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TABLE OF CONTENTS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)5
Registration No. 333-183248

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(1)

Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o), based on the proposed maximum offering price, and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

(2)

This "Calculation of Registration Fee" table shall be deemed to update the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-183248) in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated August 10, 2012)

$200,000,000

Common Stock

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        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offer and sale from time to time of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $200,000,000. The shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being sold pursuant to separate distribution agreements between us and each of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, each of which we refer to as a Sale Agent, and collectively as the Sales Agents.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol "DRH." The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE on November 21, 2014 was $14.53 per share.

        Sales of shares of common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at the market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or through an electronic communications network.

        Under the applicable distribution agreement, we may also sell shares of our common stock to the Sales Agents as principals for their own accounts at prices agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell any shares of our common stock to the Sales Agents as principals, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with such Sales Agent.

        Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreements we have entered into with each of the Sales Agents, each Sales Agent will be entitled to compensation of up to 2% of the gross sales price per share for any shares of common stock sold through it as Sales Agent under the applicable distribution agreement.

        To preserve our status as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our charter imposes certain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our common stock. You should read the information under the section entitled "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" in the accompanying prospectus for a description of these restrictions.

        Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement, page 2 of the accompanying prospectus, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and in our subsequent periodic reports and other information we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

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        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus supplement is November 24, 2014.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

PROSPECTUS

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. You should read this entire document, including the prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference to the accompanying prospectus from a filing we made with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the date hereof, on the other hand, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. In addition, any information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus from a filing we make with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement that adds to, updates or changes information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or an earlier filing we made with the SEC that is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to modify and supersede such information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the earlier filing.

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain, or incorporate by reference, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should be considered together with the cautionary statements and important factors included or referred to in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. Please see "Forward-Looking Statements" in this prospectus supplement and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the accompanying prospectus.

        References in this prospectus supplement to "we," "our," "us" and "our company" refer to DiamondRock Hospitality Company, including, as the context requires, DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership, our operating partnership, as well as our other direct and indirect subsidiaries, including our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. We have not, nor has any Sales Agent, authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered shares to which they relate, nor is this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates which are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Certain statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include and incorporate by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Statements regarding estimates, projections, our business plans, objectives, expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believes," "projects," "forecasts," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "strategy," "plan," "seek," "may," "will," "should," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions.

        Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks before you make an investment decision with respect to our common stock, including, among others, the following:

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performance of our hotels and the lodging industry in general;



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adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets;



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financing risks, including the risk of over leverage and the corresponding risk of default on our mortgage loans and other debt and potential inability to refinance existing indebtedness;



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international, national and local economic, business, real estate and other market conditions;



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the degree and nature of our competition;



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increased interest rates and operating costs;



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difficulties in identifying properties to acquire;



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difficulties in completing and integrating acquisitions;



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availability of and our ability to retain qualified personnel;



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our failure to maintain our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;



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changes in our business or investment strategy;



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availability, terms and deployment of capital;



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general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock;



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environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters;



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changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates; and



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the factors included in Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other reports we file from time to time with the SEC and incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

        While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. You should carefully consider this risk when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we do not intend and disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or the "Risk Factors" to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.

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OUR COMPANY

General

        DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a lodging-focused Maryland corporation operating as a real estate investment trust, or REIT. As of September 30, 2014, we owned a portfolio of 27 premium hotels and resorts that contain 11,123 guest rooms. As an owner, rather than an operator, of lodging properties, we receive all of the operating profits or losses generated by the hotels after the payment of fees due to hotel managers, which are calculated based on the revenues and profitability of each hotel.

        Our vision is to be the premier allocator of capital in the lodging industry. Our mission is to deliver long-term stockholder returns through a combination of dividends and enduring capital appreciation. Our strategy is to utilize disciplined capital allocation and focus on the acquisition, ownership and innovative asset management of high quality lodging properties in North American markets with superior growth prospects and high barriers to entry.

        Consistent with our strategy, our portfolio is concentrated in key gateway cities and destination resort locations. Each of our hotels is managed by a third party and most are operated under a brand owned by one of the leading global lodging brand companies (Marriott International, Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Hilton Worldwide).

Our Structure

        We conduct our business through a traditional umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT, in which our hotel properties are owned by our operating partnership, DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership, or subsidiaries of our operating partnership. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership and currently own, either directly or indirectly, all of the limited partnership units of our operating partnership.

Our Principal Office

        Our corporate headquarters is located at 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1500, Bethesda, MD 20814. Our telephone number is (240) 744-1150. Our Internet address is http://www.drhc.com. The information found on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risks. Before purchasing the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should carefully consider the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, including (i) our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, (ii) our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and (iii) other documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement and which are deemed incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties in the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus are those that we currently believe may materially affect our company. Additional risks not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        We expect to use the net proceeds from any sales of shares of the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of additional properties as suitable opportunities arise, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, capital expenditures, the improvement of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes. Pending application of cash proceeds, we anticipate that we will invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with our intention to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

        Affiliates of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Sales Agents in this offering, participate in our senior unsecured credit facility. As of September 30, 2014, we had no outstanding indebtedness under our senior unsecured credit facility. However, to the extent that we use net proceeds from this offering to repay any future borrowings under our senior unsecured credit facility, affiliates of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will receive their proportionate share of such repayment.

SUPPLEMENTAL U.S FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        This summary supplements the discussion contained under the caption "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying prospectus.

        As discussed under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Qualification as a REIT—Failure to Qualify," if we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief provisions apply, individual, trust and estate stockholders may be eligible to treat the dividends received from us as qualified dividend income taxable as net capital gains under the provisions of Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code. As discussed under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock," dividends to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts, or estates generally will constitute qualified dividend income taxed as net capital gains if the U.S. stockholder satisfies certain holding period requirements, we designate the dividends as qualified dividend income and the dividends are attributable to (i) qualified dividend income we receive from other corporations, such as Bloodstone TRS, Inc. and potentially certain other taxable REIT subsidiaries, during the taxable year, or (ii) our undistributed earnings or built-in gains taxed at the corporate level during the preceding taxable year. Each of these discussions indicated that such treatment applied only through the end of 2012. However, as a result of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, signed into law by the President on January 2, 2013, the provisions of Section 1(h)(11) of the Code, dealing with qualified dividend income, have been made permanent, and so the treatment discussed above continues to apply.

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        As discussed under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Investments in Certain Debt Instruments," the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, has stated that it will not challenge a REIT's treatment of a loan as being in part a real estate asset for purposes the 75% asset test if the REIT treats the loan as being a real estate asset in an amount that is equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the real property securing the loan on the date we agreed to acquire the loan and the fair market value of the loan. The IRS has now expanded this safe harbor. In Rev. Proc. 2014-51, the IRS announced that it will not challenge a REIT's treatment of a loan as being, in part, a qualifying real estate asset in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the loan on the date of the relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date or (2) the greater of (a) the fair market value of the real property securing the loan on the date of the relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date or (b) the fair market value of the real property securing the loan determined as of the date the REIT committed to acquire the loan.

        As discussed under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Withholding Rules," additional U.S. federal income tax withholding rules (known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) were expected to apply to certain payments made to foreign financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities beginning in 2014. The IRS has revised the timeline and the process for implementing FATCA since the discussion in our prospectus was written. The IRS in fact began to require withholding under FATCA with respect to dividends paid after June 30, 2014 (subject to a "transition period" applicable through the end of 2015 with respect to which the IRS will take into account certain good faith compliance efforts) and is expected to begin to require withholding under FATCA with respect to gross proceeds of a disposition of our stock paid after December 31, 2016. In addition, the IRS and the Treasury Department have begun collaborating with foreign governments under bilateral "intergovernmental agreements" to implement the policy objectives of FATCA. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the implementation of FATCA.

        As discussed under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Sunset of Reduced Tax Rate Provisions," several of the tax provisions described in our prospectus were subject to a sunset provision. As a result of these sunset provisions, the long-term capital gains rate for taxpayers taxed at individual rates and the rate applicable to qualified dividend income has increased to 20%. Our discussion generally did not otherwise include a discussion of the effect of these sunset provisions. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 affected certain other tax rates and other tax provisions that had been scheduled to expire under the sunset provisions, which we did not discuss in our prospectus and do not discuss in this supplement. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We have entered into separate distribution agreements, dated as of November 24, 2014, with each of the Sales Agents under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $200,000,000 from time to time through the Sales Agents, as our agents for the offer and sale of the shares, or to them for resale. Sales of the shares of our common stock, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or through an electronic communications network.

        From time to time during the term of the distribution agreements, we and one of the Sales Agents may agree upon the terms of an agency transaction pursuant to which our common stock may be sold through such Sales Agent as our agent for the offer and sale of the shares, or to them for resale. Upon reaching such agreement, such Sales Agent will deliver to us, and we will promptly indicate our acceptance of, a transaction notice specifying the length of the selling period, the amount of shares to be sold, the commission to be paid by us to such Sales Agent and the minimum price below which sales may not be made. We will submit a notice to only one Sales Agent relating to the sale of shares of our common stock on any given day. Upon receipt of our acceptance of a transaction notice, and subject to the terms and

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conditions of the respective distribution agreement, if acting as agent, each Sales Agent agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares on such terms. We or any of the Sales Agents may suspend the offering of our shares at any time upon proper notice to the other, upon which the selling period will immediately terminate.

        Our Sales Agents, in their capacity as agents, will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.

        We will pay each of the Sales Agents a commission which in each case shall not be more than 2.0% of the gross sales price of all shares sold through it as our agent under the applicable distribution agreement. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of shares of our common stock. To the extent that we have not sold at least $25 million of shares of common stock by the 18-month anniversary of the distribution agreements, we have agreed to reimburse the Sales Agents for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by such Sales Agents, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100,000. The Sales Agents have agreed to reimburse us for certain expenses in connection with this offering.

        Under the applicable distribution agreement, we may also sell our common stock to each of our Sales Agents as principals for their own accounts at prices agreed upon at the time of sale.

        Settlement for sales of our common stock are generally anticipated to occur on the third trading day following the date on which any sales were made in return for payment of the net proceeds to us, unless we agree otherwise with the relevant Sales Agent. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

        Sales of shares of our common stock as contemplated by this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Sales Agents may agree upon.

        Each Sales Agent will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading on the NYSE each day in which shares of our common stock are sold by it as agent for us under the relevant distribution agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on that day, the gross sales price per share and the net proceeds to us.

