Orient-Express Hotels Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Results

HAMILTON, Bermuda, February 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourth Quarter 2007 highlights

- Fourth quarter total revenues of US$151.2 million, up 12% over prior year

- Fourth quarter net earnings from continuing operations of US$10.2 million, up 53% over prior year

- EPS from continuing operations of US$0.24. Adjusted EPS of US$0.25

- World-wide same store RevPAR up 10% in local currency, 14% in U.S. dollars

- Completed acquisition of land to develop a new '21' hotel in New York

- Completed takeover of Hotel das Cataratas, Iguaçu Falls, Brazil

Full-Year highlights

- Full-year total revenues of US$599.6 million, up 21% over prior year

- Full-year net earnings from continuing operations of US$50.3 million, up 37% over prior year

- EPS from continuing operations of US$1.19. Adjusted EPS of US$1.25

- Full-year EBITDA of US$154.1 million up 13%, adjusted EBITDA up 19% over prior year

- World-wide same store RevPAR up 11% in local currency, 15% in U.S. dollars

- Accelerated acquisitions of The Royal Scotsman and Afloat in France businesses in Europe

- Acquired land to build a hotel in Buzios, Brazil

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (NYSE: OEH, http://www.orient-express.com), owners or part-owners and managers of 51 luxury hotels, restaurants, tourist trains and river cruise properties operating in 25 countries, today announced its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2007.

For the fourth quarter, Orient-Express realized a GAAP net loss of US$4.9 million (loss of US$0.12 per common share) on revenue of US$151.2 million compared with net earnings of US$6.7 million (US$0.16 per common share) on revenue of US$135.2 million in the prior year period. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations which exclude certain items, including an impairment charge related to a strategic review of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, were US$10.4 million (US$0.25 per common share) for the quarter, compared to adjusted net earnings from continuing operations of US$9.2 million (US$0.22 per common share) the previous year. Revenue was up 12% over the fourth quarter of 2006.

For the year ended December 31, 2007 net earnings were US$33.6 million (US$0.79 per common share) compared with net earnings of US$39.8 million (US$0.98 per common share) in 2006. Revenue increased 21% from US$497.1 million in 2006 to US$599.6 million in 2007. Same store RevPAR increased 15% (11% in local currency) and EBITDA rose 13% from US$136.7 million to US$154.1 million. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations were US$53.0 million (US$1.25 per common share) compared to adjusted net earnings from continuing operations of US$41.4 million (US$1.02 per common share) in 2006. Adjusted EBITDA was US$155.2 million, an increase of 19% over 2006.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was US$31.0 million compared with US$32.9 million for the same period in 2006. The 2007 results were impacted by the unforeseen conflict in Burma, which resulted in EBITDA US$1.9 million lower than for the same period in 2006. Additionally, the 2006 EBITDA included asset sales of US$1.1 million and insurance credits of US$2.7 million.

"We are extremely pleased to see that the luxury market continues to show strength, as reflected in Orient-Express' year-end and fourth quarter results," said Orient-Express Hotels President and CEO, Paul White. "We believe that there will continue to be numerous opportunities for growth through acquisitions of properties, as well as through strategic organic expansion into key geographic markets."

Business Highlights

Orient-Express continues to show strong progress in its existing pipeline of new properties, including those in Santa Barbara, California; New York; Brazil; Bali; and Peru, with properties progressing well within their schedules. The most imminent opening is of Las Casitas del Colca, the luxury 20-room lodge in Peru's Colca Canyon, which is scheduled to open on time in April 2008.

In Brazil, the company is reviewing some exciting contemporary designs for its planned boutique hotel and villa development in Buzios. Work is scheduled to begin shortly on the renovation of the first 100 rooms at Hotel das Cataratas at Iguaçu Falls, of which the company took over management in October 2007.

In 2007, the company opened the purpose built spas at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St Michaels, Maryland and at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Copacabana Palace will be the site of a 'destination bar', which is scheduled to open in the second half of 2008. Next month, the Librisa Spa at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, will be opening. All of these projects reflect Orient-Express' commitment to continue to focus on revenue growth across property types and regions.

The company also made significant investments in existing room stock and property enhancement last year and this will continue into the first quarter of 2008. These investments include the opening of eight new suites at La Residencia, Majorca; the establishment of the Windsor Court Club Floors comprising 59 rooms and suites over four floors at the hotel in New Orleans; the renovation of Casa Limon and the new restaurant Andanza at Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; the second phase renovation of room stock at the Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, Russia; renovation of 12 rooms in the 48-room Governor's Residence in Rangoon, Burma; and the creation of four new suites and junior suites at Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy. The company expects all of these projects to bring additional guests and revenue to the various properties in both the short and longer term.

The company's Real Estate developments in St. Martin continue to move ahead on plan, with one of the seven villas being built at La Samanna scheduled to be ready for occupation in the third quarter. The Cupecoy Yacht Club development is progressing well, with construction forecasts showing completion on time and within budget. The company is now beginning the process of letting retail, restaurant and marina space.

Following a strategic review of the company's assets, it has been decided to initiate a sale of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort. Net earnings reflect an impairment charge to bring the property to current fair market value. This impairment charge and the net earnings of the operation for 2007 and 2006 are shown in discontinued operations net of tax. The amount included in discontinued operations, net of tax, was a loss of US$16.6 million for the year 2007 and a gain of US$3.1 million in 2006.

"As we described to our shareholders in our November investor day meeting, we have conducted strategic reviews of all our assets and set out specific plans for enhancing or divesting them based on their fit within our long-term objectives," continued Paul White. "While our prime focus is on increasing returns on core properties and other assets, as well as select acquisitions, we will give consideration to disposing of properties which do not fit our plans or otherwise merit further investment. Bora Bora is the most recent example of that process."

Regional Performance

In the quarter overall, same store RevPAR growth was up 14% in U.S. dollars (10% in local currency), while for the year, same store RevPAR increased 15% in U.S. dollars (11% in local currency). These increases were driven entirely by rate with Europe showing the strongest RevPAR growth in the fourth quarter of 21% in U.S. dollars (12% in local currency), compared with the Rest of World RevPAR growth of 15% in U.S. dollars (12% in local currency) while the North America region was flat.

Europe: For the fourth quarter, revenues were up 28% from US$34.2 million in 2006 to US$43.7 million in 2007. EBITDA increased US$1.4 million or 46% to US$4.6 million. The Italian hotels were substantially closed in the fourth quarter. All other properties in the region showed solid revenue growth with the Hôtel de la Cité, Carcassonne, France; The Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg, Russia; and La Residencia, Majorca performing significantly ahead of their respective 2006 results. For the year, EBITDA grew 35%, or US$18.3 million to US$71.0 million. Every European property contributed to this growth, underpinned by same store RevPAR growth of 17% in U.S. dollars (10% in local currency).

North America: EBITDA of owned hotels was US$2.9 million in the fourth quarter, down US$2.7 million on the 2006 result of US$5.6 million. The 2006 results included business interruption insurance proceeds of US$2.7 million for Maroma Resort and Spa in Mexico. For the year, EBITDA decreased US$6.4 million to US$13.2 million, due primarily to the performance of the Windsor Court hotel in New Orleans.

Southern Africa: EBITDA in South Africa grew US$0.5 million to US$5.0 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to better earnings at the Mount Nelson Hotel. Orient-Express Safaris also experienced another strong quarter in this region, with EBITDA growing 97% to US$0.6 million. For the full year, EBITDA grew 28% to US$13.5 million, with all five properties showing growth.

South America: Revenues at the South American properties grew 40% to US$17.3 million in the fourth quarter, which included US$2.0 million from Cataratas, which recorded a loss at the EBITDA level. Net of that loss, EBITDA declined US$0.6 million to US$4.7 million for the quarter. For the year, EBITDA was US$14.0 million, down US$1.1 million on the same period in 2006. The shortfall was a combination of the impact of the strong Brazilian Real on earnings in Brazil and the impact of the Cataratas acquisition.

Asia Pacific: EBITDA for the region was flat compared to 2006. The conflicts in Burma were reflected in a poor quarter for The Governor's Residence which offset good growth for the Observatory Hotel. EBITDA for the year was US$2.1 million ahead of 2006. Every hotel in the region showed growth with the exception of The Governor's Residence.

Hotel management and part-ownership interests: Fourth quarter EBITDA was US$6.4 million compared with US$5.6 million in the year earlier period. Hotel Ritz Madrid and the hotels in Peru were largely responsible for these gains. For the full year, EBITDA grew 20% to US$23.8 million. Half of this growth was derived from the performance of the Hotel Ritz, Madrid.

Restaurants: EBITDA was US$2.6 million compared with US$4.1 million in the same quarter last year. The 2006 result included a gain on sale of assets of US$1.1 million. For the year as a whole, the combination of the asset sales and the absence of earnings from Harry's Bar in the first half of the year, when compared to 2006, saw EBITDA contract by US$2.0 million to US$4.6 million.

Tourist trains and river cruises: This sector of the business had an exceptional year, with a fourth quarter EBITDA of US$6.1 million, compared to US$5.8 million in the prior year period. Improvements from all areas of the portfolio were partially offset by the impact of the crisis in Burma on the Road to Mandalay. For the full year, EBITDA grew 39% to US$25.5 million, this growth being underpinned by the excellent performance of all of the train products.

Real Estate: In the fourth quarter, Cupecoy Yacht Club recorded an EBITDA of US$1.6 million, compared to a loss of US$0.1 million in the same period in 2006. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the company sold the sample villa at St. Martin and there were 4 lot sales at Keswick. There were no lot sales recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007. Full year EBITDA was US$4.1 million, up 17% on 2006. This was primarily due to the Cupecoy Yacht Club.

Tax: The company's reported tax rate for the full year was 29%, inclusive of FIN 48 credits of US$7.1 million. This led to the company recording a tax credit of US$0.4 million in the fourth quarter.

The appointment of Martin O'Grady as Chief Financial Officer in March 2008, which was announced in late 2007, completes the realignment of the Orient-Express' senior management team.

The company noted that it expects business fundamentals to remain consistent with expectations, and that 2008 full year guidance on both RevPAR and EBITDA remain unchanged.

Reconciliation and Adjustments US$'000 - except per share Three months Twelve months amounts ended ended December 31 December 31 2007 2006 2007 2006 EBITDA 30,489 32,019 154,128 136,677 Adjusted items: Management restructuring and related charges (1) 501 - 3,352 - Insurance related gain (2) - - (2,312) - UK pension closure costs (3) - 841 - 841 Gain on asset sales (4) - - - (6,619) Adjusted EBITDA 30,990 32,860 155,168 130,899 US GAAP reported net earnings (4,933) 6,657 33,642 39,767 Discontinued operations net of tax 15,156 39 16,621 (3,102) Net earnings from continuing operations 10,223 6,696 50,263 36,665 Adjusted items: Management restructuring and related charges (1) 501 - 3,352 - Insurance related gain (2) - - (1,664) - UK pension closure costs (3) - 841 - 841 Gain on asset sales (net of tax) (4) - - - (3,294) Forex loss/(gain) net of tax (5) (306) (366) 1,096 3,281 Write-off of deferred finance costs (6) - 1,671 - 3,546 Depreciation write-off on El Encanto (7) - 401 - 401 Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations 10,418 9,243 53,047 41,440 Reported EPS (0.12) 0.16 0.79 0.98 Reported EPS from continuing operations 0.24 0.16 1.19 0.90 Adjusted EPS 0.25 0.22 1.25 1.02 Number of shares (millions) 42.5 42.2 42.4 40.7

1. The company incurred costs in 2007 relating to the restructuring of senior management made up principally of executive recruitment fees and additional director, legal and other advisory fees.

2. In 2007, the company recorded a gain on the settlement of insurance proceeds received for hurricane-damaged assets at Maroma Resort and Spa.

3. These costs were incurred in 2006 when the company closed its UK defined benefit pension plan to future benefit accrual.

4. In June 2006, the company sold at a gain its 49% investment in Harry's Bar in London.

5. Foreign exchange, net of tax, is a non-cash item arising on the translation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the reporting currency of the entity concerned.

6. Deferred finance costs were written off in 2006 when the related indebtedness was refinanced.

7. In 2006, El Encanto closed for extensive renovation and certain fixtures and fittings were written off.

Management evaluates the operating performance of the company's segments on the basis of segment net earnings before interest, foreign currency, tax (including tax on unconsolidated companies), depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and believes that EBITDA is a useful measure of operating performance, for example to help determine the ability to incur capital expenditure or service indebtedness, because it is not affected by non-operating factors such as leverage and the historic cost of assets. EBITDA is also a financial performance measure commonly used in the hotel and leisure industry, although the company's EBITDA may not be comparable in all instances to that disclosed by other companies. EBITDA does not represent net cash provided by operating, investing and financing activities under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund all cash flow needs, and should not be considered as an alternative to earnings from operations or net earnings under U.S. GAAP for purposes of evaluating operating performance.

Adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted E.P.S. are non-GAAP financial measures and do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by U.S. GAAP. They are, therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, which may be calculated differently, and should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of performance prescribed by U.S. GAAP. Management considers adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted E.P.S. to be meaningful indicators of operations and uses them as measures to assess operating performance because, when comparing current period performance with prior periods and with budgets, management does so after having adjusted for non-recurring items, foreign exchange (a non-cash item) and significant disposals of assets or investments, which could otherwise have a material effect on the comparability of the company's core operations. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted E.P.S. are also used by investors, analysts and lenders as measures of financial performance because, as adjusted in the foregoing manner, the measures provide a consistent basis on which the performance of the company can be assessed.

This news release and related oral presentations by management contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include statements regarding earnings outlook, investment plans and similar matters that are not historical facts. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those mentioned in the news release, unknown effects on the travel and leisure markets of terrorist activity and any police or military response, varying customer demand and competitive considerations, failure to realize hotel bookings and reservations and planned property development sales as actual revenue, inability to sustain price increases or to reduce costs, fluctuations in interest rates and currency values, uncertainty of negotiating and completing proposed capital expenditures and acquisitions, adequate sources of capital and acceptability of finance terms, possible loss or amendment of planning permits and delays in construction schedules for expansion or development projects, delays in reopening properties closed for repair or refurbishment and possible cost overruns, shifting patterns of tourism and business travel and seasonality of demand, adverse local weather conditions, changing global and regional economic conditions, and legislative, regulatory and political developments. Further information regarding these and other factors is included in the filings by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Orient-Express Hotels will conduct a conference call on Tuesday, 26 February, 2008 at 10.00 hrs ET (15.00 GMT) which is accessible at +1-866-966-9439 (US toll free) or +44(0)1452-555-566 (Standard International access). The conference ID is 30317904. A re-play of the conference call will be available until 5.00pm (ET) Tuesday, 4 March, 2008 and can be accessed by calling +1-866-247-4222 (US toll free) or +44(0)1452-550-000 (Standard International) and entering replay access number 30317904. A re-play will also be available on the company's website: http://www.orient-expressinvestorinfo.com.

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd Three Months ended December 31, 2007 Summary of Operating Results (Unaudited) Three months ended December 31 US$'000 - except per share amount 2007 2006 Revenue and earnings from unconsolidated companies Owned hotels - Europe 43,680 34,219 - North America 22,379 22,599 - Rest of World 41,790 33,589 Hotel management & part ownership interests 6,407 5,567 Restaurants 8,261 8,194 Trains & Cruises 23,724 19,469 Real Estate 4,988 11,606 Total (1) 151,229 135,243 Analysis of earnings Owned hotels - Europe 4,556 3,123 - North America 2,859 5,614 - Rest of World 11,900 12,357 Hotel management & part ownership interests 6,407 5,567 Restaurants 2,645 4,069 Trains & Cruises 6,066 5,787 Real Estate 1,443 2,758 Central overheads (5,387) (7,256) EBITDA 30,489 32,019 Depreciation & amortization (10,471) (9,085) Interest (11,359) (11,998) Foreign exchange 1,138 938 Earnings before tax 9,797 11,874 Tax 426 (5,178) Net earnings from continuing operations 10,223 6,696 Discontinued operations (15,156) (39) Net earnings on common shares (4,933) 6,657 Earnings per common share (0.12) 0.16 Number of shares - millions 42.46 42.16

(1) Comprises earnings from unconsolidated companies of US$5,315,000 (2006 - US$4,469,000) and revenue of US$145,913,000 (2006 - US$130,774,000).

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd Three Months Ended December 31, 2007 Summary of Operating Information for Owned Hotels Three months ended December 31 2007 2006 Average Daily Rate (in U.S. dollars) Europe 577 478 North America 387 348 Rest of World 323 267 Worldwide 408 340 Rooms Available (000's) Europe 78 72 North America 56 54 Rest of World 106 106 Worldwide 240 232 Rooms Sold (000's) Europe 38 36 North America 34 35 Rest of World 68 71 Worldwide 140 142 RevPAR (in U.S. dollars) Europe 283 236 North America 239 223 Rest of World 207 180 Worldwide 239 208 Change % Same Store RevPAR Dollar Local (in U.S. dollars) currency Europe 241 199 21% 12% North America 215 216 0% 0% Rest of World 207 180 15% 12% Worldwide 219 192 14% 10%

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd Twelve Months ended December 31, 2007 Summary of Operating Results (Unaudited) Twelve months ended December 31 US$'000 - except per share amount 2007 2006 Revenue and earnings from unconsolidated companies Owned hotels - Europe 228,522 180,365 - North America 85,411 85,492 - Rest of World 128,771 101,979 Hotel management & part ownership interests 23,840 19,932 Restaurants 22,638 22,821 Trains & Cruises 90,522 70,342 Real Estate 19,908 16,144 Total (1) 599,612 497,075 Analysis of earnings Owned hotels - Europe 71,033 52,708 - North America 13,238 19,652 - Rest of World 35,611 31,615 Hotel management & part ownership interest 23,840 19,932 Restaurants 4,564 6,530 Trains & Cruises 25,481 18,316 Real Estate 4,121 3,514 Central overheads (26,072) (22,209) Gain on sale of investment - 6,619 Gain on disposal of fixed assets 2,312 - EBITDA 154,128 136,677 Depreciation & amortization (38,947) (34,503) Interest (45,436) (44,367) Foreign exchange 917 (4,610) Earnings before tax 70,662 53,197 Tax (20,399) (16,532) Net earnings from continuing operations 50,263 36,665 Discontinued operations (16,621) 3,102 Net earnings on common shares 33,642 39,767 Earnings per common share 0.79 0.98 Number of shares - millions 42.39 40.69

(1) Comprises earnings from unconsolidated companies of US$21,197,000 (2006 - US$17,711,000) and revenue of US$578,415,000 (2006 - US$479,364,000)

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2007 Summary of Operating Information for Owned Hotels Twelve months ended December 31 2007 2006 Average Daily Rate (in U.S. dollars) Europe 686 584 North America 371 325 Rest of World 272 256 Worldwide 428 380 Rooms Available (000's) Europe 325 298 North America 222 212 Rest of World 408 354 Worldwide 955 864 Rooms Sold (000's) Europe 187 175 North America 141 148 Rest of World 259 222 Worldwide 587 545 RevPAR (in U.S. dollars) Europe 396 342 North America 236 227 Rest of World 173 161 Worldwide 263 240 Change % Same Store RevPAR Dollar Local (in U.S. dollars) currency Europe 419 357 17% 10% North America 283 272 4% 4% Rest of World 189 165 15% 14% Worldwide 284 248 15% 11%

Orient-Expess Hotels Ltd Consolidated and Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) December 31 December 31 US$'000 2007 2006 Assets Cash 94,365 77,896 Accounts receivable 62,847 71,694 Due from related parties 30,406 19,939 Prepaid expenses 16,115 9,485 Inventories 45,756 34,618 Other assets held for sale 38,807 60,854 Real estate assets 57,157 35,821 Total current assets 345,453 310,307 Property, plant & equipment, net book value 1,273,956 1,134,811 Investments 147,539 130,042 Goodwill 133,497 117,760 Other intangible assets 21,660 20,149 Other assets 50,722 38,594 1,972,827 1,751,663 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Working capital facilities 64,419 45,107 Accounts payable 30,132 25,017 Due to related parties - 1,249 Accrued liabilities 62,246 54,285 Deferred revenue 35,545 25,448 Other liabilities held for sale 5,619 4,377 Current portion of long-term debt and capital 127,795 83,397 leases Total current liabilities 325,756 238,880 Long-term debt and obligations under capital 658,615 586,300 leases Deferred income taxes 119,112 106,598 Other liabilities 34,669 11,007 Minority interest 1,754 1,882 Shareholders' equity 832,921 806,996 1,972,827 1,751,663