The hotel's unique sun and sea design creates an experience that attracts demand from all market segments. The hotel includes a full-service restaurant featuring Coastal California cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a popular rooftop oasis serving cocktails and light cuisine with 225 seats, a large pool, cabanas and views overlooking downtown San Diego. The Hotel Solamar opened in April 2005 and contains a fitness center, business center, in-room spa services, parking facility, 8,800 square feet of meeting space and an additional 2,000 square feet of unfinished street-front space available for retail or additional meeting space. The hotel is subject to a long-term ground lease.

"We are excited to further our presence in the emergent Gaslamp Quarter with the acquisition of this newly built high-style hotel," remarked Jon Bortz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Hotel Properties. "San Diego is one of the most attractive leisure and convention destinations and one of the highest occupancy markets in the United States. The Hotel Solamar is in an irreplaceable location in the heart of the fastest growing area of downtown San Diego, and it's just two blocks from our stylish Hilton Gaslamp Quarter Hotel."

Hotel Solamar will continue to be managed by Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC, which manages seven other hotels for LaSalle Hotel Properties located in Washington, D.C., Boston, MA and Seattle, WA. Kimpton operates upscale and luxury boutique/lifestyle hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and has had a strong relationship with the Company since 2001.

"We are delighted to expand our long-standing relationship with Kimpton and are eager to work with them to bring this fabulous new hotel to its full potential," continued Mr. Bortz.

"It is clear that Kimpton and LaSalle have a winning combination with a profitable track record, and we are excited to extend our partnership into the state of California," said Kimpton CEO and President Mike Depatie. "Being chosen by LaSalle Properties to manage an eighth hotel is yet another vote of confidence for Kimpton - for our expertise, the heartfelt care we provide our guests at every touch point, and for our unique culture that gives Kimpton-managed hotels a distinct competitive advantage."

LaSalle Hotel Properties is a leading multi-tenant, multi-operator real estate investment trust, owning interests in 30 upscale and luxury full-service hotels, totaling approximately 8,700 guest rooms in 15 markets in 11 states and the District of Columbia. The Company focuses on owning upscale and luxury full-service hotels located in urban, resort and convention markets. LaSalle Hotel Properties seeks to grow through strategic relationships with premier internationally recognized hotel operating companies, including Westin Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Crestline Hotels and Resorts, Inc., Outrigger Lodging Services, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Benchmark Hospitality, White Lodging Services Corporation, Gemstone Resorts International, LLC, Thompson Hotels, Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, Davidson Hotel Company, and the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC.

This press release, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

LaSalle Hotel Properties
Hans Weger
Chief Financial Officer
301-941-1500
www.lasallehotels.com