        In connection with the sale of our common stock hereunder, each of the Sales Agents may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to each of them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to each of the Sales Agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        Certain of the Sales Agents and their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of the Sales Agents and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of our company. The Sales Agents and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

        Affiliates of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are lenders under our senior unsecured credit facility. As described under

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"Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus supplement, we may use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay borrowings under our senior unsecured credit facility, and, as a result, such affiliates may receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering. Nonetheless, in accordance with Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary in connection with this offering because REITs are excluded from that requirement.

        We and the Sales Agents have determined that our common stock is an "actively-traded security" excepted from the requirements of Rule 101 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act by Rule 101(c)(1) under the Exchange Act. If the Sales Agents or we have reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied, that party will promptly notify the other and sales of the shares of our common stock under the distribution agreements will be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of the Sales Agents and us.

        We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding commissions or discounts payable or provided to the Sales Agents under the distribution agreements, will be approximately $250,000.

        The offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to the distribution agreements will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all of our shares subject to the distribution agreements, (2) the termination of such distribution agreement by either us or the respective Sales Agent at any time in the respective party's sole discretion, and (3) November 24, 2016.

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the shares of common stock, as well as certain legal matters relating to us, will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP. Certain legal matters related to the offering will be passed upon for the Sales Agents by Hunton & Williams LLP.

EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and schedule of DiamondRock Hospitality Company as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 have been incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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Prospectus

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares and Warrants

        We or any selling security holder may offer, issue and sell from time to time, together or separately, the securities described in this prospectus.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms that apply to the securities. We will provide the specific terms of any securities we or any selling security holder may offer in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with the offering. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus also may add, update or change information contained or incorporated in this prospectus.

        We or any selling security holder may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, see "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement also will set forth the price to the public of the securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from the sale of such securities. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling security holder.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol "DRH." On August 9, 2012, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE was $9.72 per share.

        We impose certain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. You should read the information under the section entitled "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" in this prospectus for a description of these restrictions.

        Investing in our securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" on page 2 as well as the risk factors contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in our securities.

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        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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This prospectus is dated August 10, 2012

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        You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

        References in this prospectus to "we," "our," "us" and "our company" refer to DiamondRock Hospitality Company, including, as the context requires, DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership, our operating partnership, as well as our other direct and indirect subsidiaries, including our existing taxable REIT subsidiaries.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a "shelf" registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we or any security holder to be named in a prospectus supplement may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. The exhibits to our registration statement and documents incorporated by reference contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents that we have summarized in this prospectus supplement or that we may summarize in the accompanying a prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we or any security holder to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer, you should review the full text of these documents. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the offered securities. Each time we or any security holder sell any of the offered securities we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the method and terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with any additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."

OUR COMPANY

General

        We are a lodging-focused Maryland corporation operating as a real estate investment trust, or REIT. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we own a portfolio of 27 premium hotels and resorts that contain approximately 11,900 guest rooms. We also hold the senior note on a mortgage loan secured by an additional hotel and have the right to acquire, upon completion, a hotel under development. As an owner, rather than an operator, of lodging properties, we receive all of the operating profits or losses generated by the hotels after the payment of fees due to hotel managers, which are calculated based on the revenues and profitability of each hotel.

        Our vision is to be the premier allocator of capital in the lodging industry. Our mission is to deliver long-term stockholder returns through a combination of dividends and enduring capital appreciation. Our strategy is to utilize disciplined capital allocation and focus on the acquisition, ownership and asset management of high quality, branded lodging properties with superior growth prospects in North American markets with high barriers to entry.

        Consistent with our strategy, we continue to direct our energies toward opportunistic investments in premium full-service hotels and premium urban limited-service hotels located throughout North America. Each of our hotels is managed by a third party and most are operated under a brand owned by one of the leading global lodging brand companies (Marriott International, Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. or Hilton Worldwide).

Our Structure

        We conduct our business through a traditional umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT, in which our hotel properties are owned by DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership, our operating partnership, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other subsidiaries of our operating partnership. We believe we have been organized and have operated in a manner that allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership and currently own, either directly or indirectly, all of the limited partnership units of our operating partnership.

Our Principal Office

        Our corporate headquarters is located at 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1500, Bethesda, MD 20814. Our telephone number is (240) 744-1150. Our Internet address is http://www.drhc.com. The information found on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risks. Before purchasing the securities offered by this prospectus you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and additional information (i) set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and SEC reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference into this prospectus, and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and which are deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus and (ii) contained in any applicable prospectus supplement. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference." The risks and uncertainties in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are those that we currently believe may materially affect our company. Additional risks not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and any accompanying prospectus supplement, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, all of our statements regarding anticipated market conditions and demographics are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "seek," "approximately," "intend," "plan," "project," "estimate" or "anticipate" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans, market statistics or intentions.

        Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

•

performance of our hotels and the lodging industry in general;



•

adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets;



•

financing risks, including the risk of over leverage and the corresponding risk of default on our mortgage loans and other debt and potential inability to refinance existing indebtedness;



•

international, national and local economic, business, real estate and other market conditions;



•

the degree and nature of our competition;



•

increased interest rates and operating costs;



•

difficulties in identifying properties to acquire;



•

difficulties in completing and integrating acquisitions;



•

availability of and our ability to retain qualified personnel;



•

our failure to maintain our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;



•

changes in our business or investment strategy;



•

availability, terms and deployment of capital;



•

general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock;



•

environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters;



•

changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates; and

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•

the factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including those set forth under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

        While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. You should carefully consider this risk when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we do not intend and disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or the "Risk Factors" to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus used to offer specific securities, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of additional properties as suitable opportunities arise, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and/or improvement of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes. Pending application of cash proceeds, we anticipate that we will invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with our intention to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Further details regarding the use of the net proceeds of a specific series or class of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We will not receive any of the proceeds of the sale by any selling security holder of the securities covered by this prospectus.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

        The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends for the periods indicated below (in thousands).

        The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends was computed by dividing earnings by combined fixed charges and preferred dividends. For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges to income (loss) before income taxes, plus amortization of capitalized interest, minus interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of interest

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costs, whether expensed or capitalized, and amortization of financing costs. Combined fixed charges and preferred dividends consist of fixed charges and preferred dividends paid or accrued for each respective period. However, we have never issued any preferred stock, and therefore we had no preferred dividends during any such period.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

        This prospectus contains summary descriptions of our shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants that we may offer from time to time. As further described in this prospectus, these summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and other offering material. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the securities as described in this prospectus.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following summary of the terms of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and our charter and bylaws, copies of which have been previously filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

General

        Our charter provides that we may issue up to 400,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share. A majority of our board of directors may, without any action by the stockholders, amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for the corporation's debts or obligations. As of August 10, 2012, there were 195,141,934 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Power to Reclassify Shares of Our Stock

        Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to our charter restrictions on the transfer and ownership of our stock and the terms of any outstanding class or series of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or that stockholders may believe is in their best interests.

Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Our Common Stock and Preferred Stock

        We believe that the power of our board of directors to increase the number of authorized shares of stock, issue additional authorized but unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. Shares of additional classes or series of stock, as well as of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

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Restrictions on Ownership of Our Capital Stock

        To assist us in complying with certain federal requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, we have adopted certain restrictions related to the ownership and transfer of our stock. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer." These ownership limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the shares of our stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        The shares of our common stock currently outstanding are listed for trading on the NYSE. We intend to apply to the NYSE to list the additional shares of common stock to be sold pursuant to any prospectus supplement, and we anticipate that such shares will be so listed.

        The following description of our common stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of our common stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate, including a prospectus supplement providing that common stock will be issuable upon conversion or exchange of our preferred stock or upon the exercise of warrants to purchase our common stock. The statements below describing our common stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our charter and bylaws and the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL.

        Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor and to share ratably in the assets of our company legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities.

        Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. A plurality of all votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will generally not be able to elect any directors.

        Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights, which means they do not have the right to acquire any additional securities that we may issue at a subsequent date. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock and to the power of our board of directors to create common stock with differing voting rights, shares of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights. Holders of shares of our common stock listed on a national securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded will not have appraisal rights.

        Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series of stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, we have adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our common stock. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer."

Stock Exchange Listing

        Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DRH."

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar of our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

        The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. This description and the description contained in any prospectus supplement are not complete and are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our charter, the applicable articles supplementary that describe the terms of the related class or series of preferred stock and our bylaws, copies of which have been previously filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

        Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time, in one or more classes or series. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a class or series of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests. In addition, our board of directors may afford the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, powers and rights, voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of shares of our common stock.

        The prospectus supplement relating to the class or series of preferred stock being offered thereby will describe the specific terms of such securities, including:

•

the designation and par value of our preferred stock;



•

the number of shares of our preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of our preferred stock;



•

the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to our preferred stock;



•

whether dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on our preferred stock shall accumulate;



•

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for our preferred stock;



•

the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of our preferred stock;



•

preemptive rights, if any;



•

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which our preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof) and conversion period;



•

any voting rights of our preferred stock;



•

the relative ranking and preferences of our preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;



•

any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;



•

in addition to those limitations described below, any other limitations on actual and constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer;



•

any listing of the shares our preferred stock on any securities exchange; and



•

any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of our preferred stock.

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        Additionally, the prospectus supplement relating to the class or series of preferred stock being offered thereby will describe any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange and will provide a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to such preferred stock.

Rank

        Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular class or series of preferred stock, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:

•

senior to all classes or series of our common stock, and to all equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock;



•

on a parity with all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock; and



•

junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock.

Voting Rights

        Holders of our preferred stock generally will not have any voting rights, except as otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and articles supplementary.

Conversion Rights

        The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and articles supplementary relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such preferred stock.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, among other purposes, we have adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitations relating to such class or series of preferred stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The registrar and transfer agent for a particular series of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        This section outlines some of the provisions of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the relevant deposit agreement and depositary receipts with respect to the depositary shares relating to any particular series of preferred stock. The specific terms of any series of depositary shares will be described in the prospectus supplement. If so described in the prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of depositary shares may differ from the general description of terms presented below.

General

        We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares rather than full shares of preferred stock. Each depositary share will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Shares of preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement (each, a "deposit agreement") among us, the depositary named

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therein and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).

        The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the preferred stock by us to a preferred stock depositary, we will cause such preferred stock depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.

Deposit Agreement

        The shares of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company acting as depositary with respect to the those shares of preferred stock. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will specify the name and address of the depositary. Under the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion of its fractional interest in a share of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of that preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights.

        Depositary shares will be evidenced by one or more depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred stock depositary.

        In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred stock depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred stock depositary, unless the preferred stock depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the preferred stock depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

        No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred stock which has been converted into or exchanged for other securities before the record date for such distribution.

