CAPSTAR HOTEL CO
424B5, 1997-10-14
HOTELS & MOTELS
Previous: CAPSTAR HOTEL CO, 424B5, 1997-10-14
Next: MULTICOM PUBLISHING INC, 10KSB, 1997-10-14



<PAGE>
                                                FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(5)
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-34253
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 1997)
                                  $150,000,000
 
                                     [LOGO]
                 4.75% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2004
                                ----------------
                    INTEREST PAYABLE APRIL 15 AND OCTOBER 15
                              -------------------
    The 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 (the "Notes") are
convertible into Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Common
Stock") at any time after 90 days following the original issuance thereof and
prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion rate of 23.2558
shares per $1,000 principal amount (the "Conversion Rate"), subject to
adjustment in certain events. See "Description of the Notes--Conversion of
Notes."
    The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the
symbol "CHO." On October 9, 1997, the last reported sale price of the Common
Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $34 5/8 per share.
    Interest on the Notes at the rate of 4.75% per annum on the principal amount
is payable on April 15 and October 15 in each year commencing April 15, 1998.
    The Notes are not redeemable by the Company prior to October 15, 2000.
Thereafter, the Notes will be redeemable on at least 30 days' notice at the
option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time, at a Redemption Price
as set forth herein, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of
redemption. The Notes may also be redeemed at the option of the holder if there
is a Change in Control (as defined herein) at a Redemption Price for each Note
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid
interest, up to the Change in Control Purchase Date (as defined herein), subject
to adjustment in certain circumstances. See "Description of the Notes--
Redemption at the Option of Holders."
    The Notes are general, unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the Company,
and are subordinated by operation of law to all liabilities (including trade
payables) of the Company's subsidiaries. The Indenture (as defined herein)
pursuant to which the Notes will be issued will not restrict the incurrence of
Senior Indebtedness or other Indebtedness (as defined herein) by the Company or
its subsidiaries. At June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis, the Company would have
had an aggregate of approximately $387.3 million of Senior Indebtedness. See
"Description of the Notes."
                          ---------------------------
    The Notes have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange,
subject to official notice of issuance.
                          ---------------------------
    Concurrent with this offering of Notes by the Company (the "Convertible
Notes Offering"), the Company and certain stockholders of the Company (the
"Selling Stockholders") are offering an aggregate of 6,250,000 shares of Common
Stock (7,187,500 shares if the over-allotment option to the underwriters is
exercised in full) by a separate prospectus supplement (the "Equity Offering"
and, together with the Convertible Notes Offering, the "Offerings"). The
consummation of the Convertible Notes Offering is not contingent upon
consummation of the Equity Offering or vice versa.
                          ---------------------------
    FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION
WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES, SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-7 OF
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND PAGE 4 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.
                             ---------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
       THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
         ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
                             A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>                    <C>                          <C>
                                                    Price to           Underwriting Discounts          Proceeds to
                                                    Public(1)            and Commissions(2)            Company(3)
Per Note....................................          100%                      2.5%                      97.5%
Total Offering(4)...........................      $150,000,000               $3,750,000               $146,250,000
</TABLE>
 
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $250,000.
(4) The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
    days of the date hereof, to purchase up to an additional $22,500,000
    aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the Price to Public less
    Underwriting Discounts and Commissions to cover over-allotments, if any. If
    the Underwriters exercise the option in full, the total Price to Public,
    Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds to Company will be
    $172,500,000, $4,312,500 and $168,187,500, respectively. See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
    The Notes are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by
the Underwriters and subject to certain conditions. It is expected that delivery
of the Notes will be made in book-entry form through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company on October 16, 1997 against payment therefor in
immediately available funds.
                          ---------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS
       BT ALEX. BROWN
               GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                      MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                              NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY
                                     SECURITIES, INC.
                                                   SMITH BARNEY INC.
                            ------------------------
October 9, 1997.
<PAGE>
                        [PHOTOGRAPHS/MAPS AND CAPTIONS]
 
Certain persons participating in this offering may engage in transactions that
stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the Notes. Such
transactions may include the purchase of Notes prior to the pricing of this
offering for the purpose of maintaining the price of the Notes, the purchase of
Notes following the pricing of this offering to cover a syndicate short position
in the Notes or for the purpose of maintaining the price of the Notes, and the
imposition of penalty bids. For a description of these activities, see
"Underwriting."
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS APPEARING ELSEWHERE OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, REFERENCES
HEREIN TO "CAPSTAR" OR THE "COMPANY" INCLUDE CAPSTAR HOTEL COMPANY AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES (INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S SUBSIDIARY OPERATING PARTNERSHIPS, THROUGH
WHICH THE COMPANY OPERATES ALL OF ITS BUSINESSES).
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    CapStar Hotel Company is a leading owner and manager of upscale,
full-service hotels in the United States and Canada. CapStar currently owns
and/or manages 69 hotels which contain 15,449 rooms (the "Hotels"). Of the
Hotels, the Company owns and manages 41 upscale, full-service hotels which
contain 10,521 rooms (the "Owned Hotels") and manages an additional 28 hotels
owned by third parties which contain 4,928 rooms (the "Managed Hotels"). The
Owned Hotels are located in major metropolitan areas or rapidly growing
secondary cities and are well-located within these markets. The Owned Hotels
include hotels operated under nationally recognized brand names such as
Hilton-Registered Trademark-, Sheraton-Registered Trademark-,
Westin-Registered Trademark-, Marriott-Registered Trademark-,
Doubletree-Registered Trademark- and Embassy Suites-Registered Trademark-. The
Company's business strategy is to opportunistically acquire hotel properties
with the potential for cash flow growth and to renovate, reposition and operate
each hotel according to a business plan specifically tailored to the
characteristics of the hotel and its market.
 
    CapStar is one of the fastest growing owner/operators of upscale,
full-service hotels in North America, having more than tripled its hotel
portfolio since its initial public offering in August 1996 (the "IPO"). Since
June 30, 1997, the Company has continued to expand its portfolio by completing
the purchase of nine upscale, full-service hotels containing 2,481 rooms for an
aggregate purchase price, including planned initial renovations (the
"Acquisition Cost"), of $248.0 million. Additionally, the Company has entered
into an agreement with affiliates of Medallion Hotels, Inc. ("Medallion Hotels")
to acquire a portfolio of six upscale, full-service hotels containing 1,960
rooms (the "Medallion Portfolio") for an Acquisition Cost of $167.5 million,
consisting of a purchase price of $150.0 million and proposed renovations of
$17.5 million. The Company has also entered into contracts to acquire three
additional hotels containing 556 rooms for an Acquisition Cost of $58.1 million
(the "Additional Acquisitions"). The Company believes that its acquisitions
represent attractive investment opportunities because (i) they are located in
major metropolitan or growing secondary markets and are well-located within
these markets, (ii) they were acquired at significant discounts to replacement
cost, and (iii) they have attractive current returns and potential for
significant revenue and cash flow growth through implementation of the Company's
operating strategy.
 
    As a fully integrated owner and manager, CapStar intends to capitalize on
its management experience and expertise by continuing to make opportunistic
acquisitions of full-service hotels, securing additional management contracts
and improving the operating performance of the Hotels. The Company's senior
management team, with an average of 19 years of lodging industry experience, has
successfully managed hotels in all segments of the lodging industry, with
particular emphasis on upscale, full-service hotels. Since the inception of the
Company's management business in 1987, the Company has achieved consistent
revenue and portfolio growth, even during periods of relative industry weakness.
The Company attributes its management success to its ability to analyze each
hotel as a unique property and identify those particular cash flow growth
opportunities which each hotel presents. The Company's principal operating
objectives are to generate higher revenue per available room ("RevPAR"), to
increase average daily rates ("ADR") and to increase net operating income while
providing its hotel guests with high-quality service and value.
 
    In addition to the acquisition or proposed acquisition of hotels, since the
IPO, the Company has invested in two joint ventures and, including the
management contract associated with these joint ventures, the Company has
entered into ten new long-term management agreements. The Company expects to
form additional joint ventures and strategic alliances with institutional and
private hotel owners to invest in future acquisitions, and to secure additional
fee management arrangements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements."
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
    The Company believes that the upscale, full-service segment of the lodging
industry is the most attractive segment in which to own, manage and acquire
hotels and further believes that there are currently many attractive
opportunities to acquire properties in this segment of the industry at prices
below replacement cost. The upscale, full-service segment is attractive for
several reasons. First, the Company expects that there will be no significant
increases in the supply of upscale, full-service hotels in the next several
years because the cost of new construction generally does not justify new hotel
development. Second, upscale, full-service hotels appeal to a wide variety of
customers, thus reducing the risk of decreasing demand from any particular
customer group. Additionally, such hotels have particular appeal to both
business executives and upscale leisure travelers, customers who are generally
less price sensitive than travelers who use limited-service hotels. Finally,
full-service hotels require a greater depth of management expertise than
limited-service hotels, and the Company believes that its superior management
skills provide it with a significant competitive advantage in their operation.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
 
    Since June 30, 1997, the Company has completed the purchase of nine upscale,
full-service hotels containing 2,481 rooms for an Acquisition Cost of $248.0
million. These nine hotels are located in cities such as: Austin, Texas;
Chicago, Illinois; Palm Springs, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
Washington, D.C.
 
    The Company has entered into an agreement with Medallion Hotels to acquire
the Medallion Portfolio for an Acquisition Cost of $167.5 million, consisting of
a purchase price of $150.0 million and proposed renovations of $17.5 million.
The Medallion Portfolio consists of six upscale, full-service hotels with 1,960
rooms, located in cities such as Austin, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas,
Louisville, Kentucky and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Two of the hotels are operated
under the Hilton flag, three are operated as Medallion hotels and one is
operated as an independent hotel. One of the hotels includes a contiguous
83-room limited-service hotel. Consistent with its operating strategy, the
Company is evaluating conditions in each hotel's local market and intends to
affiliate certain of the Medallion hotels with upscale national franchises upon
consummation of the acquisition. For a description of the hotels in the
Medallion Portfolio, see "--The Properties."
 
    The Company has also entered into contracts to acquire the Additional
Acquisitions, including: the 204-room Embassy Suites Tucson International
Airport in Tucson, Arizona, for an Acquisition Cost of $14.7 million, the
151-room Detroit Metro Airport Hilton Suites in Detroit, Michigan, for an
Acquisition Cost of $15.9 million and the 201-room Governor Morris Hotel &
Conference Center in Morristown, New Jersey, for an Acquisition Cost of $27.5
million. The Company also intends to affiliate the Governor Morris Hotel &
Conference Center with an upscale national franchise upon consummation of the
acquisition.
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
    In July 1997, the Company entered into a $450.0 million senior secured
credit facility (the "1997 Credit Facility") with Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
("Lehman Holdings"), BankBoston, N.A., Bankers Trust Company and Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A., as agents (together, the "Banks"). The 1997 Credit Facility is
structured as a $350.0 million, 5-year revolving credit facility and a $100.0
million, 7-year term loan facility. Borrowings under the 1997 Credit Facility
bear interest at variable rates. At October 9, 1997, the 1997 Credit Facility
had an aggregate outstanding balance of $253.2 million and bore interest at a
weighted average rate of 7.27%. The proceeds of the 1997 Credit Facility have
been and will be used to fund new acquisitions, repay outstanding indebtedness
and for general corporate purposes.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
    In August 1997, the Company completed the offering of $150.0 million
aggregate principal amount of its 8 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2007 (the
"Subordinated Notes"), generating net proceeds of approximately $145.0 million
to the Company.
 
    In August 1997, the Company entered into a $100.0 million non-recourse
credit facility (the "Non-Recourse Facility") with Lehman Holdings. The
Non-Recourse Facility has an 18-month term and bears interest at a rate of
between 175 and 270 basis points over 30-day LIBOR, based on certain debt
service ratios. At October 9, 1997, the Company had borrowed $52.8 million under
the Non-Recourse Facility.
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
                                 THE PROPERTIES
 
    The following table sets forth certain information for each of the Owned
Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions for the twelve
months ended June 30, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                    JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                                             ----------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                       <C>          <C>            <C>
                                                                                   GUEST     AVERAGE DAILY     AVERAGE
HOTEL                                                         LOCATION             ROOMS         RATE         OCCUPANCY
- ----------------------------------------------------  ------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------------
OWNED HOTELS
 
Orange County Airport Hilton........................  Irvine, CA                       290     $   81.53           69.7%
Doubletree Resort...................................  Palm Springs, CA                 289         76.12           52.2
Sacramento Hilton...................................  Sacramento, CA                   326         80.46           72.8
San Pedro Hilton....................................  San Pedro, CA                    226         65.52           68.1
Santa Barbara Inn...................................  Santa Barbara, CA                 71        135.14           79.5
Holiday Inn-Registered Trademark-...................  Colorado Springs, CO             201         62.06           73.8
Sheraton Hotel......................................  Colorado Springs, CO             502         69.71           73.6
Embassy Suites Denver...............................  Englewood, CO                    236        106.39           74.0
Embassy Row Hilton..................................  Washington, D.C.                 195        116.74           67.4
Georgetown Inn......................................  Washington, D.C.                  95        138.10           69.3
The Latham Hotel....................................  Washington, D.C.                 143        114.35           73.9
Westin Atlanta Airport..............................  Atlanta, GA                      496         81.58           75.5
Jekyll Inn..........................................  Jekyll Island, GA                265         60.00           47.2
Radisson Hotel & Suites.............................  Chicago, IL                      341        133.03           76.5
Radisson Hotel......................................  Schaumburg, IL                   202         78.41           75.0
Doubletree Guest Suites.............................  Indianapolis, IN                 137         83.67           73.6
Radisson Plaza......................................  Lexington, KY                    367         76.18           62.4
Lafayette Hilton & Towers...........................  Lafayette, LA                    328         72.12           74.4
Holiday Inn Sports Complex..........................  Kansas City, MO                  163         66.00           75.3
Sheraton Airport Plaza..............................  Charlotte, NC                    226         87.37           67.8
Four Points Hotel...................................  Cherry Hill, NJ                  213         72.73           61.1
Marriott Hotel......................................  Somerset, NJ                     434        109.50           73.4
Holiday Inn.........................................  Tinton Falls, NJ                 171         75.48           69.6
Doubletree Hotel....................................  Albuquerque, NM                  294         77.84           66.7
Holiday Inn.........................................  Cleveland, OH                    237         72.95           67.7
Great Valley Sheraton...............................  Frazer, PA                       154         94.88           74.2
Embassy Suites Center City..........................  Philadelphia, PA                 288        123.92           76.3
Doubletree Hotel....................................  Austin, TX                       350         81.67           75.0
Arlington Hilton....................................  Arlington, TX                    310         83.44           72.1
Holiday Inn Select..................................  Dallas, TX                       348         61.72           61.6
Radisson Hotel......................................  Dallas, TX                       305         61.77           72.7
Houston Southwest Hilton............................  Houston, TX                      293         72.54           60.7
Westchase Hilton & Towers...........................  Houston, TX                      295         92.20           79.1
Salt Lake Airport Hilton............................  Salt Lake City, UT               287         80.78           75.5
Arlington Hilton....................................  Arlington, VA                    209        111.76           75.3
National Airport Hilton.............................  Arlington, VA                    386        104.71           56.7
Bellevue Hilton.....................................  Bellevue, WA                     180        100.75           80.6
Holiday Inn Calgary Airport.........................  Calgary, Alberta                 170         51.72           66.7
Sheraton Hotel......................................  Guildford, B.C.                  280         70.83           75.2
Holiday Inn-Metrotown...............................  Vancouver, B.C.                  100         74.04           87.8
Ramada-Registered Trademark- Vancouver Centre.......  Vancouver, B.C.                  118         71.85           80.5
                                                                                -----------  -------------          ---
    Subtotal/Weighted Average--Owned Hotels.........                                10,521     $   85.33           70.3%
 
MEDALLION PORTFOLIO
 
Seelbach Hotel......................................  Louisville, KY                   321     $  107.13           63.6%
Medallion Hotel.....................................  Oklahoma City, OK                399         70.82           46.7
Austin Hilton & Towers..............................  Austin, TX                       320         74.04           69.5
Medallion Hotel.....................................  Dallas, TX                       289         92.43           52.6
Medallion Hotel.....................................  Houston, TX                      382         81.45           52.7
Midland Hilton & Towers.............................  Midland, TX                      249         70.66           56.4
                                                                                -----------  -------------          ---
    Subtotal/Weighted Average--Medallion
      Portfolio.....................................                                 1,960     $   83.05           56.5%
 
ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS
 
Embassy Suites Tucson International Airport.........  Tucson, AZ                       204     $   73.98           81.0%
Detroit Metro Airport Hilton Suites.................  Detroit, MI                      151         80.83           84.9
Governor Morris Hotel & Conference Center...........  Morristown, NJ                   201        123.59           61.5
                                                                                -----------  -------------          ---
    Subtotal/Weighted Average--Additional
      Acquisitions..................................                                   556     $   90.79           75.0%
                                                                                -----------  -------------          ---
    Total/Weighted Average..........................                                13,037     $   85.31           68.4%
                                                                                -----------  -------------          ---
                                                                                -----------  -------------          ---
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Securities Offered...........  $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Convertible
                               Subordinated Notes due 2004 (the "Notes") (excluding an
                               additional $22,500,000 principal amount if the Underwriters'
                               over-allotment option is exercised in full). See
                               "Description of the Notes."
 
Interest.....................  4.75% per annum on the principal amount, payable
                               semiannually in arrears in cash on April 15 and October 15
                               of each year, commencing April 15, 1998.
 
Conversion...................  Each Note will be convertible, at the option of the holder,
                               at any time after 90 days following the date of original
                               issuance thereof through maturity, unless previously
                               redeemed or otherwise purchased by the Company, into Common
                               Stock at the conversion rate of 23.2558 shares per $1,000
                               principal amount of the Notes (the "Conversion Rate"). The
                               Conversion Rate will be subject to adjustment upon the
                               occurrence of certain events affecting the Common Stock. See
                               "Description of the Notes--Conversion of Notes."
 
Subordination................  The Notes will be subordinated to all existing and future
                               Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) and PARI PASSU with
                               the Company's Indebtedness (as defined herein) that is not
                               Senior Indebtedness. Under the definition of Senior
                               Indebtedness, Indebtedness which is subordinated to the 1997
                               Credit Facility would be considered Senior Indebtedness. The
                               Notes will also be effectively subordinated to all
                               Indebtedness and liabilities of subsidiaries of the Company.
                               At June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis, the Company had
                               approximately $387.3 million of outstanding Senior
                               Indebtedness. The Company will use the net proceeds of the
                               sale of the Notes to fund the acquisition of certain hotel
                               properties and to repay a portion of the borrowings
                               outstanding under the 1997 Credit Facility. The Indenture
                               (as defined herein) does not prohibit or limit the
                               incurrence of additional Senior Indebtedness. See "Risk
                               Factors" and "Use of Proceeds."
 
Sinking Fund.................  None.
 
Redemption by Company........  The Notes are not redeemable by the Company prior to October
                               15, 2000. Subject to the foregoing, the Notes will be
                               redeemable on at least 30 days' notice at the option of the
                               Company, in whole or in part, at any time, at a Redemption
                               Price as set forth in "Description of the Notes," together
                               with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the
                               redemption.
 
Change of Control............  Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control (as defined
                               herein) in the Company occurring prior to the maturity of
                               the Notes, each holder shall have the right, at such
                               holder's option, to require the Company to purchase all or
                               any part (PROVIDED that the principal amount is $1,000 or an
                               integral multiple thereof) of such holder's Notes at a
                               Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount
                               thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to the
                               Change in Control Purchase Date (as defined herein), subject
                               to adjustment in
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               certain circumstances. See "Description of the
                               Notes--Redemption at the Option of Holders."
 
