Braemar Hotels & Resorts Simplifies Corporate Structure
Braemar Hotels & Resorts announced a series of actions designed to simplify its corporate structure, reduce costs, enhance governance and position the company for long-term profitability and value creation. Following the conclusion of a lengthy strategic review process, and upon the recommendation of a Special Committee comprised solely of independent directors, the BHR Board of Directors has approved a management spin-out, which will enable Braemar to become a self-managed real estate investment trust. These actions include the initiation of steps to terminate the Fifth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement with Ashford Inc. and its affiliates, hire employees directly, and reconstitute the company's Board. On a go-forward basis, the Company intends to maintain a portfolio of approximately six to eight luxury properties across the U.S. and the Caribbean, which had a gross asset value of over $1 billion and generated total annual revenue of $300 to $350 million as of the trailing twelve months ending March 31, 2026. The Company intends to directly hire employees and relocate to new office space, headquartered in Dallas. By directly employing its own management team, Braemar expects to reduce G&A costs by more than $25 million per year. Based on prevailing industry EBITDA multiples, ranging from 11-13x these savings imply significant potential equity value accretion. The in-house management structure and a new Board are designed to improve shareholder alignment. The Company has retained Ferguson Partners, an independent executive search firm, to identify five new independent Board members. The new Board members will be appointed to the Board, with the existing directors simultaneously stepping down, at the termination of the Advisory Agreement and will also be nominated for election at the Company's next annual meeting. Certain members of the management team currently employed by Ashford will become employees of Braemar, who will work exclusively for the company and have no ongoing relationship with Ashford or its affiliates. The Special Committee and the entire Board has worked tirelessly to exhaust all available options to maximize shareholder value. While initially a sale of the company was explored, the Special Committee ultimately concluded that there was a superior value creation available by terminating the Advisory Agreement, spinning out management, and remaining publicly listed. While the directors have agreed to formally resign their positions, they remain devoted to the future success of the company.
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- Earnings Release Plan: Braemar Hotels & Resorts plans to issue its Q2 2026 earnings release after market close on August 5, 2026, with details available in the Investor Relations section of its website, ensuring transparency and timely communication.
- Company Focus: Braemar targets the high-growth luxury hotel and resort sector, aiming for revenue per available room (RevPAR) at least twice the U.S. national average, demonstrating its competitive edge in the premium market.
- Asset Management Strength: The company leverages deep industry expertise and disciplined asset management to drive performance that exceeds industry averages, highlighting its leadership position in luxury hotel investments.
- Forward-Looking Statements: The press release includes forward-looking information regarding business strategies, anticipated asset transactions, and financial performance, cautioning investors to carefully consider associated risks when making investment decisions.
- Loan Extension: Braemar Hotels & Resorts announced the extension of its $43.4 million mortgage loan maturity to October 15, 2026, from the original date of July 15, 2026, alleviating short-term financial pressure on the company.
- Interest Rate Structure: The new loan is priced at SOFR + 325 basis points, indicating that the company can still secure relatively favorable financing terms in the current debt market, with potential for further improvements in financing conditions.
- Financial Strategy: CEO Richard Stockton stated that this loan extension addresses the company's only remaining maturity in 2026, ensuring no other final maturities until 2028, thereby enhancing the company's financial stability.
- Market Outlook: Braemar focuses on the high-growth luxury hotel and resort sector, leveraging deep industry expertise and disciplined asset management, which is expected to drive the company's performance in the future.
- Loan Extension: Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. announced the extension of its $43.4 million mortgage loan, originally maturing on July 15, 2026, now extended to October 15, 2026, alleviating the company's financial pressure for 2026.
- Interest Rate Structure: The loan is priced at SOFR plus 325 basis points, indicating that the company has secured relatively favorable financing terms in the current market environment, with expectations for potential further improvements in financing conditions.
- Financial Strategy: CEO Richard Stockton stated that the loan extension addresses the company's only remaining maturity in 2026, which will help ensure no other final maturities until 2028, thereby enhancing financial flexibility.
- Market Outlook: Braemar focuses on the high-growth luxury hotel and resort sector, leveraging deep industry expertise and disciplined asset management, which is expected to drive the company's performance in the future.
- Dividend Announcement: Braemar Hotels & Resorts has declared a partial cash dividend of $0.1146 per share for its 5.5% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, to be paid on July 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2026, indicating the company's commitment to shareholder returns and financial stability.
- Multiple Preferred Stock Dividends: The company will also pay a cash dividend of $0.17186 per share for its 8.25% Series D Preferred Stock, enhancing the attractiveness of its preferred shares to investors and reflecting robust performance in the luxury hotel market.
- Series E and M Dividends: For the Series E Redeemable Preferred Stock, a dividend of $0.15625 per share will be paid, while Series M will see dividends of $0.17917 and $0.17708 per share, demonstrating the company's flexibility in financing structures and commitment to investors.
- Equity Status: As of May 29, 2026, Braemar has 10,905,043 shares of Series E Redeemable Preferred Stock and 1,367,795 shares of Series M outstanding, showcasing the company's activity in the preferred stock market and its capital management capabilities.
- Dividend Announcement: Braemar Hotels' Board declared a partial cash dividend of $0.1146 per share for its 5.5% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, payable on July 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Multiple Preferred Stock Dividends: Additionally, the Board announced a dividend of $0.17186 per share for its 8.25% Series D Preferred Stock, which is expected to enhance the company's attractiveness to preferred stock investors and boost market confidence.
- Series E and M Dividends: The company will also pay $0.15625 per share for Series E Redeemable Preferred Stock and $0.17917 and $0.17708 for Series M Redeemable Preferred Stock on the same date, indicating a robust liquidity management strategy.
- Shareholder Return Strategy: As of May 29, 2026, Braemar had 10,905,043 shares of Series E and 1,367,795 shares of Series M Preferred Stock outstanding, demonstrating the company's continued investment in the high-growth luxury hotel market and its focus on shareholder value.

- Shareholder Rights Violated: Al Shams Investments, as the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels, strongly condemns the board for authorizing the sale of three hotels, resulting in a $480 million termination fee to a company controlled by Monty Bennett, which is viewed as a betrayal of shareholders and directly impacts trust and governance structure.
- Stock Price Plummet: Braemar Hotels' stock fell 15% in two days, and since separating from Ashford Hospitality Trust, the stock has nearly collapsed by 90%, currently trading at just $2.10, indicating strong market dissatisfaction with the board's decisions, potentially leading to further declines in investor confidence.
- Increased Financial Risk: This transaction imposes a financial obligation exceeding the net proceeds from the sales on Braemar Hotels, exacerbating its status as one of the most leveraged lodging REITs, which may affect its future financing capabilities and operational stability.
- Commitment to Legal Action: Al Shams Investments vows to pursue all available legal remedies and plans to nominate independent directors at the 2026 Annual Meeting, aiming to restore shareholder control over governance, reflecting its dissatisfaction with the board's actions and a firm commitment to protecting shareholder rights.






