,994		159,039
Depreciation and amortization		44,996		46,865
Property tax, insurance and other		24,648		22,513
General and administrative		13,656		14,134
Transaction costs		20		62
Total operating expenses		284,314		242,613
Other income, net		849		7,285
Interest income		3,664		172
Interest expense		(24,130)		(24,561)
Gain on sale of hotel properties, net		—		1,417
Income (loss) before equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures		10,572		(15,401)
Equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures		281		122
Income (loss) before income tax expense		10,853		(15,279)
Income tax expense		(339)		(190)
Net income (loss)		10,514		(15,469)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership		(17)		104
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		148		118
Net income (loss) attributable to RLJ		10,645		(15,247)
Preferred dividends		(6,279)		(6,279)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	4,366	$	(21,526)
Basic per common share data:
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders		$	0.03	$	(0.13)
Weighted-average number of common shares		159,483,268		164,179,661

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Diluted per common share data:
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders	$	0.03	$	(0.13)
Weighted-average number of common shares	160,143,748		164,179,661
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$	10,514	$	(15,469)
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives	(6,416)		34,193
Reclassification of unrealized gains on discontinued cash flow hedges to other income, net	—		(5,866)
Comprehensive income	4,098		12,858
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership	(17)		104
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	148		118
Comprehensive income attributable to RLJ	$	4,229	$	13,080

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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RLJ Lodging Trust

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

	Shareholders’ Equity												Noncontrolling Interest
	Preferred Stock			Common Stock
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Par <br>Value		Additional<br>Paid-in Capital		Distributions in excess of net earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive<br>Income		Operating<br>Partnership		Consolidated<br>Joint <br>Ventures		Total <br>Equity
Balance at December 31, 2022	12,879,475	$	366,936	162,003,533	$	1,620	$	3,054,958	$	(1,049,441)	$	40,591	$	6,313	$	7,669	$	2,428,646
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—		10,645		—		17		(148)		10,514
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives	—	—		—	—		—		—		(6,416)		—		—		(6,416)
Issuance of restricted stock	—	—		640,407	6		(6)		—		—		—		—		—
Amortization of share-based compensation	—	—		—	—		6,131		—		—		—		—		6,131
Shares acquired to satisfy minimum required federal and state tax withholding on vesting restricted stock	—	—		(162,749)	(1)		(1,888)		—		—		—		—		(1,889)
Shares acquired as part of a share repurchase program	—	—		(2,401,853)	(24)		(24,513)		—		—		—		—		(24,537)
Forfeiture of restricted stock	—	—		(1,554)	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Distributions on preferred shares	—	—		—	—		—		(6,279)		—		—		—		(6,279)
Distributions on common shares and units	—	—		—	—		—		(12,864)		—		(66)		—		(12,930)
Balance at March 31, 2023	12,879,475	$	366,936	160,077,784	$	1,601	$	3,034,682	$	(1,057,939)	$	34,175	$	6,264	$	7,521	$	2,393,240

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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RLJ Lodging Trust

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

	Shareholders’ Equity												Noncontrolling Interest
	Preferred Stock			Common Stock
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Par <br>Value		Additional <br>Paid-in<br>Capital		Distributions in excess of net earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income		Operating<br>Partnership		Consolidated<br>Joint<br>Ventures		Total<br>Equity
Balance at December 31, 2021	12,879,475	$	366,936	166,503,062	$	1,665	$	3,092,883	$	(1,046,739)	$	(17,113)	$	6,316	$	9,919	$	2,413,867
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		(15,247)		—		(104)		(118)		(15,469)
Unrealized gain on interest rate derivatives	—	—		—	—		—		—		34,193		—		—		34,193
Reclassification of unrealized gains on discontinued cash flow hedges to other income, net	—	—		—	—		—		—		(5,866)		—		—		(5,866)
Contributions from consolidated joint venture partners	—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		156		156
Distribution to consolidated joint venture partners				—	—		—		—		—		—		(2,589)		(2,589)
Issuance of restricted stock	—	—		432,779	4		(4)		—		—		—		—		—
Amortization of share-based compensation	—	—		—	—		5,555		—		—		—		—		5,555
Shares acquired to satisfy minimum required federal and state tax withholding on vesting restricted stock	—	—		(87,626)	(1)		(1,268)		—		—		—		—		(1,269)
Forfeiture of restricted stock	—	—		(4,629)	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Distributions on preferred shares	—	—		—	—		—		(6,279)		—		—		—		(6,279)
Distributions on common shares and units	—	—		—	—		—		(1,504)		—		(3)		—		(1,507)
Balance at March 31, 2022	12,879,475	$	366,936	166,843,586	$	1,668	$	3,097,166	$	(1,069,769)	$	11,214	$	6,209	$	7,368	$	2,420,792

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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RLJ Lodging Trust

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	10,514	$	(15,469)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flow provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of hotel properties, net	—		(1,417)
Depreciation and amortization	44,996		46,865
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,474		1,684
Other amortization	1,086		403
Reclassification of unrealized gains on discontinued cash flow hedges to other income, net	—		(5,866)
Equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(281)		(122)
Amortization of share-based compensation	5,692		5,184
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Hotel and other receivables, net	(2,650)		(6,946)
Prepaid expense and other assets	(4,782)		(4,254)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(8,603)		(320)
Advance deposits and deferred revenue	4,135		1,449
Accrued interest	(9,563)		(10,900)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	42,018		10,291
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from the sale of hotel property, net	—		34,125
Improvements and additions to hotel properties	(32,634)		(24,334)
Net cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities	(32,634)		9,791
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of Revolver	—		(200,000)
Borrowing on Term Loan	95,000		—
Repayments of Term Loans	(94,006)		—
Repurchase of common shares under a share repurchase program	(24,537)		—
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements	(1,889)		(1,269)
Distributions on preferred shares	(6,279)		(6,279)
Distributions on common shares	(8,100)		(1,666)
Distributions on Operating Partnership units	(40)		(3)
Payments of deferred financing costs	(343)		—
Contributions from consolidated joint venture partners	—		156
Distribution to consolidated joint venture partners	—		(2,589)
Net cash flow used in financing activities	(40,194)		(211,650)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reserves	(30,810)		(191,568)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reserves, beginning of year	536,386		713,869
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reserves, end of period	$	505,576	$	522,301

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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RLJ Lodging Trust

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1.              General

Organization

RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") was formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust ("REIT") on January 31, 2011. The Company is a self-advised and self-administered REIT that owns primarily premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels located within heart of demand locations. The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2011.

Substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are held by, and all of its operations are conducted through, RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"). The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2023, there were 160,849,615 units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership ("OP units") outstanding and the Company owned, through a combination of direct and indirect interests, 99.5% of the outstanding OP units.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company owned 97 hotel properties with approximately 21,400 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia.  The Company, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owned a 100% interest in 95 of its hotel properties, a 95% controlling interest in one hotel property, and a 50% non-controlling interest in an entity owning one hotel property. The Company consolidates its real estate interests in the 96 hotel properties in which it holds a controlling interest, and the Company records the real estate interest in the one hotel property in which it holds an indirect 50% non-controlling interest using the equity method of accounting. The Company leases 96 of the 97 hotel properties to its taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"), of which the Company owns a controlling financial interest.

