<PAGE>

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                        EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


          EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, effective as of April 1, 2000 by and
between MERISTAR HOTELS & RESORTS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
MERISTAR MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
"LLC"), and JOHN EMERY (the "Executive"), an individual residing at 7308 Calvert
Street, Annandale, Virginia 22003.

          The Company and the LLC desire to employ the Executive in the capacity
of Chief Investment Officer, and the Executive desires to be so employed, on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this agreement (the
"Agreement");

          Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth
herein and other good and valuable consideration the parties hereto hereby agree
as follows:

          1.   Employment; Term. The Company and the LLC each hereby employs the
               ----------------
Executive, and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Company and the LLC,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, for a term of
three (3) years, commencing on April 1, 2000 (the "Commencement Date"), unless
terminated earlier in accordance with Section 4 of this Agreement; provided that
                                                                   -------- ----
such term shall automatically be extended from time to time for additional
periods of one (1) calendar year from the date on which it would otherwise
expire unless the Executive, on the one hand, or the Company and the LLC, on the
other, gives notice to the other party or parties not less than 120 days prior
to such date that it elects to permit the Term of this Agreement to expire
without extension on such date. (The initial term of this Agreement as the same
may be extended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement is hereinafter
referred to as the "Term.")

          2.   Positions; Conduct.
               ------------------

               (a)  During the Term, the Executive will hold the title and
office of, and serve in the position of, Chief Investment Officer of the Company
and the LLC. The Executive shall undertake the responsibilities and exercise the
authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in
a similar executive capacity, and shall perform such other specific duties and
services (including service as an officer, director or equivalent position of
any direct or indirect subsidiary without additional compensation) as they shall
reasonably request consistent with the Executive's position.

               (b)  During the Term, the Executive agrees to devote his full
business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and the
LLC and to faithfully and diligently perform, to the best of his ability, all of
his duties and responsibilities hereunder; provided that the Executive may
                                           -------- ----
devote his business time to providing services to MeriStar Hospitality
Corporation and MeriStar Hospitality
<PAGE>

Operating Partnership, L.P. (collectively, "MeriStar Hospitality"), and may
provide services as described in Schedule A attached hereto, so long as such
                                 ----------
activity does not interfere with the performance of the Executive's duties
hereunder. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Executive from devoting
reasonable time and attention to (i) serving, with the approval of the Board, as
a director, trustee or member of any committee of any organization, (ii)
engaging in charitable and community activities and (iii) managing his personal
investments and affairs; provided that such activities do not involve any
                         --------
material conflict of interest with the interests of the Company or, individually
or collectively, interfere materially with the performance by the Executive of
his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing and except as expressly provided herein, during the Term, the
Executive may not accept employment with any other individual or entity, or
engage in any other venture which is directly or indirectly in conflict or
competition with the business of the Company or the LLC.

                    (c)  The Executive's office and place of rendering his
services under this Agreement shall be in the principal executive offices of the
Company which shall be in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Under no
circumstances shall the Executive be required to relocate from the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area or provide services under this Agreement in any other
location other than in connection with reasonable and customary business travel.
During the Term, the Company shall provide the Executive with executive office
space, and administrative and secretarial assistance and other support services
consistent with his position as Chief Investment Officer and with his duties and
responsibilities hereunder.

               3.   Salary; Additional Compensation; Perquisites and Benefits.
                    ---------------------------------------------------------

                    (a)  During the Term, the Company and the LLC will pay the
Executive a base salary at an aggregate annual rate of not less than $120,000
per annum, subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Board
(the "Compensation Committee"), and in the discretion of such Committee,
increased from time to time. Once increased, such base salary may not be
decreased. Such salary shall be paid in periodic installments in accordance with
the Company's standard practice, but not less frequently than semi-monthly.

                    (b)  For each fiscal year during the Term, the Executive
will be eligible to receive a bonus from the Company. The award and amount of
such bonus shall be based upon the achievement of predefined operating or
performance goals and other criteria established by the Compensation Committee,
which goals shall give the Executive the opportunity to earn a bonus in the
following amounts: threshold target -25% of base salary; target - 100% of base
salary; and maximum bonus amount - 125 % of base salary.

