Holloway Lodging REIT comments on trading activity

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON U.S. WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

HALIFAX, May 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Holloway Lodging Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: HLR.UN) ("Holloway"), at the request of Market Surveillance on behalf of the Toronto Stock Exchange, is commenting on recent trading activity in Holloway's trust units.

On May 4, 2012, Holloway entered into a letter of intent with a third party regarding the potential acquisition of all of Holloway's trust units. The letter of intent includes a 30-day exclusivity period. Other than such exclusivity period and certain other limited provisions, the letter of intent is not binding on either party and the transaction contemplated by the letter of intent is subject to conditions, including satisfactory completion of due diligence, negotiation of formal legal documents and such other conditions as may be included in any formal legal documents. Accordingly, Holloway cautions that there can be no assurance that any transaction will result from the letter of intent or what the terms of such a transaction, if any, may be.

ABOUT HOLLOWAY LODGING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

Holloway is a real estate investment trust focused on acquiring, owning and operating select and limited service lodging properties and a small complement of full service hotels primarily in secondary, tertiary and suburban markets.  Holloway owns 18 hotels with 1,747 rooms.  Holloway's trust units trade on the TSX under the symbol HLR.UN.

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws.  Forward-looking information may relate to Holloway's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding Holloway's future financial position, business strategy, financial results, plans and objectives, including, in particular, the potential acquisition of all of the trust units of Holloway by a third party.  In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.  Forward-looking information is subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from what Holloway currently expects and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate.  Some of these risks and uncertainties are described under "Risk Factors" in Holloway's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2011 which is available on Holloway's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.  Holloway does not intend to update or revise any such forward-looking information should its assumptions and estimates change.

Michael Rapps, Chairman, at [phone], or Jane Rafuse, Chief Financial Officer, at [phone].