2.              Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 28, 2023 (the "Annual Report"), contains a discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies. Other than noted below, there have been no significant changes to the Company's significant accounting policies since December 31, 2022.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to financial information. The unaudited financial statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly state the consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity and statements of cash flows.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, included in the Annual Report.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and joint ventures in which the Company has a majority voting interest and control. For the controlled subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned, the third-party ownership interest represents a noncontrolling interest, which is presented separately in the consolidated financial statements. The Company also records the real estate interest in one hotel property in which it holds a 50% non-controlling interest using the equity method of accounting. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact to net income (loss) and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

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Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and the amounts of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The guidance provides optional expedients for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate that was expected to be discontinued at the end of 2021 because of reference rate reform. The guidance was effective upon issuance and expired on December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which deferred the expiration date of Topic 848 to December 31, 2024.

We have elected to apply certain of the optional expedients for contract modifications to our financial instruments impacted by the discontinuance of LIBOR. We expect to continue to elect various optional expedients for contract modifications to our financial instruments affected by the reference rate reform through the extended expiration date of December 31, 2024. The application of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3.              Investment in Hotel Properties

Investment in hotel properties consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Land and improvements	$	993,190	$	992,609
Buildings and improvements	4,055,187		4,040,505
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	761,211		745,978
	5,809,588		5,779,092
Accumulated depreciation	(1,643,745)		(1,598,764)
Investment in hotel properties, net	$	4,165,843	$	4,180,328

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized depreciation expense related to its investment in hotel properties of approximately $45.0 million and $46.7 million, respectively.

4.            Sale of Hotel Properties

On March 8, 2022, the Company sold the 238-room Marriott Denver Airport at Gateway Park hotel property in Aurora, CO for a sales price of approximately $35.5 million. The Company recorded a net gain of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 in connection with the sale of this hotel property.

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5.          Revenue

	For the three months ended March 31, 2023								For the three months ended March 31, 2022
	Room Revenue		Food and Beverage Revenue		Other Revenue		Total Revenue		Room Revenue		Food and Beverage Revenue		Other Revenue		Total Revenue
South Florida	$	38,540	$	5,424	$	2,322	$	46,286	$	37,411	$	4,739	$	2,222	$	44,372
Northern California	34,812		3,463		1,988		40,263		20,207		1,613		1,037		22,857
Southern California	28,931		3,872		2,916		35,719		23,591		1,661		2,158		27,410
Austin	11,620		1,613		928		14,161		8,382		671		740		9,793
Houston	11,599		889		1,163		13,651		8,528		569		867		9,964
Washington DC	12,507		187		555		13,249		8,326		117		590		9,033
New York City	11,006		1,204		662		12,872		7,662		789		473		8,924
Chicago	9,442		2,208		670		12,320		8,960		1,622		460		11,042
Louisville	8,154		3,393		768		12,315		4,845		1,993		879		7,717
Atlanta	10,639		609		1,032		12,280		7,685		385		825		8,895
Charleston	7,769		2,022		788		10,579		6,738		1,196		502		8,436
New Orleans	9,158		404		747		10,309		7,856		164		697		8,717
Tampa	7,744		1,085		560		9,389		6,492		766		606		7,864
Orlando	7,291		931		831		9,053		6,507		595		1,045		8,147
Boston	6,934		842		319		8,095		4,670		495		232		5,397
Other	44,686		5,142		4,134		53,962		37,919		3,526		2,886		44,331
Total	$	260,832	$	33,288	$	20,383	$	314,503	$	205,779	$	20,901	$	16,219	$	242,899

6.              Debt

The Company's debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Senior Notes, net	$	989,899	$	989,307
Revolver	—		—
Term Loans, net	821,681		820,536
Mortgage loans, net	407,704		407,712
Debt, net	$	2,219,284	$	2,217,555

Senior Notes

The Company's senior notes (collectively, the "Senior Notes") consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

			Carrying Value at
	Interest Rate	Maturity Date	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
2029 Senior Notes (1)	4.00%	September 2029	$	500,000	$	500,000
2026 Senior Notes (1)	3.75%	July 2026	500,000		500,000
			1,000,000		1,000,000
Deferred financing costs, net			(10,101)		(10,693)
Total senior notes, net			$	989,899	$	989,307

(1)Requires payment of interest only through maturity.

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The indentures governing the Senior Notes contain customary covenants that limit the Operating Partnership’s ability and,

in certain instances, the ability of its subsidiaries, to incur additional debt, create liens on assets, make distributions and pay

dividends, make certain types of investments, issue guarantees of indebtedness, and make certain restricted payments. These

limitations are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indentures.

A summary of the various restrictive covenants for the Senior Notes are as follows:

	Covenant	Compliance
Maintenance Covenant
Unencumbered Asset to Unencumbered Debt Ratio	> 150.0%	Yes
Incurrence Covenants
Consolidated Indebtedness less than Adjusted Total Assets	< .65x	Yes
Consolidated Secured Indebtedness less than Adjusted Total Assets	< .45x	Yes
Interest Coverage Ratio	> 1.5x	Yes

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all covenants associated with the Senior Notes.

Revolver and Term Loans

The Company has the following unsecured credit agreements in place:

•$600.0 million revolving credit facility with a scheduled maturity date of May 18, 2024 and a one year extension option if certain conditions are satisfied (the "Revolver");

•$400.0 million term loan with a scheduled maturity date of January 25, 2024 (the "$400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2024");

•$225.0 million term loan with a scheduled maturity date of January 25, 2024 (the "$225 Million Term Loan Maturing 2024");

•$400.0 million term loan with a scheduled maturity date of May 18, 2025 (the "$400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2025"); and

•$200.0 million term loan with a scheduled maturity date of January 31, 2026 and two one year extension options if certain conditions are satisfied (the "$200 Million Term Loan Maturing 2026").

The $400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2024, the $225 Million Term Loan Maturing 2024, the $400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2025, and the $200 Million Term Loan Maturing 2026 are collectively referred to as the "Term Loans."

In January 2023, the Company received the remaining $95.0 million in proceeds on the $200 Million Term Loan Maturing 2026 that closed in November 2022 and utilized these proceeds to pay off approximately $52.3 million of the principal balance of a term loan with a scheduled maturity date of January 25, 2023 (the "$400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2023") and approximately $41.7 million of the principal balance of another term loan with a scheduled maturity date of January 25, 2023 (the "$225 Million Term Loan Maturing 2023").

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The Company's unsecured credit agreements consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

			Carrying Value at
	Interest Rate at March 31, 2023 (1)	Maturity Date	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Revolver (2)	—%	May 2024	$	—	$	—
$400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2023 (3)	—%	—	—		52,261
$400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2024	6.71%	January 2024 (5)	151,683		151,683
$225 Million Term Loan Maturing 2023 (3)	—%	—	—		41,745
$225 Million Term Loan Maturing 2024	4.57%	January 2024 (5)	72,973		72,973
$400 Million Term Loan Maturing 2025	3.27%	May 2025	400,000		400,000
$200 Million Term Loan Maturing 2026 (4)	3.43%	January 2026 (6)	200,000		105,000
			824,656		823,662
Deferred financing costs, net (7)			(2,975)		(3,126)
Total Revolver and Term Loans, net			$	821,681	$	820,536

(1)Interest rate at March 31, 2023 gives effect to interest rate hedges.

(2)There was $600.0 million of remaining capacity on the Revolver at both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company has the ability to extend the maturity date for an additional one year period ending May 2025 if certain conditions are satisfied.

(3)In January 2023, the Company received the remaining $95.0 million in proceeds on the $200 Million Term Loan Maturing 2026 and utilized these proceeds to pay off these Term Loans.

(4)In January 2023, the Company received the remaining $95.0 million in proceeds on this Term Loan.

(5)In January 2023, the Company exercised its options to extend the maturities of these Term Loan balances to January 2024.