                    (c)  During the Term, the Executive will participate in all
plans now existing or hereafter adopted by the Company or the LLC for their
management employees or the general benefit of their employees, such as any
pension, profit-sharing, bonuses, stock option or other incentive compensation
plans, life and health insurance

                                       2
<PAGE>

plans, or other insurance plans and benefits on the same basis and subject to
the same qualifications as other senior executive officers.

                    (d)  The Executive shall be eligible for stock option grants
from time to time pursuant to the Company's Incentive Plan in accordance with
the terms thereof.

                    (e)  The Company and the LLC will reimburse the Executive,
in accordance with their standard policies from time to time in effect, for all
out-of-pocket business expenses as may be incurred by the Executive in the
performance of his duties under this Agreement.

                    (f)  The Executive shall be entitled to vacation time to be
credited and taken in accordance with the Company's policy from time to time in
effect for senior executives, which in any event shall not be less than a total
of four weeks per calendar year.

                    (g)  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the
Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company and the LLC
against any and all judgments, penalties, fines, amounts paid in settlement, and
other reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys'
fees and disbursements) actually incurred by the Executive in connection with
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other) for any action or omission in
his capacity as a director, officer or employee of the Company or the LLC.

          Indemnification under this Section 3(g) shall be in addition to, and
not in substitution of, any other indemnification by the Company or the LLC of
its officers and directors. Expenses incurred by the Executive in defending an
action, suit or proceeding for which he claims the right to be indemnified
pursuant to this Section 3(g) shall be paid by the Company or the LLC, as the
case may be, in advance of the final disposition of such action suit or
proceeding upon the Company's or the LLC's receipt of (x) a written affirmation
by the Executive of his good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary
for his indemnification hereunder and under the provisions of applicable law has
been met and (y) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay
the amount advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by a court that the
Executive engaged in conduct which precludes indemnification under the
provisions of such applicable law. Such written undertaking in clause (y) shall
be accepted by the Company or the LLC, as the case may be, without security
therefor and without reference to the financial ability of the Executive to make
repayment thereunder. The Company and the LLC shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain in effect for the Term of this Agreement a directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy, with a policy limit of at least
$5,000,000, subject to customary exclusions, with respect to claims made against
officers and directors of the Company or the LLC; provided, however, the Company
                                                  --------  -------
or the LLC, as the case may be, shall be relieved of this obligation to maintain
directors' and

                                       3
<PAGE>

officers' liability insurance if, in the good faith judgment of the Company or
the LLC, it cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost.

          4.   Termination.
               -----------

               (a)  The Term will terminate immediately upon the Executive's
death or, upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice by the Company, in the
case of a determination of the Executive's Disability. As used herein the term
"Disability" means the Executive's inability to perform his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of more than 120 consecutive
days, or for more than 180 days, whether or not continuous, during any 365-day
period, due to physical or mental incapacity or impairment. A determination of
Disability will be made by a physician reasonably satisfactory to both the
Executive and the Company and paid for by the Company or the LLC whose decision
shall be final and binding on the Executive and the Company; provided that if
                                                             -------- ----
they cannot agree as to a physician, then each shall select and pay for a
physician and these two together shall select a third physician whose fee shall
be borne equally by the Executive and either the Company or the LLC and whose
determination of Disability shall be binding on the Executive and the Company.
Should the Executive become incapacitated, his employment shall continue and all
base and other compensation due the Executive hereunder shall continue to be
paid through the date upon which the Executive's employment is terminated for
Disability in accordance with this section.

               (b)  The Term may be terminated by the Company upon notice to the
Executive upon the occurrence of any event constituting "Cause" as defined
herein.

               (c)  The Term may be terminated by the Executive upon notice to
the Company of any event constituting "Good Reason" as defined herein.

          5.   Severance.
               ---------

               (a)  If the Term is terminated by the Company for Cause, the
Company and the LLC will pay to the Executive an aggregate amount equal to the
Executive's accrued and unpaid base salary through the date of such termination,
and all unvested options will terminate immediately and any vested options
issued pursuant to the Company's Incentive Plan and held by the Executive at
termination, will expire ninety (90) days after the termination date.

