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NEWTON, MASS. — Hospitality Properties Trust (HPT) has signed a letter of intent and entered into an exclusive negotiating period for hotel investments with Madrid-based NH Hoteles (NHH) on properties in Latin America, Europe and the United States totaling approximately $375 million. Under the agreement, HPT will purchase five hotels in Latin America from NHH for $70 million. HPT will also provide a €170 million (U.S. $223.4 million) loan to NHH on four hotels in Europe. NHH and a European partner currently own a 242-unit hotel in New York City. HPT and NHH will form a joint venture to acquire this hotel. HPT expects to provide up to $80 million to retire the ownership of NHH's current partner and fund a major refurbishment of this hotel.