(6)This Term Loan includes two one year extension options. The exercise of the extension options will be at the Company's discretion, subject to certain conditions.

(7)Excludes $1.4 million and $1.7 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, related to deferred financing costs on the Revolver, which are included in prepaid expense and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Revolver and Term Loans are subject to various financial covenants. A summary of the most restrictive covenants is as follows:

	Covenant	Compliance
Leverage ratio (1)	<= 7.00x	Yes
Fixed charge coverage ratio (2)	>= 1.50x	Yes
Secured indebtedness ratio	<= 45.0%	Yes
Unencumbered indebtedness ratio	<= 60.0%	Yes
Unencumbered debt service coverage ratio	>= 2.00x	Yes

(1)Leverage ratio is net indebtedness, as defined in the Revolver and Term Loan agreements, to corporate earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA"), as defined in the Revolver and Term Loan agreements.

(2)Fixed charge coverage ratio is Adjusted EBITDA, generally defined in the Revolver and Term Loan agreements as EBITDA less furniture, fixtures and equipment ("FF&E") reserves, to fixed charges, which is generally defined in the Revolver and Term Loan agreements as interest expense, all regularly scheduled principal payments, preferred dividends paid, and cash taxes paid.

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Mortgage Loans

The Company's mortgage loans consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

						Carrying Value at
	Number of Assets Encumbered	Interest Rate at March 31, 2023		Maturity Date		March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Mortgage loan (1)	7	4.35%	(3)	April 2023	(4)	$	200,000	$	200,000
Mortgage loan (1)	3	2.53%	(3)	April 2024	(5)	96,000		96,000
Mortgage loan (1)	4	4.89%	(3)	April 2024	(5)	85,000		85,000
Mortgage loan (2)	1	5.06%		January 2029		27,103		27,193
	15					408,103		408,193
Deferred financing costs, net						(399)		(481)
Total mortgage loans, net						$	407,704	$	407,712

(1)The hotels encumbered by the mortgage loan are cross-collateralized. Requires payments of interest only through maturity.

(2)Includes $2.1 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, related to a fair value adjustment on this mortgage loan.

(3)Interest rate at March 31, 2023 gives effect to interest rate hedges.

(4)This mortgage loan provides for an additional one year extension option. In April 2023, the Company exercised the final option to extend the maturity to April 2024.

(5)This mortgage loan provides two one year extension options.

Certain mortgage agreements are subject to various maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain a minimum debt yield or debt service coverage ratio ("DSCR"). Failure to meet the debt yield or DSCR thresholds is not an event of default, but instead triggers a cash trap event. During the cash trap event, the lender or servicer of the mortgage loan controls cash outflows until the loan is covenant compliant and accordingly, such cash is restricted. In addition, certain mortgage loans have other requirements including continued operation and maintenance of the hotel property. As of December 31, 2022, although all mortgage loans met their debt yield or DSCR thresholds, one mortgage loan was in a cash trap event pending notification to the lender to remove the restrictions. As of December 31, 2022, there was approximately $26.9 million of restricted cash held by this lender due to the cash trap event, and during the three months ended March 31, 2023, all of the restrictions on this cash were removed. At March 31, 2023, all mortgage loans met their debt yield or DSCR thresholds and no mortgage loans were in cash trap events.

Interest Expense

The components of the Company's interest expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

	For the three months ended March 31,
		2023		2022
Senior Notes		$	9,688	$	9,743
Revolver and Term Loans		8,543		9,968
Mortgage loans		3,943		3,210
Amortization of deferred financing costs		1,474		1,684
Non-cash interest expense related to interest rate hedges		482		(44)
Total interest expense		$	24,130	$	24,561

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7.              Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The following interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges (in thousands):

				Notional value at				Fair value at
Hedge type	Interest<br>rate	Effective Date	Maturity Date	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022		March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Swap-cash flow	2.29%	March 2019	December 2022	$	—	$	200,000	$	—	$	—
Swap-cash flow	2.29%	March 2019	December 2022	—		125,000		—		—
Swap-cash flow	2.64%	November 2022	November 2023	100,000		100,000		1,466		1,935
Swap-cash flow	2.51%	January 2021	December 2023	75,000		75,000		1,461		1,852
Swap-cash flow	2.39%	January 2021	December 2023	75,000		75,000		1,535		1,948
Swap-cash flow	1.16%	April 2021	April 2024	50,000		50,000		2,013		2,464
Swap-cash flow	1.20%	April 2021	April 2024	50,000		50,000		1,989		2,436
Swap-cash flow	1.15%	April 2021	April 2024	50,000		50,000		2,018		2,470
Swap-cash flow	1.10%	April 2021	April 2024	50,000		50,000		2,046		2,504
Swap-cash flow	0.98%	April 2021	April 2024	25,000		25,000		1,057		1,293
Swap-cash flow	0.95%	April 2021	April 2024	25,000		25,000		1,065		1,304
Swap-cash flow (1)	0.93%	April 2021	April 2024	25,000		25,000		1,071		1,310
Swap-cash flow (1)	0.90%	April 2021	April 2024	25,000		25,000		1,080		1,321
Swap-cash flow	4.37%	April 2023	April 2024	200,000		—		504		—
Swap-cash flow (1)	0.85%	June 2020	December 2024	50,000		50,000		3,005		3,538
Swap-cash flow (1)	0.75%	June 2020	December 2024	50,000		50,000		3,091		3,636
Swap-cash flow	1.24%	September 2021	September 2025	150,000		150,000		9,987		11,636
Swap-cash flow (1)	0.65%	July 2021	January 2026	50,000		50,000		4,403		5,041
				$	1,050,000	$	1,175,000	$	37,791	$	44,688

(1)In February 2022, the Company dedesignated these swaps as the hedged forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring. Therefore, the Company reclassified a total of approximately $5.9 million of unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income to other income, net, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. These swaps were subsequently redesignated and the amounts related to the initial fair value of $5.9 million that are recorded in other comprehensive income during the new hedging relationship will be reclassified to earnings on a straight line basis over the remaining life of these swaps.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate fair value of the interest rate swap assets of $37.8 million and $44.7 million, respectively, was included in prepaid expense and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there was approximately $34.2 million and $40.6 million, respectively, of unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to interest rate swaps. There was no ineffectiveness recorded during the three month periods ended March 31, 2023 or 2022. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, approximately $6.0 million of gains and $4.9 million of losses, respectively, included in accumulated other comprehensive income were reclassified into interest expense for the interest rate swaps. Approximately $24.6 million of the unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2023 is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

8.              Fair Value

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market.  The fair value hierarchy has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable:

•Level 1 — Inputs include quoted market prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.

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•Level 2 — Inputs are market data, other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in an inactive market, and other observable information that can be corroborated by market data.

•Level 3 — Inputs are unobservable and corroborated by little or no market data.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company used the following market assumptions and/or estimation methods:

•Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash reserves, hotel and other receivables, accounts payable and other liabilities — The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short term maturities.

•Debt — The Company estimated the fair value of the Senior Notes by using publicly available trading prices, which are Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The Company estimated the fair value of the Revolver and Term Loans by using a discounted cash flow model and incorporating various inputs and assumptions for the effective borrowing rates for debt with similar terms, which are Level 2 and Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The Company estimated the fair value of the mortgage loans by using a discounted cash flow model and incorporating various inputs and assumptions for the effective borrowing rates for debt with similar terms and the loan to estimated fair value of the collateral, which are Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of the Company's debt was as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior Notes, net	$	989,899	$	883,195	$	989,307	$	853,895
Revolver and Term Loans, net	821,681		816,018		820,536		812,604
Mortgage loans, net	407,704		387,527		407,712		388,839
Debt, net	$	2,219,284	$	2,086,740	$	2,217,555	$	2,055,338

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 (in thousands):

	Fair Value at March 31, 2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Interest rate swap asset	$	—	$	37,791	$	—	$	37,791
Total	$	—	$	37,791	$	—	$	37,791

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

	Fair Value at December 31, 2022
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Interest rate swap asset	$	—	$	44,688	$	—	$	44,688
Total	$	—	$	44,688	$	—	$	44,688

The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows for each derivative. The Company determined that the significant inputs, such as interest yield curves and discount rates, used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and that the credit valuation adjustments associated with the Company’s counterparties and its own credit risk utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. As of March 31, 2023, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall

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valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

9.              Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases, and for net operating loss ("NOL"), capital loss and tax credit carryforwards.  The deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted income tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.  The effect on the deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted. However, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realized based on consideration of all available evidence, including the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future projected taxable income and tax planning strategies. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company is still continuing to provide a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets related to the NOL carryforwards of RLJ Lodging Trust Master TRS, Inc., the Company's primary TRS.

The Company had no accruals for tax uncertainties as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

10.       Commitments and Contingencies

Restricted Cash Reserves

The Company is obligated to maintain cash reserve funds for future capital expenditures at the hotels (including the periodic replacement or refurbishment of FF&E as determined pursuant to the management agreements, franchise agreements and/or mortgage loan documents). The management agreements, franchise agreements and/or mortgage loan documents require the Company to reserve cash ranging typically from 3.0% to 5.0% of the individual hotel’s revenues. Any unexpended amounts will remain the property of the Company upon termination of the management agreements, franchise agreements or mortgage loan documents. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately $31.2 million and $55.1 million, respectively, was available in the restricted cash reserves for future capital expenditures, real estate taxes, insurance and debt obligations where certain lenders held restricted cash due to a cash trap event.

Litigation

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is currently involved in any regulatory or legal proceedings that management believes will have a material and adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Management Agreements

As of March 31, 2023, 96 of the Company's consolidated hotel properties were operated pursuant to management agreements with initial terms ranging from one to 25 years. This number includes 35 consolidated hotel properties that receive the benefits of a franchise agreement pursuant to management agreements with Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, or other management companies. Each management company receives a base management fee between 1.75% and 3.5% of hotel revenues. Management agreements that include the benefits of a franchise agreement incur a base management fee between 2.0% and 7.0% of hotel revenues. The management companies are also eligible to receive an incentive management fee if hotel operating income, as defined in the management agreements, exceeds certain thresholds. The incentive management fee is generally calculated as a percentage of hotel operating income after the Company has received a priority return on its investment in the hotel.

Management fees are included in management and franchise fee expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred management fee expense of approximately $10.8 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

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Franchise Agreements

As of March 31, 2023, 59 of the Company’s consolidated hotel properties were operated under franchise agreements with initial terms ranging from one to 30 years. This number excludes 35 consolidated hotel properties that receive the benefits of a franchise agreement pursuant to management agreements with Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, or other management companies. In addition, two hotels are not operated with a hotel brand so they do not have franchise agreements. Franchise agreements allow the hotel properties to operate under the respective brands. Pursuant to the franchise agreements, the Company pays a royalty fee between 2.0% and 6.0% of room revenue, plus additional fees for marketing, central reservation systems and other franchisor costs between 1.0% and 4.3% of room revenue. Certain hotels are also charged a royalty fee between 1.5% and 3.0% of food and beverage revenues.

Franchise fees are included in management and franchise fee expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred franchise fee expense of approximately $15.4 million and $13.6 million, respectively.

11.       Equity

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.08 and $0.01 per common share, respectively.

In April 2022, the Company's board of trustees approved a share repurchase program to acquire up to an aggregate of $250.0 million of common and preferred shares from May 9, 2022 to May 8, 2023 (the "2022 Share Repurchase Program"). During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 2.4 million common shares for approximately $24.5 million. Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 1.5 million common shares for approximately $15.3 million. As of May 5, 2023, the 2022 Share Repurchase Program had a remaining capacity of $152.5 million.

On April 28, 2023, the Company's board of trustees approved a new share repurchase program to acquire up to an aggregate of $250.0 million of common and preferred shares from May 9, 2023 to May 8, 2024 (the "2023 Share Repurchase Program").

Series A Preferred Shares

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.4875 on each Series A Preferred Share.

The Series A Preferred Shares are convertible, in whole or in part, at any time, at the option of the holders into common shares at a conversion rate of 0.2806 common shares for each Series A Preferred Share.

Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Ventures

The Company consolidates the joint venture that owns The Knickerbocker hotel property, which has a third-party partner that owns a noncontrolling 5% ownership interest in the joint venture. The third-party ownership interest is included in the noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures on the consolidated balance sheets.

Noncontrolling Interest in the Operating Partnership

The Company consolidates the Operating Partnership, which is a majority-owned limited partnership that has a noncontrolling interest. The outstanding OP units held by the limited partners are redeemable for cash, or at the option of the Company, for a like number of common shares. As of March 31, 2023, 771,831 outstanding OP units were held by the limited partners. The noncontrolling interest is included in the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership on the consolidated balance sheets.

12.       Equity Incentive Plan

The Company may issue share-based awards to officers, employees, non-employee trustees and other eligible persons under the RLJ Lodging Trust 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2021 Plan"). The 2021 Plan provides for a maximum of

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6,828,527 common shares to be issued in the form of share options, share appreciation rights, restricted share awards, unrestricted share awards, share units, dividend equivalent rights, long-term incentive units, other equity-based awards and cash bonus awards.

Share Awards

From time to time, the Company may award unvested restricted shares as compensation to officers, employees and non-employee trustees. The issued shares vest over a period of time as determined by the board of trustees at the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense for time-based unvested restricted shares on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance, adjusted for forfeitures.

Non-employee trustees may also elect to receive unrestricted shares as compensation that would otherwise be paid in cash for their services. The shares issued to non-employee trustees in lieu of cash compensation are unrestricted and include no vesting conditions. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the unrestricted shares issued in lieu of cash compensation on the date of issuance based upon the fair market value of the shares on that date.

A summary of the unvested restricted shares as of March 31, 2023 is as follows:

	2023
	Number of<br>Shares	Weighted-Average<br>Grant Date<br>Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2023	2,267,870	$	15.32
Granted	640,407	11.33
Vested	(378,807)	15.10
Forfeited	(1,554)	13.55
Unvested at March 31, 2023	2,527,916	$	14.34

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized approximately $3.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense related to restricted share awards. As of March 31, 2023, there was $23.0 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted share awards and these costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The total fair value of the shares vested (calculated as the number of shares multiplied by the vesting date share price) during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $4.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

Performance Units

The Company aligns its executive officers with its long-term investors by awarding a significant percentage of their equity compensation in the form of multi-year performance unit awards that use both absolute and relative Total Shareholder Return as the primary metrics. The performance units granted prior to 2021 vest over a four year period, including three years of performance-based vesting (the “performance units measurement period”) plus an additional one year of time-based vesting. These performance units may convert into restricted shares at a range of 0% to 200% of the number of performance units granted contingent upon the Company achieving an absolute total shareholder return (40% of award) and a relative total shareholder return (60% of award) over the measurement period at specified percentiles of the peer group, as defined by the awards. If at the end of the performance units measurement period the target criterion is met, then 50% of the performance units that are earned will vest at the end of the measurement period. The remaining 50% convert to restricted shares that will vest on the one year anniversary of the end of the measurement period. The award recipients will not be entitled to receive any dividends prior to the date of conversion. For any restricted shares issued upon conversion, the award recipient will be entitled to receive payment of an amount equal to all dividends that would have been paid if such restricted shares had been issued at the beginning of the performance units measurement period. The fair value of the performance units was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, and an expected term equal to the requisite service period for the awards of four years. The Company estimates the compensation expense for the performance units on a straight-line basis using a calculation that recognizes 50% of the grant date fair value over three years and 50% of the grant date fair value over four years.

