CNL AMERICAN REALTY FUND INC
DEF 14A, 1998-03-26
LESSORS OF REAL PROPERTY, NEC
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                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)
                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                              Exchange Act of 1934


Filed by the Registrant [x] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check
the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary  Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential,  for Use
of the
                          Commission Only (as permitted
                              by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[  ] Definitive Additional Materials
[  ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                         CNL American Realty Fund, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
    [x] No fee required.
    [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
    1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3) Per unit  price  or  other  underlying  value  of  transaction  computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     5) Total fee paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     [  ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange  Act
Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, of
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
     1)  Amount Previously Paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3)  Filing Party:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4)  Date Filed:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




<PAGE>


                         CNL AMERICAN REALTY FUND, INC.
                              400 East South Street
                             Orlando, Florida 32801



                                 March 26, 1998


To our stockholders:

         You are cordially  invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders
of CNL American  Realty Fund,  Inc., (the "Company") on May 4, 1998 at 1:00 p.m.
at the CNL  Management  Center  at 450 E.  South  Street,  Suite  101,  Orlando,
Florida.  The directors and officers of the Company look forward to greeting you
personally.  Enclosed for your review are the proxy, proxy statement,  notice of
meeting for the annual meeting of stockholders and annual report.

         This year's proxy  requests  your vote on a proposal to change the name
of the Company, and to vote for election of directors. The proposal for the name
change  reflects the Board's  desire to provide  better name  recognition of the
Company  in the  context  of its  business.  Therefore,  the Board of  Directors
unanimously  recommends that you vote to approve the proposals presented in this
year's  proxy  statement.  Your vote  counts.  Please  complete  and  return the
attached ballot today. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


/s/ James M. Seneff, Jr.                      /s/ Robert A. Bourne
- --------------------------                    --------------------------
James M. Seneff, Jr.                          Robert A. Bourne
Chairman of the Board and                     President
Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>



                         CNL AMERICAN REALTY FUND, INC.
                              400 East South Street
                             Orlando, Florida 32801



                    Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
                             To Be Held May 4, 1998


         NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of  stockholders  of CNL
AMERICAN REALTY FUND, INC. (the "Company") will be held at 1:00 p.m. local time,
on May 4, 1998, at the CNL Management Center at 450 E. South Street,  Suite 101,
Orlando, Florida, for the following purposes:

         1.       To elect five directors.

         2.       To approve an amendment to the Company's  Amended and Restated
                  Articles of Incorporation  changing the name of the Company to
                  CNL Hospitality Properties, Inc.

         3.       To transact  such other  business as may properly  come before
                  the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

         Stockholders  of record at the close of business on February  20, 1998,
will be  entitled  to  notice  of and to vote at the  annual  meeting  or at any
adjournment thereof.

         Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.

         WHETHER  OR NOT YOU NOW PLAN TO ATTEND  THE  MEETING,  YOU ARE ASKED TO
COMPLETE,  DATE,  SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED  PROXY FOR WHICH A POSTAGE
PAID RETURN ENVELOPE IS PROVIDED.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE VOTED. IF
YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND THE  MEETING YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES
IN PERSON.


                                   By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                   /s/ Lynn E. Rose
                                   --------------------------
                                   Lynn E. Rose
                                   Secretary

March 26, 1998
Orlando, Florida


<PAGE>



                         CNL AMERICAN REALTY FUND, INC.
                              400 East South Street
                             Orlando, Florida 32801


           ----------------------------------------------------------


                                 PROXY STATEMENT

           ----------------------------------------------------------



     This proxy statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of CNL American
Realty Fund,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  in  connection  with the  solicitation  by
management of proxies to be voted at the annual  meeting of  stockholders  to be
held on May 4, 1998, and at any adjournment  thereof, for the purposes set forth
in the  accompanying  notice of such meeting.  All stockholders of record at the
close of business on February 20, 1998, will be entitled to vote.

     Any proxy, if received in time,  properly  signed and not revoked,  will be
voted at such meeting in accordance with the directions of the  stockholder.  If
no directions are specified, the proxy will be voted FOR each Proposal set forth
in this proxy statement.  Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke
it at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked (1) by delivery of
a written  statement to the  Secretary of the Company  stating that the proxy is
revoked,  (2) by  presentation  at the  annual  meeting  of a  subsequent  proxy
executed by the person  executing  the prior proxy,  or (3) by attendance at the
annual meeting and voting in person.

     Votes cast in person or by proxy at the annual  meeting  will be  tabulated
and a determination  will be made as to whether or not a quorum is present.  The
Company will treat  abstentions  as shares that are present and entitled to vote
for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum,  but as unvoted
for  purposes  of  determining  the  approval  of any  matter  submitted  to the
stockholders.  If a  broker  submits  a proxy  indicating  that it does not have
discretionary  authority as to certain  shares to vote on a  particular  matter,
those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect
to such matter.

     Solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail.  However,  directors and
officers of the Company also may solicit  proxies by telephone or telegram or in
person. All of the expenses of preparing,  assembling,  printing and mailing the
materials  used in the  solicitation  of  proxies  will be paid by the  Company.
Arrangements  may be made with brokerage houses and other  custodians,  nominees
and fiduciaries to forward soliciting materials,  at the expense of the Company,
to the  beneficial  owners of  shares  held of  record  by such  persons.  It is
anticipated  that this proxy  statement  and the  enclosed  proxy  first will be
mailed to stockholders on or about March 26, 1998.

     As of February  20, 1998,  1,530,474  shares of common stock of the Company
were outstanding.  Each share of common stock entitles the holder thereof to one
vote on each of the  matters to be voted upon at the annual  meeting.  As of the
record  date,  officers  and  directors  of the  Company  had the  power to vote
approximately 1.34% of the outstanding shares of common stock.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S> <C>


PROPOSAL I:                Election of Directors..............................................................    3
                           Executive Compensation.............................................................    8
                           Performance Comparison.............................................................    8

PROPOSAL II:               Amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles
                           of Incorporation to Change the Name of the Company.................................    9

SECURITY OWNERSHIP............................................................................................   10

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS..........................................................................................   11

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS..........................................................................................   12

OTHER MATTERS.................................................................................................   12

PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING.............................................................................   12

ANNUAL REPORT.................................................................................................   12
</TABLE>


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                                   PROPOSAL I
                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


Nominees

     The persons  named below have been  nominated by the Board of Directors for
election as directors to serve until the next annual meeting of  stockholders or
until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. Messrs. Bourne and
Seneff have been directors since June 1996. Messrs. Hostetter, Huseman and Kruse
have been directors  since July 1997. The table sets forth each nominee's  name,
age, principal occupation or employment during at least the last five years, and
directorships in other public corporations.

     The  Company's  officers and  directors  have advised the Company that they
intend to vote  their  shares of common  stock for the  election  of each of the
nominees.  Proxies  will be voted FOR the  election  of the  following  nominees
unless authority is withheld.

Name and Age                            Background

Robert A. Bourne,  50                   Mr.  Bourne has served as
                                        President  and a director of the Company
                                        since June 1996,  and as President and a
                                        director  of CNL Real  Estate  Advisors,
                                        Inc. ("Real Estate  Advisors") since its
                                        inception in January  1997.  Real Estate
                                        Advisors   is   responsible    for   the
                                        day-to-day  operation of the Company and
                                        performs  certain  other  administrative
                                        services for the  Company.  See "Certain
                                        Transactions." Mr. Bourne also serves as
                                        President  and  Treasurer  of CNL Group,
                                        Inc.   In   addition,   Mr.   Bourne  is
                                        President,  Treasurer,  a director and a
                                        registered  principal of CNL  Securities
                                        Corp.,  President  and a director of CNL
                                        Investment Company, Vice Chairman of the
                                        Board of  Directors  of  Commercial  Net
                                        Lease  Realty,  Inc.,  President  of CNL
                                        Realty   Corp.   and  Chief   Investment
                                        Officer,  Vice  Chairman of the Board of
                                        Directors,  Treasurer  and a director of
                                        CNL  Institutional  Advisors,   Inc.,  a
                                        registered   investment   advisor.   Mr.
                                        Bourne  previously  served as  Secretary
                                        and  Treasurer of  Commercial  Net Lease
                                        Realty,  Inc. through December 31, 1997.
                                        Mr.  Bourne also served as  President of
                                        CNL  Institutional  Advisors,  Inc. from
                                        the date of its  inception  through June
                                        30,  1997.  Mr.  Bourne  also  served as
                                        director, Treasurer and Vice Chairman of
                                        CNL Realty Advisors, Inc. until December
                                        31,  1997,  at  which  time  CNL  Realty
                                        Advisors,  Inc.  merged with  Commercial
                                        Net Lease Realty, Inc. In addition,  Mr.
                                        Bourne   serves  as   President   and  a
                                        director  of  CNL  American   Properties
                                        Fund,  Inc.,  and  as  Treasurer  and  a
                                        director of CNL Fund Advisors,  Inc. Mr.
                                        Bourne   also   previously   served   as
                                        President of CNL Fund Advisors, Inc. All
                                        such  entities  are  affiliates  of  CNL
                                        Group,    Inc.,   a   privately    held,
                                        diversified real estate company of which
                                        Real Estate  Advisors is a wholly  owned
                                        subsidiary. Since joining CNL Securities
                                        Corp.  in  1979,  Mr.  Bourne  has  been
                                        active in the acquisition,  development,
                                        and  management of real estate  projects
                                        throughout the United States. Mr. Bourne
                                        formerly   was   a   certified    public
                                        accountant with Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                        and a  partner  in the firm of  Bourne &
                                        Rose, P.A.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>




G. Richard Hostetter, Esq.,  58        Mr. Hostetter serves as a director of the
                                       Company and also serves as a director of
                                       CNL American  Properties  Fund, Inc. Mr.
                                       Hostetter  was  associated  with the law
                                       firm of  Miller  and  Martin  from  1966
                                       through 1989, the last ten years of such
                                       association  as a senior  partner.  As a
                                       lawyer, he served for more than 20 years
                                       as counsel  for various  corporate  real
                                       estate groups,  fast-food  companies and
                                       public companies,  including The Krystal
                                       Company,   resulting  in  his  extensive
                                       participation in transactions  involving
                                       the sale,  lease, and  sale/leaseback of
                                       approximately  250 restaurant  units. He
                                       is licensed to practice law in Tennessee
                                       and  Georgia.  From  1989 to  date,  Mr.
                                       Hostetter  has served as  President  and
                                       General  Counsel  of  Mills,  Ragland  &
                                       Hostetter,  Inc., the corporate  general
                                       partner of MRH, L.P., a holding  company
                                       involved in corporate  acquisitions,  in
                                       which he also is a general  and  limited
                                       partner.

Richard C. Huseman, 59                  Dr. Huseman serves as a
                                        director  of the Company and also serves
                                        as a director of CNL American Properties
                                        Fund,  Inc.  Dr.  Huseman is presently a
                                        professor  in the  College  of  Business
                                        Administration,  and from  1990  through
                                        1995,  served as the Dean of the College
                                        of   Business   Administration   of  the
                                        University  of Central  Florida.  He has
                                        served  as a  consultant  in the area of
                                        managerial  strategies  to a  number  of
                                        Fortune 500 corporations, including IBM,
                                        AT&T,  and 3M,  as  well  as to  several
                                        branches   of   the   U.S.   government,
                                        including the U.S.  Department of Health
                                        and Human Services,  the U.S. Department
                                        of  Justice,  and the  Internal  Revenue
                                        Service.

J. Joseph  Kruse,  65                   Mr. Kruse serves as a
                                        director  of the Company and also serves
                                        as a director of CNL American Properties
                                        Fund, Inc. From 1993 to the present, Mr.
                                        Kruse  has  been   President  and  Chief
                                        Executive  Officer of Kruse & Co., Inc.,
                                        a merchant  banking  company  engaged in
                                        real estate.  Formerly,  Mr. Kruse was a
                                        Senior Vice President with Textron, Inc.
                                        for  twenty  years,  and then  served as
                                        Senior  Vice  President  at  G.  William
                                        Miller  &  Co.,  a firm  founded  by the
                                        former  Chairman of the Federal  Reserve
                                        Board and the  Treasury  Secretary.  Mr.
                                        Kruse was responsible for evaluations of
                                        commercial   real   estate   and  retail
                                        shopping  mall projects and continues to
                                        serve of counsel to the firm.



