| Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation and Combination —The accompanying consolidated financial statements, subsequent to our spin-off, include the accounts of Ashford Inc., its majority-owned subsidiaries and entities which it controls. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions between these entities have been eliminated in these historical consolidated financial statements. The AQUA Funds are investment companies and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Boards (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946. For periods prior to the spin-off, the accompanying historical financial statements of Ashford Inc. have been “carved out” of Ashford Trust’s consolidated financial statements and reflect significant assumptions and allocations. These financial statements were prepared by combining the financial position and results of operations of Ashford LLC and certain assets, liabilities and operations of Ashford Trust OP (both Ashford LLC and Ashford Trust OP were under common control) related to certain activities that were historically accounted for by Ashford Trust. These activities include asset management, accounting and legal services to Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime. In addition, the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) include allocations of general and administrative expenses from Ashford Trust, which in the opinion of management, are reasonable. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions between combined entities were eliminated. The historical financial information is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Since the Company was a consolidated subsidiary of Ashford Trust and there was no advisory agreement between Ashford Trust and the Company, the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) do not report revenue associated with its management and advisory services provided to Ashford Trust for the historical periods presented prior to our spin-off on November 12, 2014. It does include revenue associated with the advisory services provided to Ashford Prime for all periods presented. A variable interest entity (“VIE”) must be consolidated by a reporting entity if the reporting entity is the primary beneficiary because it has (i) the power to direct the VIE’s activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, (ii) an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed, and (iii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. The AQUA Fund is considered to be a VIE, as defined by authoritative accounting guidance. All major decisions related to the AQUA Fund that most significantly impact its economic performance, including but not limited to admittance of limited partners and purchasing, selling (including short sales), investing and trading in investments and engaging in financial transactions, including borrowing, financing, pledging, hedging and other derivative transactions are subject to the approval of our wholly-owned subsidiary, AIM GP. As such, we consolidate the AQUA Fund. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the AQUA Fund held approximately $52.8 million and $108.1 million , respectively, of total assets consisting primarily of investments in securities, cash and cash equivalents and receivables that can only be used to settle the obligations of the AQUA Fund. Additionally, as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the AQUA Fund had liabilities of $93,000 and $1.1 million , respectively, consisting primarily of liabilities associated with investments in securities for which creditors do not have recourse to Ashford Inc. As of December 31, 2016 , we held a variable interest in OpenKey, a consolidated VIE in which the redeemable noncontrolling interest holder held a 46.31% interest and the noncontrolling interest holders held a 13.63% interest. As we meet the conditions discussed above, we are considered the primary beneficiary of OpenKey and therefore we consolidate it. As of December 31, 2016 , OpenKey held approximately $960,000 of total assets that primarily consisted of cash and cash equivalents and other assets that can only be used to settle its obligations. Additionally, as of December 31, 2016 , OpenKey had accounts payable and accrued expenses of $256,000 for which creditors do not have recourse to Ashford Inc. As of December 31, 2015 , the variable interest was held in the form of a note receivable due from OpenKey with an outstanding balance of $3.0 million that eliminated in consolidation and the noncontrolling interest holder held a 100% interest. As of December 31, 2015 , OpenKey held approximately $653,000 of total assets that primarily consisted of cash and cash equivalents and other assets that could only be used to settle its obligations. Additionally, as of December 31, 2015 , OpenKey had accounts payable and accrued expenses of $177,000 for which creditors did not have recourse to Ashford Inc. Use of Estimates —The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents —Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand or held in banks and short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Restricted Cash —Restricted cash represents reserves for casualty insurance claims and the associated ancillary costs. At the beginning of each year, Ashford Inc.’s Risk Management department collects funds, from the Ashford Trust/Prime properties and their respective management companies, of an amount equal to the actuarial forecast of that year’s expected casualty claims and associated fees. These funds are deposited into restricted cash and used to pay casualty claims throughout the year as they are incurred. The offset to restricted cash amounts is included in other liabilities. For purposes of the statements of cash flows, changes in restricted cash caused by using such funds are shown as operating activities. Noncontrolling Interests —The redeemable noncontrolling interests in Ashford LLC represent the members’ proportionate share of equity in earnings/losses of Ashford LLC, which is an allocation of net income/loss attributable to the common unit holders based on the weighted average ownership percentage of these members’ common unit holdings throughout the period. The redeemable noncontrolling interests in Ashford LLC is classified in the mezzanine section of the balance sheets as these redeemable operating units do not meet the requirements for equity classification prescribed by the authoritative accounting guidance because these redeemable operating units may be redeemed by the holder. The carrying value of the noncontrolling interests in Ashford LLC is based on the greater of the accumulated historical cost or the redemption value. The redeemable noncontrolling interests in subsidiary common stock as of December 31, 2016 represented the 46.31% ownership interest in a consolidated VIE, OpenKey, retained by the party that previously held a 100% interest and was previously included in noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as of December 31, 2015. The redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary common stock is included in the mezzanine section of our balance sheet as it is redeemable outside of the Company’s control. The carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests in subsidiary common stock is based on the accumulated historical cost adjusted to reflect the excess of redemption value over the accumulated historical cost. At December 31, 2016 , the noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities represented noncontrolling ownership interests of 40% in Performance Holdco, 100% in the AQUA Fund and 13.63% in OpenKey. At December 31, 2015 , the noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities represented noncontrolling ownership interests of 40% in AIM, 100% in the AQUA Fund and 100% in OpenKey, an entity in which we held a variable interest in the form of a note receivable. Revenue Recognition —Revenues primarily consist of advisory and investment management fees and expense reimbursements that are recognized when services have been rendered. Advisory fees consist of base management fees and incentive fees. The quarterly base fee ranges from 0.70% to 0.50% per annum of the total market capitalization ranges from less than $6.0 billion to greater than $10.0 billion of Ashford Prime and Ashford Trust, as defined in the amended advisory agreements, subject to certain minimums. Reimbursements for overhead, travel expenses, risk management and internal audit services are recognized when services have been rendered. We also record advisory revenue for equity grants of Ashford Prime and Ashford Trust common stock and Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) units awarded to our officers and employees in connection with providing advisory services equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period, as well an offsetting expense in an equal amount included in “salaries and benefits.” The incentive fee is earned annually in each year that Ashford Prime’s and/or Ashford Trust’s annual total stockholder return exceeds the average annual total stockholder return for each company’s respective peer group, subject to the FCCR Condition, as defined in the advisory agreements. Incentive fees are paid over a three-year period and each payment is subject to the FCCR Condition. Accordingly, incentive fee revenue is recognized only when the amount earned is fixed and determinable and the FCCR Condition has been met. As incentive fees are earned annually, we recognize revenue quarterly based on the amount that would be due pursuant to the applicable advisory agreement as of the interim balance sheet date in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance. Salaries and Benefits —Salaries and benefits are expensed as incurred. Prior to the spin-off, salaries and benefits included an allocation of 100% of salaries and benefits of the employees of Ashford Trust and an allocation of 100% of employee equity-based compensation from Ashford Trust. All such expenses were allocated to Ashford Inc. because these expenses have historically been incurred by the asset management business of Ashford Trust. In the opinion of management, such allocations were considered reasonable. Salaries and benefits includes expense for equity grants of Ashford Prime and Ashford Trust common stock and LTIP units awarded to our officers and employees in connection with providing advisory services equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period. There is an offsetting amount, included in “advisory services” revenue. Salaries and benefits also includes changes in fair value in the deferred compensation plan liability. See further discussion in note 2 “deferred compensation plan” and note 12. General and Administrative Expense —General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. Prior to the spin-off, general and administrative expense represents an allocation of certain Ashford Trust OP corporate general and administrative costs including rent expense, insurance expense, office expenses and other miscellaneous expenses either based upon specific identification or an allocation method determined by management to reflect the portion of the expenses related to Ashford Inc. With the exception of audit fees, these costs were allocated 100% to Ashford Inc. as management believes these costs were directly incurred by Ashford Trust in connection with its asset management business and will be ongoing costs of Ashford Inc. Audit fees were allocated based on management’s estimate of the audit costs incurred to audit the activities of Ashford Trust’s asset management business. In the opinion of management, such allocations were considered reasonable. Depreciation —Our furniture, fixtures and equipment and computer software are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets. Presently, our furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over lives ranging from 5 to 7.5 years and computer software placed into service is amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 5 years. While we believe our estimates are reasonable, a change in estimated useful lives could affect depreciation expense and net income/loss as well as resulting gains or losses on potential sales. Advertising Costs —Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising costs were $0 , $0 and $58,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Advertising costs are included in the “general and administrative” expense in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) . Equity-Based Compensation —Equity-based compensation included in “salaries and benefits” is accounted for at fair value based on the market price of the shares/options on the date of grant in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance. The fair value is charged to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the shares/options. Grants of restricted stock to independent directors are recorded at fair value based on the market price of our shares at grant date and this amount is fully expensed in “general and administrative” expense as the grants of stock are fully vested on the date of grant. In connection with providing advisory services, our officers and employees can be granted common stock and LTIP units from Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime which result in expense equal to the fair value of the award, included in “salaries and benefits” in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period, as well as offsetting revenue in an equal amount included in “advisory services” revenue. Prior to the spin-off, all equity-based compensation of Ashford Trust employees was allocated to the Company as all Ashford Trust employees became employees of the Company. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) —As there are no transactions requiring presentation in other comprehensive income (loss) , but not in net income (loss) , the Company’s net income (loss) equates to other comprehensive income (loss) . Due to Affiliates —Due to affiliates represents current payables resulting from general and administrative expense and furniture, fixture and equipment reimbursements. Due to affiliates is generally settled within a period not exceeding one year. Due from Ashford Prime OP —Due from Ashford Prime OP represents current receivables related to the advisory services fee, incentive fee and reimbursable expenses. Due from Ashford Prime OP is generally settled within a period not exceeding one year. Due to Ashford Prime OP from AQUA U.S. Fund —Due to Ashford Prime OP from AQUA U.S. Fund represents current payables related to the hold back from Ashford Prime’s liquidation of the AQUA Fund. Due to Ashford Prime OP from AQUA U.S. Fund is expected to be settled within a period not exceeding one year. Due from Ashford Trust OP, net —Due from Ashford Trust OP, net, represents current receivables related to the advisory services fee, incentive fee and reimbursable expenses. Due from Ashford Trust OP, net is generally settled within a period not exceeding one year. Income (Loss) Per Share —Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to the Company by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method prescribed by applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Diluted income (loss) per common share is calculated using the two-class method, or the treasury stock method, if more dilutive. Diluted income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares, whereby such exercise or conversion would result in lower income per share. Deferred Compensation Plan —Effective January 1, 2008, Ashford Trust established a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (“DCP”) for certain executive officers, which was assumed by the Company in connection with the separation from Ashford Trust. The plan allows participants to defer up to 100% of their base salary and bonus and select an investment fund for measurement of the deferred compensation obligation. In connection with our spin-off and the assumption of the DCP obligation by the Company, the DCP was modified to give the participants various investment options, including Ashford Inc. common stock, for measurement that can be changed by the participant at any time. These modifications resulted in the DCP obligation being recorded as a liability in accordance with the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Distributions under the DCP are made in cash, unless the participant has elected Ashford Inc. common stock as the investment option, in which case any such distributions would be made in Ashford Inc. common stock. Additionally, the DCP obligation is carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in “salaries and benefits” in our statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) . Investments in Securities —Investments in securities consist of publicly traded equity securities, U.S. treasury securities and put and call options on certain publicly traded securities. The fair value of equity securities and U.S. treasury securities is based on quoted market closing prices at the balance sheet date. This is considered a Level 1 valuation technique. Put and call options are considered derivative instruments. The fair value of put and call options is based on quoted market closing prices at the balance sheet dates in active markets, which is considered a Level 1 valuation technique and inactive markets, which is considered a Level 2 valuation technique. The fair value of these investments is reported as “investments in securities” and “liabilities associated with investments in securities.” The cost of securities sold is based on the first-in, first-out method. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Dividends are recorded as income on the ex-dividend date and interest is recognized when earned on the accrual basis of accounting. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities —As of December 31, 2015, we held a first loss limited liability company interest (the "Interest") in an unconsolidated limited liability company (the "Fund"). The Fund was a private investment fund which generally invested its assets in one or more securities trading accounts that were managed by external investment advisers, including our subsidiary, Ashford Investment Management, LLC. Our initial investment in the Fund was made in May 2015 in the amount of $5.0 million , which represented an approximate 2% ownership interest in the Fund. In accordance with the Fund's limited liability company agreement, a manager not affiliated with us possessed and exercised the full, complete and exclusive right, power and authority to manage and conduct the business and affairs of the Fund, subject only to certain withdrawal and voting rights we had and the requirements of applicable law. Due to our limited rights, we did not exercise significant influence over the Fund and therefore did not account for the Interest under the equity method of accounting. The Fund was in an investment company (as defined by GAAP) for which the Interests do not have a readily determinable value. Instead, the manager of the Fund calculated a net asset value (“NAV”) for the Interests monthly in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Changes in the NAV were recorded in “unrealized gain/loss in investment in unconsolidated entity." We requested redemption of the Interest effective March 29, 2016. The redeemed amount of $1.4 million was received during the second quarter of 2016, which reduced our carrying value to $0 . We recognized an unrealized gain of $2.1 million and a realized loss of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2015, the carrying value of the investment, which approximated fair value, was $2.8 million . We also hold an investment in an unconsolidated entity with a carrying value of $500,000 at both December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , which we account for under the cost method of accounting as we do not exercise significant influence over the entity. We review the investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment in each reporting period pursuant to the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. An investment is impaired when its estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of our investment. Any impairment is recorded in equity in earnings/loss in unconsolidated entities. No such impairment was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015 . Our investments in certain unconsolidated entities are considered to be variable interests in the underlying entities. Because we do not have the power and financial responsibility to direct the unconsolidated entities’ activities and operations, we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary of these entities on an ongoing basis and therefore such entities should not be consolidated. In evaluating VIEs, our analysis involves considerable management judgment and assumptions. Options on Futures Contracts —We also purchase options on Eurodollar futures as a hedge against our cash flows. Eurodollar futures prices reflect market expectations for interest rates on three month Eurodollar deposits for specific dates in the future, and the final settlement price is determined by three-month LIBOR on the last trading day. Options on Eurodollar futures provide the ability to limit losses while maintaining the possibility of profiting from favorable changes in the futures prices. As the purchaser, our maximum potential loss is limited to the initial premium paid for the Eurodollar option contracts, while our potential gain has no limit. These exchange-traded options are centrally cleared, and a clearinghouse stands in between all trades to ensure that the obligations involved in the trades are satisfied. Due From/To Brokers —Due from/to brokers includes cash balances held with brokers, receivables and payables from unsettled trades, margin borrowings, and collateral on derivative transactions. Amounts due from brokers may be restricted to the extent that they serve as deposits for securities sold short. In addition, margin borrowings are collateralized by certain securities and cash balances held by the AQUA Fund. The AQUA Fund is subject to interest on margin accounts based on daily margin borrowings. Due to brokers is included in “liabilities associated with investments in securities.” The AQUA Fund had no margin borrowings at December 31, 2016 or 2015 . In the normal course of business, substantially all of the AQUA Fund’s securities transactions, money balances, and security positions are transacted with the AQUA Fund’s broker: Goldman Sachs & Co. and ConvergEx Group. Accounts with ConvergEx Group are cleared by Goldman Sachs & Co. The AQUA Fund is subject to credit risk to the extent any broker with which it conducts business is unable to fulfill contractual obligations on its behalf. The AQUA Fund’s management monitors the financial condition of such brokers and does not anticipate any losses from these counterparties. Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities —Amounts due from and due to brokers are presented on a net basis, by counterparty, to the extent the AQUA Fund has the legal right to offset the recognized amounts and intends to settle on a net basis. The AQUA Fund presents on a net basis the fair value amounts recognized for over-the-counter derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement. Income Taxes —The Company is subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, we account for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The AQUA Fund does not record a provision for U.S. federal, state, or local income taxes as it is a partnership, and the AQUA Fund partners report their share of the AQUA Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. However, certain U.S. dividend income and interest income may be subject to a maximum 30% withholding tax for those limited partners that are foreign entities or foreign individuals. Prior to the spin-off, the Company’s taxable income was “carved out” of Ashford Trust OP, a partnership, and Ashford LLC, its wholly-owned disregarded limited liability company, neither of which are subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Rather, the partnership’s revenues and expenses passed through and were taxed to the owners. Therefore, the Company did not provide for federal income taxes. Partnerships are subject to the Texas Margin Tax. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, we provided for the Texas Margin Tax. Income tax expense was calculated on a separate stand-alone basis, although the Company’s operations were historically included in the tax returns filed by Ashford Trust OP of which the Company’s business was a part. The “Income Taxes” Topic of the FASB ASC addresses the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The guidance requires us to determine whether tax positions we have taken or expect to take in a tax return are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority based on the technical merits of the positions. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not threshold would be recorded as additional tax expense in the current period. We analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations for each jurisdiction, which includes the federal jurisdiction and various states. We classify interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes as income tax expense. We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and cities. Tax years 2013 through 2016 remain subject to potential examination by certain federal and state taxing authorities. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards —In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”), to provide guidance on management’s responsibility to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 also requires certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. We have adopted this standard effective for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the adoption of this standard did not have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). The ASU amends the consolidation guidance for VIEs and general partners’ investments in limited partnerships and modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We have adopted this standard effective January 1, 2016, and the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”), as part of its simplification initiative to provide guidance on management’s responsibility to adjust provisional amounts recognized in a business combination and to provide related disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in this update require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this update require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 applies to all entities that have reported provisional amounts for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs and during the measurement period have an adjustment to provisional amounts recognized. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We have adopted this standard effective January 1, 2016, and the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model, which requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. An entity is required to (a) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (b) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, an entity may include variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. In addition, the new guidance requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The update will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date , which defers the effective date to fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The FASB has also issued additional updates that further clarify the requirements of Topic 606 and provide implementation guidance. Early adoption is permitted for fisca |