               (b)  If the Term is terminated by the Executive other than
because of death, Disability or for Good Reason, the Company and the LLC will
pay to the Executive an aggregate amount equal to the Executive's accrued and
unpaid base salary through the date of such termination, and all unvested
options will terminate immediately and any vested options issued pursuant to the
Company's Incentive Plan and held by the Executive at termination, will expire
ninety (90) days after the termination date.

                                       4
<PAGE>

               (c)  If the Term is terminated upon the Executive's death or
Disability, the Company and the LLC will pay to the Executive's estate or the
Executive, as the case may be, a lump sum payment equal to the Executive's base
salary through the termination date, plus a pro rata portion of the Executive's
bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred. In addition, the
Company will make payments for one (1) year of all compensation otherwise
payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, including, but not limited
to, base salary, bonus and welfare benefits. In addition, all of the Executive's
unvested stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest and
become exercisable for a period of one (1) year thereafter and shares of
restricted stock of the Company previously granted to the Executive shall become
free from all contractual restrictions.

               (d)  Subject to Section 5(e) hereof, if the Term is terminated by
the Company without Cause or other than by reason of his death or Disability, in
addition to any other remedies available, or if the Executive terminates the
Term for Good Reason, the Company and the LLC shall pay the Executive, a lump
sum equal to the product of (x) the sum of (A) the Executive's then annual base
salary and (B) the amount of the Executive's bonus for the preceding year,
multiplied by (y) the greater of (A) two (2) and (B) a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of days remaining in the Term (without regard to
extension) and the denominator of which is 365. In addition, all of the
Executive's unvested stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately
vest and become exercisable for a period of one (1) year thereafter and shares
of restricted stock of the Company previously granted to the Executive shall
become free from all contractual restrictions, and the Company shall continue in
effect the Executive's health benefits noted in Section 3(c) hereof or their
equivalent for a period equal to the earlier of (X) the greater of (I) two (2)
years or (II) the remainder of the Term without further extension or (Y) the
date on which the Executive obtains health insurance coverage from a subsequent
employer.

               (e)  (i) If, within twenty-four (24) months following (I) a
Change in Control or (II) a MeriStar Hospitality Change in Control (as each term
is defined in Section 5(i) hereof), the Term is terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason or by the Company without Cause, in addition to any other rights
which the Executive may have under law or otherwise, the Company and the LLC
shall pay to the Executive the same payments and benefits provided for under
Section 5(d) hereof, provided (X) that the amount of the multiplier in clause
5(d)(y)(A) of Section 5 hereof shall be increased from two (2) to three (3); and
provided; further that during any period following such termination that the
Executive shall be in the employ of MeriStar Hospitality, the Executive's health
insurance benefits shall not be provided pursuant to this Section 5(e) but shall
be provided pursuant to the applicable provisions of Executive Employment
Agreement entered into as of the date hereof by and between MeriStar Hospitality
and the Executive (the "MeriStar Hospitality Agreement").

               (ii) If, within twenty-four (24) months following a MeriStar
Hospitality Change of Control (as such term is defined in Section 5(i)(B) of the
Agreement) the Executive does not terminate the Term of this Agreement, but
terminates

                                       5
<PAGE>

the Term of the MeriStar Hospitality Agreement pursuant to Section 5(e) of such
agreement, in addition to any payments and benefits provided by such agreement,
the Company and the LLC shall pay to the Executive a lump sum payment equal to
the product of (x) the sum of (A) the Executive's then annual base salary and
(B) the amount of the Executive's bonus for the preceding year multiplied by (y)
three (3).