The performance units granted in 2021, 2022 and 2023 vest at the end of a three year period. These performance units may convert into restricted shares at a range of 0% to 200% of the number of performance units granted contingent upon the Company achieving an absolute total shareholder return (25% of award) and a relative shareholder return (75% of award) over the measurement period at specified percentiles of the peer group, as defined by the awards. At the end of the performance

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units measurement period, if the target criterion is met, 100% of the performance units that are earned will vest immediately. The award recipients will not be entitled to receive any dividends prior to the date of conversion. For any restricted shares issued upon conversion, the award recipient will be entitled to receive payment of an amount equal to all dividends that would have been paid if such restricted shares had been issued at the beginning of the performance units measurement period. The fair value of the performance units was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. For performance units granted in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Company estimates the compensation expense for the performance units on a straight-line basis using a calculation that recognizes 100% of the grant date fair value over three years.

A summary of the performance unit awards is as follows:

Date of Award	Number of<br>Units Granted	Grant Date Fair<br>Value	Conversion Range	Risk Free Interest Rate	Volatility
February 2020 (1)	489,000	$11.59	0% to 200%	1.08%	23.46%
February 2021	431,151	$20.90	0% to 200%	0.23%	69.47%
February 2022	407,024	$21.96	0% to 200%	1.70%	70.15%
February 2023	574,846	$16.90	0% to 200%	4.33%	66.7%

(1) In February 2023, following the end of the measurement period, the Company met certain threshold criterion and the performance units will convert into approximately 200,000 restricted shares.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized approximately $2.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense related to the performance unit awards. As of March 31, 2023, there was $18.0 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the performance unit awards and these costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

As of March 31, 2023, there were 2,770,454 common shares available for future grant under the 2021 Plan, which includes potential common shares that may convert from performance units if certain target criterion is met.

13.       Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the weighted-average number of unvested restricted shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus any shares that could potentially be outstanding during the period. The potential shares consist of the unvested restricted share grants and unvested performance units, calculated using the treasury stock method, and convertible Series A Preferred Shares,

calculated using the if-converted method. Any anti-dilutive shares have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating shares and are considered in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. If there were any undistributed earnings allocable to the participating shares, they would be deducted from net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

The limited partners’ outstanding OP units (which may be redeemed for common shares under certain circumstances) have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as there was no effect on the amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, since the limited partners’ share of income (loss) would also be added back to net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders.

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The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

	For the three months ended March 31,
		2023		2022
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to RLJ		$	10,645	$	(15,247)
Less: Preferred dividends		(6,279)		(6,279)
Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted shares		(202)		(26)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares		$	4,164	$	(21,552)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of common shares - basic		159,483,268		164,179,661
Unvested restricted shares		568,125		—
Unvested performance units		92,355		—
Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted		160,143,748		164,179,661
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders - basic		$	0.03	$	(0.13)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted		$	0.03	$	(0.13)

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14.       Supplemental Information to Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands)

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reserves
Cash and cash equivalents	$	474,332	$	479,047
Restricted cash reserves	31,244		43,254
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reserves	$	505,576	$	522,301
Interest paid	$	32,252	$	33,911
Income taxes paid	$	67	$	6
Operating cash flow lease payments for operating leases	$	4,344	$	3,629
Supplemental investing and financing transactions
In connection with the sale of a hotel property, the Company recorded the following:
Sales price	$	—	$	35,450
Transaction costs	—		(599)
Operating prorations	—		(726)
Proceeds from the sale of hotel property, net	$	—	$	34,125
Supplemental non-cash transactions
Accrued capital expenditures	$	15,138	$	1,454

Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report, as well as the information contained in our Annual Report, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The following information contains certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the use of the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "may," "will," "will continue," "intend," "should," or similar expressions.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, such forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events or guarantees of future performance and our actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and urge investors to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning risks and uncertainties in the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements," "Risk Factors," and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and identified in other documents filed by us with the SEC.

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Overview

We are a self-advised and self-administered Maryland REIT that owns primarily premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels located within heart of demand locations. We own a geographically diversified portfolio of hotels located in high-growth urban markets that exhibit multiple demand generators and attractive long-term growth prospects. We believe that our investment strategy allows us to generate high levels of Revenue per Available Room ("RevPAR"), strong operating margins and attractive returns.

Our strategy is to own primarily premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels located within heart of demand locations. Focused-service and compact full-service hotels typically generate most of their revenue from room rentals, have limited food and beverage outlets and meeting space, and require fewer employees than traditional full-service hotels. We believe these types of hotels have the potential to generate attractive returns relative to other types of hotels due to their ability to achieve RevPAR levels at or close to those achieved by traditional full-service hotels while achieving higher profit margins due to their more efficient operating model and less volatile cash flows.

As of March 31, 2023, we owned 97 hotel properties with approximately 21,400 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia.  We owned, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, a 100% interest in 95 of our hotel properties, a 95% controlling interest in one hotel property, and a 50% non-controlling interest in an entity owning one hotel property. We consolidate our real estate interests in the 96 hotel properties in which we hold a controlling interest, and we record the real estate interest in the one hotel property in which we hold an indirect 50% non-controlling interest using the equity method of accounting. We lease 96 of the 97 hotel properties to our TRSs, of which we own a controlling financial interest.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we elected to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are held by, and all of our operations are conducted through our Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2023, we owned, through a combination of direct and indirect interests, 99.5% of the units of limited partnership interest in the OP units.

2023 Significant Activities

Our significant activities reflect our commitment to creating long-term shareholder value through enhancing our hotel portfolio's quality, recycling capital and maintaining a prudent capital structure. The following significant activities have taken place in 2023:

•Successfully launched our hotel conversion of The Pierside Hotel, an independent lifestyle property located in Santa Monica, California.

•Exercised one-year extension options on approximately $225.0 million of certain Term Loans to extend the maturities to January 2024.

•Received $95.0 million in borrowings on a Term Loan amended in November 2022 and utilized the proceeds to pay off approximately $94.0 million of maturing Term Loans.

•Exercised the final one-year extension option on a mortgage loan to extend the maturity to April 2024.

•Repurchased and retired approximately 3.9 million shares for $39.8 million under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program.

•Approved the 2023 Share Repurchase Program to acquire up to an aggregate of $250.0 million of common and preferred shares from May 9, 2023 to May 8, 2024.

Our Customers

The majority of our hotels consist of premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. As a result of this property profile, the majority of our customers are transient in nature. Transient business typically represents individual business or leisure travelers. The majority of our hotels are located in business districts within major metropolitan areas. Accordingly, business travelers represent the majority of the transient demand at our hotels. As a result, macroeconomic factors impacting business travel have a greater effect on our business than factors impacting leisure travel.

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Group business is typically defined as a minimum of 10 guestrooms booked together as part of the same piece of business. Group business may or may not use the meeting space at any given hotel. Given the limited meeting space at the majority of our hotels, group business that utilizes meeting space represents a small component of our customer base.

A number of our hotel properties are affiliated with brands marketed toward extended-stay customers. Extended-stay customers are generally defined as those staying five nights or longer.

Our Revenues and Expenses

Our revenues are primarily derived from the operation of hotels, including the sale of rooms, food and beverage revenue and other revenue, which consists of parking fees, resort fees, gift shop sales and other guest service fees.

Our operating costs and expenses consist of the costs to provide hotel services, including room expense, food and beverage expense, management and franchise fees and other operating expenses. Room expense includes housekeeping and front office wages and payroll taxes, reservation systems, room supplies, laundry services and other costs. Food and beverage expense primarily includes the cost of food, the cost of beverages and the associated labor costs. Other operating expenses include labor and other costs associated with the other operating department revenue, as well as labor and other costs associated with administrative departments, sales and marketing, repairs and maintenance and utility costs. Our hotels that are subject to franchise agreements are charged a royalty fee, plus additional fees for marketing, central reservation systems and other franchisor costs, in order for the hotel properties to operate under the respective brands. Franchise fees are based on a percentage of room revenue and for certain hotels additional franchise fees are charged for food and beverage revenue. Our hotels are managed by independent, third-party management companies under long-term agreements pursuant to which the management companies typically earn base and incentive management fees based on the levels of revenues and profitability of each individual hotel property. We generally receive a cash distribution from the management companies on a monthly basis, which reflects hotel-level sales less hotel-level operating expenses.

Key Indicators of Financial Performance

We use a variety of operating, financial and other information to evaluate the operating performance of our business. These key indicators include financial information that is prepared in accordance with GAAP as well as other financial measures that are non-GAAP measures. In addition, we use other information that may not be financial in nature, including industry standard statistical information and comparative data. We use this information to measure the operating performance of our individual hotels, groups of hotels and/or business as a whole. We also use these metrics to evaluate the hotels in our portfolio and potential acquisition opportunities to determine each hotel's contribution to cash flow and its potential to provide attractive long-term total returns. The key indicators include:

•Average Daily Rate ("ADR")

•Occupancy

•RevPAR

ADR, Occupancy and RevPAR are commonly used measures within the lodging industry to evaluate operating performance. RevPAR is an important statistic for monitoring operating performance at the individual hotel property level and across our entire business. We evaluate individual hotel RevPAR performance on an absolute basis with comparisons to budget and prior periods, as well as on a regional and company-wide basis. ADR and RevPAR include only room revenue.

We also use non-GAAP measures such as FFO, Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business. For a more in depth discussion of the non-GAAP measures, please refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. It is possible that the actual amounts may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions. We evaluate our estimates, assumptions and judgments on an ongoing basis, based on information that is available to us, our business and industry experience, and various other matters that we believe are reasonable and appropriate for consideration under the circumstances. Our Annual Report contains a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since December 31, 2022.

Results of Operations

At both March 31, 2023 and 2022, we owned 97 hotel properties.  Based on when a hotel property is acquired, sold or closed for renovation, the operating results for certain hotel properties are not comparable for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.  The non-comparable properties include two hotel properties that were sold and one acquisition that was completed in 2022.

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Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2023 to the three months ended March 31, 2022

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2023		2022		Change
	(amounts in thousands)
Revenues
Operating revenues
Room revenue	$	260,832	$	205,779
Food and beverage revenue	33,288		20,901		12,387
Other revenue	20,383		16,219		4,164
Total revenues	314,503		242,899		71,604
Expenses
Operating expenses
Room expense	66,051		53,828		12,223
Food and beverage expense	26,137		16,169		9,968
Management and franchise fee expense	26,182		20,388		5,794
Other operating expenses	82,624		68,654		13,970
Total property operating expenses	200,994		159,039		41,955
Depreciation and amortization	44,996		46,865		(1,869)
Property tax, insurance and other	24,648		22,513		2,135
General and administrative	13,656		14,134		(478)
Transaction costs	20		62		(42)
Total operating expenses	284,314		242,613		41,701
Other income, net	849		7,285		(6,436)
Interest income	3,664		172		3,492
Interest expense	(24,130)		(24,561)		431
Gain on sale of hotel properties, net	—		1,417		(1,417)
Income (loss) before equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures	10,572		(15,401)		25,973
Equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures	281		122		159
Income (loss) before income tax expense	10,853		(15,279)		26,132
Income tax expense	(339)		(190)		(149)
Net income (loss)	10,514		(15,469)		25,983
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership	(17)		104		(121)
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	148		118		30
Net income (loss) attributable to RLJ	10,645		(15,247)		25,892
Preferred dividends	(6,279)		(6,279)		—
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	4,366	$	(21,526)

All values are in US Dollars.

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Revenues

Total revenues increased $71.6 million to $314.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $242.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was the result of a $55.1 million increase in room revenue, a $12.4 million increase in food and beverage revenue, and a $4.2 million increase in other revenue.

Room Revenue

Room revenue increased $55.1 million to $260.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $205.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.  The increase in room revenue was attributable to an increase in RevPAR from the comparable properties resulting from an increase in leisure travel, as well as recoveries in business and group bookings, as compared to the prior period, which was adversely impacted by a reduction in travel due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The following are the year-to-date key hotel operating statistics for the comparable properties:

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2023			2022
Occupancy	68.6		%	61.2		%
ADR	$	198.85		$	175.57
RevPAR	$	136.38		$	107.39

Food and Beverage Revenue

Food and beverage revenue increased $12.4 million to $33.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $20.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in food and beverage revenue was primarily due to an increase in banquet and catering revenues from group business and the reopening of certain food and beverage outlets at the comparable properties, as compared to the prior period.

Other Revenue

Other revenue increased $4.2 million to $20.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.  The increase in other revenue was primarily due to an increase in parking fees, resort and facility fees (including new resort and facility fees implemented during the prior year), and miscellaneous other sales and fees that corresponded to the increase in demand at the comparable properties over the prior period.

Property Operating Expenses

Property operating expenses increased $42.0 million to $201.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $159.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily attributable to the comparable properties.

The components of our property operating expenses for the comparable properties were as follows (in thousands):

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2023		2022		Change
Room expense	$	65,460	$	53,212
Food and beverage expense	25,662		15,954		9,708
Management and franchise fee expense	26,008		20,165		5,843
Other operating expenses	81,889		67,888		14,001
Total property operating expenses	$	199,019	$	157,219

All values are in US Dollars.

The increase in property operating expenses attributable to the comparable properties corresponded to the increase in demand over the prior period.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.9 million to $45.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $46.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily related to furniture, fixtures and

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equipment that were fully depreciated in 2022, partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense related to recently renovated hotels.

Property Tax, Insurance and Other

Property tax, insurance and other expense increased $2.1 million to $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $22.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.  The increase was attributable to an increase in property taxes and insurance premiums at the comparable properties, as well as an increase in ground rent expense at the comparable properties. The increase in ground rent expense was due to increases in percentage rent obligations and consumer price index adjustments for certain of our ground leases.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense decreased $0.5 million to $13.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Other Income, net

Other income, net decreased $6.4 million to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reclassification of unrealized gains from accumulated other comprehensive income due to the discontinuation of certain cash flow hedges during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $0.4 million to $24.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest expense decreased due to lower average debt balances and lower effective

interest rates, including the impact of exiting the covenant relief period during 2022 under our Revolver and Term Loan

agreements. The components of our interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2023		2022		Change
Senior Notes	$	9,688	$	9,743
Revolver and Term Loans	8,543		9,968		(1,425)
Mortgage loans	3,943		3,210		733
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,474		1,684		(210)
Non-cash interest expense related to interest rate hedges	482		(44)		526
Total interest expense	$	24,130	$	24,561

All values are in US Dollars.

Gain on Sale of Hotel Properties, net

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we sold one hotel property for a sales price of approximately $35.5 million and recorded a net gain on sale of approximately $1.4 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We consider the following non-GAAP financial measures useful to investors as key supplemental measures of our performance: (1) FFO, (2) Adjusted FFO, (3) EBITDA, (4) EBITDAre and (5) Adjusted EBITDA. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered along with, but not as alternatives to, net income or loss as a measure of our operating performance. FFO, Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, and Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated by us, may not be comparable to FFO, Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA as reported by other companies that do not define such terms exactly as we define such terms.

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Funds From Operations

We calculate funds from operations ("FFO") in accordance with standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), which defines FFO as net income or loss, excluding gains or losses from sales of real estate, impairment, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, plus depreciation and amortization, and adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, most real estate industry investors consider FFO to be helpful in evaluating a real estate company’s operations. We believe that the presentation of FFO provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between REITs, even though FFO does not represent an amount that accrues directly to common shareholders. Our calculation of FFO may not be comparable to measures calculated by other companies who do not use the NAREIT definition of FFO or do not calculate FFO per diluted share in accordance with NAREIT guidance. Additionally, FFO may not be helpful when comparing us to non-REITs. We present FFO attributable to common shareholders, which includes our OP units, because our OP units may be redeemed for common shares. We believe it is meaningful for the investor to understand FFO attributable to all common shares and OP units.

We further adjust FFO for certain additional items that are not in NAREIT’s definition of FFO, such as transaction costs, pre-opening costs, gains or losses on extinguishment of indebtedness, non-cash income tax expense or benefit, amortization of share-based compensation, non-cash interest expense related to discontinued interest rate hedges, derivative gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income reclassified to earnings, and certain other income or expenses that we consider outside the normal course of operations. We believe that Adjusted FFO provides useful supplemental information to investors regarding our ongoing operating performance that, when considered with net income and FFO, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of our operating performance.

The following table is a reconciliation of our GAAP net income (loss) to FFO attributable to common shareholders and unitholders and Adjusted FFO attributable to common shareholders and unitholders for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

	For the three months ended March 31,
		2023		2022
Net income (loss)		$	10,514	$	(15,469)
Preferred dividends		(6,279)		(6,279)
Depreciation and amortization		44,996		46,865
Gain on sale of hotel properties, net		—		(1,417)
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		148		118
Adjustments related to consolidated joint venture (1)		(43)		(49)
Adjustments related to unconsolidated joint venture (2)		237		295
FFO		49,573		24,064
Transaction costs		20		62
Pre-opening costs (3)		222		234
Amortization of share-based compensation		5,692		5,185
Non-cash income tax expense		—		(135)
Non-cash interest expense related to discontinued interest rate hedges		482		336
Derivative gains in accumulated other comprehensive income reclassified to earnings (4)		—		(5,866)
Other expenses (5)		91		14
Adjusted FFO		$	56,080	$	23,894

(1)Includes depreciation and amortization expense allocated to the noncontrolling interest in the consolidated joint venture.

(2)Includes our ownership interest in the depreciation and amortization expense of the unconsolidated joint venture.

(3)Represents expenses related to the brand conversions of certain hotel properties prior to opening.

(4)Reclassification of interest rate swap gains from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings for discontinued interest rate hedges.

(5)Represents expenses outside of the normal course of operations.

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EBITDA and EBITDAre

EBITDA is defined as net income or loss excluding: (1) interest expense; (2) income tax expense; and (3) depreciation and amortization expense. We consider EBITDA useful to an investor in evaluating and facilitating comparisons of our operating performance between periods and between REITs by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest expense) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization expense) from our operating results.  In addition, EBITDA is used as one measure in determining the value of hotel acquisitions and disposals.

In addition to EBITDA, we present EBITDAre in accordance with NAREIT guidelines, which defines EBITDAre as net income or loss excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, gains or losses from sales of real estate, impairment, and adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures. We believe that the presentation of EBITDAre provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between REITs.

We also present Adjusted EBITDA, which includes additional adjustments for items such as transaction costs, pre-opening costs, gains or losses on extinguishment of indebtedness, amortization of share-based compensation, derivative gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income reclassified to earnings, and certain other income or expenses that we consider outside the normal course of operations. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful supplemental information to investors regarding our ongoing operating performance that, when considered with net income, EBITDA, and EBITDAre, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of our operating performance.

The following table is a reconciliation of our GAAP net income (loss) to EBITDA, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

	For the three months ended March 31,
		2023		2022
Net income (loss)		$	10,514	$	(15,469)
Depreciation and amortization		44,996		46,865
Interest expense, net of interest income		20,466		24,389
Income tax expense		339		190
Adjustments related to unconsolidated joint venture (1)		345		407
EBITDA		76,660		56,382
Gain on sale of hotel properties, net		—		(1,417)
EBITDAre		76,660		54,965
Transaction costs		20		62
Pre-opening costs (2)		222		234
Amortization of share-based compensation		5,692		5,185
Derivative gains in accumulated other comprehensive income reclassified to earnings (3)		—		(5,866)
Other expenses (4)		91		14
Adjusted EBITDA		$	82,685	$	54,594

(1)Includes our ownership interest in the interest, depreciation, and amortization expense of the unconsolidated joint venture.

(2)Represents expenses related to the brand conversions of certain hotel properties prior to opening.

(3)Reclassification of interest rate swap gains from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings for discontinued interest rate hedges.

(4)Represents expenses outside of the normal course of operations.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity requirements consist primarily of the funds necessary to pay for operating expenses and other expenditures directly associated with our hotel properties, including:

•funds necessary to pay for the costs of acquiring hotel properties;

•redevelopments, conversions, renovations and other capital expenditures that need to be made periodically to our hotel properties;

•recurring maintenance and capital expenditures necessary to maintain our hotel properties in accordance with brand standards;

•interest expense and scheduled principal payments on outstanding indebtedness;

•distributions on common and preferred shares; and

•corporate and other general and administrative expenses.

As of March 31, 2023, we had $505.6 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reserves as compared to $536.4 million at December 31, 2022.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Cash flows from Operating Activities

The net cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $42.0 million and $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our cash flows provided by operating activities generally consist of the net cash generated by our hotel operations, the cash paid for corporate expenses and other working capital changes. Refer to the "Results of Operations" section for further discussion of our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

Cash flows from Investing Activities

The net cash flow used in investing activities totaled $32.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to capital improvements and additions to our hotel properties.

The net cash flow provided by investing activities totaled $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022

primarily due to $34.1 million in proceeds from the sale of a hotel property. The net cash flow provided by investing

activities was partially offset by $24.3 million in capital improvements and additions to our hotel properties.

Cash flows from Financing Activities

The net cash flow used in financing activities totaled $40.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to $94.0 million in repayment of Term Loans, $24.5 million paid to repurchase common shares under our 2022 Share Repurchase Program, $14.4 million in distributions to shareholders and unitholders, $1.9 million paid to repurchase common shares to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements, and $0.3 million in deferred financing cost payments. The net cash flow used in financing activities was partially offset by $95.0 million in borrowing on a Term Loan.

The net cash flow used in financing activities totaled $211.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily

due to the $200.0 million repayment of the outstanding balance on the Revolver, $7.9 million in distributions to shareholders

and unitholders, $2.6 million in distributions to joint venture partners, and $1.3 million paid to repurchase common shares to

satisfy employee tax withholding requirements.

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Capital Expenditures and Reserve Funds

We maintain each of our hotel properties in good repair and condition and in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, franchise agreements and management agreements. The cost of routine improvements and alterations are paid out of FF&E reserves, which are funded by a portion of each hotel property’s gross revenues. Routine capital expenditures may be administered by the property management companies. However, we have approval rights over the capital expenditures as part of the annual budget process for each of our hotel properties.

From time to time, certain of our hotel properties may undergo renovations as a result of our decision to upgrade portions of the hotels, such as guestrooms, public space, meeting space, and/or restaurants, in order to better compete with other hotels and alternative lodging options in our markets. In addition, upon acquisition of a hotel property we often are required to complete a property improvement plan in order to bring the hotel up to the respective franchisor’s standards. If permitted by the terms of the management agreement, funding for a renovation will first come from the FF&E reserves. To the extent that the FF&E reserves are not available or sufficient to cover the cost of the renovation, we will fund all or the remaining portion of the renovation with cash and cash equivalents on hand, our Revolver and/or other sources of available liquidity.

With respect to some of our hotels that are operated under franchise agreements with major national hotel brands and for some of our hotels subject to first mortgage liens, we are obligated to maintain FF&E reserve accounts for future capital expenditures at these hotels. The amount funded into each of these reserve accounts is generally determined pursuant to the management agreements, franchise agreements and/or mortgage loan documents for each of the respective hotels, and typically ranges between 3.0% and 5.0% of the respective hotel’s total gross revenue. As of March 31, 2023, approximately $26.1 million was held in FF&E reserve accounts for future capital expenditures.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk includes the risks that arise from changes in interest rates, equity prices and other market changes that affect market sensitive instruments. Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates on our variable rate debt. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately $1.2 billion of total variable rate debt outstanding (or 54.0% of total indebtedness) with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.04% per annum. After taking into consideration the effect of interest rate swaps, 84.1% of our total indebtedness was fixed or effectively fixed. As of March 31, 2023, if market interest rates on our variable rate debt not subject to interest rate swaps were to increase by 1.00%, or 100 basis points, interest expense would decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $3.6 million annually, taking into account our existing contractual hedging arrangements.

Our interest rate risk objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we manage our exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates through the use of fixed rate debt instruments to the extent that reasonably favorable rates are obtainable. We have entered into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to mitigate our interest rate risk or to effectively lock the interest rate on a portion of our variable rate debt. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.

The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2023, the following table presents the principal repayments and related weighted-average interest rates by contractual maturity dates (in thousands):

	2023			2024			2025			2026			2027			Thereafter			Total
Fixed rate debt (1)(2)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	500,000		$	—		$	525,000		$	1,025,000
Weighted-average interest rate	—		%	—		%	—		%	3.75		%	—		%	4.05		%	3.90		%
Variable rate debt (1)	$	200,000		$	405,656		$	400,000		$	200,000		$	—		$	—		$	1,205,656
Weighted-average interest rate (3)	4.35		%	4.95		%	3.27		%	3.43		%	—		%	—		%	4.04		%
Total	$	200,000		$	405,656		$	400,000		$	700,000		$	—		$	525,000		$	2,230,656

(1)Excludes $3.0 million, $0.4 million and $10.1 million of net deferred financing costs on the Term Loans, mortgage loans and Senior Notes, respectively.

(2)Excludes $2.1 million related to a fair value adjustment on debt.

(3)The weighted-average interest rate gives effect to interest rate swaps, as applicable.

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Our ultimate realized gain or loss with respect to interest rate fluctuations will depend on the exposures that arise during future periods, prevailing interest rates and our hedging strategies at that time.

Changes in market interest rates on our fixed rate debt impact the fair value of our debt, but such changes have no impact to our consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt was $904.5 million, which is based on having the same debt service requirements that could have been borrowed at the date presented, at prevailing current market interest rates. If interest rates were to rise by 1.00%, or 100 basis points, and our fixed rate debt balance remains constant, we expect the fair value of our debt to decrease by approximately $38.1 million.

Item 4.            Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, under the supervision and participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act) during the period ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

The nature of the operations of our hotels exposes our hotel properties, the Company and the Operating Partnership to the risk of claims and litigation in the normal course of their business. Other than routine litigation arising out of the ordinary course of business, the Company is not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to the Company's knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against the Company.

Item 1A.            Risk Factors

For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section in our Annual Report, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report.

Item 2.                     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

The Company did not sell any securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that were not registered under the Securities Act.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes all of the share repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2023:

Period	Total number<br>of shares<br>purchased (1)	Average price<br>paid per share		Total number of<br>shares purchased as<br>part of publicly<br>announced plans or<br>programs	Maximum number<br>of shares that may<br>yet be purchased <br>under the plans or<br>programs (2)
January 1, 2023 through January 31, 2023	54,531	$	10.50	48,974	15,262,181
February 1, 2023 through February 28, 2023	157,192	$	11.65	—	16,917,603
March 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023	2,352,879	$	10.21	2,352,879	15,832,344
Total	2,564,602			2,401,853

(1)Includes surrendered common shares owned by certain employees to satisfy their statutory minimum federal and state tax obligations associated with the vesting of restricted common shares of beneficial interest issued under the 2021 Plan.

(2)The maximum number of shares that may yet be repurchased under a share repurchase program is calculated by dividing the total dollar amount available to repurchase shares by the closing price of our common shares on the last business day of the respective month.

Item 3.                     Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.                     Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.                     Other Information

None.

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Item 6.                     Exhibits

The exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are noted below:

Exhibit Index

Exhibit<br>Number	Description of Exhibit
3.1	Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust of RLJ Lodging Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File. No. 333-172011) filed on May 5, 2011)
3.2	Articles of Amendment to Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust of RLJ Lodging Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2015)
3.3	Articles of Amendment to Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust of RLJ Lodging Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2016)
3.4	Articles Supplementary to Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 26, 2015)
3.5	Articles Supplementary designating RLJ Lodging Trust’s 1.95 Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, par value 0.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant’s Form 8-A filed on August 30, 2017)
3.6	Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of RLJ Lodging Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2016)
10.1	Employment Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, by and among RLJ Lodging Trust, RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P. and Leslie D. Hale (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2023)
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and included in Exhibit 101)

All values are in US Dollars.

*Filed herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	RLJ LODGING TRUST
Dated: May 5, 2023	/s/ LESLIE D. HALE
	Leslie D. Hale
	President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: May 5, 2023	/s/ SEAN M. MAHONEY
	Sean M. Mahoney
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: May 5, 2023	/s/ CHRISTOPHER A. GORMSEN
	Christopher A. Gormsen
	Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

34

Document

EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Leslie D. Hale, certify that:

1.                   I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of RLJ Lodging Trust;

2.                   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.                   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.                   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.                   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.                   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.                    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.                   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.                   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.                   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

	RLJ LODGING TRUST
Dated: May 5, 2023	/s/ LESLIE D. HALE
	Leslie D. Hale
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Document

EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Sean M. Mahoney, certify that:

1.                   I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of RLJ Lodging Trust;

2.                   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.                   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.                   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.                   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.                   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.                    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.                   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.                   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.                   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

	RLJ LODGING TRUST
Dated: May 5, 2023	/s/ SEAN M. MAHONEY
	Sean M. Mahoney
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Document

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification Pursuant To

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of RLJ Lodging Trust (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Leslie D. Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and I, Sean M. Mahoney, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to our knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)                       the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)                       the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

	RLJ LODGING TRUST
Dated: May 5, 2023	/s/ LESLIE D. HALE
	Leslie D. Hale
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	/s/ SEAN M. MAHONEY
	Sean M. Mahoney
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer