We are a leading lodging real estate company with a diverse portfolio of market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value. As of February 28, 2019, our portfolio consists of 52 premium-branded hotels and resorts with over 30,000 rooms, primarily located in prime United States ("U.S.") markets with high barriers to entry. Over 85% of our rooms are luxury and upper upscale and over 97% are located in the U.S. We are focused on consistently delivering superior risk-adjusted returns to stockholders through active asset management and a thoughtful external growth strategy while maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet.
We were originally formed as a Delaware corporation in 1946 and existed as a part of one of Hilton's business segments. On January 3, 2017, Hilton Parent completed the spin-off that resulted in our establishment as an independent, publicly traded company. The spin-off transaction, which was effected through a pro rata distribution of Park Parent stock to existing Hilton Parent stockholders, was intended to be tax-free to both Hilton and Hilton's stockholders. As a result of the spin-off, each holder of Hilton Parent common stock on the record date of December 15, 2016 received one share of our common stock for every five shares of Hilton Parent common stock owned.
We are a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes and we expect to continue to be organized and operate so as to continue to qualify as a REIT.