Use of Proceeds..............  The net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes will be used
                               to fund the acquisition of certain hotel properties and to
                               repay borrowings outstanding under the 1997 Credit Facility.
                               See "Use of Proceeds."
 
Listing......................  The Notes have been approved for listing on the New York
                               Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
 
Concurrent Offering..........  Concurrent with the Convertible Notes Offering, the Company
                               and certain selling stockholders are offering by a seperate
                               prospectus supplement an aggregate of 6,250,000 shares of
                               Common Stock. The consummation of the Equity Offering is not
                               contingent upon the consummation of the Convertible Notes
                               Offering or vice versa.
 
Risk Factors.................  In addition to the other information in this Prospectus,
                               prospective purchasers of the Notes should carefully
                               consider the matters set forth under "Risk Factors."
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
SUBORDINATION
 
    The Notes will be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment in full to
all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company. Under the definition
of Senior Indebtedness, Indebtedness which is subordinated to the 1997 Credit
Facility would be considered Senior Indebtedness. As a result of such
subordination, in the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company or upon acceleration of the Notes due to an Event of Default (as defined
in the Indenture), the assets of the Company would be available to pay
obligations on the Notes only after all Senior Indebtedness had been paid in
full, and there might not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on
any or all of the Notes then outstanding. The Notes are structurally
subordinated to the liabilities, including trade payables, of the Company
subsidiaries. The Indenture does not prohibit or limit the incurrence of Senior
Indebtedness or the incurrence of other Indebtedness and other liabilities by
the Company or its subsidiaries, and the incurrence of additional Indebtedness
and other liabilities by the Company or its subsidiaries could adversely affect
the Company's ability to pay its obligations on the Notes. At June 30, 1997, on
a pro forma basis, the Company had approximately $387.3 million of outstanding
Senior Indebtedness. The Company anticipates that from time to time it will
incur additional Indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, and that its
subsidiaries will from time to time incur other additional Indebtedness and
liabilities. See "Description of the Notes--Subordination of Notes" and "Use of
Proceeds."
 
LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION OF NOTES
 
    Upon a Change of Control, each holder of Notes will have certain rights, at
the holder's option, to require the Company to redeem all or a portion of such
holder's Notes. If a Change of Control were to occur, there can be no assurance
that the Company would have sufficient funds to pay the Redemption Price of all
Notes tendered. Any future credit agreements or other agreements (including
those relating to Senior Indebtedness) may contain provisions restricting the
purchase or redemption of the Notes. In the event a Change of Control occurs at
a time when the Company is prohibited from purchasing or redeeming the Notes,
the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the purchase of the Notes
or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If
the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Company
would remain prohibited from purchasing or redeeming Notes. In such case, the
Company's failure to redeem tendered Notes would constitute an Event of Default
under the Indenture, which might, in turn, constitute a default under the terms
of agreements relating to other Indebtedness that the Company may enter into
from time to time. In such circumstances, the subordination provisions in the
Indenture would likely restrict payments to the holders of the Notes. See
"Description of the Notes--Redemption at the Option of Holders."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NOTES
 
    Prior to the Convertible Notes Offering, there has been no trading market
for the Notes. Although the Underwriters have advised the Company that they
currently intend to make a market in the Notes, they are not obligated to do so
and may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. In addition,
such market making activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Accordingly, there can be
no assurance that any market for the Notes will develop or, if one does develop,
that it will be maintained. If an active market for the Notes fails to develop
or be sustained, the trading price of such Notes could be materially adversely
affected.
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The gross proceeds to the Company from the Convertible Notes Offering are
estimated to be $150.0 million. The net proceeds of the Offerings will be used
to fund the acquisition of the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional
Acquisitions, to reduce outstanding indebtedness under the 1997 Credit Facility
and for general corporate purposes. The indebtedness to be repaid bears interest
at variable rates, with a weighted average annual rate of 7.21%, and matures on
June 30, 2002.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
    The Common Stock has been listed on the NYSE since August 20, 1996 under the
symbol "CHO." The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high
and low closing sale prices for the Common Stock on the NYSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  PRICE
                                                                             ----------------
                                                                              HIGH      LOW
                                                                             -------  -------
<S>                                                                          <C>      <C>
1997:
  Fourth Quarter (through October 9, 1997).................................. $36 5/16 $34 5/8
  Third Quarter (ended September 30, 1997)..................................  36 9/16  30 57/64
  Second Quarter (ended June 30, 1997)......................................  31 5/8   24 1/4
  First Quarter (ended March 31, 1997)......................................  28 1/8   19 3/8
1996:
  Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 1996)..................................  19 5/8   16 7/8
  Third Quarter (ended September 30, 1996)..................................  18 3/8   16 1/2
</TABLE>
 
    The last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE on October 9,
1997 was $34 5/8. As of October 9, 1997, there were approximately 51 holders of
record of the Common Stock.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Company has not paid any cash dividends on the Common Stock and does not
anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. The Company intends to
retain earnings to provide funds for the continued growth and development of the
Company's business. The 1997 Credit Facility and the Subordinated Notes restrict
the Company's ability to pay dividends on the Common Stock. Any determination to
pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Company's
Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's results of
operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors
deemed relevant by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the actual capitalization of the Company as
of June 30, 1997 and pro forma to give effect to the 1997 Credit Facility, the
Subordinated Notes, the Non-Recourse Facility (collectively, the "Prior Debt
Financings"), the Offerings, and the acquisition of nine of the Owned Hotels
since June 30, 1997, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions
(for a pro forma total of 50 hotels). The information below should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                                    -------------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>
                                                                                     HISTORICAL    PRO FORMA
                                                                                    ------------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                                           SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>
DEBT:
Senior secured credit facility....................................................  $    168,500   $      --
1997 Credit Facility..............................................................            --     129,531
Non-Recourse Facility.............................................................            --      52,750
Subordinated Notes................................................................            --     150,000
Convertible Notes.................................................................            --     150,000
Other debt........................................................................        66,495      16,495
                                                                                    ------------  -----------
Total debt........................................................................       234,995     498,776
 
Minority interest.................................................................        22,270      22,270
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Stock ($.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or
  outstanding)....................................................................            --          --
Common Stock ($.01 par value, 49,000,000 shares authorized, 18,905,952 shares and
  23,922,174 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding)........................           189         239
Additional paid-in capital........................................................       303,564     468,451
Retained earnings.................................................................        12,142       5,695
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment................................          (420)       (420)
                                                                                    ------------  -----------
    Total stockholders' equity....................................................       315,475     473,965
                                                                                    ------------  -----------
    Total capitalization..........................................................  $    572,740   $ 995,011
                                                                                    ------------  -----------
                                                                                    ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
    The following table sets forth selected historical and pro forma financial
information for the Company. The Balance Sheet Data of the Company as of June
30, 1997, December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and the Operating Results and Other
Financial Data for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and the
six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 have been derived from the consolidated
financial statements which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
The Operating Results and Other Financial Data for the year ended December 31,
1992 and the Balance Sheet Data as of June 30, 1996, December 31, 1993 and 1992
have been derived from financial statements not required to be included or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The following information should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto for the Company and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus, and the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    The pro forma Operating Results, Other Financial Data and Operating Data for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and the six months ended June 30, 1997 have
been prepared as if the IPO, the March 1997 equity offering, the Prior Debt
Financings (collectively, the "Prior Financings"), the Offerings, and the
acquisition of all of the Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the
Additional Acquisitions had been consummated at the beginning of the periods
presented, and the pro forma Balance Sheet Data as of June 30, 1997 have been
prepared as if the Prior Debt Financings, the Offerings, and the acquisition of
nine of the Owned Hotels since June 30, 1997, the Medallion Portfolio and the
Additional Acquisitions had been consummated on such date. The pro forma
financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual financial
position and results of operations of the Company would have been as of and for
the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent the Company's future
financial position and results of operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             SIX MONTHS
                                                       FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      ENDED JUNE 30,
                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                                                                                PRO
                                                                                               FORMA
                                        1992       1993       1994       1995       1996      1996(A)     1996       1997
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
OPERATING RESULTS:
 
Revenues:
  Rooms.............................  $       0  $       0  $       0  $  14,456  $  68,498  $ 269,755  $  28,120  $  79,254
  Food, beverage and other..........          0          0          0      7,471     36,949    131,597     12,989     34,676
  Office rental and other...........          0          0          0          0          0      6,197      3,059      5,664
  Management services and other.....      3,479      4,234      4,418      4,436      4,345      2,858      2,088      2,225
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total revenues................      3,479      4,234      4,418     26,363    109,792    410,407     46,256    121,819
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Operating expenses:
Departmental expenses:
  Rooms.............................          0          0          0      4,190     17,509     67,942      7,365     18,954
  Food, beverage and other..........          0          0          0      5,437     27,102    100,472     10,302     27,338
  Office rental and other...........          0          0          0          0          0      2,683      1,089      3,008
Undistributed operating expenses:
  Selling, general and
    administrative..................      2,836      4,065      4,508      8,078     20,448     75,844      9,457     19,839
  Property operating costs..........          0          0          0      3,934     17,151     70,184      7,497     19,024
  Depreciation and amortization.....         12         14         23      2,097      8,248     34,031      3,919      8,220
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total operating expenses......      2,848      4,079      4,531     23,736     90,458    351,156     39,629     96,383
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net operating income (loss).........        631        155       (113)     2,627     19,334     59,251      6,627     25,436
Interest expense, net...............          0          0          0      2,414     12,346     34,398      7,290      8,440
Minority interest...................          0          0          0         18         39     (1,057)        69       (620)
Income tax provision(B).............          0          0          0          0      2,674      9,519          0      6,288
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
  item..............................        631        155       (113)       231      4,353     14,277       (594)    10,088
Extraordinary item(C)...............          0          0          0       (888)    (1,956)         0          0          0
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income (loss).............  $     631  $     155  $    (113) $    (657) $   2,397  $  14,277  $    (594) $  10,088
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Earnings per share from continuing
  operations........................         --         --         --         --  $    0.31  $    0.60         --  $    0.62
                                                                                  ---------  ---------             ---------
                                                                                  ---------  ---------             ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                         PRO
                                        FORMA
                                       1997(A)
                                      ---------
<S>                                   <C>
 
OPERATING RESULTS:
Revenues:
  Rooms.............................  $ 146,195
  Food, beverage and other..........     69,811
  Office rental and other...........      3,061
  Management services and other.....      2,127
                                      ---------
      Total revenues................    221,194
                                      ---------
Operating expenses:
Departmental expenses:
  Rooms.............................     36,267
  Food, beverage and other..........     53,138
  Office rental and other...........      1,218
Undistributed operating expenses:
  Selling, general and
    administrative..................     37,782
  Property operating costs..........     36,958
  Depreciation and amortization.....     17,191
                                      ---------
      Total operating expenses......    182,554
                                      ---------
Net operating income (loss).........     38,640
Interest expense, net...............     17,057
Minority interest...................       (911)
Income tax provision(B).............      7,938
                                      ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
  item..............................     12,734
Extraordinary item(C)...............          0
                                      ---------
      Net income (loss).............  $  12,734
                                      ---------
                                      ---------
Earnings per share from continuing
  operations........................  $    0.53
                                      ---------
                                      ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            SIX MONTHS
                                                      FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      ENDED JUNE 30,
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                                                                               PRO
                                                                                              FORMA
                                       1992       1993       1994       1995       1996      1996(A)     1996       1997
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT OPERATING DATA)
 
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
 
EBITDA(D)..........................  $     643  $     169  $     (90) $   4,741  $  27,621  $  92,225  $  10,615  $  33,036
Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities.............         87       (101)        66      4,357     13,373     48,222      3,891      2,745
Net cash used in investing
  activities.......................        (65)       (24)       (41)  (116,573)  (225,251)  (816,864)   (95,625)  (164,567)
Net cash provided by (used in)
  financing activities.............       (219)       244          0    119,048    226,830    794,397     89,809    151,532
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges..........................         --         --         --        1.1x       1.5x       1.6x        --        2.7x
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 
Total assets.......................  $     586  $   1,458  $   1,232  $ 132,650  $ 379,161         --  $ 231,736  $ 608,073
Total debt.........................          0          0          0     76,242    200,361         --    168,112    234,995
Stockholders' equity...............         --         --         --         --    160,715         --         --    315,475
 
OPERATING DATA:
 
Owned Hotels:
  Number of hotels.................         --         --         --          6         19         50         11         32
  Number of guest rooms............         --         --         --      2,101      5,166     13,037      3,307      8,040
  Total revenues (in thousands)....         --         --         --  $  21,927  $ 105,447  $ 401,352  $  44,168  $ 119,594
  Average occupancy................         --         --         --       72.3%      71.6%      67.9%      72.7%      74.5%
  ADR(E)...........................         --         --         --  $   71.58  $   82.84  $   82.48  $   80.56  $   86.04
  RevPAR...........................         --         --         --  $   51.75  $   59.31  $   55.97  $   58.57  $   64.08
All Hotels(F):
  Number of hotels(G)..............         34         34         39         46         47         --         --         --
  Number of guest rooms(G).........      5,918      5,971      5,847      7,895      9,785         --         --         --
  Total revenues (in thousands)....  $ 109,837  $ 123,124  $ 128,151  $ 170,888  $ 193,092         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                        PRO
                                       FORMA
                                      1997(A)
                                     ----------
<S>                                  <C>
 
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
EBITDA(D)..........................  $   54,920
Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities.............      14,328
Net cash used in investing
  activities.......................    (594,462)
Net cash provided by (used in)
  financing activities.............     565,375
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges..........................         2.1x
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets.......................  $1,033,510
Total debt.........................     498,776
Stockholders' equity...............     473,965
OPERATING DATA:
Owned Hotels:
  Number of hotels.................          50
  Number of guest rooms............      13,037
  Total revenues (in thousands)....  $  216,006
  Average occupancy................        70.1%
  ADR(E)...........................  $    87.38
  RevPAR...........................  $    61.29
All Hotels(F):
  Number of hotels(G)..............          --
  Number of guest rooms(G).........          --
  Total revenues (in thousands)....          --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(A) The pro forma Operating Results, Other Financial Data and Operating Data for
    the six months ended June 30, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1996 have
    been prepared as if the Prior Financings, the Offerings, and the acquisition
    of all of the Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional
    Acquisitions had been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented,
    and the pro forma Balance Sheet Data as of June 30, 1997 have been prepared
    as if the Prior Debt Financings, the Offerings, and the acquisition of all
    of the Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions
    had been consummated on such date.
 
(B) No provision for federal income taxes is included in the historical data
    other than for 1996 and 1997 because the Company's predecessor entities,
    CapStar Management Company, L.P. and EquiStar Hotel Investors, L.P., were
    partnerships and all federal income tax liabilities were passed through to
    the individual partners.
 
(C) During 1995 and 1996, certain loan facilities were refinanced and the
    write-offs of deferred costs associated with the prior facilities were
    recorded as extraordinary losses.
 
(D) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
    amortization. Management believes that EBITDA is a useful measure of
    operating performance because it is industry practice to evaluate hotel
    properties based on operating income before interest, income taxes,
    depreciation and amortization, which is generally equivalent to EBITDA, and
    EBITDA is unaffected by the debt and equity structure of the property owner.
    EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally
    accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), is not necessarily indicative of
    cash available to fund all cash flow needs and should not be considered as
    an alternative to net income under GAAP for purposes of evaluating the
    Company's results of operations.
 
(E) Represents total room revenues divided by total number of rooms occupied by
    hotel guests on a paid basis.
 
(F) Represents operating data for all hotels managed by the Company during all
    or a portion of the periods presented.
 
(G) As of December 31 for the periods presented.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Company
as of June 30, 1997 is presented assuming: (i) all of the Owned Hotels, the
Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions were owned at June 30, 1997
(for a pro forma total of 50 hotels) and (ii) the Prior Debt Financings, the
Offerings and the application of the net proceeds therefrom were completed at
June 30, 1997.
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations of
the Company for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and for the year ended
December 31, 1996 are presented assuming: (i) all of the Owned Hotels, the
Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions were owned at the beginning
of the periods presented (for a pro forma total of 50 hotels); and (ii) the
Prior Financings, the Offerings and the application of the net proceeds
therefrom were completed at the beginning of the periods presented.
 
    In management's opinion, all material adjustments necessary to reflect the
transactions are presented in the pro forma adjustments columns, which are
further described in the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements are not necessarily indicative of what the Company's financial
position or results of operations actually would have been if all the Owned
Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions were, in fact,
owned on such dates and if the Prior Financings and the Offerings occurred on
such dates. Additionally, the pro forma information does not purport to project
the Company's financial position or results of operations at any future date or
for any future period. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and related notes thereto of the Company, which are incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus.
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
                             CAPSTAR HOTEL COMPANY
            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
                                                  -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>               <C>                <C>           <C>
                                                                        MEDALLION
                                                    OWNED HOTELS      PORTFOLIO AND
                                                   AND PRIOR DEBT      ADDITIONAL
                                    HISTORICAL(A) FINANCINGS(B)(C)  ACQUISITIONS(C)(E) OFFERINGS(C)   PRO FORMA
                                    ------------  ----------------  -----------------  ------------  -----------
ASSETS
 
Cash and cash equivalents.........   $   11,489      $   (5,547)        $      --       $       --    $   5,942
Property and equipment, net:
  Land............................       81,683          38,445            30,790               --      150,918
  Building and improvements.......      404,798         169,298           153,951               --      728,047
  Furniture, fixtures and
    equipment.....................       44,556          20,045            20,527               --       85,128
  Construction-in-progress........        5,314               5                --               --        5,319
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
Total property and equipment,
  net.............................      536,351         227,793           205,268               --      969,412
Deposits and other assets.........       60,233          (6,077)(D)            --            4,000       58,156
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
Total assets......................   $  608,073      $  216,169         $ 205,268       $    4,000    $1,033,510
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
 
LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND
  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Other liabilities.................   $   35,333      $    3,166         $      --       $       --    $  38,499
Long-term debt:
  Senior secured credit
  facility........................      168,500        (168,500)               --               --           --
  1997 Credit Facility............           --         235,200           205,268         (310,937)     129,531
  Non-Recourse Facility...........           --          52,750                --               --       52,750
  Convertible Notes...............           --              --                --          150,000      150,000
  Subordinated Notes..............           --         150,000                --               --      150,000
  Other debt......................       66,495         (50,000)               --               --       16,495
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
Total liabilities.................      270,328         222,616           205,268         (160,937)     537,275
Minority interest.................       22,270              --                --               --       22,270
Stockholders' equity..............      315,475          (6,447)(D)            --          164,937      473,965
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
Total liabilities, minority
  interest and stockholders'
  equity..........................   $  608,073      $  216,169         $ 205,268       $    4,000    $1,033,510
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
                                    ------------       --------          --------      ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(A) Reflects the historical unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet of
    the Company as of June 30, 1997.
 
(B) Reflects the Company's cost basis and financing for the nine Owned Hotels
    acquired subsequent to June 30, 1997.
 
(C) A schedule of sources and uses of funds related to the Company's various
    financing activities is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>
    SOURCES
    Net proceeds from the Equity Offering..............................................     $164,937
    Proceeds from the Convertible Notes Offering.......................................      150,000
    Proceeds from the Subordinated Notes and net draws on credit facilities............      332,281
                                                                                         -----------
    Total sources......................................................................                  $647,218
                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                      -----------
    USES
    Repayment of credit facilities.....................................................    $(218,500)
    Purchase of certain Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional
     Acquisitions......................................................................     (413,843)
    Advisory and other transaction expenses for the Prior Debt Financings and the
     Convertible Notes Offering........................................................      (14,875)
                                                                                         -----------
    Total uses.........................................................................                 $(647,218)
                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>
 
(D) Reflects the write-off of deferred financing fees of $6,447 at June 30, 1997
    related to the senior secured and senior subordinated credit facilities that
    were refinanced. Deposits and other assets also reflect the deferral of
    financing fees of $10,875 related to the Prior Debt Financings and the use
    of the purchase deposits recorded at June 30, 1997.
 
(E) Reflects the Company's cost basis and financing for the Medallion Portfolio
    and the Additional Acquisitions. The estimated total cost is $231,010,
    including the purchase prices totaling $199,800, renovation programs of
    $25,742 and other costs of $5,468.
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
                             CAPSTAR HOTEL COMPANY
 
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
                                                            -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>              <C>                  <C>          <C>
                                                                                  MEDALLION
                                                             OWNED HOTELS       PORTFOLIO AND
                                                               AND PRIOR         ADDITIONAL
                                              HISTORICAL(A)  FINANCINGS(B)     ACQUISITIONS(B)     OFFERINGS   PRO FORMA
                                              ------------  ---------------  -------------------  -----------  ----------
 
Revenue from hotel operations:
  Rooms.....................................   $   79,254      $  41,440          $  25,501        $      --   $  146,195
  Food and beverage.........................       34,676         13,502             11,111               --       59,289
  Other.....................................        5,664          3,226              1,632               --       10,522
Office rental and other.....................           --          2,844                217               --        3,061
Hotel management, accounting and other......        2,225            (98)                --               --        2,l27
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
  Total revenue.............................      121,819         60,914             38,461               --      221,194
 
Hotel operating expenses by department:
  Rooms.....................................       18,954         10,857              6,456               --       36,267
  Food and beverage.........................       27,338         10,984              8,859               --       47,181
  Other operating departments...............        3,008          1,857              1,092               --        5,957
Office rental and other.....................           --          1,184                 34               --        1,218
Undistributed operating expenses:
  Administrative and general................       19,839         10,119              7,824               --       37,782
  Property operating costs..................       13,960          8,222              4,640               --       26,822
  Property taxes, insurance and other.......        5,064          3,760              1,312               --       10,136
  Depreciation and amortization.............        8,220          4,968              3,717              286(D)     17,191
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
  Total operating expenses..................       96,383         51,951             33,934              286      182,554
 
Interest expense, net.......................        8,440         13,267(C)           2,819(C)        (7,469)(C)     17,057
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
 
Total expenses..............................      104,823         65,218             36,753           (7,183)     199,611
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
 
Income (loss) before minority interest and
  income taxes..............................       16,996         (4,304)             1,708            7,183       21,583
 
Minority interest...........................         (620)          (291)                --               --         (911)
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
 
Income (loss) before income taxes...........       16,376         (4,595)             1,708            7,183       20,672
 
Income tax provision........................        6,288         (1,764)               656            2,758        7,938
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
 
  Net income (loss)(E)......................   $   10,088      $  (2,831)         $   1,052        $   4,425   $   12,734
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
                                              ------------       -------            -------       -----------  ----------
 
Earnings per share(F):                         $     0.62                                                      $     0.53
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:           16,356,343                                                      24,564,132
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(A) Reflects the historical unaudited condensed consolidated statement of
    operations of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 1997.
(B) Reflects the pre-acquisition operations of the Owned Hotels, the Medallion
    Portfolio and Additional Acquisitions to provide six months of hotel
    operations. For each hotel, the pre-acquisition operations were obtained
    from the hotel's pre-acquisition financial statements. Also reflects
    adjustments to (i) eliminate management fee revenues for the Owned Hotels
    for services that were provided by the Company, (ii) reflect federal and
    state income taxes (assuming a 38.4% combined effective rate) and (iii)
    reflect pro forma depreciation and amortization expense as if the hotels had
    been acquired as of the beginning of the period.
(C) Reflects the adjustments needed to record a full period of interest for the
    Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and Additional Acquisitions, assuming
    the Prior Debt Financings and the March 1997 equity offering occurred at the
    beginning of the period. Adjustments are also recorded to reflect the net
    effect of the Offerings and repayment of existing credit facilities.
(D) Adjustment reflects amortization of costs associated with the Convertible
    Notes Offering.
(E) After giving effect to the 1997 Credit Facility, the Company incurred
    expenses associated with the write-off of deferred financing costs related
    to the refinanced senior secured and senior subordinated credit facilities.
    These extraordinary costs are charged to operations as incurred and have not
    been included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of
    Operations.
(F) In computing earnings per share, net income has been adjusted for certain
    minority interests.
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
                             CAPSTAR HOTEL COMPANY
 
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
                                                            ----------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>                 <C>             <C>         <C>
                                                                                  MEDALLION
                                                               OWNED HOTELS     PORTFOLIO AND
                                                                AND PRIOR         ADDITIONAL
                                              HISTORICAL(A)   FINANCINGS (B)    ACQUISITIONS(B) OFFERINGS   PRO FORMA
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
Revenue from hotel operations:
  Rooms.....................................   $   68,498      $    155,255      $     46,002   $       --  $  269,755
  Food and beverage.........................       30,968            56,584            21,402           --     108,954
  Other.....................................        5,981            13,341             3,321           --      22,643
Office rental and other.....................           --             5,668               529           --       6,197
Hotel management, accounting and other......        4,345            (1,487)               --           --       2,858
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
  Total revenue.............................      109,792           229,361            71,254           --     410,407
 
Hotel operating expenses by department:
  Rooms.....................................       17,509            37,921            12,512           --      67,942
  Food and beverage.........................       24,589            45,022            17,729           --      87,340
  Other operating departments...............        2,513             8,497             2,122           --      13,132
Office rental and other.....................           --             2,683                --           --       2,683
Undistributed operating expenses:
  Administrative and general................       20,448            40,239            15,157           --      75,844
  Property operating costs..................       12,586            28,027             9,235           --      49,848
  Property taxes, insurance and other.......        4,565            13,316             2,455           --      20,336
  Depreciation and amortization.............        8,248            18,431             6,781          571(D)     34,031
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
  Total operating expenses..................       90,458           194,136            65,991          571     351,156
 
Interest expense, net.......................       12,346            30,877(C)          5,678(C)    (14,503 (C)     34,398
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
 
Total expenses..............................      102,804           225,013            71,669      (13,932)    385,554
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
 
Income (loss) before minority interest and
  income taxes..............................        6,988             4,348              (415)      13,932      24,853
 
Minority interest...........................           39            (1,096)               --           --      (1,057)
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
 
Income (loss) before income taxes...........        7,027             3,252              (415)      13,932      23,796
 
Income tax provision........................        2,674             1,438              (166)       5,573       9,519
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
 
  Net income (loss)(E)......................   $    4,353      $      1,814      $       (249)  $    8,359  $   14,277
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
                                              ------------  ------------------  --------------  ----------  ----------
 
Earnings per share(F):                         $     0.31                                                   $     0.60
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:           12,754,321                                                   24,330,066
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(A) Reflects the historical consolidated statement of operations of the Company
    for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
(B) Reflects the pre-acquisition operations of the Owned Hotels, the Medallion
    Portfolio and Additional Acquisitions to provide a full year of hotel
    operations. For each hotel, the pre-acquisition operations were obtained
    from the hotel's pre-acquisition financial statements. Also reflects
    adjustments to (i) eliminate management fee revenues for the Owned Hotels
    for services that were provided by the Company, (ii) reflect federal and
    state income taxes (assuming a 40.0% combined effective rate), (iii) reflect
    the estimated incremental general and administrative expenses associated
    with public ownership (these additional expenses include insurance,
    additional executive salaries, directors' fees and related expenses, legal
    expenses, expenses associated with preparing quarterly and annual reports,
    and other miscellaneous expenses) and (iv) reflect pro forma depreciation
    and amortization expense as if the hotels had been acquired as of the
    beginning of the period.
 
(C) Reflects the adjustments needed to record a full year of interest for the
    Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions,
    assuming the Prior Financings occurred at the beginning of the period.
    Adjustments are also recorded to reflect the net effect of the Offerings and
    repayment of existing credit facilities.
 
(D) Adjustment reflects amortization of costs associated with the Convertible
    Notes Offering.
 
(E) After giving effect to the 1997 Credit Facility, the Company incurred
    expenses associated with the write-off of deferred financing costs related
    to the senior secured and refinanced senior subordinated credit facilities.
    These extraordinary costs are charged to operations as incurred and have not
    been included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of
    Operations.
 
(F) Historical earnings per share have been calculated using actual income for
    the period from the IPO through December 31, 1996. In computing pro forma
    earnings per share, net income has been adjusted for certain minority
    interests.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
                            BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
 
    The Company seeks to increase shareholder value by (i) continuing to acquire
upscale, full-service hotels at prices below replacement cost in selected
markets throughout the United States and Canada, (ii) implementing its operating
strategy to improve hotel operations and increase cash flow, and (iii) expanding
its management business.
 
ACQUISITION STRATEGY
 
    The Company intends to continue acquiring upscale, full-service hotels. In
addition to the direct acquisition of hotels, the Company anticipates that it
may make investments in hotels through joint ventures with strategic partners or
through equity contributions, sale and leasebacks or secured loans. The Company
identifies acquisition candidates located in markets with economic, demographic
and supply dynamics favorable to hotel owners and operators. Through its
extensive due diligence process, the Company chooses those acquisition targets
where it believes selective capital improvements and intensive management will
increase the hotel's ability to attract key demand segments, enhance hotel
operations and increase long-term value. In order to evaluate the relative
merits of each investment opportunity, senior management and individual
operations teams create detailed plans covering all areas of renovation and
operation. These plans serve as the basis for the Company's acquisition
decisions and guide subsequent renovation and operating plans. At the Owned
Hotels, the Company has been able to implement these plans and apply its system
of management to create improvements in revenue and profitability.
 
    The Company will seek to acquire and invest in hotels that meet the
following criteria:
 
MARKET CRITERIA
 
    ECONOMIC GROWTH.  The Company focuses on metropolitan areas that are
approaching, or have already entered, periods of economic growth. Such areas
generally show above average growth in the business community as measured by (i)
job formation rates, (ii) population growth rates, (iii) tourism and convention
activity, (iv) airport traffic volume, (v) local commercial real estate
occupancy, and (vi) retail sales volume. Markets that exhibit these
characteristics typically have strong demand for hotel facilities and services.
 
    SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS.  The Company seeks lodging markets with favorable supply
dynamics for hotel owners and operators, including an absence of current new
hotel development and barriers to future development such as zoning constraints,
the need to undergo lengthy local development approval processes and a limited
number of suitable sites. Other factors limiting the supply of new hotels are
the current lack of financing available for new development and the inability to
generate adequate returns on investment to justify new development.
 
    GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSIFICATION.  The Company seeks to maintain a geographically
diverse portfolio of hotels to offset the effects of regional economic cycles.
The hotels are located in 29 states across the nation, the District of Columbia,
the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, with ten hotels located in Texas, nine in
California, five in Washington, D.C., four in Colorado, four in New Jersey, four
in Virginia, three in British Columbia, three in Georgia, three in Maryland,
three in New York, three in Pennsylvania, two in Illinois, two in Kentucky, two
in Louisiana, two in Michigan, two in Missouri and one hotel each in 15
additional states, one U.S. territory and one additional Canadian province.
 
HOTEL CRITERIA
 
    LOCATION AND MARKET APPEAL.  The Company seeks to acquire upscale,
full-service hotels that are situated near both business and leisure centers
which generate a broad base of demand for hotel accommodations and facilities.
These demand generators include (i) business parks, (ii) airports, (iii)
shopping centers and other retail areas, (iv) convention centers, (v) sports
arenas and stadiums, (vi) major
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
highways, (vii) tourist destinations, (viii) major universities, and (ix)
cultural and entertainment centers with nightlife and restaurants. The
confluence of nearby business and leisure centers enables the Company to attract
both weekday business travelers and weekend leisure guests. Attracting a
balanced mix of business, group and leisure guests to the Hotels helps to
maintain stable occupancy rates and high ADRs.
 
    SIZE AND FACILITIES.  The Company seeks to acquire well-constructed hotels
that are less than 20 years old, contain 200 to 500 guest rooms and include
accommodations and facilities that are, or are capable of being made, attractive
to key demand segments such as business, group and leisure travelers. These
facilities typically include large, upscale guest rooms, food and beverage
facilities, extensive meeting and banquet space, and amenities such as health
clubs, swimming pools and adequate parking.
 
    POTENTIAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS.  The Company seeks to acquire hotels
where intensive management and selective capital improvements can increase
revenue and cash flow. These hotels represent opportunities where a systematic
management approach and targeted renovations should result in improvements in
revenue and cash flow.
 
    The Company expects that its relationships throughout the industry and its
acquisition staff located on both coasts of the United States will continue to
provide it with a competitive advantage in identifying, evaluating and
purchasing hotels which meet its acquisition criteria. The Company has a record
of successfully renovating and repositioning hotels, both at the Owned Hotels
and at the Managed Hotels (which vary in levels of service, room rates and
market types). As a public company, the Company believes it has improved access
to various debt and equity financing sources to fund acquisitions. In addition,
in consummating acquisitions the Company expects that it will benefit from its
ability to utilize OP Units or Common Stock as an alternative to cash. The
Company currently expects to retain earnings for future acquisitions and the
renovation and maintenance of the hotels it owns.
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
    The Company's principal operating objectives are to generate higher RevPAR
and to increase net operating income while providing its hotel guests with
high-quality service and value. The Company seeks to achieve these objectives by
creating and executing management plans that are specifically tailored for each
individual Hotel rather than by implementing an operating strategy that is
designed to maintain a uniform corporate image or brand. Management believes
that its custom-tailored business plans are the most effective means of
addressing the needs of a given hotel or market. The Company believes that
skilled management of hotel operations is the most critical element in
maximizing revenue and cash flow in full-service hotels.
 
    The Company's corporate headquarters carries out financing and acquisition
activities and provides services to support as well as monitor the Company's
on-site hotel operating executives. Each of the Company's executive departments,
including Sales and Marketing, Human Resources and Training, Food and Beverage,
Technical Services, Development, and Corporate Finance, is headed by an
executive with significant experience in that area. These departments support
decentralized decision-making by the hotel operating executives by providing
accounting and budgeting services, property management software and other
resources which cannot be economically maintained at the individual Hotels.
 
    Key elements of the Company's management programs include the following:
 
    COMPREHENSIVE BUDGETING AND MONITORING.  The Company's operating strategy
begins with an integrated budget planning process that is implemented by
individual on-site managers and monitored by the Company's corporate staff.
Management sets targets for cost and revenue categories at each of the Hotels
based on historical operating performance, planned renovations, operational
efficiencies and local market conditions. On-site managers coordinate with the
central office staff to ensure that such targets are realistic. Through
effective and timely use of its comprehensive financial information and
reporting
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
systems, the Company can monitor actual performance and rapidly adjust prices,
staffing levels and sales efforts to take advantage of changes in the market and
to improve yield.
 
    TARGETED SALES AND MARKETING.  The Company employs a systematic approach
toward identifying and targeting segments of demand for each Hotel in order to
maximize market penetration. Executives at the Company's corporate headquarters
and property-based managers divide such segments into smaller subsegments,
typically ten or more for each Hotel, and develop narrowly tailored marketing
plans to suit each such segment. The Company supports each Hotel's local sales
efforts with corporate sales executives who develop new marketing concepts and
monitor and respond to specific market needs and preferences. These executives
are active in implementing on-site marketing programs developed in the central
management office. The Company employs computerized revenue yield management
systems to manage each Hotel's use of the various distribution channels in the
lodging industry. Management control over those channels, which include
franchisor reservation systems and toll-free numbers, travel agent and airline
global distribution systems, corporate travel offices and office managers, and
convention and visitor bureaus, enables the Company to maximize revenue yields
on a day-to-day basis. Sales teams are recruited locally and receive
incentive-based compensation bonuses. All of the Company's sales managers
complete a highly developed sales training program.
 
    STRATEGIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.  The Company plans renovations primarily to
enhance a Hotel's appeal to targeted market segments, thereby attracting new
customers and generating increased revenue and cash flow. For example, at all of
the Owned Hotels, the Company has renovated banquet and meeting spaces and
upgraded guest rooms with computer ports and comfortable work spaces to better
accommodate the needs of business travelers and to increase ADRs. Capital
spending decisions are based on both strategic needs and potential rate of
return on a given capital investment.
 
    SELECTIVE USE OF MULTIPLE BRAND NAMES.  The Company believes that the
selection of an appropriate franchise brand is essential in positioning a hotel
optimally within its local market. The Company selects brands based on local
market factors such as local presence of the franchisor, brand recognition,
target demographics and efficiencies offered by franchisors. The Company
believes that its relationships with many major hotel franchisors, established
both as a manager and an owner of hotels operated under their respective
franchises, places the Company in a favorable position when dealing with those
franchisors and allows it to negotiate favorable franchise agreements with
franchisors. The Company believes that its growth through acquisition of
additional hotels will further strengthen its relationship with franchisors.
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
    The following chart summarizes certain information with respect to the
national franchise affiliations of the Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the
Additional Acquisitions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          OWNED HOTELS, MEDALLION PORTFOLIO
                                                             AND ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS               MANAGED HOTELS
                                                      -----------------------------------------  --------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                       NUMBER OF       NUMBER                     NUMBER OF      NUMBER
                                                         GUEST           OF         % OF TOTAL      GUEST          OF
FRANCHISE                                                ROOMS         HOTELS          ROOMS        ROOMS        HOTELS
- ----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------  -------------
Hilton..............................................       4,045             15           31.0%          --            --
Medallion...........................................       1,391              4           10.7           --            --
Radisson............................................       1,215              4            9.3          126             1
Sheraton............................................       1,162              4            8.9           --            --
Holiday Inn.........................................       1,042              6            8.0          744             3
Doubletree..........................................         933              3            7.2          208             1
Independent.........................................         775              5            5.9          468             5
Embassy Suites......................................         728              3            5.6           --            --
Westin..............................................         496              1            3.8           --            --
Marriott............................................         434              1            3.3          288             1
Holiday Select......................................         348              1            2.7           --            --
Four Points.........................................         213              1            1.6          596             2
Doubletree Guest Suites.............................         137              1            1.1           --            --
Ramada..............................................         118              1            0.9          309             2
Crowne Plaza........................................          --             --             --          730             2
Best Western........................................          --             --             --          287             2
Comfort Suites......................................          --             --             --          244             2
Clarion.............................................          --             --             --          226             1
Quality Suites......................................          --             --             --          177             1
Budget Inn..........................................          --             --             --          147             1
Residence Inn.......................................          --             --             --          104             1
Quality Inn.........................................          --             --             --          100             1
Days Inn............................................          --             --             --           96             1
Holiday Inn Express.................................          --             --             --           78             1
                                                                             --                                        --
                                                      -----------                        -----        -----
                                                          13,037             50          100.0%       4,928            28
                                                                             --                                        --
                                                                             --                                        --
                                                      -----------                        -----        -----
                                                      -----------                        -----        -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                   <C>
 
                                                      % OF TOTAL
FRANCHISE                                                ROOMS
- ----------------------------------------------------  -----------
Hilton..............................................          --%
Medallion...........................................          --
Radisson............................................         2.6
Sheraton............................................          --
Holiday Inn.........................................        15.1
Doubletree..........................................         4.2
Independent.........................................         9.5
Embassy Suites......................................          --
Westin..............................................          --
Marriott............................................         5.8
Holiday Select......................................          --
Four Points.........................................        12.1
Doubletree Guest Suites.............................          --
Ramada..............................................         6.3
Crowne Plaza........................................        14.8
Best Western........................................         5.8
Comfort Suites......................................         5.0
Clarion.............................................         4.6
Quality Suites......................................         3.6
Budget Inn..........................................         3.0
Residence Inn.......................................         2.1
Quality Inn.........................................         2.0
Days Inn............................................         1.9
Holiday Inn Express.................................         1.6
 
                                                           -----
                                                           100.0%
 
                                                           -----
                                                           -----
</TABLE>
 
    EMPHASIS ON FOOD AND BEVERAGE.  Management believes popular food and
beverage ideas are a critical component in the overall success of a hotel. The
Company utilizes its food and beverage operations to create local awareness of
its hotel facilities, to improve the profitability of its hotel operations and
to enhance customer satisfaction. The Company is committed to competing for
patrons with restaurants and catering establishments by offering high-quality
restaurants that garner positive reviews and strong local and/or national
reputations. The Company has engaged food and beverage experts to develop
several proprietary restaurant concepts. The Owned Hotels contain restaurants
ranging from Michel Richard's highly acclaimed CITRONELLE-Registered Trademark-,
to Morgan's, a Company-designed concept which offers popular, moderately-priced
American cuisine. The Company has also successfully placed national food
franchises such as Starbuck's Coffee-Registered Trademark- and
"TCBY"-Registered Trademark- Yogurt in casual, delicatessen-style restaurants in
several of the Owned Hotels. Popular food concepts have strengthened the
Company's ability to attract business travelers and group meetings and improved
the name recognition of the Owned Hotels.
 