Withdrawal of Stock

        Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the applicable preferred stock depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holder's order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of

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shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.

Redemption

        Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, provided we shall have paid in full to the preferred stock depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by us that will not result in a violation of the ownership restrictions in our charter applicable to owners of our capital stock. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer."

        From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the shares of preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the preferred stock depositary.

Liquidation Preference

        In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Voting Rights

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares which represent such preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the preferred stock depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by such holder's depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary will vote the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the preferred stock depositary in order to enable the preferred stock depositary to do so. The preferred stock depositary will abstain from voting the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred stock depositary.

Conversion Rights

        The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into our common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred stock depositary with written instructions to the preferred stock depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole shares of common stock, other shares of our preferred stock or other shares of stock, and we have agreed that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary

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receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement

        The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the preferred stock depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related preferred stock will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of a majority of the applicable depositary shares evidenced by the applicable depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such depositary receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.

        The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the preferred stock depositary if (i) such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (ii) a majority of the holders of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consent to such termination, whereupon the preferred stock depositary will deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the preferred stock depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary shares thereunder shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (iii) each share of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into our securities not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary

        We will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred stock depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will be required to pay any other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred stock depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred stock depositary. A successor preferred stock depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Restrictions on Ownership

        In order to safeguard us against an inadvertent loss of REIT status, the deposit agreement will contain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of depositary shares. These restrictions will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Miscellaneous

        The preferred stock depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications that we send to the preferred stock depositary with respect to the related preferred stock.

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        Neither the preferred stock depositary nor our company will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of our company and the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith, and our company and the preferred stock depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of preferred stock represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred stock depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

        In the event the preferred stock depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the preferred stock depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares representing preferred stock. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered by means of this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (each, a "warrant agreement") to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified therein. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following information, where applicable, regarding the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

•

the title and issuer of such warrants;



•

the aggregate number of such warrants;



•

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;



•

the currencies in which the price or prices of such warrants may be payable;



•

the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;



•

the designation and terms of the other securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;



•

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants will be separately transferable;



•

the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;



•

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;



•

the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;



•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;



•

any anti-dilution protections;



•

a discussion of material federal income tax considerations; and



•

any other material terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

        The following summary with respect to restrictions on ownership and transfer of our capital stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of our charter to which any prospectus supplement may relate. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter, including any articles supplementary relating to any issuance of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus. A copy of our charter is filed with the SEC. Any amendment or supplement to our charter relating to an issuance of securities pursuant to this prospectus shall be filed with the SEC and shall be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the applicable prospectus supplement. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

        In order for us to qualify for and maintain our status as a REIT under the Code, our shares of stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations) during the last half of a taxable year.

        In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, among other purposes, our charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our capital stock that a person may beneficially own. Our charter provides that, subject to some exceptions, no person may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate outstanding shares of our common stock or more than 9.8% of the value of the aggregate outstanding shares of our capital stock (the "Ownership Limit"), except that certain "look through entities," such as mutual funds, may beneficially own up to 15% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate outstanding shares of our common stock or up to 15% of the value of the aggregate outstanding shares of our capital stock (the "Look-Through Ownership Limit"). Our board of directors has waived this ownership limitation for certain investors in the past. Our bylaws provide that our board of directors will exempt any person from the Ownership Limit and the Look-Through Ownership Limit, provided that:

•

such person shall not beneficially own shares of capital stock that would cause an "individual" (within the meaning of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code, but not including a "qualified trust" (as defined in Code Section 856(h)(3)(E)) subject to the look-through rule of Code Section 856(h)(3)(A)(i)) to beneficially own (i) shares of capital stock in excess of 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our stock or (ii) in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our common stock;



•

the board of directors obtains such representations, undertakings and agreements from such person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that such person's ownership of such shares of capital stock will not now or in the future jeopardize our ability to qualify as a REIT under the Code; and



•

such person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of any such representations or undertakings (or any action which is contrary to the foregoing restrictions) will result in the automatic transfer of the shares of stock causing such violation to the Trust (as defined below).

        Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this provision of our bylaws shall be valid only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. The board of directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the board of directors in its sole discretion, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT.

        Our charter also prohibits any person from (a) owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would result in our being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, (b) transferring shares of our capital stock if such transfer would result in our capital stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons, (c) owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would cause any of our income that would otherwise qualify as rents from real property to fail to qualify as such, including as a result of any of our hotel management companies failing to qualify as "eligible independent contractors" under the REIT rules and (d) owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would result in our failing to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate any of these restrictions on transferability and ownership will be required to give notice immediately to us

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(or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, at least 15 days prior notice) and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our status as a REIT.

        Prior to granting a waiver or exemption from the Ownership Limit or the Look-Through Ownership Limit, the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the company to attempt to qualify, or continue to qualify, as a REIT.

        If any transfer of shares of our capital stock or other event occurs which, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock in excess or in violation of the above transfer and ownership limitations (a "Prohibited Owner"), then that number of shares of our capital stock the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate such limitations (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a trust (the "Trust") for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries (the "Charitable Beneficiary"), and the Prohibited Owner shall not acquire any rights in such shares. Such automatic transfer shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day (as defined in our charter) prior to the date of such violative transfer. Shares of stock held in the Trust shall be issued and outstanding shares of our capital stock. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the Trust, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock held in the Trust. The trustee of the Trust (the "Trustee") shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by us that shares of stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of stock held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares of stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee's sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by us that such shares have been transferred to the Trust and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.

        Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall sell the shares of stock held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in our charter. Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as follows. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price (as defined in the charter) of such shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (ii) the price per share received by the Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be paid immediately to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by us that shares of stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to the aforementioned requirement, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

        In addition, shares of our capital stock held in the Trust shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date we, or our designee, accept such offer. We shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares of stock held in the Trust. Upon such a sale to us, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

        In addition, until the completion of our initial public offering, at which time our common stock became "publicly-offered securities" for purposes of certain regulations promulgated under ERISA by the U.S. Department

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of Labor, or the Plan Assets Regulation, our charter limited equity participation by "benefit plan investors" to less than 25% in the aggregate so that such participation in any class of our equity securities by such "benefit plan investors" would not be deemed "significant." For such purposes, the terms "benefit plan investors" and "significant" are determined by reference to the Plan Assets Regulation. We believe that, under the Plan Assets Regulation, our common stock should be considered "publicly-offered securities" after our initial public offering and therefore this 25% limitation is no longer applicable to our common stock. However, "benefit plan investors" are prohibited from owning any class of our capital stock that does not qualify as "publicly-offered securities."

        All certificates representing shares of common stock and preferred stock, if any, will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

        Each stockholder shall provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

        These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for the common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

GLOBAL SECURITIES

        We may issue some or all of our securities of any series as global securities. We will register each global security in the name of a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The global securities will be deposited with a depositary or nominee or custodian for the depositary and will bear a legend regarding restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer as discussed below and any other matters to be provided pursuant to the indenture.

        As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered holder of a global security, that person will be considered the sole owner and holder of the global security and the securities represented by it for all purposes under the securities and the indenture. Except in limited circumstances, owners of a beneficial interest in a global security:

•

will not be entitled to have the global security or any securities represented by it registered in their names;



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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated securities in exchange for the global security; and



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will not be considered to be the owners or holders of the global security or any securities represented by it for any purposes under the securities or the indenture.

        We will make all payments of principal and any premium and interest on a global security to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

        Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to institutions having accounts with the depositary or its nominee, called "participants" for purposes of this discussion, and to persons that hold beneficial interests through participants. When a global security is issued, the depositary will credit on its book-entry, registration and transfer system the principal amounts of securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by:

•

the depositary, with respect to participants' interests; or



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any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by the participants on their behalf.

        Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests held through the participants will be the responsibility of the participants. The depositary may from time to time adopt various policies and procedures governing payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security. None of the following will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial interests:

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•

us or our affiliates;



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the trustee under any indenture; or



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any agent of any of the above.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN MATERIAL PROVISIONS
OF MARYLAND LAW, OUR CHARTER AND OUR BYLAWS

        The following is a summary of certain provisions of our charter and bylaws and Maryland law, does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and our charter and bylaws, copies of which have been previously filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

Number, Election and Removal of Directors

        Our bylaws provide that the number of directors may be set only by our board of directors, but may never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than 15. Our bylaws provide that a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director.

        We have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

        Our charter provides that a director may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

Charter Amendments and Extraordinary Corporate Actions

        Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation's charter. Our charter generally provides that, if such amendment or action is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by at least 75% of the continuing directors (as defined in the charter), such amendment or action may be approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. If such amendment or action is declared advisable by the board of directors, but does not receive the continuing director approval referred to above, such amendment or action must be approved by stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Amendment of Bylaws

        Our bylaws provide that, with the exception of provisions in our bylaws relating to the business combination and control share provisions of the MGCL and the waiver of the ownership limitations set forth in our charter, which provisions may not be amended without stockholder approval, our board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the bylaws and to make new bylaws.

Business Combinations

        Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations" (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding stock of the corporation (an "Interested Stockholder") or an affiliate of such an Interested

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Stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which such Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the Interested Stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the Interested Stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the Interested Stockholder for its shares. These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of directors of the corporation prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder. A person is not an Interested Stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an Interested Stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

        Our board of directors has adopted a resolution opting out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL. This resolution provides that any alteration or repeal of the resolution by the board of directors shall be valid only if approved, at a meeting duly called, by the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote generally for directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of continuing directors. Our bylaws provide that any such alteration or repeal of the resolution will be valid only if approved, at a meeting duly called, by the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote generally for directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of continuing directors. If this resolution is repealed, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Control Share Acquisitions

        The MGCL provides that holders of "control shares" of a Maryland corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation. "Control Shares" are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (i) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

        A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

        If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

        The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

        Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our capital stock. Our bylaws provide that any amendment, alteration or repeal of this

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provision shall be valid only if approved, at a meeting duly called, by the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote generally for directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of continuing directors. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Subtitle 8

        Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:

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a classified board,



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a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director,



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a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors,



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a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and



•

a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

        Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (a) require a two-thirds vote for the removal of any director from the board and (b) vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships. Additionally, our charter provides, under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

        Our bylaws provide that (a) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by the board of directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in the bylaws and (b) with respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders and nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors may be made only (i) by the board of directors or (ii) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws.

Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Charter and Bylaws

        If the applicable board resolution is repealed, the business combination provisions and, if the applicable provision in the bylaws is rescinded, the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL, the provisions of the charter relating to removal of directors and the advance notice provisions of the bylaws, among others, could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests.

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following summary outlines certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our election to be subject to taxation as a REIT and to an investment in our common stock, including the federal income tax consequences under current law that are likely to be material to a purchaser of our common stock who is a "U.S. stockholder" (as hereinafter defined) and who will hold its shares as a capital asset. This summary does not contain a complete discussion of the federal tax aspects of the investment that may be important to you. Moreover, it does not address any foreign, state or local tax consequences of our election to be subject to taxation as a REIT or of an investment in our common stock. The provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, concerning the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders are highly technical and complex;

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the following discussion sets forth only certain aspects of those provisions. This summary is intended to provide you with general information only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.

        This summary is based on provisions of the Code, applicable final and temporary Treasury Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative rulings and practice, all in effect as of the date of this prospectus, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. No assurance can be given that future legislative or administrative changes or judicial decisions will not affect the accuracy of the descriptions or conclusions contained in this summary. In addition, any such changes may be retroactive and apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment, promulgation or release. We do not expect to seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, regarding any of the federal income tax issues discussed in this prospectus, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge any of the positions we take and that such a challenge will not succeed. Prospective purchasers of our securities are urged to consult their own tax advisors prior to any investment in our securities concerning the potential federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of the investment with specific reference to their own tax situations. Prospective purchasers also are urged to refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for any amendments or changes to this summary.

        Except as otherwise noted, references in this discussion of "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" to "we," "our," "us" and "our company" refer to DiamondRock Hospitality Company and not our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

Taxation of Our Company

        We have elected to be taxed as a REIT starting with the calendar year ended December 31, 2005 and for subsequent taxable years. Beginning January 1, 2005, we believe we have qualified as a REIT, and except as otherwise noted, the following discussion assumes that we have qualified as a REIT since January 1, 2005.

        In connection with this filing, we will receive an opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2005, we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and our current and proposed ownership and operations will allow us to satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for subsequent taxable years. The opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP will be based on various assumptions and on our representations to Goodwin Procter LLP concerning our current and continuing organization, our prior, current and proposed ownership and operations, our stockholders' current and future relationships with our hotel management companies, and other matters relating to our ability to qualify as a REIT. The opinion will be expressly conditioned upon the accuracy of such assumptions and representations, which Goodwin Procter LLP has not verified and will not verify. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and the absence of prohibited relationships with our hotel management companies, the various and complex REIT qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which will not be reviewed or verified by Goodwin Procter LLP. See "—Qualification as a REIT" below. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have satisfied or will in fact satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. The opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP will be based upon the law in effect as of the date of the opinion (or, with respect to past years, the law in effect for such years), which is subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Opinions of counsel impose no obligation on counsel to advise us or the holders of our stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. Changes in applicable law could modify the conclusions expressed in the opinion. Moreover, unlike a ruling from the IRS, an opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP is not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS could not successfully challenge our qualification as a REIT.

        If we qualify as a REIT, we generally will be allowed to deduct dividends paid to our stockholders, and, as a result, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on that portion of our ordinary income or net capital gain that we currently distribute to our stockholders. We expect to make distributions to our stockholders on a regular basis as necessary to avoid material federal income tax and to comply with the REIT requirements. See "—Qualification as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements" below.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we nonetheless may be subject to federal income tax in certain circumstances, including the following:

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We will be required to pay federal income tax on our undistributed REIT taxable income, including net capital gain;



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We may be subject to the "alternative minimum tax;"



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We may be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on certain income from "foreclosure property" (generally, property acquired by reason of default on a lease or indebtedness held by us);



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We will be subject to a 100% federal income tax on net income from "prohibited transactions" (generally, certain sales or other dispositions of property, sometimes referred to as "dealer property," held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property) unless the gain is realized in a TRS or such property has been held by us for at least two years (four years if such property was sold before July 31, 2008) and certain other requirements are satisfied;



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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test (discussed below), but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT pursuant to certain relief provisions, we will be subject to a 100% federal income tax on the greater of (i) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (ii) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, in either case, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability;



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If we fail to satisfy any of the asset tests, other than the 5% or the 10% asset tests that qualify under the De Minimis Exception, and the failure qualifies under the General Exception, as described below under "—Qualification as a REIT—Asset Tests," then we will have to pay an excise tax equal to the greater of (i) $50,000 and (ii) an amount determined by multiplying the net income generated during a specified period by the assets that caused the failure by the highest federal income tax applicable to corporations;



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If we fail to satisfy any REIT requirements other than the income test or asset test requirements, described below under "—Qualification as a REIT—Income Tests" and "—Qualification as a REIT—Asset Tests," respectively, and we qualify for a reasonable cause exception, then we will have to pay a penalty equal to $50,000 for each such failure;



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We will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed amounts if certain distribution requirements are not satisfied;



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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's shareholders, as described below in "—Recordkeeping Requirements;"



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Because we were a C corporation for our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, we generally will be subject to a corporate-level tax on a taxable disposition of any appreciated asset we held as of the effective date of our REIT election, which was January 1, 2005. Specifically, if we dispose of a built-in gain asset in a taxable transaction prior to the tenth anniversary of the effective date of our REIT election, we would be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate (currently 35%) on the lesser of the gain recognized and the asset's built-in gain;



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If we dispose of an asset acquired by us from a C corporation in a transaction in which we took the C corporation's tax basis in the asset, we may be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate on the appreciation inherent in such asset as of the date of acquisition by us;



•

We will be required to pay a 100% tax on any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, and excess interest. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished to any of our non-TRS tenants by one of our TRSs. Redetermined deductions and excess interest generally represent amounts that are deducted by a TRS for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm's-length negotiations; and



•

Income earned by our TRS lessees, Bloodstone TRS, Inc. and other domestic TRSs will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates.

        No assurance can be given that the amount of any such federal income taxes will not be substantial. In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, property and other taxes on assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on

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transactions not presently contemplated. We note that the assets we acquired during 2004 were acquired on or after October 27, 2004, and we do not believe the built-in gain in such assets as of January 1, 2005 was material. Accordingly, we do not expect to be subject to significant corporate tax liabilities if we decide to sell an asset we acquired in 2004 within the 10-year period following the effective date of our REIT election.

Qualification as a REIT

In General

        The REIT provisions of the Code apply to a domestic corporation, trust, or association (i) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors, (ii) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest, (iii) that properly elects to be taxed as a REIT and does not revoke such election, (iv) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company, (v) that uses a calendar year for federal income tax purposes, and (vi) that meets the additional requirements discussed below.

Ownership Tests

        Commencing with our second REIT taxable year, which was the calendar year ended December 31, 2006, (i) the beneficial ownership of our stock must be held by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a 12-month taxable year (or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months) for each of our taxable years and (ii) during the last half of each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by or for five or fewer individuals (the "5/50 Test"). Stock ownership for purposes of the 5/50 Test is determined by applying the constructive ownership provisions of Section 544(a) of the Code, subject to certain modifications. The term "individual" for purposes of the 5/50 Test includes a private foundation, a trust providing for the payment of supplemental unemployment compensation benefits, and a portion of a trust permanently set aside or to be used exclusively for charitable purposes. A "qualified trust" described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code generally is not treated as an individual; rather, shares held by it are treated as owned proportionately by its beneficiaries.

        We believe that we have satisfied and will continue to satisfy the above ownership requirements. In addition, our charter restricts ownership and transfers of our stock that would violate these requirements, although these restrictions may not be effective in all circumstances to prevent a violation. We will be deemed to have satisfied the 5/50 Test for a particular taxable year if we have complied with all the requirements for ascertaining the ownership of our outstanding stock in that taxable year and have no reason to know that we have violated the 5/50 Test.

Income Tests

        In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, we must annually satisfy two gross income requirements:

        1)    First, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain other income and gains as described below) for each taxable year must be derived, directly or indirectly, from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property or from certain types of temporary investments (or any combination thereof). Qualifying income for purposes of this 75% gross income test generally includes: (a) rents from real property, (b) interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, (c) dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, shares in other REITs, (d) gain from the sale of real estate assets (other than gain from prohibited transactions), (e) income and gain derived from foreclosure property, and (f) income from certain types of temporary investments; and

        2)    Second, in general, at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain other income and gains as described below) for each taxable year must be derived from the real property investments described above and from other types of dividends and interest, gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities that are not dealer property, or any combination of the above.

        For purposes of the 75% and the 95% gross income tests, we are treated as receiving our proportionate share of our operating partnership's gross income.

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        If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or the 95% gross income tests, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for a particular year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if our failure to meet such tests is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we file a schedule describing each item of our gross income for such year(s) in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. As discussed above in "—Taxation of Our Company," even if these relief provisions were to apply, we would be subject to federal income tax to the extent we fail to meet the 75% or 95% gross income tests.

        Foreclosure property.    Foreclosure property is real property (including interests in real property) and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the REIT having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for which the related loan or lease was made, entered into or acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes an election to treat the property as foreclosure property. REITs generally are subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.

        Hedging transactions.    We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swaps or cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent as may be provided by future Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging transaction which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated or entered into, including gain from the disposition or termination of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income tests, provided that the hedging transaction is entered into after July 30, 2008 (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or carry real estate assets or (ii) primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests (or any property which generates such income or gain). To the extent we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. With respect to transactions entered into on or prior to July 30, 2008 that occurred during taxable years beginning after October 22, 2004, the rules regarding hedging income generally only permitted exclusion of income from hedges of indebtedness and only for purposes of the 95% income test. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our ability to qualify as a REIT.

        Qualified temporary investment income.    Income derived from certain types of temporary stock and debt investments made with the proceeds of certain stock and debt offerings (but not including proceeds received pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan), not otherwise treated as qualifying income for the 75% gross income test, generally will nonetheless constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test for the year following such an offering. After the one-year period following an offering, income from investments of the proceeds of such offering will be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% income test only if derived from one of the other qualifying sources enumerated above.

        Foreign Currency Gains.    In addition to the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, we may acquire other properties located outside of the United States in the future, through a taxable REIT subsidiary or otherwise. We do not have any foreign currency gains in connection with our investment in Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008, that are attributable to qualifying income or gain for purposes of the 75% gross income test, ownership of obligations secured by mortgages, or being the obligor under obligations secured by mortgages, along with certain other foreign currency gains, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the gross income tests, and therefore will be exempt from such tests, provided we do not deal in or engage in substantial and regular trading in securities, which we do not intend to do.

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Hotels

        Operating revenues from our hotels are not qualifying income for purposes of either the 75% or the 95% gross income test. Accordingly, in order for us to generate qualifying income with respect to our hotel investments under the REIT rules, we must master-lease our hotels. Specifically, our operating partnership has formed a subsidiary, Bloodstone TRS, Inc., that has elected to be treated as our TRS and may, in the future, form other subsidiaries that elect to be treated as our TRSs. Bloodstone TRS, Inc. has formed subsidiaries (each a "TRS lessee") that master-lease hotels from the operating partnership (or subsidiaries of the operating partnership). We expect to form additional TRS lessees (or similar lessees under TRSs other than Bloodstone TRS, Inc.) as we acquire additional properties. In certain instances we may own a hotel through a TRS. For example, we have elected to treat DiamondRock Frenchman's Owner, Inc., through which we hold the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, as a TRS and we may hold other non-U.S. investments through TRSs. One or more hotel management companies will manage the hotels leased to each TRS lessee or owned by a TRS. We also may lease a hotel to an unrelated lessee.

        In general, rent paid by a related party tenant, such as a TRS lessee, is not qualifying "rents from real property" for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, but rent paid by a TRS lessee to our operating partnership with respect to a lease of a "qualified lodging facility" from the operating partnership can be qualifying rents from real property under the REIT rules as long as such TRS lessee does not directly or indirectly operate or manage any hotel or provide rights to any brand name under which any hotel is operated. Instead, the hotel must be operated on behalf of the TRS lessee by a person who qualifies as an "eligible independent contractor," defined as an "independent contractor" who is, or is related to a person who is, actively engaged in the trade or business of operating "qualified lodging facilities" for any person unrelated to us and the TRS lessee. See "—Investments in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries" below for a further discussion of the issue and a discussion of the definition of an "independent contractor" and the qualification of our hotel management companies as "eligible independent contractors." A qualified lodging facility is a hotel, motel, or other establishment more than one-half of the dwelling units in which are used on a transient basis, provided that wagering activities are not conducted at or in connection with such facility by any person who is engaged in the business of accepting wagers and who is legally authorized to engage in such business at or in connection with such facility. A "qualified lodging facility" includes customary amenities and facilities operated as part of, or associated with, the lodging facility as long as such amenities and facilities are customary for other properties of a comparable size and class owned by other unrelated owners. We believe that our hotels are qualified lodging facilities. Rent paid by a TRS lessee that failed to qualify as rents from real property under the REIT rules would be non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

        Two other limitations may affect our ability to treat rent paid by a TRS lessee or other lessee as qualifying rents from real property under the REIT rules. If the rent attributable to personal property leased by the TRS lessee (or other lessee) in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent under the lease, then the portion of the rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. Also, an amount received or accrued will not qualify as rents from real property for purposes of either the 75% or the 95% gross income test if it is based in whole or in part on the income or profits derived by any person from such property. However, an amount received or accrued will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. With respect to the limitation on rents attributable to personal property, our TRS lessees own all or substantially all of the furniture, fixtures and equipment at our domestic hotel properties and therefore do not pay us rent for such items. To comply with the prohibition on rent based on net income, the leases will provide that each TRS lessee is obligated to pay our operating partnership a minimum base rent together with a gross percentage rent, at rates intended to equal market rental rates.

        In addition, rent paid by a TRS lessee or other lessee that leases a hotel from our operating partnership will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests only if the lease is respected as a true lease for federal income tax purposes and is not treated as a service contract, joint venture, or some other type of arrangement. The determination of whether a lease is a true lease depends upon an analysis of all the surrounding facts and circumstances. We believe that the leases with our TRS lessees should be treated as true leases. However, there are no controlling regulations, published administrative rulings, or judicial decisions involving leases with terms substantially similar to the leases between our operating partnership and the TRS lessees that discuss whether the leases constitute true leases for federal income tax purposes. Thus, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert a contrary position and that a court will not sustain such a challenge. If any leases between

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our operating partnership and a TRS lessee are re-characterized as service contracts or partnership agreements, rather than as true leases, part or all of the payment that we receive from such TRS lessee would not be considered rent or would otherwise fail the various requirements for qualification as rents from real property.

        Finally, for rents received by or attributed to us to qualify as rents from real property, we generally must not furnish or render any services to tenants, other than through a TRS or an independent contractor from whom we derive no income, except that we and our operating partnership may directly provide services that are "usually or customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of properties for occupancy only, or are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant "for his convenience." Neither we nor our operating partnership provides, or intends to provide, any services to our TRSs, TRS lessees or any other tenants.

        We believe that, for purposes of both the 75% and the 95% gross income tests, our operating partnership's investments in hotels generally give rise to qualifying income in the form of rents from real property, and that gains on the sales of the hotels will also constitute qualifying income. However, no assurance can be given that either the rents or the gains will constitute qualifying income. In that case, we may not be able to satisfy either the 75% or the 95% gross income test and, as a result, could lose our REIT status.

        We hold the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort through a Cayman Islands corporation that holds a U.S. Virgin Islands corporation that we have elected to be treated as our TRS. In the case of hotels owned, rather than leased, by a TRS, dividends paid by such TRS out of its earnings and gains from the sale of stock of such a TRS would not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, although such dividends and gains would be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

Asset Tests

        At the close of each quarter of each taxable year, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, real estate assets, cash and cash items, and government securities must represent at least 75% of the value of our total assets. Second, not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those in the 75% asset class. Third, of the investments that are not included in the 75% asset class and that are not securities of our TRSs, (i) the value of any one issuer's securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets and (ii) we may not own more than 10% by vote or by value of any one issuer's outstanding securities. For purposes of the 10% value test, debt instruments issued by a partnership are not classified as "securities" to the extent of our interest as a partner in such partnership (based on our proportionate share of the partnership's equity interests and certain debt securities) or if at least 75% of the partnership's gross income, excluding income from prohibited transactions, is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. For purposes of the 10% value test, the term "securities" also does not include debt securities issued by another REIT, certain "straight debt" securities (for example, qualifying debt securities of a corporation of which we own no more than a de minimis amount of equity interest), loans to individuals or estates, and accrued obligations to pay rent. Fourth, securities of our TRSs cannot represent more than 25% (20% for taxable years beginning before July 31, 2008) of our total assets. Although we believe that we have met these asset tests and we intend to continue to meet these asset tests, no assurance can be given that we have met them or that we will be able to do so. For purposes of these asset tests, we are treated as holding our proportionate share of our operating partnership's assets. Also, for purposes of these asset tests, the term "real estate assets" generally includes any property that is not otherwise a real estate asset and that is attributable to the temporary investment of new capital from certain offerings of stock and debt, but only if such property is stock or a debt instrument, and only for the one-year period beginning on the date the REIT receives such capital. "Real estate assets" include investments in stocks of other REITs but do not include stock of any real estate company, or other company, that does not qualify as a REIT (unless eligible for the special rule for temporary investment of new capital). We may hold one or more of our properties through subsidiaries of our operating partnership that are intended to qualify as REITs. However, if any such subsidiary failed to qualify as a REIT, such failure could adversely impact our ability to qualify as a REIT.

        We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will endeavor to manage our portfolio in order to comply at all times with such tests. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, other than our first calendar quarter as a REIT, we will not lose our REIT status if one of the following exceptions applies:

•

We satisfied the asset tests at the end of the preceding calendar quarter, and the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets

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and was not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more non-qualifying assets; or

•

We eliminate any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.

        Moreover, if we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter during a taxable year, we will not lose our REIT status if one of the following additional exceptions applies:

•

De Minimis Exception:  The failure is due to a violation of the 5% or 10% asset tests referenced above and is "de minimis" (meaning that the failure is one that arises from our ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the quarter in which the failure occurred and $10 million), and we either dispose of the assets that caused the failure or otherwise satisfy the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure occurred; or



•

General Exception:  All of the following requirements are satisfied: (i) the failure is not due to a "de minimis" violation of the 5% or 10% asset tests (as defined above), (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) we file a schedule in accordance with Treasury Regulations providing a description of each asset that caused the failure, and (iv) we either dispose of the assets that caused the failure or otherwise satisfy the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure occurred. A REIT that utilizes this general relief provision must pay an excise tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the product of the net income generated during a specified period by the asset that caused the failure and the highest U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to corporations.

Annual Distribution Requirements

        In order to qualify as a REIT, each taxable year we must distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to (A) the sum of (i) 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding any net capital gain) and (ii) 90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of certain items of non-cash income. We generally must pay such distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and if paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration.

        To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain and REIT taxable income, we will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at corporate capital gains and ordinary tax rates, respectively. Furthermore, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) 100% of any corresponding undistributed amounts from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of amounts actually distributed plus retained income from such taxable year on which we paid corporate income tax.

        Under certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to our stockholders in a later year that may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, we will be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

        In addition, dividends we pay must not be "preferential" within the meaning of the Code. If a dividend is preferential, it will not qualify for the dividends paid deduction. To avoid paying preferential dividends, we must treat every stockholder of the class of stock with respect to which we make a distribution the same as every other stockholder of that class, and we must not treat any class of stock other than according to its dividend rights as a class. If any part of a distribution is preferential, none of that distribution will be applied towards satisfying our REIT distribution requirements.

        We may retain and pay income tax on net long-term capital gains we received during the tax year. To the extent we so elect, (i) each stockholder must include in its income (as long-term capital gains) its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gains, (ii) each stockholder is deemed to have paid, and receives a credit for, its proportionate share of the tax paid by us on the undistributed long-term capital gains, and (iii) each stockholder's basis in its stock is increased by the included amount of the undistributed long-term capital gains less their share of the tax paid by us.

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        To qualify as a REIT, we may not have, at the end of any taxable year, any undistributed earnings and profits accumulated in any non-REIT taxable year. Our non-REIT earnings and profits include any earnings and profits we accumulated before the effective date of our REIT election, which was January 1, 2005. We distributed sufficient earnings and profits before December 31, 2005 to eliminate any non-REIT earnings and profits, which distributions were in addition to distributions we were required to make to satisfy the 90% distribution test (as discussed above) and avoid incurring tax on our undistributed income.

Failure to Qualify

        If we fail to qualify as a REIT and such failure is not an asset test or income test failure subject to the cure provisions described above, or the result of preferential dividends, we generally will be eligible for a relief provision if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 with respect to such failure.

        If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief provisions apply, we generally will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us nor will they be required to be made. In such event, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to our stockholders will be taxable as dividend income. Subject to certain limitations in the Code, corporate stockholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction, and individual, trust and estate stockholders may be eligible to treat the dividends received from us as qualified dividend income taxable as net capital gains, under the provisions of Section 1(h)(11) of the Code, through the end of 2012. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also would be ineligible to elect to be taxed as a REIT again prior to the fifth taxable year following the first year in which we failed to qualify as a REIT under the Code.

        Our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes will depend on our continuing to meet the various requirements summarized above governing the ownership of our outstanding shares, the nature of our assets, the sources of our income, and the amount of our distributions to our stockholders. Although we intend to operate in a manner that will enable us to comply with such requirements, there can be no certainty that such intention will be realized. In addition, because the relevant laws may change, compliance with one or more of the REIT requirements may become impossible or impracticable for us.

Prohibited Transaction Tax

        Any gain realized by us on the sale of any property held (other than foreclosure property) as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by our operating partnership and taking into account any related foreign currency gains or losses, will be treated as income from a "prohibited transaction" that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends upon all the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. However, the Code provides a "safe harbor" pursuant to which sales of properties held for at least two years and meeting certain other requirements will not give rise to prohibited transaction income.

        We generally intend to hold properties for investment, but we have made and will make sales of properties consistent with our strategic objectives. We may make sales at a gain that do not satisfy the safe harbor requirements described above. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that one or more of these sales are subject to the 100% penalty tax. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property realized through a TRS, although such income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates (if the TRS is a U.S. corporation).

Recordkeeping Requirements

        To avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from certain of our shareholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. We intend to comply with these requirements.

Qualified REIT Subsidiaries and Disregarded Entities

        If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a "qualified REIT subsidiary" ("QRS"), or if we or our operating partnership own 100% of the membership interests in a domestic limited liability company or other domestic

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unincorporated entity that does not elect to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the separate existence of the QRS, limited liability company or other unincorporated entity generally will be disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Generally, a QRS is a corporation, other than a TRS, all of the stock of which is owned by a REIT. A foreign entity that does not elect to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and that is 100% owned by a single member that does not have limited liability generally is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of the QRS or disregarded entity will be treated as assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of its owner. If we own a QRS or a disregarded entity, neither will be subject to federal corporate income taxation, although such entities may be subject to state and local taxation in some states and foreign taxes if they do business or own property outside of the United States.

Taxation of the Operating Partnership

        Our operating partnership currently is a disregarded entity because we own 100% of the interests in it, directly or through other disregarded entities. If we admit other limited partners, our operating partnership will be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, as described below.

        Under the Code, a partnership generally is not subject to federal income tax, but is required to file a partnership tax information return each year. In general, the character of each partner's share of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, and tax preference is determined at the partnership level. Each partner is then allocated a distributive share of such items in accordance with the partnership agreement and is required to take such items into account in determining the partner's income. Each partner includes such amount in income for any taxable year of the partnership ending within or with the taxable year of the partner, without regard to whether the partner has received or will receive any cash distributions from the partnership. Cash distributions, if any, from a partnership to a partner generally are not taxable unless and to the extent they exceed the partner's basis in its partnership interest immediately before the distribution. Any amounts in excess of such tax basis will generally be treated as a sale of such partner's interest in the partnership.

        If and when our operating partnership becomes taxable as a partnership, rather than a disregarded entity, we generally will be treated for federal income tax purposes as contributing our properties to the operating partnership at such time. If our properties are appreciated at such time, we could recognize a smaller share of tax depreciation, and a larger share of tax gain on sale, from such properties subsequent to that deemed contribution, as compared to our percentage interest in the operating partnership. This deemed contribution also could trigger tax gain in some circumstances, but we expect to structure the admission of outside partners in a manner that should avoid any such gain.

        As noted above, for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests, we are treated as receiving or holding our proportionate share of our operating partnership's income and assets, respectively. We control, and intend to continue to control, our operating partnership and intend to operate it consistently with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT.

        We may use our operating partnership to acquire hotels in exchange for operating partnership units, in order to permit the sellers of such properties to defer recognition of their tax gain. In such a transaction, our initial tax basis in the hotels acquired generally will be less than the purchase price of the hotels. Although the rules of Section 704(c) of the Code would generally attempt to provide us as the non-contributing partner with the depreciation comparable to what we would receive if the subsidiary partnership purchased the appreciated assets for cash, absent certain elections, which would accelerate gain to the contributor, the depreciation would be limited to tax basis. Consequently, our depreciation deductions for such properties may be less, and our tax gain on a sale of such properties may be more, than the deductions or gain, respectively, that we would have if we acquired these properties in taxable transactions. In addition, we may issue equity compensation to employees in the form of interests in our operating partnership that provides for capital gain treatment to the employees but does not generate a corresponding deduction for our operating partnership.

        The discussion above assumes that our operating partnership will be treated as a "partnership" for federal income tax purposes once it is no longer treated as a disregarded entity. Generally, a domestic unincorporated entity with two or more partners is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes unless it affirmatively elects to be treated as a corporation. However, certain "publicly traded partnerships" are treated as corporations for federal income tax purposes. Once our operating partnership is no longer a disregarded entity for federal income tax

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purposes, we intend to comply with one or more exceptions from treatment as a corporation under the publicly traded partnership rules. Failure to qualify for such an exception would prevent us from qualifying as a REIT.

Investments in Certain Debt Instruments

        We may, from time to time, opportunistically invest in non-performing or distressed debt secured by real estate assets with a view to subsequently taking control of the properties. Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test applicable to REITs to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we committed to acquire, or agreed to modify in a manner that is treated as an acquisition for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the mortgage loan, then the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the loan will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. For purposes of the preceding sentence, however, under IRS guidance we do not need to redetermine the fair market value of real property in connection with a loan modification that is occasioned by a default or made at a time when we reasonably believe the modification to the loan will substantially reduce a significant risk of default on the original loan. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. To the extent that we derive interest income from a mortgage loan where all or a portion of the amount of interest payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales, and not the net income or profits, of the borrower. This limitation does not apply, however, where the borrower leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants, to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower would qualify as rents from real property had we earned the income directly.

        In addition, if the outstanding principal balance of a mortgage loan exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan at the time we commit to acquire, or agree to modify in a manner that is treated as an acquisition for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the mortgage loan, then a portion of such loan may not be a qualifying real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test applicable to REITs. However, under current law it is not clear how to determine what portion of such a loan will be treated as a qualifying real estate asset. The IRS has stated that it will not challenge a REIT's treatment of a loan as being in part a real estate asset for purposes the 75% asset test if the REIT treats the loan as being a real estate asset in an amount that is equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the real property securing the loan on the date we agreed to acquire the loan, as described in the preceding paragraph, and the fair market value of the loan. In addition to being a nonqualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test, the nonqualifying portion may be treated as a security for purposes of the 25% securities test, the 5% value test, and the 10% value test.

        The application of the REIT provisions of the Code to mezzanine loans, which are loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property rather than by a direct mortgage of the real property, is not entirely clear. A safe harbor in IRS Revenue Procedure 2003-65 provides that if a mezzanine loan meets certain requirements then it will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests and interest income derived from it will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, to the extent that mezzanine loans do not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor set forth in Revenue Procedure 2003-65, such loans may not be real estate assets and the interest income derived therefrom may not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, which could adversely affect our REIT qualification if we acquired such loans. As such, the REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to acquire mortgage, mezzanine or other loans that we might otherwise desire to acquire.

        Investments in debt instruments may require recognition of taxable income prior to receipt of cash from such investments and may cause portions of gain to be treated as ordinary income. For example, we may purchase debt instruments at a discount from face value. To the extent we purchase any instruments at a discount in connection with their original issuances, the discount will be "original issue discount" if it exceeds certain de minimis amounts, which must be accrued on a constant yield method even though we may not receive the corresponding cash payment until maturity. To the extent debt instruments are purchased by us at a discount after their original issuances, the discount may represent "market discount." Unlike original issue discount, market discount is not required to be included in income on a constant yield method. However, if we sell a debt instrument with market discount, we

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will be required to treat gain up to an amount equal to the market discount that has accrued while we held the debt instrument as ordinary income. Additionally, any principal payments we receive in respect of our debt instruments must be treated as ordinary income to the extent of any accrued market discount. If we ultimately collect less on a debt instrument than our purchase price and any original issue discount or accrued market discount that we have included in income, there may be limitations on our ability to use any losses resulting from that debt instrument. We may acquire distressed debt instruments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, such a modification may be treated as a taxable event in which we exchange the old debt instrument for a new debt instrument, the value of which may be treated as equal to the face amount of the new debt instrument. Because distressed debt instruments are often acquired at a substantial discount from face value, the difference between our amount realized and our tax basis in the old note could be significant, resulting in significant income without any corresponding receipt of cash. Similarly, if we acquire a distressed debt instrument and subsequently foreclose, we could have taxable income to the extent that the fair market value of the property we receive exceeds our tax basis in the debt instrument. Such a scenario could also result in significant taxable income without any receipt of cash. In the event that any debt instruments acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular debt instrument are not made when due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income.

Investments in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

        We and each subsidiary intended to qualify as a TRS have made (or will make, as applicable) a joint election for such subsidiary to be treated as our taxable REIT subsidiary. A domestic TRS (or a foreign TRS with income from a U.S. business) pays federal, state, and local income taxes at the full applicable corporate rates on its taxable income prior to payment of any dividends. Thus, for example, Bloodstone TRS, Inc. generally will pay U.S. corporate tax on key money and yield support when it is paid, notwithstanding the treatment of key money and yield support payments for accounting purposes. A TRS owning or leasing a hotel outside of the U.S., such as DiamondRock Frenchman's Owner, Inc., may pay foreign taxes. The taxes owed by our TRSs could be substantial. To the extent that our TRSs are required to pay federal, state, local, or foreign taxes, the cash available for distribution by us will be reduced accordingly.

        A TRS is permitted to engage in certain kinds of activities that cannot be performed directly by us without jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT. A TRS is subject to limitations on the deductibility of payments made to us which could materially increase its taxable income. Also, we will be subject to a 100% tax on the amounts of any rents from real property, deductions, or excess interest received from a TRS that would be reduced through reapportionment under Section 482 of the Code in order to more clearly reflect the income of the TRS. In particular, this 100% tax would apply to our share of any rent paid by a TRS lessee that was determined to be in excess of a market rate rent.

        As discussed above in "—Qualification as a REIT—Hotels," Bloodstone TRS, Inc., through our TRS lessees, leases qualified lodging facilities from our operating partnership (or its affiliates) and a TRS may own hotels (such as DiamondRock Frenchman's Owner, Inc. that owns Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort). However, a TRS may not directly or indirectly operate or manage any hotel or provide rights to any brand name under which any hotel is operated. Specifically, rents paid by a TRS lessee can qualify as rents from real property only so long as the property is operated and managed on behalf of the TRS lessee by an "eligible independent contractor," which is a person (or entity) that satisfies the following requirements: (i) such person is, or is related to a person who is, actively engaged in the trade or business of operating qualified lodging facilities for any person unrelated to us or the TRS lessee; (ii) such person does not own, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of our stock; and (iii) not more than 35% of such person is owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons owning 35% or more of our stock. For purposes of determining whether these ownership limits are satisfied, actual ownership as well as constructive ownership under the rules of Section 318 of the Code (with certain modifications) is taken into account. For example, (a) interests owned by a partnership are also treated as owned proportionately by its partners, (b) interests held by a partner with a 25% or greater share of partnership capital interests or profits interests are also treated as owned by the partnership, (c) interests held by a 10% or greater stockholder are also treated as held by the corporation, and (d) interests held by a corporation are also treated as held by a 10% or greater stockholder (in the proportion that such stockholder's stock bears to all the stock of the corporation). However, if any class of our stock or the stock of a person attempting to qualify as an eligible independent contractor is

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regularly traded on an established securities market, only persons who own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of such class of stock shall be taken into account as owning any of the stock of such class for purposes of applying the 35% limitation described in clause (iii) above. In addition, the IRS has ruled to the effect that an advisor or similar fiduciary to a REIT cannot also qualify as an eligible independent contractor with respect to the REIT.

        Each TRS lessee (and any other of our TRSs that owns an interest in our hotels) has hired (or will hire) a hotel management company that we believe qualifies as an eligible independent contractor to manage and operate the hotels leased by (or owned through) the TRS. We believe that each such hotel management company has qualified, and will continue to qualify, as an eligible independent contractor. In that regard, constructive ownership under Section 318 of the Code resulting, for example, from relationships between a hotel management company and our other stockholders could impact such hotel management company's ability to satisfy the applicable ownership limit. Because of the broad scope of the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Code, it is possible that not all prohibited relationships will be identified and avoided. The existence of such a relationship would disqualify such hotel management company as an eligible independent contractor, which would in turn disqualify us as a REIT. Our charter restricts ownership and transfer of our shares in a manner intended to facilitate continuous qualification of our hotel management companies as eligible independent contractors, but no assurances can be given that such transfer and ownership restrictions have ensured or will ensure that each of our hotel management companies, in fact, has been and will be eligible independent contractors. As noted above, Goodwin Procter LLP's opinion as to REIT qualification is based upon our representations and covenants as to the absence of such relationships. A hotel management company's failure to qualify as an eligible independent contractor may not give us the right to terminate our management agreement with such hotel management company.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock

        The term "U.S. stockholder" means an investor that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any of its states or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust, (a) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) that has a valid election in effect under the applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person under the Code. In addition, as used herein, the term U.S. stockholder does not include any entity that is subject to special treatment under the Code. The discussion below assumes that you will hold our common stock as a capital asset. We do not address the federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to stockholders subject to special treatment under the Code, including, without limitation, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, financial institutions, broker-dealers, tax-exempt or non-U.S. investors (except as specifically discussed below), foreign governments, stockholders that hold our stock as a hedge, part of a straddle, conversion transaction, or other arrangement involving more than one position, or through a partnership or other pass-through entity, or U.S. expatriates.

        Distributions by us, other than capital gain dividends, will constitute ordinary dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, these dividends will be taxable as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate stockholders. Our ordinary dividends generally will not qualify as "qualified dividend income" taxed as net capital gain for U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts, or estates. However, dividends to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts, or estates generally will constitute qualified dividend income taxed as net capital gains if the U.S. stockholder satisfies certain holding period requirements, we designate the dividends as qualified dividend income and the dividends are attributable to (i) qualified dividend income we receive from other corporations, such as Bloodstone TRS, Inc. and potentially certain other taxable REIT subsidiaries, during the taxable year, or (ii) our undistributed earnings or built-in gains taxed at the corporate level during the preceding taxable year. The preferential treatment of qualified dividend income is applicable for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012, unless extended by Congress. We do not anticipate distributing a significant amount of qualified dividend income.

        To the extent that we make a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (a "return of capital distribution"), the distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital, reducing the tax basis in a U.S. stockholder's shares. To the extent a return of capital distribution exceeds a U.S. stockholder's tax basis in its shares, the distribution will be taxable as capital gain realized from the sale of such shares.

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        Dividends declared by us in October, November or December and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month shall be treated both as paid by us and as received by the stockholder on December 31 of the year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us during January of the following calendar year.

        We will be treated as having sufficient earnings and profits to treat as a dividend any distribution up to the amount required to be distributed in order to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax generally applicable to REITs if certain distribution requirements are not met. Moreover, any deficiency dividend will be treated as an ordinary or a capital gain dividend, as the case may be, regardless of our earnings and profits at the time the distribution is actually made. As a result, stockholders may be required to treat certain distributions as taxable dividends that would otherwise result in a tax-free return of capital.

Capital Gain Dividends

        Distributions that are properly designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard to the period for which the stockholder has held its shares. However, corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. In addition, U.S. stockholders may be required to treat a portion of any capital gain dividend as "unrecaptured Section 1250 gain," taxable at a maximum rate of 25%, if we incur such gain. Capital gain dividends are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.

        The REIT provisions do not require us to distribute our long-term capital gain, and we may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gains received during the taxable year. If we so elect for a taxable year, our stockholders would include in income as long-term capital gains their proportionate share of such portion of our undistributed long-term capital gains for the taxable year as we may designate. A U.S. stockholder would be deemed to have paid its share of the tax paid by us on such undistributed capital gains, which would be credited or refunded to the stockholder. The U.S. stockholder's basis in its shares would be increased by the amount of undistributed long-term capital gains (less the capital gains tax paid by us) included in the U.S. stockholder's long-term capital gains.

Passive Activity Loss and Investment Interest Limitations; No Pass Through of Losses

        Our distributions and gain from the disposition of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income and, therefore, U.S. stockholders will not be able to apply any "passive losses" against such income. With respect to non-corporate U.S. stockholders, our distributions (to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital) that are taxed at ordinary income rates will generally be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation; however, net capital gain from the disposition of our shares (or distributions treated as such), capital gain dividends, and dividends taxed at net capital gains rates generally will be excluded from investment income except to the extent the U.S. stockholder elects to treat such amounts as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. U.S. stockholders may not include on their own federal income tax returns any of our tax losses.

Sale or Disposition of Shares

        In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of our common stock by a stockholder that is not a dealer in securities will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and otherwise will be a short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss upon a sale or exchange of the shares by a stockholder who has held such stock for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of our distributions or undistributed capital gains required to be treated by such stockholder as long-term capital gain. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares may be disallowed if other shares are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition.

Medicare Tax on Unearned Income

        For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. stockholder that is an individual is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) his or her "net investment income" for the relevant taxable year or (2) the excess of his or her modified gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (between $125,000 and $250,000 depending on the individual's U.S. federal income tax filing status). A similar regime applies to certain estates and trusts. Net investment income generally would include dividends on our stock and gain from the sale of our stock.

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        If you are a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, an estate or a trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our common stock.

Unrelated Business Taxable Income

In General

        In general, a tax-exempt organization is exempt from U.S. federal income tax on its income, except to the extent of its "unrelated business taxable income" or UBTI, which is defined by the Code as the gross income derived from any trade or business which is regularly carried on by a tax-exempt entity and unrelated to its exempt purposes, less any directly connected deductions and subject to certain modifications. For this purpose, the Code generally excludes from UBTI any gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of property (other than stock in trade or property held primarily for sale in the ordinary course of a trade or business), dividends, interest, rents from real property, and certain other items. However, a portion of any such gains, dividends, interest, rents, and other items generally is UBTI to the extent derived from debt-financed property, based on the amount of "acquisition indebtedness" with respect to such debt-financed property. Before making an investment in shares of our common stock, a tax-exempt stockholder should consult its own tax advisors with regard to UBTI and the suitability of the investment in our shares.

        Distributions we make to a tax-exempt employee pension trust or other domestic tax-exempt stockholder or gains from the disposition of our shares held as capital assets generally will not constitute UBTI unless the exempt organization's shares are debt-financed property (e.g., the stockholder has borrowed to acquire or carry its shares). This general rule may not apply, however, to distributions to certain pension trusts that are qualified trusts (as defined below) and that hold more than 10% (by value) of our shares. For these purposes, a qualified trust is defined as any trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code. If we are treated as a "pension-held REIT," such qualified trusts will be required to treat a percentage of their dividends received from us as UBTI if we incur UBTI. We will be treated as a pension-held REIT if (i) we would fail the requirement that, during the last half of each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by or for five or fewer individuals (the "5/50 Test") if qualified trusts were treated as "individuals" for purposes of the 5/50 Test and (ii) we are "predominantly held" by qualified trusts. Stock ownership for purposes of the 5/50 Test is determined by applying the constructive ownership provisions of Section 544(a) of the Code, subject to certain modifications. The term "individual" for purposes of the 5/50 Test includes a private foundation, a trust providing for the payment of supplemental unemployment compensation benefits, and a portion of a trust permanently set aside or to be used exclusively for charitable purposes. A qualified trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code generally is not treated as an individual; rather, shares held by it are treated as owned proportionately by its beneficiaries. We will be "predominantly held" by qualified trusts if either (i) a single qualified trust holds more than 25% by value of our stock or (ii) one or more qualified trusts, each owning more than 10% by value of our stock, hold in the aggregate more than 50% by value of our stock.

        In the event we are a pension-held REIT, a qualified trust owning 10% or more of our shares should expect to recognize UBTI as a result of its investment, and we cannot assure you that we will never be treated as a pension-held REIT. The percentage of any dividend received from us treated as UBTI would be equal to the ratio of (a) the gross UBTI (less certain associated expenses) earned by us (treating us as if we were a qualified trust and, therefore, subject to tax on UBTI) to (b) our total gross income (less certain associated expenses). A de minimis exception applies where the ratio set forth in the preceding sentence is less than 5% for any year; in that case, no dividends are treated as UBTI. Our gross UBTI for these purposes would include the rent we receive from Bloodstone TRS, Inc. and, therefore, could be substantial.

Special Issues

        Social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans that are exempt from taxation under paragraphs (7), (9), (17), and (20), respectively, of Section 501(c) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.

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Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax

        We will report to our U.S. stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at the current rate of 28% with respect to distributions paid, unless such stockholder (i) is a corporation or other exempt entity and, when required, proves its status or (ii) certifies under penalties of perjury that the taxpayer identification number the stockholder has furnished to us is correct and the stockholder is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder's income tax liability.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders Holding Common Stock

        The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of beneficial owners of our common stock who are not U.S. stockholders or entities treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, such as nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, and foreign trusts and estates ("non-U.S. stockholders"), are complex. This section is only a summary of such rules. We urge prospective non-U.S. stockholders to consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws on their ownership of our common stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions

        A non-U.S. stockholder that receives a distribution that is not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of "United States real property interests" (as defined below) and that we do not designate as a capital gain dividend or retained capital gain generally will recognize ordinary income to the extent that we pay the distribution out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. A withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution ordinarily will apply unless an applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates the tax. Under some treaties, lower withholding rates do not apply to dividends from REITs. However, if a distribution is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to federal income tax on the distribution at graduated rates (in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed on distributions) and also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate non-U.S. stockholder. We plan to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any distribution paid to a non-U.S. stockholder that is neither a capital gain dividend nor a distribution that is attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of "United States real property interests" unless either (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files with us any required IRS Form W-8 (for example, an IRS Form W-8BEN) evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder files with us an IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the distribution is effectively connected income.

        A non-U.S. stockholder generally will not incur tax on a return of capital distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits that is not attributable to the gain from our disposition of a "United States real property interest" if the excess portion of the distribution does not exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. stockholder's common stock. Instead, the excess portion of the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of that common stock. However, a non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax on such a distribution that exceeds both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the non-U.S. stockholder's adjusted basis in the common stock, if the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise would be subject to tax on gain from the sale or disposition of its common stock, as described below. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, a non-U.S. stockholder may file a U.S. federal income tax return and obtain a refund from the IRS of amounts that we withhold if we later determine that a distribution in fact exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

        We may be required to withhold 10% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Consequently, although we intend to withhold at a rate of 30% on the entire amount of any distribution that is neither attributable to the gain from our disposition of a "United States real property interest" nor designated by us as a capital gain dividend, to the extent that we do not do so, we will withhold at a rate of 10% on any portion of a distribution not subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless we conclude that an exemption applies.

        Subject to the exception discussed below for 5% or smaller holders of classes of stock that are regularly-traded

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on an established securities market located in the United States, a non-U.S. stockholder will incur tax on distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of "United States real property interests" under special provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA. The term "United States real property interests" includes interests in U.S. real property and shares in U.S. corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in U.S. real property. Under those rules, a non-U.S. stockholder is taxed on distributions attributable to gain from sales of United States real property interests as if the gain were effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business. A non-U.S. stockholder thus would be taxed on such a distribution at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of a nonresident alien individual. A corporate non-U.S. stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on such a distribution. We generally must withhold 35% of any distribution subject to these rules that we could designate as a capital gain distribution ("35% FIRPTA Withholding"). A non-U.S. stockholder may receive a credit against its tax liability for the amount we withhold.

        A non-U.S. stockholder that owns no more than 5% of our common stock at all times during the one-year period ending on the date of a distribution will not be subject to 35% FIRPTA Withholding with respect to such distribution that is attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of United States real property interests, provided that our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States. Instead, any such distributions made to such non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the general withholding rules discussed above, which generally impose a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of each distribution (unless reduced by treaty).

Dispositions

        If the gain on the sale of our common stock were taxed under FIRPTA, a non-U.S. stockholder would be taxed on that gain in the same manner as U.S. stockholders with respect to that gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax, and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. A non-U.S. stockholder generally will not incur tax under FIRPTA on a sale or other disposition of our stock if we are a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity," which means that, during the five-year period ending on the date of the distribution or disposition, non-U.S. stockholders held, directly or indirectly, less than 50% in value of our shares and we qualified as a REIT. We cannot assure you that we are or will be in the future a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. Alternatively, the gain from a sale of our common stock by a non-U.S. stockholder will not be subject to tax under FIRPTA if (i) our common stock is considered regularly traded under applicable Treasury Regulations on an established securities market, such as the New York Stock Exchange, and (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock at all times during a specified testing period. Since the completion of our initial public offering, we believe our common stock has been regularly traded on an established securities market. Accordingly, a non-U.S. stockholder should not incur tax under FIRPTA with respect to gain on a sale of our common stock unless it owns, or has owned during the applicable testing period, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock provided that our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market.

        In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon a disposition of our common stock, a non-U.S. stockholder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a United States real property interest if the non-U.S. stockholder (i) disposes of an interest in our common stock during the 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a United States real property interest and (ii) directly or indirectly acquires, enters into a contract or option to acquire, or is deemed to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days before or after such ex-dividend date. The foregoing rule does not apply if the exception described above for dispositions by 5% or smaller holders of regularly traded classes of stock is satisfied.

        Furthermore, a non-U.S. stockholder generally will incur tax on gain not subject to FIRPTA if (i) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. trade or business and, if certain treaties apply, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. stockholder, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will generally incur a 30% tax on his or her net U.S. source capital gains.

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        Purchasers of our stock from a non-U.S. stockholder generally will be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the purchase price unless at the time of purchase (i) any class of our stock is regularly traded on an established securities market (subject to certain limits if the shares sold are not themselves part of such a regularly traded class) or (ii) we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. The non-U.S. stockholder may receive a credit against its tax liability for the amount withheld.

Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Withholding Rules

        Additional U.S. federal income tax withholding rules are expected to apply to certain payments made to foreign financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities beginning in 2014. According to IRS guidance, in general, a withholding tax of 30% would apply to dividends paid after December 31, 2013 and to the gross proceeds of a disposition of our stock paid after December 31, 2014 to certain foreign entities unless various information reporting requirements are satisfied. For these purposes, a foreign financial institution generally is defined as any non-U.S. entity that (i) accepts deposits in the ordinary course of a banking or similar business, (ii) as a substantial portion of its business, holds financial assets for the account of others, or (iii) is engaged or holds itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, partnership interests, commodities, or any interest in such assets. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of these rules with respect to their investment in our common stock, as well as the status of any related federal regulations.

Sunset of Reduced Tax Rate Provisions

        Several of the tax considerations described herein are subject to a sunset provision. The sunset provisions generally provide that for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain provisions that are currently in the Code will revert back to a prior version of those provisions. These provisions include provisions related to the reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for long-term capital gains of 15% (rather than 20%) for taxpayers taxed at individual rates, the application of the 15% U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income, and certain other tax rate provisions described herein. The impact of these reversions generally is not discussed herein. Prospective shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of sunset provisions on an investment in our common stock.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

        The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our stockholders may be enacted. Changes to the federal tax laws and interpretations of federal tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.

State, Local, and Foreign Tax

        We may be subject to state, local and foreign tax in states, localities and foreign countries in which we do business or own property. The tax treatment applicable to us and our stockholders in such jurisdictions may differ from the federal income tax treatment described above.

        Prospective investors should consult the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as their own tax advisers, regarding the federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of investing in the securities offered by the applicable prospectus supplement.

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

        Information about selling security holders of DiamondRock Hospitality Company, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We or any selling security holder may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

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to or through underwriters or dealers;



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to investors through agents;



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directly to investors;



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in "at the market" offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;



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in block trades;



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through a combination of any of these methods; or



•

through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in a prospectus supplement.

        In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution to our existing stockholders or other security holders. The prospectus supplement with respect to any offering of securities will include the following information:

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the terms of the offering;



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the names of any underwriters or agents;



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the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;



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the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;



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the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;



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any delayed delivery arrangements;



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any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters' compensation;



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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;



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any commissions paid to agents; and



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any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

        Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

        The distribution of the offered securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

•

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;



•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;



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at prices related to prevailing market prices; or



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at negotiated prices.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

        If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

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        The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities will describe the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the purchase price of the securities.

        In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us, any security holder or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents, which is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us or any security holder, and any profit on the resale of the securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. The prospectus supplement will identify any underwriter or agent and will describe any compensation they receive from us or any security holder.

        Underwriters could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering, sales made directly on the NYSE, the existing trading market for our shares of common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The name of any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our shares of common stock, the amounts underwritten, and the nature of its obligations to take our shares of common stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our shares of common stock, which are currently listed on the NYSE. We currently intend to list any shares of common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus on the NYSE. We may elect to list any series of shares of preferred stock on an exchange, but are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of the securities, but underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we can give no assurance about the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

        Under agreements we or any security holder may enter into, we or any security holder may indemnify underwriters, dealers, and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

        In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"), the maximum aggregate discounts, commissions, agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the aggregate offering price of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

        To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we or any security holder sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time. From time to time, we or any security holder may engage in transactions with these underwriters, dealers, and agents in the ordinary course of business. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, we or any security holder may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as agents of us or any security holder to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us or any security holder pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which we may make these delayed delivery contracts include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The obligations of any purchaser under any such delayed delivery contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which

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the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility with regard to the validity or performance of these delayed delivery contracts.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

        We or any security holder may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We or any security holder may also sell the securities through agents designated by us or the security holder from time to time. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

        We or any security holder may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Remarketing Arrangements

        Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

        If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we or any security holder may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

        We or any security holder may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP. Goodwin Procter LLP has also issued an opinion to us regarding certain tax matters described under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations." If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and schedule of DiamondRock Hospitality Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E. Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. You can inspect reports and other information we file at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us at www.drhc.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.

        We have filed with the SEC a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act relating to the securities that may be offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For more detail about us and any securities that may be offered by this prospectus, you may examine the registration statement on Form S-3 and the exhibits filed with it at the locations listed in the previous paragraph. Please be aware that statements in this prospectus referring to a contract or other document are summaries and you should refer to the exhibits that are part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or document.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" in this prospectus certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we may disclose important information in this prospectus by referring you to the document that contains the information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and the information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we filed with the SEC:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012;



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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 23, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2012;



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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 15, 2012 filed with the SEC on July 25, 2012;



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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 16, 2012;



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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012, Items 2.01 and 9.01 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2012, Item 2.03 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2012, our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2012 and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2012;



•

The description of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 25, 2005, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description (file number 001-32514); and



•

all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the underlying securities; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any additional documents or information furnished and not filed with the SEC.

        You may request a copy of these documents, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing us at the following address or calling us at the telephone number listed below or via the Internet at the website listed below:

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DiamondRock Hospitality Company
3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1500
Attention: Investor Relations
(240) 744-1150
Internet Website: www.dhrc.com

        Readers should rely on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the applicable supplement to this prospectus. Readers should not assume that the information in this prospectus and the applicable supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of the document.

        The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus, and our website address supplied above is intended to be an inactive textual reference only and not an active hyperlink.

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Table of Contents

$200,000,000

Common Stock

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

November 24, 2014

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