                                       -4-

<PAGE>



James M. Seneff,  Jr., 51               Mr.  Seneff has been
                                        Chief Executive  Officer, a director and
                                        Chairman  of the  Board  of the  Company
                                        since  June  1996,   as  well  as  Chief
                                        Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board
                                        and a director of Real  Estate  Advisors
                                        since its inception in January 1997. Mr.
                                        Seneff  has  served  as Chief  Executive
                                        Officer,   Chairman   of  the  Board  of
                                        Directors,  director,  and  a  principal
                                        stockholder of CNL Group, Inc. since its
                                        formation  in  1980.  In  addition,  Mr.
                                        Seneff  is Chief  Executive  Officer,  a
                                        director and a  registered  principal of
                                        CNL Securities  Corp.,  Chief  Executive
                                        Officer and Chairman of the Board of CNL
                                        Investment   Company,   Chief  Executive
                                        Officer  and  Chairman  of the  Board of
                                        Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., Chief
                                        Executive  Officer  and  Chairman of the
                                        Board  of CNL  Realty  Corp.  and  Chief
                                        Executive  Officer and a director of CNL
                                        Institutional    Advisors,    Inc.,    a
                                        registered   investment   advisor.   Mr.
                                        Seneff  also  served as Chief  Executive
                                        Officer and Chairman of the Board of CNL
                                        Realty Advisors, Inc. until December 31,
                                        1997 at which time CNL Realty  Advisors,
                                        Inc.  merged with  Commercial  Net Lease
                                        Realty,  Inc. In  addition,  Mr.  Seneff
                                        serves  as  Chief   Executive   Officer,
                                        Chairman  of the Board and a director of
                                        CNL American  Properties  Fund, Inc. and
                                        CNL  Fund  Advisors,   Inc.  Mr.  Seneff
                                        previously  served on the Florida  State
                                        Commission  on Ethics.  Mr.  Seneff also
                                        served   on   the   Florida   Investment
                                        Advisory Council, which oversees the $60
                                        billion Florida State  retirement  plan,
                                        from 1986 to 1994,  and was  Chairman of
                                        the  Council  from  1991 to 1992.  Since
                                        1971,  Mr. Seneff has been active in the
                                        acquisition,  development and management
                                        of real estate  projects  throughout the
                                        United States.

     In the event that any  nominee(s)  should be unable to accept the office of
director, which is not anticipated, it is intended that the persons named in the
proxy  will  vote FOR the  election  of such  other  person in the place of such
nominee(s)  for the office of director as the Board of Directors may  recommend.
The  affirmative  vote of a majority  of the shares of common  stock  present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote is required for the election
of directors.

     A majority of the Company's  directors are required to be  independent,  as
that term is defined in the Company's Articles of Incorporation. Messrs.
Hostetter, Kruse and Huseman are independent directors.

Compensation of Directors

     During the year ended December 31, 1997, each  independent  director earned
$3,000 for serving on the Board of  Directors.  Each  independent  director also
received $750 per Board meeting  attended ($375 for each  telephonic  meeting in
which the director participated),  including committee meetings. The Company has
not, and in the future will not, pay any  compensation  to the  directors of the
Company who also serve as officers and directors of the Company's  advisor,  CNL
Real Estate Advisors, Inc.

     The Board of  Directors  met two times  during the year ended  December 31,
1997,   and  the  average   attendance  by  directors  at  Board   meetings  was
approximately  90 percent.  Each current member  attended at least 50 percent of
the total meetings of the Board and of any committee on which he served.



                                       -5-

<PAGE>



Committees of the Board of Directors

     The  Company  has a  standing  Audit  Committee,  the  members of which are
selected by the Board of Directors each year.  The current  members of the Audit
Committee,  who have served since July 1997,  are Messrs.  Hostetter,  Kruse and
Huseman. The Audit Committee makes  recommendations to the Board of Directors as
to the  independent  accountants of the Company and reviews with such accounting
firm the scope of the audit and the  results of the audit  upon its  completion.
The Audit Committee did not meet during the year ended December 31, 1997.

     At such time, if any, as the Company's shares of common stock are listed on
a national securities exchange or over-the-counter market, the Company will form
a  compensation  committee,  the  members of which will be  selected by the full
Board  of  Directors  each  year.  Currently,   the  Company  does  not  have  a
compensation committee.

     The Company does not have a nominating committee.


Executive Officers

     The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

     Name                               Position

     James M. Seneff, Jr.               Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
                                        the Board

     Robert A. Bourne                   President

     Charles A. Muller                  Executive Vice President

     John T. Walker                     Executive Vice President

     Jeanne A. Wall                     Executive Vice President

     Lynn E. Rose                       Secretary and Treasurer


     Mr.  Muller,  age 39, has served as Executive Vice President of the Company
since July 1997 and as Executive  Vice  President of Real Estate  Advisors since
its  inception in January  1997.  Mr.  Muller  joined CNL in October 1996 and is
responsible  for the  planning  and  implementation  of CNL's  interest in hotel
industry investments, including acquisitions,  development, project analysis and
due diligence.  Mr. Muller joined CNL following more than 15 years of broadbased
hotel industry experience. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Muller served as a Director of
Operations  for  Tishman  Hotel  Corporation  where he was  responsible  for the
company's market review and valuation analysis efforts.  At Tishman,  Mr. Muller
played a significant  role in the  development  of a new 600-room golf resort in
Puerto Rico, and was active in several project management,  asset management and
development  assignments.  From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Muller served as a Development
Manager for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts where he was  responsible  for new business
development and company growth through acquisitions,  development and management
contracts.  At Wyndham,  Mr. Muller was also  responsible  for market review and
feasibility  analysis  efforts  in  markets  across  the  United  States and the
Caribbean for Wyndham Garden Hotels. Prior to joining Wyndham, Mr. Muller worked
for Pannell Kerr  Forster as a hotel  industry  consultant  and spent four years
with AIRCOA  (currently  Richfield  Hospitality)  where he was  responsible  for
capital expenditure planning,  property renovations and construction management.
From 1981 through 1985,  Mr. Muller held several  management  positions in hotel
operations.



                                       -6-

<PAGE>



     Mr.  Walker,  age 39, has served as Executive Vice President of the Company
since June 1996 and as Executive  Vice  President of Real Estate  Advisors since
its inception in January 1997. In addition, Mr. Walker serves as Chief Operating
Officer and Executive Vice President of CNL American  Properties  Fund, Inc. and
CNL Fund  Advisors,  Inc.  From May 1992 to May 1994,  Mr.  Walker,  a certified
public  accountant,  was Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
and  Chief  Financial  Officer  of Z Music,  Inc.,  a cable  television  network
(subsequently acquired by Gaylord  Entertainment),  where he was responsible for
overall financial and administrative  management and planning. From January 1990
through April 1992, Mr. Walker was Chief Financial  Officer of the First Baptist
Church in Orlando,  Florida.  From April 1984 through  December  1989,  he was a
partner in the accounting firm of Chastang, Ferrell & Walker, P.A., where he was
the partner in charge of audit and consulting  services,  and from 1981 to 1984,
Mr. Walker was a Senior Consultant/Audit Senior at Price Waterhouse.

     Ms.  Wall,  age 39, has served as Executive  Vice  President of the Company
since June 1996 and as Executive  Vice  President of Real Estate  Advisors since
its inception in January 1997. Ms. Wall has served as Chief Operating Officer of
CNL Investment  Company and of CNL Securities  Corp. since November 1994 and has
served as Executive Vice President of CNL Investment Company since January 1991.
In 1984, Ms. Wall joined CNL Securities Corp. as its Partnership  Administrator.
In 1985, Ms. Wall became Vice President of CNL  Securities  Corp.,  in 1987, she
became  Senior  Vice  President  and in July  1997,  she became  Executive  Vice
President of CNL Securities Corp. In this capacity,  Ms. Wall serves as national
marketing and sales  director and oversees the national  marketing  plan for the
CNL   investment   programs.   In  addition,   Ms.  Wall  oversees   partnership
administration and investor services for programs offered through  participating
brokers.  Ms. Wall also has served as Senior Vice President of CNL Institutional
Advisors,  Inc., a registered  investment  advisor,  from 1990 to 1993,  as Vice
President  of CNL  Realty  Advisors,  Inc.  since its  inception  in 1991  until
December  31,  1997,  at which  time  CNL  Realty  Advisors,  Inc.  merged  with
Commercial  Net Lease Realty,  Inc.,  and served as Vice President of Commercial
Net Lease  Realty,  Inc. from 1992 through  December 31, 1997. In addition,  Ms.
Wall serves as Executive Vice President of CNL American  Properties  Fund,  Inc.
and CNL Fund Advisors,  Inc. Ms. Wall currently serves as a trustee on the Board
of the Investment Program  Association and on the Direct  Participation  Program
committee for the National Association of Securities Dealers.

     Ms.  Rose,  age 49, has served as  Secretary  and  Treasurer of the Company
since  June 1996 and as a  director,  Treasurer  and  Secretary  of Real  Estate
Advisors  since its  inception in January  1997.  Ms.  Rose, a certified  public
accountant,  has served as Secretary  of CNL Group,  Inc.  since 1987,  as Chief
Financial  Officer  of CNL  Group,  Inc.  since  December  1993,  and  served as
Controller of CNL Group,  Inc. from 1987 until December  1993. In addition,  Ms.
Rose has served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of CNL Securities Corp.
since July 1994. She has served as Chief Operating  Officer,  Vice President and
Secretary of CNL Corporate Services, Inc. since November 1994. Ms. Rose also has
served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of CNL  Institutional  Advisors,
Inc. since its inception in 1990, as Treasurer of CNL Realty Advisors, Inc. from
1991 to February 1996,  and as Secretary and a director of CNL Realty  Advisors,
Inc.  since its  inception in 1991 until  December  31, 1997,  at which time CNL
Realty Advisors, Inc. merged with Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. In addition,
Ms. Rose served as Secretary and Treasurer of Commercial Net Lease Realty,  Inc.
from 1992 to February  1996.  Ms. Rose also serves as Secretary and Treasurer of
CNL American  Properties  Fund, Inc. and as Secretary and a director of CNL Fund
Advisors,  Inc. Ms. Rose also currently serves as Secretary for approximately 50
additional corporations.  Ms. Rose oversees the management information services,
administration,  legal compliance,  accounting, tenant compliance, and reporting
for over 300  corporations,  partnerships  and joint ventures.  Prior to joining
CNL,  Ms. Rose was a partner  with Robert A.  Bourne in the  accounting  firm of
Bourne  & Rose,  P.A.,  Certified  Public  Accountants.  She was  licensed  as a
certified public accountant in 1979.

     The backgrounds of Messrs.  Seneff and Bourne are described at "ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS."



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Annual Compensation

     No annual or  long-term  compensation  was paid by the Company to the Chief
Executive  Officer for services rendered in all capacities to the Company during
the period June 12, 1996 (date of inception) through December 31, 1996 or during
the year ended  December 31,  1997.  In  addition,  no executive  officer of the
Company  received an annual  salary or bonus from the Company  during the fiscal
year  ended  December  31,  1997.  The  Company's  executive  officers  also are
employees   and  executive   officers  of  Real  Estate   Advisors  and  receive
compensation from CNL Group,  Inc. in part for services in such capacities.  See
"Certain  Transactions"  for a  description  of the fees  payable  and  expenses
reimbursed to Real Estate Advisors.


                             PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

     Set forth below is a comparison of the cumulative total stockholder  return
on the Company's  common stock,  based on the offering price of the common stock
and assuming the reinvestment of distributions  ("ARF"),  with the S&P 500 Index
("S&P 500") and with the income rate of return from The National Council of Real
Estate  Investment  Fiduciaries  ("NCREIF") from the month the Company commenced
operations  through December 31, 1997. The comparison  assumes the investment of
$100 on October 1, 1997.


                         Quarterly Total Return Indexes

                Date      S&P 500         NCREIF        ARF (1)
                ----      -------         ------        ---

              12/31/97     102.87         102.28        100.50



The S&P 500 index  contains  both a capital  and income  component  to its total
return.  For  companies  included in the S&P 500 index,  their  total  return is
measured by dividing the sum of (a) the  cumulative  amount of dividends for the
measurement  period,  assuming  dividend  reinvestment,  and (b) the  difference
between  the  registrant's  share  price  at the end and  the  beginning  of the
measurement  period;  by the share  price at the  beginning  of the  measurement
period.  There is currently no public trading  market for the Company's  shares,
therefore,  the share price is fixed at $10 per share and its return is composed
of only the  cumulative  amount of  distributions  for the  measurement  period,
assuming  reinvestment  of  distributions.  The NCREIF income index measures net
operating  income as a  percentage  of  average  daily  investment.  In order to
display a more  comparative  return,  the  component  of the NCREIF total return
attributable to increases in share price has not been included in the cumulative
return.

(1)  No  operations  commenced  until  the  Company  received  minimum  offering
     proceeds and funds were released from escrow on October 15, 1997.

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



                                   PROPOSAL II
                APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED
                    AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO
                         CHANGE THE NAME OF THE COMPANY


     The Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved and directed
that there be  submitted  to  stockholders  for their  approval an  amendment to
Article I of the Company's Amended and Restated  Articles of  Incorporation,  as
amended (the "Restated Articles of  Incorporation")  which would change the name
of  the  Company  to  "CNL  Hospitality  Properties,  Inc."  (the  "Name  Change
Amendment").  At February 20, 1998,  the Company had 1,530,474  shares of common
stock outstanding.

     The text of the proposed amendments are set forth below:

     RESOLVED,  that Section 1.1 of Article I of the Company's Restated Articles
of Incorporation be amended to read as follows:

     SECTION 1.1 Name.  The name of the  corporation  (the  "Company")  is:  CNL
         Hospitality Properties, Inc. So far as may be practicable, the business
         of the Company shall be conducted and transacted under that name, which
         name  (and the  word  "Company"  wherever  used in  these  Articles  of
         Amendment and  Restatement of CNL Hospitality  Properties,  Inc. (these
         "Articles  of  Incorporation"),  except  where  the  context  otherwise
         requires)   shall  refer  to  the   Directors   collectively   but  not
         individually  or personally and shall not refer to the  Stockholders or
         to any  officers,  employees  or  agents  of  the  Company  or of  such
         Directors.

     The Name Change Amendment will not change any other aspect of Article I.

     The Board has taken this action in order to provide better name recognition
of the Company in the context of its business.

     Approval of the Name Change  Amendment  requires the affirmative  vote of a
majority of the  outstanding  shares of the Company's  common stock  entitled to
vote thereon. The Company's officers and directors have advised the Company that
they intend to vote their shares of common stock for the Name Change Amendment.

     The Name  Change  Amendment,  if  approved  by  stockholders,  will  become
effective on the date the Company's Maryland Articles of Incorporation are filed
with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. It is anticipated that
the  appropriate  filing to effect the Name Change  Amendment  will be made soon
after the annual meeting as practicable.

     The Board of Directors  unanimously  recommends that  stockholders vote FOR
the Name Change  Amendment.  Proxies will be voted for the Name Change Amendment
unless stockholders designate otherwise.

                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                               SECURITY OWNERSHIP


     The  following  table sets forth,  as of February 20, 1998,  the number and
percentage of outstanding shares  beneficially owned by all persons known by the
Company  to own  beneficially  more than five  percent of the  Company's  Common
Stock,  by each  director  and nominee,  and by all officers and  directors as a
group,  based upon  information  furnished to the Company by such  stockholders,
officers and directors.


Name and Address                Number of Shares                Percent
of Beneficial Owner             Beneficially Owned              of Shares

Robert A. Bourne                     20,000 (1)                   (3)
400 East South Street
Orlando, Florida  32801

Charles A. Muller                        500 (2)                  (3)
400 East South Street
Orlando, FL  32801

Lynn E. Rose                         20,000 (1)                   (3)
400 East South Street
Orlando, Florida  32801

James M. Seneff, Jr.                 20,000 (1)                   (3)
400 East South Street
Orlando, Florida  32801

All directors and executive          20,500 (1) (2)               (3)
officers as a group (4 persons)



(1)  Represents shares held by Real Estate Advisors, of which Messrs. Bourne and
     Seneff and Ms. Rose are directors.

(2) Represents shares held by Mr. Muller as an individual.

(3) Less than one percent.


Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act

     Section  16(a)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  requires  the  Company's
officers  and  directors,  and  persons  who own  more  than  ten  percent  of a
registered  class  of the  Company's  equity  securities,  to  file  reports  of
ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") commencing April 30, 1998. Accordingly,  no such
forms have yet been filed.



                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS


     All of the executive officers of the Company are executive officers of Real
Estate Advisors,  a wholly owned subsidiary of CNL Group, Inc., of which Messrs.
Seneff and Bourne are affiliates.  In addition,  Messrs.  Seneff and Bourne, Ms.
Rose and Ms. Wall are executive  officers of CNL Securities  Corp., the managing
dealer of the Company's  offering of shares of common stock,  and a wholly owned
subsidiary  of CNL Group,  Inc.  Messrs.  Seneff and Bourne are directors of the
Company,  Real  Estate  Advisors  and CNL  Securities  Corp.,  and Ms. Rose is a
director of Real Estate Advisors. Administration of the day-to-day operations of
the Company is provided  by Real  Estate  Advisors,  pursuant to the terms of an
advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement").  Real Estate Advisors also serves
as the Company's  consultant in connection  with policy  decisions to be made by
the Company's Board of Directors,  manages the Company's  properties and renders
such other  services as the Board of Directors  deems  appropriate.  Real Estate
Advisors also bears the expense of providing the executive  personnel and office
space to the  Company.  Real  Estate  Advisors  is at all times  subject  to the
supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company and has only such functions
and authority as the Company may delegate to it as the Company's agent.

     CNL Securities Corp. is entitled to receive selling  commissions  amounting
to 7.5% of the total  amount  raised from the sale of shares of common stock for
services in connection  with the offering of shares,  a  substantial  portion of
which has been or will be paid as commissions to other  broker-dealers.  For the
year ended December 31, 1997, the Company had incurred $849,405 of such fees, of
which approximately  $792,832 was paid by CNL Securities Corp. as commissions to
other broker-dealers.

     In  addition,  CNL  Securities  Corp.  is  entitled  to receive a marketing
support and due diligence  expense  reimbursement fee equal to 0.5% of the total
amount  raised from the sale of shares,  a portion of which may be  reallowed to
other  broker-dealers.  For the year ended  December 31,  1997,  the Company had
incurred  $56,627 of such fees,  the  majority of which were  reallowed to other
broker-dealers and from which all bona fide due diligence expenses were paid.

     Real Estate Advisors is entitled to receive  acquisition  fees for services
in identifying  the properties and  structuring the terms of the acquisition and
leases of the properties and  structuring  the terms of the mortgage loans equal
to 4.5% of gross  proceeds,  loan proceeds from permanent  financing and amounts
outstanding on the line of credit, if any, at the time of listing, but excluding
that  portion  of the  permanent  financing  used to finance  Secured  Equipment
Leases.  For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company had incurred $509,643
of such fees.

     Real  Estate   Advisors  and  its   affiliates   provide   accounting   and
administrative  services to the Company (including accounting and administrative
services in connection with the offering of shares) on a day-to-day  basis.  For
the year ended December 31, 1997,  the Company  incurred a total of $192,224 for
these  services,  $185,335 of such costs  representing  stock issuance costs and
$6,889  representing  general operating and administrative  expenses,  including
costs related to preparing and  distributing  reports required by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

     All  amounts  paid by the  Company to  affiliates  of CNL Group,  Inc.  are
believed by the Company to be fair and  comparable to amounts that would be paid
for similar services provided by unaffiliated third parties.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>


                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     Upon  recommendation  of and approval by the Board of Directors,  including
the independent directors,  Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. has been selected to act as
independent  certified  public  accountants  for the Company  during the current
fiscal year.

     A representative  of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. will be present at the annual
meeting  and  will be  provided  with the  opportunity  to make a  statement  if
desired.  Such  representative  will also be available to respond to appropriate
questions.


                                  OTHER MATTERS

     The Board of Directors  does not know of any matters to be presented at the
annual meeting other than those stated above.  If any other business should come
before the annual  meeting,  the person(s) named in the enclosed proxy will vote
thereon as he or they determine to be in the best interests of the Company.


                        PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

     Any  stockholder  proposal to be considered  for inclusion in the Company's
proxy  statement and form of proxy for the annual meeting of  stockholders to be
held in 1999 must be received at the Company's  office at 400 East South Street,
Orlando, Florida 32801, no later than November 26, 1998.


                                  ANNUAL REPORT

     A copy of the Company's  Annual Report to  Stockholders  for the year ended
December 31, 1997, accompanies this proxy statement.

                                  By Order of the Board of Directors,


                                   /S/ Lynn E. Rose
                                   -------------------------
                                   Lynn E. Rose
                                   Secretary

March 26, 1998
Orlando, Florida

                                      -12-

<PAGE>


P R O X Y               CNL AMERICAN REALTY FUND, INC.

     The undersigned  hereby appoints James M. Seneff, Jr. and Robert A. Bourne,
and each of them, as proxies,  with full power of  substitution in each, to vote
all shares of common stock of CNL American  Realty Fund,  Inc.  (the  "Company")
which the undersigned is entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of the  Company to be held on May 4, 1998,  at 1:00 p.m.,  local  time,  and any
adjournment  thereof,  on all matters set forth in the Notice of Annual  Meeting
and Proxy Statement,  dated March 26, 1998, a copy of which has been received by
the undersigned, as follows:

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1.   Election of Five Directors
     Nominees:                 |_|FOR ALL        |_|  WITHHELD FOR ALL

                                     -------------------------------------------

         Robert A. Bourne            FOR ALL NOMINEES, EXCEPT VOTE WITHHELD FOR:
         G. Richard Hostetter               (Write that nominee's name above)
         Richard C. Huseman
         J. Joseph Kruse
         James M. Seneff, Jr.

2. Proposal to Change the Name of the Company (See Proxy Statement page 9)

              |_|  FOR         |_|  AGAINST          |_|  ABSTAIN

3.   Other Matters:
     Grant  authority  upon such other matters as may come before the Meeting as
they determine to be in the best interest of the Company.

              |_|  FOR         |_|  AGAINST          |_|  ABSTAIN

              (PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY ON THE REVERSE SIDE,
                        AND RETURN IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE)


<PAGE>


           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     IF YOU SIGN,  DATE AND MAIL YOUR PROXY WITHOUT  INDICATING  HOW YOU WANT TO
VOTE, YOUR PROXY WILL BE COUNTED AS A VOTE "FOR" THE MATTERS STATED. IF YOU FAIL
TO RETURN YOUR PROXY, YOUR PROXY WILL NOT BE COUNTED.  EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED
TO SUBMIT A SIGNED AND DATED PROXY.

                                              Dated: ____________________, 1998

                                              ----------------------------------

                                              ----------------------------------

                                              Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)


                                              IMPORTANT: Please mark this Proxy,
                                              date it,  sign it  exactly as your
                                              name(s) appear(s) and return it in
                                              the    enclosed    postage    paid
                                              envelope. Joint owners should each
                                              sign   personally.   Trustees  and
                                              others signing in a representative
                                              or   fiduciary   capacity   should
                                              indicate their full titles in such
                                              capacity.




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