    COMMITMENT TO REINVESTMENT.  The Company is committed to reinvesting
adequate capital on an ongoing basis to maintain the quality of the hotels it
owns. Reinvestment is expected to include room and facilities refurbishments,
renovations and furniture and equipment replacements that are designed to
maintain attractive accommodations, updated restaurants and modern equipment.
The Company believes that these investments will enhance the Company's
competitive position.
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>
    COMPUTERIZED REPORTING SYSTEMS.  The Company employs computerized reporting
systems at each of the Hotels and at its corporate offices to monitor the
financial and operating performance of the Hotels. Management information
services have been fully integrated through the installation of Novell and Unix
networks. Management also utilizes programs like Data Plus-Registered Trademark-
and cc:Mail-Registered Trademark- to facilitate daily communication. Such
programs have enabled the Company to create and implement detailed reporting
systems at each of the Hotels and its corporate headquarters. Corporate
executives utilize information systems that track each Hotel's daily occupancy,
ADR, and revenue from rooms, food and beverage. By having the latest hotel
operating information available at all times, management is better able to
respond to changes in the market of each Hotel.
 
    COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND VALUE.  The Company is dedicated to providing
exceptional service and value to its customers on a consistent basis. The
Company conducts extensive employee training programs to ensure personalized
service at the highest levels. Programs such as "Be A Star" have been created
and implemented by the Company to ensure the efficacy and uniformity of its
employee training. The Company's practice of tracking customer comments, through
the recording of guest comment cards and the direct solicitation (during
check-in and check-out) of guest opinions regarding specific items, allows
investment in services and amenities where they are most effective. The
Company's focus on these areas has enabled it to attract lucrative group
business.
 
    DISTINCT MANAGEMENT CULTURE.  The Company has a distinct management culture
that stresses creativity, loyalty and entrepreneurship and was developed to
emphasize operations from an owner's perspective. Management believes in
realistic solutions to problems, and innovation is always encouraged. Incentive
programs and awards have been established to encourage individual property
managers to seek new ways of increasing revenues and operating cash flow. This
creative, entrepreneurial spirit is prevalent from the corporate staff and the
general managers down to the operations staff. Individual general managers work
closely with the corporate staff and they and their employees are rewarded for
achieving target operating and financial goals.
 
THE PROPERTIES
 
    The Owned Hotels, the Medallion Portfolio and the Additional Acquisitions
feature, or after the Company's renovation programs have been completed will
feature, comfortable, modern guest rooms, extensive meeting and convention
facilities and full-service restaurant and catering facilities that attract
meeting and convention functions from groups and associations, upscale business
and vacation travelers as well as banquets and receptions from the local
community.
 
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
 
    The following is a brief description of the Owned Hotels acquired subsequent
to June 30, 1997:
 
    DOUBLETREE RESORT, PALM SPRINGS, CA.  Built in 1985, the 289-room resort at
Desert Princess Country Club is located in Cathedral City, five minutes from the
Palm Springs Airport and one mile from the Date Palm Drive exit off Interstate
10. The hotel offers a wide array of recreational facilities, including a nine-
hole golf course, 10 tennis courts, two swimming pools, a health club, a
racquetball court and workout room, and access to the adjacent 18-hole, David
Rainville-designed golf course. The property has 15,000 square feet of meeting
space, including two large ballrooms, two restaurants, the Promenade Cafe and
Princess Restaurant and two entertainment facilities, the Oasis Nightclub and
Vista Lounge. The Company has also obtained management contracts for 45
condominiums, which are contiguous to the hotel, increasing the property's
potential room capacity to 334.
 
    GEORGETOWN INN, WASHINGTON, D.C.  Built in 1962, the six story, 95-room
hotel is located in Georgetown, an historic district in central Washington D.C..
The hotel combines a high level of quality found in luxury hotels with a more
personalized level of service not usually found at larger hotels.
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>
    JEKYLL INN, JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.  Built in 1971, the Jekyll Inn is a 265-room
oceanfront resort hotel on Jekyll Island off the coast of Georgia. The hotel has
an advantageous location near a 27-hole public golf course and is in close
proximity to the recently renovated and expanded convention center. The hotel
has more guest rooms and more extensive meeting space than any other hotel on
Jekyll Island or the nearby Sea Island and St. Simons.
 
    RADISSON HOTEL & SUITES, CHICAGO, IL.  Built in 1971, the 341-room hotel is
located in downtown Chicago, a half-block off North Michigan Avenue and the
city's renowned "Magnificent Mile" shopping area. The hotel is a 40-story,
mixed-use hotel and office tower, comprising its guest quarters, 93,000 square
feet of office space and a 170-space parking facility. The hotel's rooftop pool
and its oversized guest rooms and suites offer spectacular views of the city and
Lake Michigan. The hotel's meeting and banquet facilities total in excess of
18,000 square feet, including the recently completed RadiCenter 7, a 5,500
square foot conference facility that is ideal for small to mid-size groups and
one of the most advanced conference sites in the Midwest.
 
    RADISSON PLAZA, LEXINGTON, KY.  Built in 1982, the Radisson Plaza is a major
mixed-use development located in downtown Lexington directly across from and
connected by skywalk to Rupp Arena, the Lexington Convention Center and Festival
Market Place. The development consists of the 22-story, 367-room Radisson Hotel
and the Vine Center, which consists of a 17-story office tower containing
242,528 square feet and 38 privately owned condominium units on floors 18
through 22.
 
    EMBASSY SUITES CENTER CITY, PHILADELPHIA, PA.  Built in 1963, the 288-unit
Embassy Suites Center City has a premier location in Center City Philadelphia at
1776 Ben Franklin Parkway in the heart of the Market Street West corridor,
adjacent to Logan Circle. The property has prominent visibility along the
Parkway and is located in the city's top Class A office corridor, adjacent to
the Bell Atlantic Tower, one of the preeminent office towers in the Philadelphia
skyline. The hotel is conveniently located within a nine block radius of several
attractions including the recently built 622,000 square foot Philadelphia
Convention Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, City Hall, the Franklin
Institute and the Rodin Museum and Academy of Natural Sciences.
 
    DOUBLETREE HOTEL, AUSTIN, TX.  Built in 1984, the Doubletree Hotel is a
350-room, full-service hotel located in the city's high tech growth corridor
along Interstate 35. Austin, the capital of the State of Texas and home to the
nation's third largest university, has added to its economy more than 400 high
tech manufacturing and software companies over the past ten years. The
Doubletree is the premier commercial hotel adjacent to Austin's "golden
triangle" high tech area. The property enjoys excellent visibility and access
via I-35, which connects Austin to Dallas to the north and San Antonio to the
south.
 
    NATIONAL AIRPORT HILTON, ARLINGTON, VA.  Built in 1974, the 386-room hotel
is located one-half mile from National Airport in Crystal City, one of the
largest and most successful mixed-use developments in the United States. The
hotel has excellent accessibility by car, taxi and Metro, and generates demand
from many parts of the metropolitan D.C. area.
 
    HOLIDAY INN-METROTOWN, VANCOUVER, B.C.  Built in 1989, the 100-room hotel is
located adjacent to the skytrain station and physically integrated into the
Metrotown Mall, the largest shopping mall in British Columbia. The hotel
features a jogging track, outdoor pool and tennis courts as well as 3,800 square
feet of meeting space and two restaurants.
 
THE MEDALLION PORTFOLIO
 
    SEELBACH HOTEL, LOUISVILLE, KY.  Originally built in 1905 and extensively
renovated in 1982 and 1995, the 321-room hotel is located in downtown
Louisville, adjacent to the Galleria shopping complex, and features guestrooms
that are furnished with 18th-century reproduction armoires and four-poster beds.
The
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
hotel also features meeting space and ballrooms totaling 30,000 square feet, a
health club and swimming pool privileges, as well as The Oak Room restaurant,
the Seelbach Cafe and the Old Seelbach Bar.
 
    MEDALLION HOTEL, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK.  Built in 1977, the 399-room,
fifteen-story hotel is the only major hotel located in downtown Oklahoma City
and is adjacent to the Myriad Convention Center. The hotel, which underwent an
$8.0 million renovation in early 1997, includes 18,000 square feet of meeting
space, a 6,000 square foot ballroom and the 154,000 square foot Century City
Mall. Amenities include a swimming pool, a health club, and the Aria Grill and
Lounge.
 
    AUSTIN HILTON & TOWERS, AUSTIN, TX.  Built in 1974, the 237-room hotel is
located at the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Interstate 35 and US
Highway 290, one mile northwest of Mueller Municipal Airport and five miles
north of the University of Texas at Austin. The property includes a nine-story
guestroom tower containing 190 rooms and the Garden Court containing 47 rooms.
The property offers over 17,000 square feet in flexible meeting space and an
8,000 square foot ballroom. Amenities include a restaurant and lounge, fitness
center, swimming pool, gift shop and airport transportation. In addition,
contiguous to the property is an 83-room limited-service hotel.
 
    MEDALLION HOTEL, DALLAS, TX.  Built in 1979, the 289-room hotel is located
in the prestigious North Dallas Corridor at the intersection of the LBJ Freeway
and Midway Road, one mile west of the Dallas Galleria and 12 miles east of the
DFW International Airport. The hotel offers over 28,000 square feet of meeting
space, a 7,350 square foot ballroom, the Seasons restaurant, the Palm Terrace
lounge, a fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, a business center and
complimentary transportation to the Galleria.
 
    MEDALLION HOTEL, HOUSTON, TX.  Build in 1979, the 382-room hotel is located
at the intersection of the Loop Freeway (Interstate 610) and the Northwest
Freeway (US Highway 290), one mile north of Interstate 10 and four miles north
of the Houston Galleria. The hotel features a ten-story atrium lobby, almost
14,000 square feet of meeting space and an 8,000 square foot ballroom. Amenities
include a full service restaurant and two lounges, gift shop, fitness center and
a swimming pool.
 
    MIDLAND HILTON & TOWERS, MIDLAND, TX.  Built in 1976, the 249-room hotel is
located in the heart of downtown Midland, across the street from Midland
Convention Center and ten miles east of Midland International Airport. The
property features over 10,000 square feet in flexible meeting space, a 6,000
square foot ballroom, a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool.
 
THE ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS
 
    EMBASSY SUITES, TUCSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TUCSON, AZ.  Built in 1982,
the hotel has 204 two-room guest suites, and is located at the entrance to the
Tucson International Airport. The property is built around a heavily landscaped
courtyard, which contains a swimming pool and outdoor seating. The hotel has a
restaurant and lounge, an amphitheater, a ballroom and several breakout meeting
rooms.
 
    DETROIT METRO AIRPORT HILTON SUITES, DETROIT, MI.  Built in 1989, the hotel
contains 151 suites and is located one-quarter mile north of Detroit Metro
Airport. The hotel has 3,281 square feet of meeting space, an indoor and outdoor
swimming pool, exercise facilities, gameroom, business center and gift shop.
 
    GOVERNOR MORRIS HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER, MORRISTOWN, NJ.  Built in 1962,
the 201-room hotel is located 25 minutes from Newark International Airport and
45 minutes from Manhattan. The hotel has 18,503 square feet of meeting and
banquet space, four food and beverage outlets, a fitness center, a business
center, an outdoor swimming pool and a paddle tennis court.
 
THE MANAGED HOTELS
 
    The Company operates 28 Managed Hotels owned by third parties containing
4,928 rooms. Of the Managed Hotels, 21 are full-service properties, and seven
are limited-service properties. Of the Managed
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
Hotels, 23 are operated under nationally-recognized brand names and five are
independent properties. The brand names of the Managed Hotels include Crowne
Plaza, Four Points, Clarion, Holiday Inn and Best Western. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Risk Factors--Potential Conflicts
of Interest."
 
    The Management Agreements (as defined herein) have remaining terms ranging
from one month to nine years. Substantially all of the Management Agreements
permit the owners of the Managed Hotels to terminate such agreements prior to
the stated expiration dates if the applicable hotel is sold and several of the
Management Agreements permit the owners of the Managed Hotels to terminate such
agreements prior to the stated expiration date without cause or by reason of the
failure of the applicable hotel to obtain specified levels of performance. For
the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 and the six months ended June 30,
1997, the Company's pro forma revenue from Management Agreements was $2.9
million and $2.1 million, respectively, constituting 0.7% and 1.0%,
respectively, of the Company's total pro forma revenue for such periods. No
single Management Agreement (or group of Management Agreements for hotels under
common ownership or control) currently accounts for more than 0.1% of the total
revenue of the Company on a pro forma basis. See "Risk Factors--Termination of
Management Agreements."
 
    The Company intends to continue its efforts to add to its portfolio of
Managed Hotels by aggressively pursuing new management agreements. The Company
believes that, in addition to adding to the Company's revenues and profits, the
business of operating hotels for third parties benefits the Company by (i)
increasing the Company's operating experience in, and knowledge of, hotel
markets throughout North America, (ii) broadening the Company's relationships
with hotel owners and thus enhancing the Company's opportunities to identify,
evaluate and negotiate hotel acquisitions prior to the active marketing of a
hotel for sale, and (iii) improving the Company's ability to attract, train and
retain highly-qualified operating employees by offering them the opportunity to
work in a broader variety of hotels and markets.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The Company competes primarily in the upscale and mid-priced sectors of the
full-service segment of the lodging industry. In each geographic market in which
the Hotels are located, there are other full- and limited-service hotels that
compete with the Hotels. In addition, the Company's food and beverage operations
compete with local free-standing restaurants and bars. Competition in the U.S.
lodging industry is based generally on convenience of location, brand
affiliation, price, range of services and guest amenities offered and quality of
customer service and overall product.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of June 30, 1997, the Company employed approximately 7,700 persons, of
whom approximately 6,500 were compensated on an hourly basis. Approximately 70
employees work at the corporate headquarters.
 
    Employees at ten of the Hotels are represented by labor unions. Management
believes that labor relations with its employees are good.
 
TRADEMARKS
 
    The Company employs a flexible branding strategy based on a particular
Hotel's market environment and the Hotel's unique characteristics. Accordingly,
the Company uses various national trade names pursuant to licensing arrangements
with national franchisors.
 
    DOUBLETREE-Registered Trademark-, EMBASSY SUITES-Registered Trademark-,
HILTON-Registered Trademark- HOLIDAY INN-Registered Trademark-,
MARRIOTT-Registered Trademark-, RADISSON-Registered Trademark-,
RAMADA-Registered Trademark-, SHERATON-Registered Trademark- AND
WESTIN-Registered Trademark- ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THIRD PARTIES, NONE OF
WHICH SHALL BE DEEMED AN ISSUER OR UNDERWRITER OF THE
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
NOTES OFFERED HEREBY NOR HAVE ANY OF SUCH FRANCHISORS ENDORSED OR APPROVED THE
OFFERING. SUCH FRANCHISORS HAVE NOT ASSUMED AND SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY OR
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN OR ANY PROSPECTUS OR ANY WRITTEN OR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
REGARDING THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF. A GRANT OF ANY SUCH FRANCHISE LICENSE FOR
CERTAIN OF THE COMPANY'S HOTELS IS NOT INTENDED AS, AND SHOULD NOT BE
INTERPRETED AS, AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED APPROVAL OR ENDORSEMENT BY ANY OF SUCH
FRANCHISORS (OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES OR DIVISIONS) OF THE
COMPANY OR THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is involved in various lawsuits arising in the normal course of
business. The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
 
    A number of states regulate the licensing of hotels and restaurants,
including liquor license grants, by requiring registration, disclosure
statements and compliance with specific standards of conduct. The Company
believes that it is substantially in compliance with these requirements.
Managers of hotels are also subject to laws governing their relationship with
hotel employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working
conditions and work permit requirements. Compliance with, or changes in, these
laws could reduce the revenue and profitability of the Owned Hotels and could
otherwise adversely affect the Company's operations.
 
    Under the ADA (as defined herein), all public accommodations are required to
meet certain requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. These
requirements became effective in 1992. Although significant amounts have been
and continue to be invested in ADA required upgrades to the Owned Hotels, a
determination that the Company is not in compliance with the ADA could result in
a judicial order requiring compliance, imposition of fines or an award of
damages to private litigants. The Company is likely to incur additional costs of
complying with the ADA; however, such costs are not expected to have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
See "Risk Factors--Governmental Regulation."
 
    For a description of certain environmental regulations to which the Company
is subject, see "Risk Factors--Environmental Risks."
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
    The Notes will be issued under an indenture to be dated as of October 15,
1997 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and First Trust of New York,
National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). A copy of the Indenture (as
defined below) will be available from the Trustee upon request by a registered
holder of the Notes. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Notes
and the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Notes and
the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms which are not
otherwise defined in this Prospectus. Wherever particular provisions or defined
terms of the Indenture (or of the form of Note which is a part thereof) are
referred to, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated herein by
reference.
 
GENERAL
 
    The Notes represent unsecured general obligations of the Company subordinate
in right of payment to certain other obligations of the Company as described
under "Subordination of Notes" and convertible into Common Stock as described
under "Conversion of Notes." The Notes will be limited to $150,000,000
($172,500,000 if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full)
aggregate principal amount, will be issued only in denominations of $1,000 or
any multiple thereof and will mature on October 15, 2004, unless earlier
converted or redeemed at the option of the Company or at the option of the
holder upon a Change of Control.
 
    The Indenture does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions on
the payment of dividends, the incurrence of Senior Indebtedness or the issuance
or repurchase of securities of the Company. The Indenture contains no covenants
or other provisions to afford protection to holders of the Notes in the event of
a highly leveraged transaction or a change in control of the Company except to
the extent described under "Redemption at the Option of Holders."
 
    The Notes will bear interest at the annual rate set forth on the cover page
hereof from October 15, 1997, payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15,
commencing on April 15, 1998, to holders of record at the close of business on
the preceding April 15 and October 15, respectively, except (i) that the
interest payment upon redemption (unless the date of redemption is an interest
payment date) will be payable to the Person (as defined in the Indenture) to
whom principal is payable and (ii) as set forth in the next succeeding sentence.
In the case of any Note (or portion thereof) which is converted into Common
Stock during the period from (but excluding) a record date to (but excluding)
the next succeeding interest payment date either (i) if such Note (or portion
thereof) has been called for redemption on a date of redemption which occurs
during such period, or is to be redeemed in connection with a Change of Control
on a Change of Control Purchase Date (as defined below) which occurs during such
period, the Company shall not be required to pay interest on such interest
payment date in respect of any such Note (or portion thereof) or (ii) if
otherwise, any Note (or portion thereof) submitted for conversion during such
period shall be accompanied by funds equal to the interest payable on such
succeeding interest payment date on the aggregate principal amount so converted.
See "--Conversion of Notes." Interest may, at the Company's option, be paid
either (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it
appears in the Note register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by
such Person located in the United States; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payments to
The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC") will be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the account of DTC or its nominee.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve
30-day months.
 
    The Company may not reissue a Note that has matured or been converted,
redeemed or otherwise canceled (except for registration of transfer, exchange or
replacement thereof).
 
    The Notes have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange,
subject to official notice of issuance.
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
BOOK ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
    The Notes will be issued in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 principal amount and multiples thereof.
 
    The Notes will be evidenced by one or more global notes (each a "Global
Note"), which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the
name of Cede & Co. ("Cede") as DTC's nominee. Except as set forth below, the
Global Note may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of
DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Non-U.S. Persons, if any, will be
required to hold their Notes in definitive registered form. As a result, the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Notes may be limited.
 
    Non-U.S. Persons who are not DTC participants ("Participants") may
beneficially own interests in Global Notes held by DTC only through
Participants, including Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
office, as operator of the Euroclear System ("Euroclear") and Cedel, S.A.
("Cedel"), or certain banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and other parties
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant,
either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). So long as Cede, as the
nominee of DTC, is the registered owner of the Global Note, Cede for all
purposes will be considered the sole holder of the Global Note. Except as
provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note will not be
entitled to have certificates registered in their names, will not receive or be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form, and
will not be considered the holders thereof.
 
    Payment of interest on and the Redemption Price of the Global Note will be
made to Cede, the nominee for DTC, as the registered owner of the Global Note by
wire transfer of immediately available funds on each interest payment date or
the redemption date, as the case may be. Neither the Company, the Trustee nor
any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
    The Company has been informed by DTC that, with respect to any payment of
interest on, or the Redemption Price of, the Global Note, DTC's practice is to
credit Participants' accounts on the payment date therefor with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount represented by the Global Note as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC
has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such payment date.
Payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in the principal
amount represented by the Global Note held through such Participants will be the
responsibility of such Participants, as is now the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers registered in "street name."
 
    Because DTC can only act on behalf of Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a Person
having a beneficial interest in the principal amount represented by the Global
Note to pledge such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in
the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
 
    Neither the Company nor the Trustee (or any registrar, paying agent or
conversion agent under the Indenture) will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its Participants or Indirect Participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations. DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted
to be taken by a holder of Notes (including, without limitation, the
presentation of Notes for exchange as described below), only at the direction of
one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Note
are credited, and only in respect of the principal amount of the Notes
represented by the Global Note as to which such Participant or Participants has
or have given such direction.
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
    DTC has advised the Company as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization"
within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its Participants
deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between Participants through electronic book-entry
changes to the accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of certificates. Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. Certain of such
Participants (or their representatives), together with other entities, own DTC.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial
relationship with, a Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
    Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Note among Participants, it is under no
obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days, the Company will cause the Notes to be issued in
definitive form in exchange for the Global Note.
 
CERTIFICATED NOTES
 
    Notes sold to investors that are Non-U.S. Persons will be issued in
definitive registered form and may not be represented by the Global Note. In
addition, holders of Notes may request that certificated Notes be issued in
exchange for Notes represented by the Global Note. Furthermore, certificated
Notes may be issued in exchange for Notes represented by the Global Note if no
successor depositary is appointed by the Company as set forth above under
"Book-Entry; Delivery and Form."
 
CONVERSION OF NOTES
 
    A Note holder may convert a Note into Common Stock of the Company at any
time after 90 days following the date of original issuance of the Notes through
the close of business on the final maturity date of the Notes; PROVIDED that if
a Note is called for redemption, the holder may convert such Note only until the
close of business on the day prior to the redemption date. A Note in respect of
which a holder is exercising its option to require redemption upon a Change of
Control may be converted only if such holder withdraws its election to exercise
its option in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. A holder may convert
such holder's Notes in part so long as such part is $1,000 principal amount or
an integral multiple thereof. If Notes not called for redemption are converted
after a record date for the payment of interest and prior to the succeeding
interest payment date, such Notes must be accompanied by funds equal to the
interest payable on such succeeding interest payment date on the principal
amount so converted; PROVIDED that no such payment will be required if the
Company exercises its rights to redeem the Notes.
 
    The initial Conversion Rate is 23.2558 shares of Common Stock per $1,000
principal amount of Notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain
events. A Note holder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of
Common Stock shall receive cash equal to the then current market value of such
fractional share. The Company's delivery to the holder of the fixed number of
shares of Common Stock into which the Note is convertible (together with the
cash payment in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock) will be deemed to
satisfy the Company's obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and
accrued interest thereon. Thus, the accrued interest is deemed to be paid in
full rather than canceled, extinguished or forfeited. The Conversion Rate will
not be adjusted at any time during the term of the Notes for accrued interest.
 
    To convert a Note into shares of Common Stock, the holder of a Note must (i)
complete and manually sign the Conversion Notice on the back of the Note (or
complete and manually sign a facsimile thereof)
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>
and deliver such notice to the Conversion Agent, (ii) surrender the Note to the
Conversion Agent, (iii) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents, (iv) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, and (v)
if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment
date. Pursuant to the Indenture, the date on which all of the foregoing
requirements have been satisfied is the date of surrender for conversion.
 
    The initial Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment under formulae as set
forth in the Indenture in certain events, including:
 
    (i) the issuance of Common Stock of the Company as a dividend or
distribution on the Common Stock;
 
    (ii) certain subdivisions and combinations of the Common Stock;
 
    (iii) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of certain rights or
warrants to purchase Common Stock;
 
    (iv) the distribution to all holders of Common Stock of capital stock (other
than Common Stock), of evidences of Indebtedness of the Company or of assets
(including securities, but excluding those rights, warrants, dividends and
distributions referred to in clause (iii) above or paid in cash);
 
    (v) distributions consisting of cash, excluding any quarterly cash dividend
on the Common Stock to the extent that the aggregate cash dividend per share of
Common Stock in any quarter does not exceed the greater of (x) the amount per
share of Common Stock of the next preceding quarterly cash dividend on the
Common Stock to the extent that such preceding quarterly dividend did not
require an adjustment of the Conversion Rate pursuant to this clause (v) (as
adjusted to reflect subdivisions or combinations of the Common Stock), and (y)
10% of the average of the last reported sales price of the Common Stock during
the ten trading days immediately prior to the date of declaration of such
dividend, and any dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company. If an adjustment is required to be
made as set forth in this clause (v) as a result of a distribution that is a
quarterly dividend, such adjustment would be based upon the amount by which such
distribution exceeds the amount of the quarterly cash dividend permitted to be
excluded pursuant to this clause (v). If an adjustment is required to be made as
set forth in this clause (v) as a result of a distribution that is not a
quarterly dividend, such adjustment would be based upon the full amount of the
distribution;
 
    (vi) payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer by the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company for the Common Stock to the extent that the
cash and value of any other consideration included in such payment per share of
Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price (as defined in the Indenture) per
share of Common Stock on the trading day next succeeding the last date on which
tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer; and
 
    (vii) payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer by a Person
other than the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in which, as of the
closing date of the offer, the Board of Directors is not recommending rejection
of the offer. The adjustment referred to in this clause (vii) will only be made
if the tender offer or exchange offer is for an amount which increases the
offeror's ownership of Common Stock to more than 25% of the total shares of
Common Stock outstanding, and if the cash and value of any other consideration
included in such payment per share of Common Stock exceeds the Current Market
Price per share of Common Stock on the business day next succeeding the last
date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or
exchange offer. The adjustment referred to in this clause (vii) will generally
not be made, however, if, as of the closing of the offer, the offering documents
with respect to such offer disclose a plan or an intention to cause the Company
to engage in a consolidation or merger of the Company or a sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets.
 
    In the case of (i) any reclassification of the Common Stock, or (ii) a
consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company or a sale or
conveyance to another Person of the property and assets
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>
of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, in each case as a
result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock,
other securities, other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or
in exchange for such Common Stock, the holders of the Notes then outstanding
will generally be entitled thereafter to convert such Notes into the kind and
amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets which
they would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance had such Notes
been converted into Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance assuming that a holder of
Notes would not have exercised any rights of election as to the stock, other
securities or other property or assets receivable in connection therewith.
 
    In the event of a taxable distribution to holders of Common Stock or in
certain other circumstances requiring Conversion Rate adjustments, the holders
of Notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to have received a
distribution subject to United States income tax as a dividend; in certain other
circumstances, the absence of such an adjustment may result in a taxable
dividend to the holders of Common Stock. See "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations."
 
    The Company may, from time to time to the extent permitted by law, increase
the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of at least 20 days, in which
case the Company shall give at least 15 days' notice of such increase if the
Company's Board of Directors has made a determination that such increase would
be in the best interests of the Company, which determination shall be
conclusive. The Company may, at its option, make such increases in the
Conversion Rate, in addition to those set forth above, as the Board of Directors
deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock
resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire
stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.
 
    No adjustment in the Conversion Rate will be required unless such adjustment
would require a change of at least one percent in the Conversion Rate then in
effect; PROVIDED that any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made
shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
Except as stated above, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted for the
issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.
 
    The Indenture will provide that if the Company implements a stockholders'
rights plan, such rights plan must provide that upon conversion of the Notes the
holders will receive, in addition to the Common Stock issuable upon such
conversion, such rights whether or not such rights have separated from the
Common Stock at the time of such conversion.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY THE COMPANY
 
    No sinking fund is provided for the Notes. Prior to October 15, 2000, the
Notes will not be redeemable at the option of the Company. At any time on or
after such date, the Company may redeem the Notes for cash as a whole at any
time, or from time to time, in part at the applicable Redemption Price together
with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date fixed for
redemption; PROVIDED that any semi-annual payment of interest becoming due on
the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the holders of such Notes
registered on the relevant record date. Not less than 30 days' nor more than 60
days' notice of redemption shall be given by mail to holders of Notes. The Notes
will be redeemable in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>
    The table below shows Redemption Prices of a Note per $1,000 principal
amount (each, a "Redemption Price"), at October 15, 2000, October 15, 2001, at
each October 15 thereafter prior to maturity and at maturity on October 15,
2004.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   REDEMPTION
REDEMPTION DATE                                                                       PRICE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                <C>
October 15, 2000.................................................................       102.71%
October 15, 2001.................................................................       102.04%
October 15, 2002.................................................................       101.36%
October 15, 2003.................................................................       100.68%
October 15, 2004.................................................................       100.00%
</TABLE>
 
    If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee
shall select the Notes to be redeemed in principal amounts of $1,000 or
multiples thereof by lot, pro rata or by another method the Trustee considers
fair and appropriate. If a portion of a holder's Notes is selected for partial
redemption and such holder converts a portion of such Notes, such converted
portion shall be deemed to be of the portion selected for redemption.
 
REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
    In the event of a Change in Control, each holder will have the option,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, to require the Company to
repurchase all or any part (PROVIDED that the principal amount must be $1,000 or
an integral multiple thereof) of the holder's Notes as of the date that is 30
Business Days after the date of the Company's notice of the occurrence of such
Change in Control (the "Change in Control Purchase Date") for a purchase price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
up to but not including the Change in Control Purchase Date; PROVIDED that any
semi-annual payment of interest becoming due on the Change in Control Purchase
Date shall be payable to the holders of record on the relevant record date of
the Notes being repurchased.
 
    Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of a Change in Control, the
Company is required to mail to each holder and to the Trustee a written notice
of the occurrence of such Change in Control, setting forth, among other things,
the terms and conditions of, and the procedures required for exercise of, the
Holder's right to require the repurchase of such holder's Notes.
 
    To exercise the repurchase right upon a Change in Control, a holder must
deliver written notice of such exercise to the Trustee at any time prior to the
close of business on the Change in Control Purchase Date, specifying the Notes
with respect to which the repurchase right is being exercised. Such notice of
exercise may be withdrawn by the holder by a written notice of withdrawal
delivered to the Trustee at any time prior to the close of business on the
Change in Control Purchase Date. A Change in Control shall be deemed to have
occurred if any of the following occurs after the original issuance of the
Notes:
 
    (i) the acquisition by any Person (including any syndicate or group deemed
to be a "person" under Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or a
successor provision) of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a
purchase, merger, or other acquisition transaction or series of transactions, of
shares of capital stock of the Company entitling such Person to exercise more
than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock of the Company
entitling the holders thereof to vote generally in elections of directors; or
 
    (ii) any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person, any merger of another Person into the Company, or any sale,
lease, or exchange in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of
all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company to another
Person (other than (a) any such transaction pursuant to which the holders of 50%
or more of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock of the Company
entitled to vote generally in elections of directors immediately prior to such
transaction have, directly or indirectly, at least 50% or more of the total
voting power of all shares of capital stock of the continuing or surviving
corporation entitled to vote
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>
generally in elections of directors of the continuing or surviving corporation
immediately after such transaction, and (b) a merger which (1) does not result
in any reclassification, conversion, exchange, or cancellation of outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company or (2) is effected primarily to change
the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company and results in
reclassification, conversion, or exchange of outstanding shares of Common Stock
solely into shares of Common Stock of the surviving entity); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the closing
price per share of the Common Stock for any 10 trading days within the period of
20 consecutive trading days ending immediately before the occurrence of the
event that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control shall equal or exceed
105% of the Conversion Price of the Notes in effect on each such trading day.
 
    A "beneficial owner" shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3
promulgated by the commission under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date
of execution of the Indenture.
 
    The term "all or substantially all" as used in clause (ii) of the definition
of Change in Control has not been interpreted under New York law (which is the
governing law of the Indenture) to represent a specific quantitative test. As a
consequence, in the event the holders of the Notes elected to exercise their
rights under the Indenture and the Company elected to contest such election,
there could be no assurance as to how a court would interpret the phrase under
New York law, which may have the effect of preventing the Trustee or the holders
of the Notes from successfully asserting that a Change in Control has occurred.
 
    The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act, will file Schedule 13e-4 or any successor or similar
schedule required thereunder, and will otherwise comply with all federal and
state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase
Notes at the option of the holders upon a Change in Control.
 
    If a Change in Control were to occur, there can be no assurance that the
Company would have sufficient financial resources, or would be able to arrange
financing, to pay the repurchase price for all Notes tendered by holders
thereof. A default of the Company on its obligations to pay the repurchase price
for all Notes tendered by holders thereof could result in acceleration of the
payment of other indentures of the Company at the time outstanding purchase to
cross-default provisions.
 
    The 1997 Credit Facility, which constitutes Senior Indebtedness, provides
that the Company must receive its lenders written consent prior to entering into
a consolidation, merger or other combination. Failure to receive such consent
would cause any repurchase of the Notes, absent a waiver, to be blocked by the
subordination provisions of the Notes. Even if such event of default did not
occur or was waived, the exercise by any Holder of Notes of the right to require
the Company to repurchase Notes as a result of the occurrence of a Change in
Control could create an event of default under Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, as a result of which any repurchase could, absent a waiver, be blocked
by the subordination provisions of the Notes. See "--Subordination of Notes."
Further, the terms of future Senior Indebtedness or other future Indebtedness
ranking pari passu in right of payment with the Notes could require that such
indebtedness be repaid upon the occurrence of a Change in Control. Failure by
the Company to repurchase the Notes when required will result in an Event of
Default with respect to the Notes whether or not such repurchase is permitted by
the subordination provisions thereof. Any such default may, in turn, cause a
default under Senior Indebtedness or other Indebtedness of the Company.
 
    The Change in Control repurchase feature of the Notes may in certain
circumstances have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a Change of
Control or other attempts to acquire control of the Company. Consequently, this
right may render more difficult or discourage a merger, consolidation or tender
offer (event if such transaction is supported by the Company's Board of
Directors or is favorable to the stockholders), the assumption of control by a
holder of a large block of the Company's shares and the removal of incumbent
management. The Company is not aware of any specific effort to accumulate shares
of Common Stock or to obtain control of the Company by means of merger, tender
offer, solicitation, or otherwise, nor is the Change in Control repurchase
feature part of a plan by management to adopt a series
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
of anti-takeover provisions. Rather, the Change in Control repurchase feature is
a result of negotiations between the Company and the Underwriters.
 
    The foregoing provisions would not necessarily afford the holders protection
in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, restructuring,
merger, spin-off or similar transaction involving the Company that may adversely
affect the holders.
 
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
 
    The Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is subordinated to the extent
provided in the Indenture to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness. The Notes will also be effectively subordinated to all
Indebtedness and liabilities of subsidiaries of the Company. Upon any
distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on the Notes is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the
Indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior
Indebtedness. In the event of any acceleration of the Notes because of an Event
of Default, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness then outstanding would be
entitled to payment in full in cash of all obligations in respect of such Senior
Indebtedness before the holders of the Notes are entitled to receive any payment
or distribution in respect thereof. The Indenture will require that the Company
promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness if payment of the Notes is
accelerated because of an Event of Default.
 
    The Company also may not make any payment upon or in respect of the Notes if
(i) a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest,
rent or other obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness occurs and is
continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (ii) any other default
occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness (as
defined herein) that permits holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness as to
which such default relates to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a
notice of such default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or other
Person permitted to give such notice under the Indenture. Payments on the Notes
may and shall be resumed (a) in case of a payment default, upon the date on
which such default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a nonpayment default,
the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or
179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is
received. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced pursuant to a
Payment Blockage Notice unless and until (i) 365 days have elapsed since the
initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice and (ii)
all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
that have come due have been paid in full in cash. During any period of payment
blockage, any payment that otherwise would have been made during such period
will accrue interest, to the extent legally permissible, at the annual rate set
forth on the cover page hereof from the date on which such payment was required
under the terms of the Indenture until the date of payment. No nonpayment
default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment
Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or shall be made, the basis for a
subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.
 
    By reason of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
the Company's bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of Senior
Indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the Notes may receive
less, ratably, than the other creditors of the Company. Such subordination will
not prevent the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Indenture.
 
    The term "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, premium, if any,
interest (including all interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any
bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-petition
interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) and rent payable on or
in connection with, and all fees, cost, expenses and other amounts accrued or
due on or in connection with, Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding
on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed,
guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by the Company (including all deferrals,
renewals, extensions or refundings of, or amendments, modifications or
supplements to, the foregoing), unless in the
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>
case of any particular Indebtedness the instrument creating or evidencing the
same or the assumption or guarantee thereof expressly provides that such
Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Notes or expressly
provides that such Indebtedness is pari passu with or junior to the Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Senior Indebtedness shall not include
any Indebtedness of the Company to any subsidiary of the Company, a majority of
the voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
 
    The term "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, and without
duplication:
 
    (a) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of such Person for borrowed money (including obligations of the
Company in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange
agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from
banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of
the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or to only a portion
thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or
obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
obtaining of materials or service),
 
    (b) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or
bankers' acceptances,
 
    (c) all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of
leases of such Person required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance
sheet of such Person and all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement)
in connection with the lease of real property which provides that such Person is
contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the
leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased
property to the lessor and the obligations of such Person under such lease or
related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased
property,
 
    (d) all obligations of such Person (contingent or otherwise) with respect to
an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar
instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar
instrument or agreement,
 
    (e) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements by such Person
in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such
Person to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against
loss in respect of, indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of another Person
of the kind described in clauses (a) through (d),
 
    (f) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (a) through
(d) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on
property which is owned or held by such Person, regardless of whether the
indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by such
Person, and
 
    (g) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or
amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or
liability of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f).
 
    The term "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means any particular Senior
Indebtedness in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the
assumption or guarantee thereof (or related agreements or documents to which the
Company is a party) expressly provides that such Senior Indebtedness shall be
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of the Indenture; PROVIDED that
such instrument, agreement or other document may place limitations and
conditions on the right of such Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of
Designated Senior Indebtedness.
 
    At June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis, the Company had approximately $387.3
million of outstanding Senior Indebtedness. The Company intends to use the
proceeds of the sale of the Notes to repay a portion
 
                                      S-33
<PAGE>
of the borrowings outstanding under the 1997 Credit Facility. The Indenture will
not limit the amount of additional Indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness,
which the Company can create, incur, assume or guarantee, nor will the Indenture
limit the amount of Indebtedness or liabilities which any subsidiary can create,
incur, assume or guarantee.
 
    In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee or any holder
of the Notes receives any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of
any kind in contravention of any of the subordination provisions of the
Indenture, whether in cash, property or securities, including, without
limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, in respect of the Notes before all
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, then such payment or distribution will be
held by the recipient in trust for the benefit of holders of Senior Indebtedness
or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent
payment or distribution, or provision therefor, to or for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness.
 
    The Company is obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the Trustee and
to indemnify the Trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses
incurred by it in connection with its duties relating to the Notes. The
Trustee's claims for such payments will generally be senior to those of holders
of the Notes in respect of all funds collected or held by the Trustee.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
    An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture as being: (i) default for 30
days in payment of any installment of interest on any Note (whether or not
payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture); (ii)
default in payment of the principal amount or Redemption Price, with respect to
any Note when such becomes due and payable; (iii) default by the Company for 30
days after notice in the observance or performance of any other covenants in the
Indenture; or (iv) certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company. The Indenture provides that the Trustee may
withhold notice to the holders of the Notes of any default (except in payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest with respect to the Notes) if the
Trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of the Notes to do so.
 
    The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount
of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the date of such
declaration, to be due and payable immediately. In the case of certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency, the principal amount of the Notes plus interest on the
Notes to the occurrence of such event shall automatically become and be
immediately due and payable. However, if the Company shall cure all defaults
(except the nonpayment of principal amount or accrued interest on any of the
Notes which shall have become due by acceleration) and certain other conditions
are met, with certain exceptions, such declaration may be canceled and past
defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding.
 
    The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain
limitations specified in the Indenture.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
    The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of the Notes at the time outstanding, to modify the Indenture or any
supplemental indenture or the rights of the holders of the Notes; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, no such modification may (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note,
reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest thereon, reduce the
principal amount, Redemption Price or interest, if any, change the obligation of
the Company to repurchase any Note upon the happening of any Change of Control
in a
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>
manner adverse to holders of Notes or impair the right of a holder to institute
suit for the payment thereof, change the currency in which the Notes are
payable, impair the right to convert the Notes into Common Stock subject to the
terms set forth in the Indenture in a manner adverse to the holders of the Notes
in any material respect, without the consent of each holder of a Note so
affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes whose holders are
required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of
the holders of all of the Notes then outstanding. The Indenture also provides
for certain modifications of its terms without the consent of holders of the
Notes for certain specified purposes, including, among other things, curing
ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, qualifying or maintaining the
qualifications of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (the "TIA"), or making any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any Note holder.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
    First Trust of New York, National Association, as the "Trustee" under the
Indenture, has been appointed by the Company as paying agent, conversion agent,
registrar and custodian with regard to the Notes. The Indenture provides that,
except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee thereunder
will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture and use
the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent Person would
exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person's own affairs.
 
    The Indenture and provisions of the TIA, incorporated by reference therein,
contain limitations on the rights of the Trustee thereunder, should it become a
creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of certain claims in certain cases or
to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as
security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the
meaning of the TIA) it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
    The Indenture and the Notes provide that they will be governed by the laws
of the State of New York.
 
TAXATION OF NOTES
 
    See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations" for a
discussion of certain federal income tax matters.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The following is a general discussion of certain material United States
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Notes (and of Common Stock acquired upon a conversion of the Notes) to the
initial holders thereof. This discussion is based on provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations promulgated
thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof now in
effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
This discussion addresses the tax consequences to the initial holders of Notes
and does not address the tax consequences to subsequent holders of Notes.
Furthermore, this discussion is limited to holders who hold the Notes as capital
assets. This discussion is for general information only, and does not address
all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular holders in light
of their personal circumstances, or to certain types of holders (such as certain
financial institutions, insurance companies, tax exempt entities, dealers in
securities, Non-U.S. Holders or persons who have hedged the interest rate).
 
    As used herein, the term "United States Holder" or "U.S. Holder" means a
holder of a Note, or of Common Stock acquired upon conversion of a Note, that is
for United States federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident of the
United States, (ii) a corporation or partnership created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or of any State, (iii) an estate the income
of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of
source, or (iv) a trust which is subject to the supervision of a court within
the United States and the control of a U.S. Person. As used herein "Non-U.S.
Holder" means any beneficial owner who is not a U.S. Holder.
 
    PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND
DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES OR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY OF ANY
FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, CHANGES
IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS AND ANY PENDING OR PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
 
TAX TREATMENT OF INTEREST PAYMENTS
 
    Interest payments on the Notes will be includable in a United States
Holder's taxable income as received or accrued in accordance with the holder's
method of tax accounting.
 
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
 
    Upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement at maturity or other
disposition of a Note, a United States Holder generally will recognize capital
gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash plus the fair
market value of all property received on such disposition (except to the extent
such cash or property is attributable to accrued interest, which is taxable as
ordinary income) and such holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. For United
States Holders other than individuals, such gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the United States
Holder's holding period in the Note is more than one year. Certain changes to
the Code, enacted recently as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, will
apply to United States Holders who are individuals. In general, the maximum tax
rate for such holders on long-term capital gains will be 20% for most capital
assets (including the Notes) held for more than 18 months. For individual
holders holding Notes for more than one year but not more than 18 months, the
maximum tax rate on capital gains will be 28%. Capital gain or loss will be
short-term if the Note is held for one year or less.
 
ADJUSTMENTS TO CONVERSION RATE
 
    The Conversion Rate of the Notes is subject to adjustment under certain
circumstances. See "Description of Notes--Conversion of Notes." Section 305 of
the Code may treat a United States Holder
 
                                      S-36
<PAGE>
of Notes as receiving a constructive distribution, taxable as a dividend to the
extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits, in the case
of certain adjustments in the Conversion Rate of the Notes that may occur in
limited circumstances (particularly an adjustment to reflect a taxable dividend
to holders of the Common Stock).
 
CONVERSION OF NOTES INTO COMMON STOCK
 
    Generally, no gain or loss will be recognized for federal income tax
purposes on a conversion of the Notes into shares of Common Stock. However, cash
paid in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock will result in capital gain
(or loss) to the extent of the difference between the amount of such cash and
the portion of the adjusted basis of the Note allocable to such fractional
share. The adjusted basis of shares of Common Stock received on conversion will
equal the adjusted basis of the Note converted, reduced by the portion of such
adjusted basis allocated to any fractional share of Common Stock deemed
exchanged for cash. The holding period of the Common Stock received on
conversion will include the period during which the converted Notes were held.
 
SALE OR EXCHANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
    A United States Holder of Common Stock into which the Notes have been
converted generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange,
redemption, or other disposition of the Common Stock measured by the difference
between the amount realized on such disposition and the United States Holder's
adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the holding period of the Common Stock (determined as
described above under "Conversion of Notes into Common Stock") is more than one
year at the time of the sale or exchange. Special rules may apply to certain
redemptions of Common Stock which may result in different treatment.
 
BACK-UP WITHHOLDING
 
    A United States Holder of Notes or Common Stock may be subject to "back-up
withholding" at a rate of 31% with respect to certain "reportable payments,"
including interest payments, dividend payments and, under certain circumstances,
principal payments on the Notes and payments of the proceeds of the sale of
Notes or Common Stock. These back-up withholding rules apply if the United
States Holder, among other things, (i) fails to furnish a social security number
or other taxpayer identification number ("TIN") certified under penalties of
perjury within a reasonable time after the request therefor, (ii) furnishes an
incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to report properly interest or dividends, or (iv)
under certain circumstances, fails to provide a certified statement, signed
under penalties of perjury, that the TIN furnished is the correct number and
that such holder is not subject to back-up withholding. A United States Holder
who does not provide the Company with its correct TIN also may be subject to
penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount withheld from a payment to a United
States Holder under the back-up withholding rules is creditable against the
United States Holder's federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS. Back-up withholding does not apply,
however, with respect to payments made to certain holders, including
corporations, tax-exempt organizations and certain foreign persons, provided
their exemption from back-up withholding is properly established. The Company
will report to the holders of Notes and Common Stock and to the IRS the amount
of any "reportable payments" for each calendar year and the amount of tax
withheld, if any, with respect to such payments.
 
                                      S-37
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    The Underwriters of the Convertible Notes Offering (the "Underwriters"), for
whom Lehman Brothers Inc. ("Lehman"), BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Goldman,
Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities, Inc. and Smith Barney Inc. are serving as representatives
(the "Representatives") have severally agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions of the underwriting agreement, the form of which has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part (the
"Underwriting Agreement"), to purchase from the Company, and the Company has
agreed to sell to the Underwriters, the aggregate principal amount of Notes set
forth opposite their respective names below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITERS                                                                        AMOUNT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
<S>                                                                             <C>
Lehman Brothers Inc...........................................................  $   25,000,000
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated...................................................      25,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co...........................................................      25,000,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
          Incorporated........................................................      25,000,000
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Inc........................................      25,000,000
Smith Barney Inc..............................................................      25,000,000
                                                                                --------------
   Total......................................................................  $  150,000,000
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                --------------
</TABLE>
 
    The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
to purchase Notes are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by
counsel and to certain other conditions and that if any of the Notes are
purchased by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, all the
Notes agreed to be purchased by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement, must be so purchased.
 
    The Company has been advised that the Underwriters propose to offer Notes
directly to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain selected dealers (who
may include the Underwriters) at such public offering price less a selling
concession not to exceed 1.5% of the principal amount thereof. The selected
dealers may reallow a concession not to exceed 0.5% of the principal amount
thereof. After the initial offering of the Notes, the concession to selected
dealers and the reallowance to other dealers may be changed by the Underwriters.
 
    The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
the payments they may be required to make in respect thereto.
 
    The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an
additional $22,500,000 principal amount of Notes, at the public offering price,
less the aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions, shown on the cover
page of this Prospectus Supplement, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
Such option may be exercised at any time within 30 days after the date of the
Underwriting Agreement. To the extent the Underwriters exercise such option,
each of the Underwriters will be committed, subject to certain conditions, to
purchase a principal amount of Notes proportionate to such Underwriter's initial
commitment as indicated in the preceding table.
 
    In connection with the Offerings, the Company has agreed not to offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock for a period of 180
days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement without the prior written
consent of Lehman. In addition, certain executive officers of the Company have
agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares
of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable for Common
Stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement
without the prior written consent of Lehman. Such restriction will not apply to
any shares purchased in the Equity Offering or otherwise on the open market. See
"Risk Factors--Shares Available for Future Sale."
 
                                      S-38
<PAGE>
    The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to any accounts over which
they exercise discretionary authority.
 
    Until the distributions of the Notes and Common Stock are completed, rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the
Underwriters to bid for and purchase Notes or shares of Common Stock. As an
exception to these rules, the Representatives are permitted to engage in certain
transactions that stabilize the price of the Notes or Common Stock. Such
transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing
or maintaining the price of the Notes or Common Stock.
 
    If the Underwriters create a short position in the Notes or Common Stock in
connection with the Offerings, (i.e., if they sell more principal amount of
Notes or shares of Common Stock than are set forth on the cover page of the
Prospectus Supplements), the Representatives may reduce the short position by
purchasing Notes or shares of Common Stock in the open market. The
Representatives may elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part
of the over-allotment option described herein.
 
    The Representatives also may impose a penalty bid on certain Underwriters
and selling group members. This means that if the Representatives purchase Notes
or shares of Common Stock in the open market to reduce the Underwriters' short
position or to stabilize the price of the Notes or Common Stock, they may
reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the Underwriters and selling
group members who sold those Notes or shares as part of the Offerings.
 
    In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a syndicate short position could cause the price of the security to be
higher than it might otherwise be in the absence of such purchases. The
imposition of a penalty bid might have an effect on the price of a security to
the extent that it were to discourage resales of the security by purchasers in
the Offerings.
 
    Neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of the Notes or Common Stock. In addition,
neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any representation that
the Representatives will engage in such transactions or that such transactions,
once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
 
    In July 1997, the Banks, including Lehman Holdings, an affiliate of Lehman,
and Bankers Trust Company, an affiliate of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, entered
into the 1997 Credit Facility with the Company ($253.2 million was outstanding
thereunder as of October 9, 1997), which facility is expected to be partially
repaid with the net proceeds from the Offerings. See "Use of Proceeds." In
August 1997, Lehman Holdings entered into the Non-Recourse Facility with the
Company ($52.8 million was outstanding thereunder as of October 9, 1997), which
facility is not expected to be repaid with proceeds from the Offerings.
 
    An affiliate of Lehman owns a minority equity interest in Acadia Partners,
L.P.. In connection with a liquidating distribution of Acadia Partners, L.P.,
immediately prior to the date hereof, such affiliate of Lehman will receive
approximately 170,000 shares of Common Stock which are not being sold in the
Offerings. In addition, an affiliate of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated owns
approximately 120,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Paul,
Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, New York, New York. Certain legal matters
will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., Washington,
D.C.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The Company's financial statements as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for
the years then ended, and the supplemental schedule and the financial statements
of CapStar Management Company, L.P. as of December 31, 1994, and for the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, incorporated by reference herein and in the
Registration Statement, have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the
reports
 
                                      S-39
<PAGE>
of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent accountants, incorporated by reference
herein and in the Registration Statement, given on the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing. The financial statements of certain other
entities, incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration Statement,
have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, Wertheim & Company, King Griffin & Adamson P.C., Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp, P.C., Pinsker, Goldberg & Company and
Pannell Kerr Forster PC, as the case may be, independent accountants,
incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration Statement, given on the
authority of said firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
    Any financial statements and schedules hereafter incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part that have been
audited and are the subject of a report by independent accountants will be so
incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority
of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing to the extent covered by
consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                      S-40
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
                                  $600,000,000
 
                                     [LOGO]
                                  COMMON STOCK
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                    WARRANTS
                                ----------------
 
    CapStar Hotel Company ("CapStar" or the "Company") may offer from time to
time, together or separately, (i) shares of its Common Stock ("Common Stock"),
(ii) shares of its Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock"), (iii) debt securities
consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness in one or
more series ("Debt Securities"), and (iv) warrants or other rights to purchase
Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or any combination thereof, as
may be designated by the Company at the time of the offering ("Warrants") in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. In
addition, certain stockholders of the Company (collectively, the "Selling
Stockholders") may offer from time to time up to 1,285,650 shares of Common
Stock in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the
offering. The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities and Warrants are
collectively referred to as the "Securities."
    The Securities may be offered in separate series or issuances at an
aggregate initial public offering price not to exceed $600,000,000 or, if
applicable, the equivalent thereof in other currencies, at prices and on terms
to be determined at the time or times of offering.
    The specific terms of the Securities with respect to which this Prospectus
is being delivered are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and
include, where applicable, (i) in the case of Common Stock, the number of
shares, the initial public offering price and whether the shares are being sold
by the Company or Selling Stockholders; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the
number of shares, the specific title, the aggregate amount, any dividend
(including the method of calculating payment of dividends), seniority,
liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, any terms for any conversion
or exchange into other Securities, any listing on a securities exchange, the
initial public offering price and any other terms; (iii) in the case of Debt
Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, ranking as
senior debt ("Senior Securities") or subordinated debt ("Subordinated
Securities"), purchase price, maturity, rate (or method of calculation thereof)
and time of payment of interest, if any, any conversion or exchange provisions,
any redemption provisions, any subordination provisions and any other specific
terms of the Debt Securities offered hereby not set forth herein under the
caption "Description of Debt Securities" in this Prospectus, and any listing
thereof on a securities exchange; and (iv) in the case of Warrants, the
designation and number, the issue price, the exercise price, any listing of the
Warrants or the underlying Securities on a securities exchange and any other
terms in connection with the offering, sale and exercise of the Warrants.
                             ---------------------
 
    The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), under
the symbol "CHO." Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will
be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
                             ---------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
          COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
             PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
                             A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
    FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION
WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES, SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 4.
    Any statement contained in this Prospectus will be deemed to be modified or
superseded by any inconsistent statement contained in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement.
 
September 10, 1997
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices
located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048. Copies of such materials can also be obtained at prescribed rates from
the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Such materials can also be inspected on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov. The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE, and reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company can be inspected at the
offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
    The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in
the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further information with
respect to the Company and the Securities offered hereby. Any statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such references.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    The Company hereby incorporates by reference into this Prospectus (i) the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996; (ii)
the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
1997 and June 30, 1997; (iii) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed
December 31, 1996, as amended, April 4, 1997, July 30, 1997, as amended, August
13, 1997, September 2, 1997, September 8, 1997 and September 9, 1997; and (iv)
the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Commission File No. 1-12017) filed August 2,
1996.
 
    All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering
made hereby, shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to
be a part of this Prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports.
 
    Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein,
or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
    Any person receiving a copy of this Prospectus may obtain, without charge,
upon written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by
reference herein, except for the exhibits to such documents (other than the
exhibits expressly incorporated in such documents by reference). Requests should
be directed to: CapStar Hotel Company, 1010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 650,
Washington, D.C. 20007, (202) 965-4455, Attention: John Emery, Corporate
Secretary.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, REFERENCES HEREIN TO "CAPSTAR" OR THE
"COMPANY" INCLUDE CAPSTAR HOTEL COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES (INCLUDING THE
COMPANY'S SUBSIDIARY OPERATING PARTNERSHIPS, THROUGH WHICH THE COMPANY OPERATES
ALL OF ITS BUSINESSES).
 
    CapStar Hotel Company owns and manages hotels throughout the United States
and Canada. As of September 9, 1997, CapStar owned and/or managed 69 hotels with
15,449 rooms (the "Hotels"). Of the Hotels, the Company owned and managed 41
upscale, full-service hotels with 10,521 rooms (the "Owned Hotels") and managed
an additional 28 hotels owned by third parties with 4,928 rooms (the "Managed
Hotels"). The Owned Hotels are located in markets that have recently experienced
strong economic growth, including Albuquerque, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago,
Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Seattle and
Washington, D.C. The Owned Hotels include hotels operated under nationally
recognized brand names such as Hilton-Registered Trademark-,
Sheraton-Registered Trademark-, Westin-Registered Trademark-,
Marriott-Registered Trademark-, Doubletree-Registered Trademark- and Embassy
Suites-Registered Trademark-. The Company's business strategy is to acquire
hotel properties with the potential for cash flow growth and to renovate,
reposition and operate each hotel according to a business plan specifically
tailored to the characteristics of the hotel and its market.
 
    As a fully integrated owner and manager, CapStar intends to capitalize on
its management experience and expertise by continuing to make opportunistic
acquisitions of full-service hotels, securing additional management contracts
and improving the operating performance of the Hotels. The Company's senior
management team, with significant lodging industry experience, has successfully
managed hotels in all segments of the lodging industry, with particular emphasis
on upscale, full-service hotels. Since the inception of the Company's management
business in 1987, the Company has achieved consistent revenue and portfolio
growth, even during periods of relative industry weakness. The Company
attributes its management success to its ability to analyze each hotel as a
unique property and identify those particular cash flow growth opportunities
which each hotel presents. The Company's principal operating objectives are to
generate higher revenue per available room and to increase net operating income
while providing its hotel guests with high-quality service and value.
 
    The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1010 Wisconsin
Avenue, N.W., Suite 650, Washington, DC 20007, and its telephone number is (202)
965-4455.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION SET FORTH ELSEWHERE OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER
THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY.
THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS,
INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE AND DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
 
    As of September 9, 1997, the Company's outstanding indebtedness (including
current portion) was $454.4 million.
 
    The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences, including: (i) the Company's ability to obtain additional
financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions
or general corporate purposes may be impaired; (ii) a substantial portion of the
Company's cash flow from operations may be dedicated to the payment of principal
and interest on its indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to the
Company for its operation; (iii) certain of the Company's debt instruments
contain financial and other restrictive covenants, including those restricting
the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of liens, the payment of
dividends and sales of assets; (iv) the Company may be hindered in its ability
to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions; and (v) the Company's
substantial degree of leverage could make it more vulnerable in the event of a
downturn in general economic conditions or in its business. The Company's
ability to satisfy its obligations will be dependent upon its future
performance, which is subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial,
business and other factors, including factors beyond the Company's control.
There can be no assurance that the Company's operating cash flow will be
sufficient to meet its debt service requirements or to repay its obligations at
maturity or that the Company will be able to refinance its indebtedness at
maturity.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LODGING INDUSTRY
 
    OPERATING RISKS.  The Company's business is subject to all of the operating
risks inherent in the lodging industry. These risks include the following:
changes in general and local economic conditions; cyclical overbuilding in the
lodging industry; varying levels of demand for rooms and related services;
competition from other hotels, motels and recreational properties; changes in
travel patterns; the recurring need for renovations, refurbishment and
improvements of hotel properties; changes in governmental regulations that
influence or determine wages, prices and construction and maintenance costs; and
changes in interest rates and the availability of credit. Demographic,
geographic or other changes in one or more of the Company's markets could impact
the convenience or desirability of the sites of certain hotels, which would in
turn affect the operations of those hotels. In addition, due to the level of
fixed costs required to operate full-service hotels, certain significant
expenditures necessary for the operation of hotels generally cannot be reduced
when circumstances cause a reduction in revenue.
 
    COMPETITION IN THE LODGING INDUSTRY.  The lodging industry is highly
competitive. There is no single competitor or small number of competitors of the
Company that are dominant in the industry. The Hotels operate in areas that
contain numerous competitors, many of which have substantially greater resources
than the Company. Competition in the lodging industry is based generally on
location, room rates and range and quality of services and guest amenities
offered. New or existing competitors could significantly lower rates or offer
greater conveniences, services or amenities or significantly expand, improve or
introduce new facilities in markets in which the Hotels compete, thereby
adversely affecting the Company's operations.
 
    SEASONALITY.  The lodging industry is seasonal in nature. Generally, hotel
revenues are greater in the second and third quarters than in the first and
fourth quarters. This seasonality can be expected to cause quarterly
fluctuations in the revenues of the Company. Quarterly earnings also may be
adversely affected
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
by events beyond the Company's control, such as extreme weather conditions,
economic factors and other considerations affecting travel.
 
    FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS.  Certain of the Owned Hotels are operated pursuant to
existing franchise or license agreements (the "Franchise Agreements"). The
Franchise Agreements generally contain specific standards for, and restrictions
and limitations on, the operation and maintenance of a hotel in order to
maintain uniformity within the franchisor system. Those limitations may conflict
with the Company's philosophy of creating specific business plans tailored to
each hotel and to each market. Such standards are often subject to change over
time, in some cases at the discretion of the franchisor, and may restrict a
franchisee's ability to make improvements or modifications to a hotel without
the consent of the franchisor. In addition, compliance with such standards could
require a franchisee to incur significant expenses or capital expenditures. In
connection with changing the franchise affiliation of an Owned Hotel or a
subsequently acquired hotel, the Company may be required to incur significant
expenses or capital expenditures. The Franchise Agreements covering the Owned
Hotels expire or terminate, without specified renewal rights, at various times
and have differing remaining terms. As a condition to renewal, the Franchise
Agreements frequently contemplate a renewal application process, which may
require substantial capital improvements to be made to the hotel.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANSION
 
    COMPETITION FOR EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES.  The Company competes for the
acquisition of hotels with entities that have substantially greater financial
resources than the Company. The Company believes that, as a result of the
downturn experienced by the lodging industry from the late 1980s through the
early 1990s and the significant number of foreclosures and bankruptcies created
thereby, the prices for many hotels have for several years been at historically
low levels and often well below the cost to build new hotels. The recent
economic recovery in the lodging industry and the resulting increase in funds
available for hotel acquisitions may cause additional investors to enter the
hotel acquisition market, which may in turn cause hotel acquisition costs to
increase and the number of attractive hotel acquisition opportunities to
decrease.
 
    FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE ACQUISITIONS.  From time to time, the Company enters
into contracts to acquire additional hotels and in the future may enter into
contracts to acquire other hotels as well. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to consummate the acquisition of any such hotels. Failure
to consummate such acquisitions could affect the Company's ability to implement
its acquisition strategy.
 
    INTEGRATION RISKS.  To successfully implement its acquisition strategy, the
Company must be able to continue to successfully integrate new hotels into its
existing operations. For the twelve months ended September 9, 1997, the Company
acquired 29 hotels. The Company expects to continue to grow through the
acquisition of additional hotels. The consolidation of functions and integration
of departments, systems and procedures of the new hotels with the Company's
existing operations presents a significant management challenge, and the failure
to integrate new hotels into the Company's management and operating structures
could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial
condition of the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to achieve operating results in its new hotels comparable to the historical
performance of its hotels.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OWNING REAL ESTATE
 
    As of September 9, 1997, the Company owned 41 hotels. Accordingly, the
Company will be subject to varying degrees of risk generally incident to the
ownership of real estate. These risks include, among other things, changes in
national, regional and local economic conditions, changes in local real estate
market conditions, changes in interest rates and in the availability, cost and
terms of financing, the potential for uninsured casualty and other losses, the
impact of present or future environmental legislation and adverse changes in
zoning laws and other regulations. Many of these risks are beyond the control of
the Company.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
In addition, real estate investments are relatively illiquid, resulting in a
limited ability of the Company to vary its portfolio of hotels in response to
changes in economic and other conditions.
 
HOTEL RENOVATION RISKS
 
    The renovation of hotels involves risks associated with construction and
renovation of real property, including the possibility of construction cost
overruns and delays due to various factors (including the inability to obtain
regulatory approvals, inclement weather, labor or material shortages and the
unavailability of construction and permanent financing) and market or site
deterioration after acquisition or renovation. Any unanticipated delays or
expenses in connection with the renovation of hotels could have an adverse
effect on the results of operations and financial condition of the Company.
 
SUBSTANTIAL RELIANCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
    The Company will place substantial reliance on the lodging industry
knowledge and experience and the continued services of its senior management,
led by Paul W. Whetsell and David E. McCaslin. The Company's future success and
its ability to manage future growth depend in large part upon the efforts of
these persons and on the Company's ability to attract and retain other highly
qualified personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be
no assurance that the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining
such personnel. The loss of services of Messrs. Whetsell or McCaslin or the
Company's inability to attract and retain other highly qualified personnel may
adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of the
Company. The Company currently has employment agreements with Messrs. Whetsell
and McCaslin for terms of three years each expiring in December 1999, which
contain certain non-compete clauses.
 
POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
    Mr. Whetsell and Mr. McCaslin and entities owned by them own, directly or
indirectly, certain leasehold and minority equity interests in certain of the
Managed Hotels. Mr. Whetsell and Mr. McCaslin exercise management control over
the entities that own certain of these Managed Hotels (the "Affiliated Owners")
through their ownership of certain entities which serve as general partners of
the Affiliated Owners. Such interests were acquired prior to the Company's
formation.
 
    Conflicts may arise in the future between the Company and the Affiliated
Owners with respect to certain Management Agreements (as defined below) between
the Company and such Affiliated Owners. These conflicts may arise in connection
with the exercise of any rights or the conduct of any negotiations to extend,
renew, terminate or amend such agreements. There can be no assurance that such
conflicts will be resolved in favor of the Company. Transactions involving the
Company and the Affiliated Owners will be passed on for the Company by a
majority of the Company's non-employee, independent directors.
 
    Although none of the Managed Hotels owned by Affiliated Owners now competes
with the Owned Hotels, the Company may in the future acquire a hotel in a market
in which a hotel owned by an Affiliated Owner now operates.
 
    Under the terms of their employment agreements, Messrs. Whetsell and
McCaslin are prohibited from acquiring any additional interests in hotels or
hotel management companies while they serve as officers of the Company.
 
TERMINATION OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
 
    The Company operates the Managed Hotels pursuant to third party management
agreements (the "Management Agreements") with the owners of such Managed Hotels.
The Management Agreements have remaining terms ranging from one month to nine
years. Substantially all of the Management Agreements permit the owners of the
Managed Hotels to terminate such agreements prior to the stated
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
expiration dates if the applicable hotel is sold, and several of the Management
Agreements permit the owners of the Managed Hotels to terminate such agreements
prior to the stated expiration date without cause or by reason of the failure of
the applicable hotel to obtain specified levels of performance. The early
termination of the Management Agreements or the inability of the Company to
negotiate renewals of Management Agreements upon the expiration of their stated
terms would have an adverse impact on the revenues received by the Company from
its management business.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
 
    Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and
regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be
liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances
on, under or in such property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not
the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such
hazardous or toxic substances. In addition, the presence of contamination from
hazardous or toxic substances, or the failure to properly remediate such
contaminated property, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell or rent
such real property or to borrow using such real property as collateral. Persons
who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may
also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at the
disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is or ever was
owned or operated by such person. The operation and removal of certain
underground storage tanks are also regulated by federal and state laws. In
connection with the ownership and operation of the Hotels, the Company could be
held liable for the costs of remedial action with respect to such regulated
substances and storage tanks and claims related thereto. Activities have been
undertaken to close or remove storage tanks located on the property of two of
the Owned Hotels.
 
    As of September 9, 1997, all of the Owned Hotels had undergone Phase I
environmental site assessments ("Phase Is"), which generally provide a physical
inspection and database search but not soil or groundwater analyses, by a
qualified independent environmental engineer within approximately the prior 12
months. Phase Is identify potential sources of contamination for which the Owned
Hotels may be responsible and to assess the status of environmental regulatory
compliance. The Phase Is have not revealed any environmental liability or
compliance concerns that the Company believes would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operation or financial condition, nor is the
Company aware of any such liability or concerns.
 
    In addition, the Owned Hotels have been inspected to determine the presence
of asbestos. Federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and
regulations also require abatement or removal of certain asbestos-containing
materials ("ACMs") and govern emissions of and exposure to asbestos fibers in
the air. Limited quantities of ACMs are present in various building materials
such as sprayed-on ceiling treatments, roofing materials or floor tiles at the
Owned Hotels. Operations and maintenance programs for maintaining such ACMs have
been or are in the process of being designed and implemented, or the ACMs have
been scheduled to be or have been abated, at such hotels. Based on third party
environmental assessments and due diligence investigations recently conducted by
the Company and its lenders, the Company believes that the presence of ACMs in
its Owned Hotels will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations or financial condition. However, there can be no assurance
that this will be the case. Any liability resulting from non-compliance or other
claims relating to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
 
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
 
    A number of states regulate the licensing of hotels and restaurants,
including liquor license grants, by requiring registration, disclosure
statements and compliance with specific standards of conduct. The Company
believes that it is substantially in compliance with these requirements.
Managers of hotels are also subject to laws governing their relationship with
hotel employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working
conditions and work permit requirements. Compliance with, or changes in, these
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
laws could reduce the revenue and profitability of the Owned Hotels and could
otherwise adversely affect the Company's results of operations or financial
condition.
 
    Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), all public
accommodations are required to meet certain requirements related to access and
use by disabled persons. These requirements became effective in 1992. Although
significant amounts have been and continue to be invested in ADA required
upgrades to the Owned Hotels, a determination that the Company is not in
compliance with the ADA could result in a judicial order requiring compliance,
imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. The Company is
likely to incur additional costs of complying with the ADA; however, such costs
are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations or financial condition.
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS
 
    All of the Securities when issued will be a new issue of securities with no
established trading market, other than the Common Stock, which is listed on the
NYSE. Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed
on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom
Securities are sold by the Company for public offering and sale may make a
market in such Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so
and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance
can be given as to the liquidity of the secondary market for any such
Securities.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    Except as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Securities by the Company will be applied for
general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness
outstanding from time to time, the financing of future acquisitions, the
improvement of hotels owned by the Company and other general corporate purposes.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
    The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for
the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for each of the periods indicated.
To date, the Company has not issued any Preferred Stock; therefore, the ratios
of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are the same
as the ratios of earnings to fixed charges set forth below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      SIX MONTHS
                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------      ENDED
                                                        1992(1)      1993(1)      1994(1)       1995        1996     JUNE 30, 1997
                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)...............      --           --           --            1.05x       1.46x      2.68x
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Prior to 1995, the Company's predecessor entities had no fixed charges and
    therefore the ratio of earnings to fixed charges was not applicable.
 
(2) For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
    consist of income before minority interest, income tax expense and
    extraordinary items plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest and
    preferred distributions to minority interest). Fixed charges represent
    interest incurred (including capitalized interest), amortization of debt
    expense, preferred distributions to minority interest and the portion of
    rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the equivalent of interest.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth the names of the Selling Stockholders, the
number of shares of Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by
each Selling Stockholder as of the date hereof and the maximum number of shares
which may be offered by each Selling Stockholder.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          NUMBER OF     MAXIMUM
                                                                                           SHARES      NUMBER OF
                                                                                         BENEFICIALLY SHARES TO BE
                                  SELLING STOCKHOLDER                                       OWNED       OFFERED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States(1)...........................     467,339       467,339
Overseas Assets Holdings, Inc.(1)......................................................     172,654       172,654
Umpawaug Corporation(1)................................................................     113,931       113,931
Xerox Credit Corporation(1)............................................................      98,575        98,575
Mitsui Nevitt Capital Corporation(1)...................................................      92,201        92,201
Wells Fargo & Co.(1)...................................................................      59,144        59,144
The Bank of New York Company, Inc.(1)..................................................      56,595        56,595
David G. Offensend(2)(3)...............................................................      61,949        40,000
Paribas North America, Inc.(1).........................................................      39,430        39,430
Neuville Company, Inc.(1)..............................................................      35,177        35,177
Anthony P. Scotto(2)(3)................................................................      36,405        27,023
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company(1)..........................................      25,387        25,387
Fort Worth Zoological Association......................................................      18,134        18,134
Peter G. Mulvihill(2)(3)...............................................................      16,646        12,717
Oak Hill Partners, Inc.(3).............................................................      12,132        12,132
R. David Andrews(2)(3).................................................................       8,752         8,752
Oak Hill Investment Partners, L.P.(2)(3)...............................................       3,685         3,685
Nicholas Orum(2)(3)....................................................................       1,404         1,404
OHP EquiStar, L.P.(3)..................................................................         800           800
OHP EquiStar II, L.P.(3)...............................................................         570           570
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
    Total..............................................................................   1,320,910     1,285,650
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Such Selling Stockholder is a limited partner of both Acadia Partners, L.P.,
    a principal stockholder of the Company, and Penobscot Partners, L.P., and
    received such shares in a liquidating distribution from Acadia Partners,
    L.P. and Penobscot Partners, L.P. immediately prior to the date hereof.
 
(2) Such Selling Stockholder is a limited partner of OHP EquiStar, L.P., and
    received such shares in a liquidating distribution from OHP EquiStar, L.P.
    immediately prior to the date hereof.
 
(3) Daniel L. Doctoroff, a director of the Company, is a principal stockholder
    of Oak Hill Partners, Inc. Bradford E. Bernstein, a director of the Company,
    is a principal of Oak Hill Partners, Inc. Oak Hill Partners, Inc. is the
    general partner of OHP EquiStar, L.P. and OHP EquiStar II, L.P. Oak Hill
    Partners, Inc. is also the investment advisor to Acadia Partners, L.P.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 49,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock. As of September 9, 1997, there were 18,907,821 shares of Common Stock and
no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    VOTING RIGHTS.  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that
holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. The stockholders are not entitled to vote
cumulatively for the election of directors.
 
    DIVIDENDS.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to receive dividends if,
as and when declared by the Board of Directors. Under Delaware law, a
corporation may declare and pay dividends out of surplus, or if there is no
surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is
declared and/or the preceding year. No dividends may be declared, however, if
the capital of the corporation has been diminished by depreciation in the value
of its property, losses or otherwise to an amount less than the aggregate amount
of capital represented by any issued and outstanding stock having a preference
on the distribution of assets.
 
    OTHER RIGHTS.  Stockholders of the Company have no preemptive or other
rights to subscribe for additional shares. Subject to any rights of the holders
of any Preferred Stock that may be issued subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus, all holders of Common Stock are entitled to share equally on a
share-for-share basis in any assets available for distribution to stockholders
on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. No shares of Common
Stock are subject to redemption or a sinking fund. All outstanding shares of
Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The Company's Board is authorized to issue, without further authorization
from stockholders, up to 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more
series and to determine, at the time of creating each series, the distinctive
designation of, and the number of shares in, the series, its dividend rate, the
number of votes, if any, for each share of such series, the price and terms on
which such shares may be redeemed, the terms of any applicable sinking fund, the
amount payable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the conversion
rights, if any, and such other rights, preferences and priorities of such series
as the Board may be permitted to fix under the laws of the State of Delaware as
in effect at the time such series is created. The issuance of Preferred Stock
could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock and could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the
Company.
 
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE LAW
 
    Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law")
prohibits publicly held Delaware corporations from engaging in a "business
combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years
following the date of the transaction in which the person or entity became an
interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such date, either the business
combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder is approved by the Board, (ii) upon consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation (excluding for this purpose certain shares owned
by persons who are directors and also officers of the corporation and by certain
employee benefit plans) or (iii) on or after such date the business combination
is approved by the Board and by the affirmative vote (and not by written
consent) of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned
by the interested stockholder. For the purposes of Section
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
203, a "business combination" is broadly defined to include mergers, asset sales
and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns (or within the immediately preceding three years
did own) 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    The Company has entered into registration rights agreements with (i) persons
receiving shares of Common Stock in connection with the Company's initial
formation and (ii) parties receiving units of limited partnership interest in
its subsidiary operating partnerships as consideration for the acquisition of
certain of the Owned Hotels which, under certain circumstances, may be converted
into Common Stock (the "Registration Rights Agreements"), pursuant to which the
Company has agreed (with certain limitations) to register for sale any shares of
Common Stock that are held by the parties thereto (collectively, the
"Registrable Securities"). The Registration Rights Agreements provide that any
holder of Registrable Securities may require the Company to register such
Registrable Securities for sale (a "Demand Registration"), provided that the
total amount of Registrable Securities to be included in the Demand Registration
has a market value of at least $10.0 million and provided that notice is not
given prior to six months after the effective date of a previous Demand
Registration. If Registrable Securities are going to be registered by the
Company pursuant to a Demand Registration, the Company must provide written
notice to the other holders of Registrable Securities and permit them to include
any or all Registrable Securities that they hold in the Demand Registration,
provided that the amount of Registrable Securities requested to be registered
may be limited by the underwriters in an underwritten offering based on such
underwriters' determination that inclusion of the total amount of Registrable
Securities requested for registration would materially and adversely affect the
success of the offering. Certain management-controlled entities that received
shares in connection with the Company's initial formation have a one-time right
to require the Company to register the Registrable Securities that they hold in
connection with the distribution of the Registrable Securities to their members
or in connection with a resale of such shares. In order to demand any such
registration the market value of the securities to be sold by such entities must
be at least $2.0 million.
 
    The Registration Rights Agreements also provide that, with certain limited
exceptions, in the event the Company proposes to file a registration statement
with respect to an offering of any class of equity securities the Company will
offer the holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the
number of Registrable Securities they request to include (the "Piggyback
Registration"), provided that the amount of Registrable Securities requested to
be registered may be limited by the underwriters in an underwritten offering
based on such underwriters' determination that inclusion of the total amount of
Registrable Securities requested for registration would materially and adversely
affect the success of the offering. The Company is generally required to pay all
of the expenses of Demand Registrations and Piggyback Registrations, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
    The Company has appointed The First National Bank of Boston as the transfer
agent and registrar for the Common Stock.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
    The Senior Securities will be issued under one or more indentures dated as
of a date prior to the first issuance of Senior Securities, as supplemented from
time to time (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Company and a trustee to be
named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Senior Trustee"), and the
Subordinated Securities will be issued under an indenture to be dated as of a
date prior to the first issuance of Subordinated Securities, as supplemented
from time to time (the "Subordinated Indenture"), between the Company and a
trustee to be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Subordinated
Trustee"). The term "Indenture" as used herein refers to either the Senior
Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, as appropriate, and the term "Trustee"
as used herein refers to either the Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee,
as appropriate. The Indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The statements
made under this heading relating to the Debt Securities and the Indentures are
summaries of the anticipated provisions thereof, do not purport to be complete
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Debt Securities and
Indentures.
 
    The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company.
The indebtedness represented by the Senior Securities will rank equally with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The indebtedness
represented by the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of senior indebtedness of the Company as
described under "--Subordination" below. The Debt Securities may be issued from
time to time in one or more series. A supplemental indenture to the applicable
Indenture (a "Supplemental Indenture") will be entered into by the Company and
the applicable Trustee with respect to the issuance of each series of Debt
Securities, which will set forth the terms and provisions of such series of Debt
Securities. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt
Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof, including: (i) the
title of such Debt Securities and whether they are Senior Securities or
Subordinated Securities; (ii) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of
such Debt Securities; (iii) the date or dates (or manner of determining the
same) on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable; (iv) the
rate or rates (or manner of determining the same) at which such Debt Securities
will bear interest, if any, and the date or dates from which such interest will
accrue; (v) the dates (or the manner of determining the same) on which such
interest will be payable, the record dates for such interest payment dates (or
the manner of determining the same), the persons to whom such interest will be
payable and the basis upon which interest will be calculated; (vi) the place or
places where the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt
Securities will be payable; (vii) the period or periods, if any, within which,
and the price or prices at which, such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole
or in part, at the option of the Company; (viii) any mandatory or optional
sinking fund or analogous provisions; (ix) the denominations in which any Debt
Securities will be issuable; (x) the currency or currency units, if other than
currency of the United States, in which payment of the principal of and any
premium or interest on such Debt Securities will be payable, and the terms and
conditions of any elections that may be made available with respect thereto;
(xi) any index or formula used to determine the amount of payments of principal
of and any premium or interest on such Debt Securities; (xii) whether the Debt
Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
global securities ("Global Securities") and, if so, the identity of the
depositary, if any, for such Global Securities; (xiii) the terms and conditions,
if any, pursuant to which such Debt Securities are convertible into or
exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities; (xiv) the applicability of
the provisions described in "--Defeasance" below; (xv) any subordination
provisions applicable to such Debt Securities in addition to or different than
those described under "--Subordination" below; (xvi) any addition to, or
modification or deletion of, any Events of Default (as defined in the applicable
Indenture) or covenants with respect to such Debt Securities, including without
limitation the amount to be specified in connection with clause (v) under
"--Events of Default" below; and (xvii) any other terms of the Debt Securities.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    The Debt Securities may be issued at a discount from their stated principal
amount. Certain federal income tax considerations and other special
considerations applicable to any Debt Security issued with original issue
discount (an "Original Issue Discount Security") will be described in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
    If the purchase price of any Debt Securities is denominated, or any premium
or interest on Debt Securities is payable, in a foreign currency, the
restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other
information with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such foreign
currency will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, (i) the
Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered form in denominations of
$1,000 or integral multiples thereof and (ii) payment of principal, premium (if
any) and interest on the Debt Securities will be payable, and the exchange,
conversion and transfer of Debt Securities will be registerable, at the office
or agency of the Company maintained for such purposes and at any other office or
agency maintained for such purpose. No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities, but the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge imposed in connection therewith.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS IN THE INDENTURES
 
    EXISTENCE.  Except as permitted as described under "--Limitations on Merger
and Certain Other Transactions," the Company will be required to preserve and
keep in full force its existence, charter rights, statutory rights and
franchises, except to the extent that failure to do so would not have a material
adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of
operations of the Company (a "Material Adverse Effect"), except that the Company
will not be required to preserve any right or franchise if it determines that
the preservation is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business.
 
    MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  The Company will be required to cause all
properties used in its business to be maintained and kept in good condition,
repair and working order, except to the extent that the failure to do so would
not have a Material Adverse Effect, except that the Company will not be required
to continue the operation or maintenance of any such property or be prevented
from disposing of such property if the Company determines that such
discontinuance or disposal is desirable in the conduct of its business.
 
    PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS.  The Company will be required to pay and
discharge, before the same become delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or its properties and
(ii) all claims that if unpaid would result in a lien on its property and have a
Material Adverse Effect, unless the same is being contested by proper
proceedings.
 
    ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.  Any additional covenants applicable to any series of
Debt Securities will be described in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    Each Indenture will provide that certain events will constitute Events of
Default with respect to the Debt Securities, which Events of Default may include
the following: (i) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if
any, on, the Debt Security when it becomes due and payable; (ii) default in the
payment of any interest on the Debt Security when it becomes due and payable,
and continuance of such default for a period of 30 calendar days; (iii) default
in the making of any sinking fund payment as and when due by the terms of the
Debt Securities; (iv) default in the performance, or breach, of any other
covenant or warranty of the Company in such Indenture (other than a covenant
included in such Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities
other than that series) and continuance of such default for a period of 90
calendar days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company as
provided in
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
such Indenture; (v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
involving the Company; and (vi) any other Event of Default provided with respect
to Debt Securities of that series. Pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, the
applicable Trustee will be required, within 90 calendar days after the
occurrence of a default under the applicable Indenture, to give to the holders
of the Debt Securities notice of all such uncured defaults known to it (except
that, in the case of a default in the performance of any covenant of the
character contemplated in clause (iv) of the preceding sentence, no such notice
to holders of the Debt Securities of such series will be given until at least 30
calendar days after the occurrence thereof), except that, other than in the case
of a default of the character contemplated in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the
preceding sentence, the applicable Trustee may withhold such notice if and so
long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in
the interest of the holders of the Debt Securities.
 
    If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, either the applicable
Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Debt
Securities of that series by notice as provided in the applicable Indenture may
declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities are Original Issue
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the terms of that series) of all Debt Securities of that series to be due and
payable immediately. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration
with respect to Debt Securities has been made, but before a judgment or decree
based on such acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series may, under certain
circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. See "--Modification and
Waiver" below. If an Event of Default under clause (v) of the immediately
preceding paragraph occurs, then the principal of and premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the Debt Securities will become immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the applicable Trustee of
any holder of the Debt Securities.
 
    An Indenture may provide that, subject to the duty of the applicable Trustee
thereunder during an Event of Default to act with the required standard of care,
such Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders
of the Debt Securities, unless such holders have offered to such Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to certain provisions, including those
requiring security or indemnification of the applicable Trustee, the holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series will have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to such Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
on such Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
 
    No holder of a Debt Security will have any right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the applicable Indenture or for any remedy thereunder unless
such holder has previously given to the applicable Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default and unless the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of the same series have also
made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to such Trustee to
institute such proceeding as trustee, and such Trustee has received from the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of the same series a direction inconsistent with such request and has
failed to institute such proceeding within 60 calendar days. However, such
limitations will not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a Debt Security
for enforcement of payment of the principal of and interest on such Debt
Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security.
 
    The Company will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance by the Company of its obligations under the applicable
Indenture and as to any default in such performance thereunder.
 
    Any additional Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities, and any
variations from the foregoing Events of Default, will be described in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
    Modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by the Company and
the applicable Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities series affected
thereby, except that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent
of the holder of each Debt Security affected thereby, (i) change the stated
maturity of, or any installment of principal of, or interest on, any Debt
Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount of, the rate of interest on, or the
premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of, any Debt Security; (iii) reduce
the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security payable upon
acceleration of the maturity thereof; (iv) change the place or currency of
payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security;
(v) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to any Debt Security on or after the stated maturity or prepayment
date thereof; (vi) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities
of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for modification
or amendment of the applicable Indenture or for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of such Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or (vii)
in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, modify any of the provisions relating
to the subordination of the Subordinated Securities in a manner adverse to the
holders thereof.
 
    The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of
that series waive compliance by the Company with certain covenants of the
applicable Indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Debt Securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all
Debt Securities of that series, waive any past default under the applicable
Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security of that
series or in respect of a provision which under such Indenture cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security of
that series affected thereby.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
    An Indenture may provide that the Company may elect either (i) to defease
and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series pursuant to such Indenture, except for the obligation
to pay additional amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of tax,
assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on such Debt
Securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such Debt
Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt
Securities and to maintain an office or agency in respect of such Debt
Securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust or (ii) to be released from
its obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under certain sections of
such Indenture (including the restrictions described under "--Certain Covenants
in the Indentures") and, if provided pursuant to such Indenture, its obligations
with respect to any other covenant, and any failure to comply with such
obligations will not constitute an Event of Default with respect to such Debt
Securities if, in either case, the Company irrevocably deposits with the
applicable Trustee, in trust, money or direct obligations of the United States
for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged or obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States the
payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States, which, in either case, are not callable at the
issuer's option ("U.S. Government Obligations") or certain depositary receipts
therefor that through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in
accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay
all the principal of and premium, if any, and any interest on, the Debt
Securities on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of
such Debt Securities. Such defeasance may be effected only if, among other
things, (a) no Event of Default or event which with the giving of notice or
lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default under the applicable
Indenture has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit, (b) no
Event of Default described under clause (v) under "--Events of Default" above or
event that with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an
Event of Default described
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
under such clause (v) has occurred and is continuing at any time on or prior to
the 90th calendar day following such date of deposit, (c) in the event of
defeasance under clause (i) above, the Company has delivered an opinion of
counsel, stating that (1) the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (2) since the date of the
applicable Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal law, in
either case to the effect that, the holders of the Debt Securities will not
recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result
of such deposit or defeasance and will be subject to United States federal
income tax in the same manner as if such defeasance had not occurred and (d) in
the event of defeasance under clause (ii) above, the Company has delivered an
opinion of counsel to the effect that, among other things, the holders of the
Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes as a result of such deposit or defeasance and will be subject to
United States federal income tax in the same manner as if such defeasance had
not occurred. In the event the Company fails to comply with its remaining
obligations under the applicable Indenture after a defeasance of such Indenture
with respect to Debt Securities as described under clause (ii) above and the
Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any
undefeased Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations
on deposit with the applicable Trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on
the Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting
from such Event of Default. However, the Company will remain liable in respect
of such payments.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
    The Company may be permitted under the applicable Indenture to discharge
certain obligations to holders of Debt Securities that have not already been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and
payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for
redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the Trustee, in
trust, funds in such currency in which such Debt Securities are payable in an
amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities in
respect of principal, and premium, if any and interest to the date of such
deposit (if such Debt Securities have become due and payable) or to the stated
maturity or redemption date, as the case may be.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
    Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon the dissolution, winding
up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, the payment of the principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Securities will be
subordinated to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness, including
Senior Securities, but the obligation of the Company to make payment of
principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Subordinated Securities will
not otherwise be affected. No payment on account of principal (or premium, if
any), sinking fund or interest may be made on the Subordinated Securities at any
time when there is a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any,
sinking fund or interest on senior indebtedness. In the event that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by the Company described in the
foregoing sentence is received by the Subordinated Trustee under the
Subordinated Indenture or the holders of any of the Subordinated Securities
before all senior indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution
will be paid over to the holders of such senior indebtedness or on their behalf
for application to the payment of all senior indebtedness remaining unpaid until
all such senior indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any
concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such senior indebtedness.
Subject to payment in full of senior indebtedness, the holders of the
Subordinated Securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the
senior indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of such senior
indebtedness out of the distributive share of the Subordinated Securities.
 
    By reason of such subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets
upon insolvency, certain general creditors of the Company may recover more,
ratably, than holders of the Subordinated Securities.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
A Subordinated Indenture may provide that the subordination provisions thereof
will not apply to money and securities held in trust pursuant to the
satisfaction and discharge and the legal defeasance provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture.
 
    If this Prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a
series of Subordinated Securities, the accompanying Prospectus Supplement or the
information incorporated by reference therein will set forth the approximate
amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
 
LIMITATIONS ON MERGER AND CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
    An Indenture may provide that, prior to the satisfaction and discharge of
the Company's obligations to holders of Debt Securities, the Company may not
consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, or transfer all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to another person, unless (i)
either (a) the Company is the continuing or surviving person in such a
consolidation or merger or (b) the person (if other than the Company) formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company are transferred
(the Company or such other person being referred to as the "Surviving Person")
is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United
States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes, by
an indenture supplement, all the obligations of the Company under the Debt
Securities and the applicable Indenture and (ii) immediately after the
transaction and the incurrence or anticipated incurrence of any indebtedness to
be incurred in connection therewith, no Event of Default exists. The Surviving
Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect
as if it had been named in the applicable Indenture as a party thereto, and
thereafter the predecessor corporation will be relieved of all obligations and
covenants under such Indenture and the Debt Securities.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
    The terms and conditions, if any, on which Debt Securities being offered are
convertible into Common Stock or other Securities of the Company will be set
forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will
include the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether
conversion will be at the option of the holder or the Company, the events
requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting
conversion in the event of the redemption of such Debt Securities.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
    The Debt Securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or
more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a
depositary or its nominee identified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. In
such a case, one or more Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or
aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount
of the Debt Securities to be represented by such Global Securities. The specific
terms of the depositor arrangement with respect to Debt Securities to be
represented by a Global Security will be described in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
    The Company may issue Warrants for the purchase of Common Stock, Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued
independently or together with any other Securities offered in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or separate from such Securities.
Warrants may be issued under warrant agreements (each, a "Warrant Agreement") to
be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Warrant Agent"). The Warrant Agent will
act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the Warrants of a
particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency
or trust for
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
or with any holders or beneficial owners of Warrants. The following sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of Warrants which may be offered. Further
terms of the Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreement will be set forth in
an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
    The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Warrants
in respect of which the Prospectus is being delivered, including, where
applicable, the following: (i) the title of such Warrants; (ii) the aggregate
number of such Warrants; (iii) the price or prices at which such Warrants will
be issued; (iv) the designation, number and terms of the Common Stock, Preferred
Stock, Debt Securities, or combination thereof, purchasable upon exercise of
such Warrants; (v) the designation and terms of the other Securities, if any,
with which such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants issued with
each such Security; (vi) the date, if any, on and after which such Warrants and
the related underlying Securities will be separately transferable; (vii) the
price at which each underlying Security purchasable upon exercise of such
Warrants may be purchased; (viii) the date on which the right to exercise such
Warrants will commence and the date on which such right will expire; (ix) the
minimum amount of such Warrants which may be exercised at any one time; (x)
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; (xi) a discussion of
any applicable federal income tax considerations; (xii) the amount of Warrants
outstanding; (xiii) provision for changes to or adjustments in the exercise
price; and (xiv) any other terms of such Warrants, including terms, procedures
and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange and exercise of such
Warrants.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company and the Selling Stockholders may sell the Securities in any one
or more of the following ways: (i) through one or more underwriters, (ii)
through one or more dealers or agents (which may include one or more
underwriters), (iii) directly to one or more purchasers, or (iv) through an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such exchange, including
the NYSE, or in transactions in the over-the-counter market.
 
    The distribution of the Securities may be effected 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. In
connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters, dealers and agents may
receive compensation from the Company, the Selling Stockholders or purchasers of
the Securities in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions
received by them from the Company or the Selling Stockholders and any profit on
the resale of Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent will
be identified and any such compensation received from the Company or the Selling
Stockholders will be described in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Any
initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
    Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the
distribution of the Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Company
or the Selling Stockholders against certain liabilities, including under the
Securities Act, or contribution from the Company or the Selling Stockholders to
payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in
respect thereof. The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions
with, or perform services for, the Company and the Selling Stockholders in the
ordinary course of business.
 
    All of the Securities when issued will be a new issue of securities with no
established trading market, other than the Common Stock, which is listed on the
NYSE. Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed
on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom
Securities are sold by the Company for public offering and sale may make a
market in such
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be
given as to the liquidity of the secondary market for any such Securities.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Securities offered hereby has been passed upon for the
Company by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The Company's financial statements as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for
the years then ended, and the supplemental schedule and the financial statements
of CapStar Management as of December 31, 1994, and for the years ended December
31, 1994 and 1993, incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration
Statement, have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent accountants, incorporated by reference herein
and in the Registration Statement, given on the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing. The financial statements of certain other
entities, incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration Statement,
have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, Wertheim & Company, King Griffin & Adamson P.C., Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P. and Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp, P.C., as the case may be, independent
accountants, incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration Statement,
given on the authority of said firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
    Any financial statements and schedules hereafter incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part that have been
audited and are the subject of a report by independent accountants will be so
incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority
of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing to the extent covered by
consents filed with the Commission.
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    Certain statements in this Prospectus constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements
of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performances
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among other things, the following: the ability of the Company
to successfully implement its acquisition strategy and operating strategy; the
Company's ability to manage rapid expansion; changes in economic cycles;
competition from other hospitality companies; and changes in the laws and
government regulations applicable to the Company.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information
or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the
Company or any of the Underwriters. Neither this Prospectus Supplement nor the
Prospectus constitutes an offer of any securities other than those to which it
relates or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to any person
in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that
the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its
date.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                  ---------
<S>                                               <C>
                   PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
Prospectus Summary..............................        S-1
Risk Factors....................................        S-7
Use of Proceeds.................................        S-8
Price Range of Common Stock.....................        S-8
Dividend Policy.................................        S-8
Capitalization..................................        S-9
Selected Financial and Other Data...............       S-10
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
  Financial Statements..........................       S-12
Business and Properties.........................       S-16
Description of the Notes........................       S-25
Certain United States Federal Income Tax
  Considerations................................       S-36
Underwriting....................................       S-38
Legal Matters...................................       S-39
Experts.........................................       S-39
 
<CAPTION>
 
                   PROSPECTUS
<S>                                               <C>
 
Available Information...........................          2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.....................................          2
The Company.....................................          3
Risk Factors....................................          4
Use of Proceeds.................................          9
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..............          9
Selling Stockholders............................         10
Description of Capital Stock....................         11
Description of Debt Securities..................         13
Description of Warrants.........................         18
Plan of Distribution............................         19
Legal Matters...................................         20
Experts.........................................         20
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
  Statements....................................         20
</TABLE>
 
                                  $150,000,000
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                         4.75% Convertible Subordinated
                                 Notes due 2004
 
                              --------------------
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                                October 9, 1997
                             ----------------------
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
                                 BT ALEX. BROWN
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                    NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES, INC.
                               SMITH BARNEY INC.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission