Gary Mendell Several Quotations

The Algonquin is our first Manhattan property, and marks our fourth acquisition in 2005, with several more pending. The hotel, built in 1902, has always been on the cutting edge of guest comfort and social awareness. It was the first leading hotel in New York to receive ladies traveling alone, and the first to have electronic door locks, smoke detectors and air conditioning in all of its rooms. The Algonquin is an extraordinary hotel, and our goal is to live up to its past and further enhance its legend.

We believe the long-term outlook for hotel investment remains quite attractive. While we are not driven by a specific timetable, our over- arching objective is to strategically invest $500 million annually over the next several years in the acquisition and development of primarily hotel- related opportunities. We have carefully assembled a first class investment team over the last several years, and our depth in this area continues to fuel a very active pipeline of prospective investment opportunities. HEI now has 13 professionals, with more than 185 years of collective experience, driving its acquisition and development effort with several additional positions to be filled in the coming months.

Industry experts forecast a positive outlook for the hotel industry for at least the next several years. We have been one of the largest private acquirers of hotel real estate in the past three years, and we expect to continue that pace.

The hotel has received more than $11 million in upgrades since 1998 and is in excellent physical condition. We plan to continue to enhance upon its current high quality with approximately $3.5 million of additional improvements over the next several years.