               (f)  If at any time the Term is not extended pursuant to the
proviso to Section 1 hereof as a result of the Company giving notice thereunder
that it elects to permit the term of this Agreement to expire without extension,
the Company shall be deemed to have terminated the Executive's employment
without Cause; provided; however; the Company and the LLC shall pay to the
               --------  -------
Executive in lieu of the payments provided by Section 5(d) hereof, in accordance
with the regular payroll practices of the Company, an amount equal to the sum of
(x) the Executive's then annual base salary for one year following such non-
extension and (y) the amount of the Executive's bonus for the preceding year. In
addition, all of the Executive's unvested stock options and restricted stock
awards will immediately vest and become exercisable for a period of one (1) year
thereafter and shares of restricted stock of the Company previously granted to
the Executive shall become free from all contractual restrictions, and the
Company shall continue in effect the Executive's health benefits noted in
Section 3(c) hereof or their equivalent for a period equal to the earlier of (x)
one (1) year from the end of the Term or (y) the date on which the Executive
obtains health insurance from a subsequent employer.

               (g)  As used herein, the term "Cause" means:

                    (i)    the Executive's willful and intentional failure or
     refusal to perform or observe any of his material duties, responsibilities
     or obligations set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that the
                                                 --------  -------
     Company shall not be deemed to have Cause pursuant to this clause (i)
     unless the Company gives the Executive written notice that the specified
     conduct has occurred and making specific reference to this Section 6(g)(i)
     and the Executive fails to cure the conduct within thirty (30) days after
     receipt of such notice;

                    (ii)   any willful and intentional act of the Executive
     involving malfeasance, fraud, theft, misappropriation of funds,
     embezzlement or dishonesty affecting the Company or the LLC; or

                    (iii)  the Executive's conviction of, or a plea of guilty or
     nolo contendere to, an offense which is a felony in the jurisdiction
     involved.

Termination of the Executive for Cause shall be communicated by a Notice of
Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall
mean delivery to the Executive of a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the
Company's Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for the purpose (after
reasonable notice to the Executive and reasonable opportunity for the Executive,
together with the Executive's counsel, to be heard before the Board prior to
such vote) of finding that in the good faith opinion of the

                                       6
<PAGE>

Board, the Executive was guilty of conduct constituting Cause and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail, including, with respect to any termination based
upon conduct described in clause (i) above that the Executive failed to cure
such conduct during the thirty-day period following the date on which the
Company gave written notice of the conduct referred to in such clause (i). For
purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination of the Executive's
employment shall be effective without such Notice of Termination;

          (h)  As used herein, the term, "Good Reason" means the occurrence of
any of the following, without the prior written consent of the Executive:

               (i)   assignment of the Executive of duties materially
     inconsistent with the Executive's positions as described in Section 2(a)
     hereof, or any significant diminution in the Executive's duties or
     responsibilities, other than in connection with the termination of the
     Executive's employment for Cause, Disability or as a result of the
     Executive's death or by the Executive other than for Good Reason;

               (ii)  the change in the location of the Company's principal
     executive offices or of the Executive's principal place of employment to a
     location outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area;

               (iii) any material breach of this Agreement by the Company or the
     LLC which is continuing;

               (iv)  a Change in Control; or

               (v)   a MeriStar Hospitality Change in Control.

provided, however, that the Executive shall not be deemed to have Good Reason
--------  -------
pursuant to clauses (i) or (iii) above unless the Executive gives the Company or
the LLC, as the case may be, written notice that the specified conduct or event
has occurred and the Company or the LLC fails to cure such conduct or event
within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice.

          (i)  As used herein, the terms "Change in Control" and "MeriStar
Hospitality Change in Control" shall have the following meanings:

          (A) "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

               (i)  the acquisition (other than from the Company) by any
     "Person" (as the term is used for purposes of Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of
     the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
     promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty (30%) percent or more of the
     combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities;
     or

                                       7
<PAGE>

               (ii)   the individuals who were members of the Board (the
     "Incumbent Board") during the previous twelve (12) month period, cease for
     any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
                                                                --------
     however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company's
     -------
     stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-
     thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of
     this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or

               (iii)  approval by the stockholders of the Company of (a) merger
     or consolidation involving the Company if the stockholders of the Company,
     immediately before such merger or consolidation do not, as a result of such
     merger or consolidation, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty (50%)
     percent of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
     securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation
     in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined
     voting power of the voting securities of the Company outstanding
     immediately before such merger or consolidation or (b) a complete
     liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
     other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

               (iv)   approval by the stockholders of the Company of any
     transaction (including without limitation a "going private transaction")
     involving the Company if the stockholders of the Company, immediately
     before such transaction, do not as a result of such transaction, own
     directly or indirectly, more than fifty (50%) percent of the combined
     voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation
     resulting from such transaction in substantially the same proportion as
     their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of
     the Company outstanding immediately before such transaction.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed
to occur pursuant to clause (i) above solely because thirty (30%) percent or
more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities
is acquired by (a) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or
more employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or (b) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned
directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in the same proportion
as their ownership of stock in the Company immediately prior to such
acquisition; or

          (B)  "MeriStar Hospitality Change in Control" means the occurrence of
any one of the following events:

               (i)  the acquisition (other than from MeriStar Hospitality) by
any "Person" (as the term is used for purposes of Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the

                                       8
<PAGE>

Exchange Act) of thirty (30%) percent or more of the combined voting power of
MeriStar Hospitality's then outstanding voting securities; or

               (ii)   the individuals who were members of the Board of Directors
     of MeriStar Hospitality (the "MeriStar Hospitality Incumbent Board") during
     the previous twelve (12) month period, cease for any reason to constitute
     at least a majority of the Board of Directors of MeriStar Hospitality;
     provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by
     MeriStar Hospitality's stockholders, of any new director was approved by a
     vote of at least two-thirds of the MeriStar Hospitality Incumbent Board,
     such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a
     member of the MeriStar Hospitality Incumbent Board; or

               (iii)  approval by stockholders of MeriStar Hospitality of (a)
     merger or consolidation involving MeriStar Hospitality if the stockholders
     of MeriStar Hospitality, immediately before such merger or consolidation do
     not, as a result of such merger or consolidation, own, directly or
     indirectly, more than fifty (50%) percent of the combined voting power of
     the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from
     such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportion as their
     ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of MeriStar
     Hospitality outstanding immediately before such merger or consolidation or
     (b) a complete liquidation or dissolution of MeriStar Hospitality or an
     agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of
     the assets of MeriStar Hospitality.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to
     occur pursuant to clause (i) above solely because thirty (30%) percent or
     more of the combined voting power of MeriStar Hospitality's then
     outstanding securities is acquired by (a) a trustee or other fiduciary
     holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained by
     MeriStar Hospitality or any of its subsidiaries or (b) any corporation
     which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or
     indirectly by the stockholders of MeriStar Hospitality in the same
     proportion as their ownership of stock in MeriStar Hospitality immediately
     prior to such acquisition.

               (j)    The amounts required to be paid and the benefits required
to be made available to the Executive under this Section 5 are absolute. Under
no circumstances shall the Executive, upon the termination of his employment
hereunder, be required to seek alternative employment and, in the event that the
Executive does secure other employment, no compensation or other benefits
received in respect of such employment shall be set-off or in any other way
limit or reduce the obligations of the Company under this Section 5.

               (k)    Excise Tax Payments.
                      --------------------

                                       9
<PAGE>

                    (i)   Gross-Up Payment.  If it shall be determined that any
                          ----------------
     payment or distribution of any type to or in respect of the Executive, by
     the Company, the LLC, or any other person, whether paid or payable or
     distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the Agreement or
     otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be subject to the excise tax
     imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Code of 1986, as amended (the
     "Code") or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such
     excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively
     referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
     receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
     after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
     penalties imposed with respect to such taxes) imposed upon the Gross-Up
     Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to
     the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total Payments.

                    (ii)  Determination by Accountant.
                          ---------------------------

                          (A)  All computations and determinations relevant to
     this Section 5(k) shall be made by a national accounting firm selected by
     the Company from among the five (5) largest accounting firms in the United
     States (the "Accounting Firm") which firm may be the Company's accountants.
     Such determinations shall include whether any of the Total Payments are
     "parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code). In
     making the initial determination hereunder as to whether a Gross-Up Payment
     is required the Accounting Firm shall determine that no Gross-Up Payment is
     required, if the Accounting Firm is able to conclude that no "Change of
     Control" has occurred (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) on
     the basis of "substantial authority" (within the meaning of Section 6230 of
     the Code) and shall provide opinions to that effect to both the Company and
     the Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that a Gross-Up Payment is
     required, the Accounting Firm shall provide its determination (the
     "Determination"), together with detailed supporting calculations regarding
     the amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any other relevant matter both to
     the Company and the Executive by no later than ten (10) days following the
     Termination Date, if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested by
     the Company or the Executive (if the Executive reasonably believes that any
     of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax). If the Accounting
     Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall
     furnish the Executive and the Company with a written statement that such
     Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable (including the
     reasons therefor) and that the Executive has substantial authority not to
     report any Excise Tax on his federal income tax return.

                          (B)  If a Gross-Up Payment is determined to be
     payable, it shall be paid to the Executive within twenty (20) days after
     the Determination (and all accompanying calculations and other material
     supporting the Determination) is delivered to the Company by the Accounting
     Firm. Any

                                       10
<PAGE>

     determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and
     the Executive, absent manifest error.

                         (C)  As a result of uncertainty in the application of
     Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
     Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments not made
     by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up
     Payments will have been made by the Company which should not have been made
     ("Overpayments"). In either such event, the Accounting Firm shall determine
     the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred. In the
     case of an Underpayment, the amount of such Underpayment (together with any
     interest and penalties payable by the Executive as a result of such
     Underpayment) shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit
     of the Executive.

                         (D)  In the case of an Overpayment, the Executive
     shall, at the direction and expense of the Company, take such steps as are
     reasonably necessary (including the filing of returns and claims for
     refund), follow reasonable instructions from, and procedures established
     by, the Company, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company to
     correct such Overpayment, provided, however, that (i) the Executive shall
     not in any event be obligated to return to the Company an amount greater
     than the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment that he has retained or
     has recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing authorities and (ii)
     this provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the intent
     of Section 5(k)(i), which is to make the Executive whole, on an after-tax
     basis, from the application of the Excise Taxes, it being acknowledged and
     understood that the correction of an Overpayment may result in the
     Executive repaying to the Company an amount which is less than the
     Overpayment.

                         (E)  The Executive shall notify the Company in writing
     of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service relating to the possible
     application of the Excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code to any of the
     payments and amounts referred to herein and shall afford the Company, at
     its expense, the opportunity to control the defense of such claim.


          6.   Confidential Information.
               ------------------------

               (a)  The Executive acknowledges that the Company and its
subsidiaries or affiliated ventures ("Company Affiliates") own and have
developed and compiled, and will in the future own, develop and compile certain
Confidential Information and that during the course of his rendering services
hereunder Confidential Information will be disclosed to the Executive by the
Company Affiliates. The Executive hereby agrees that, during the Term and for a
period of three years thereafter, he will not

                                       11
<PAGE>

use or disclose, furnish or make accessible to anyone, directly or indirectly,
any Confidential Information of the Company Affiliates.

               (b)  As used herein, the term "Confidential Information" means
any trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information, or other knowledge,
know-how, information, documents or materials, owned, developed or possessed by
a Company Affiliate pertaining to its businesses the confidentiality of which
such company takes reasonable measures to protect, including, but not limited
to, trade secrets, techniques, know-how (including designs, plans, procedures,
processes and research records), software, computer programs, innovations,
discoveries, improvements, research, developments, test results, reports,
specifications, data, formats, marketing data and business plans and strategies,
agreements and other forms of documents, expansion plans, budgets, projections,
and salary, staffing and employment information. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Confidential Information shall not in any event include information which (i)
was generally known or generally available to the public prior to its disclosure
to the Executive, (ii) becomes generally known or generally available to the
public subsequent to its disclosure to the Executive through no wrongful act of
the Executive, (iii) is or becomes available to the Executive from sources other
than the Company Affiliates which sources are not known to the Executive to be
under any duty of confidentiality with respect thereto or (iv) the Executive is
required to disclose by applicable law or regulation or by order of any court or
federal, state or local regulatory or administrative body (provided that the
Executive provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure
and reasonably cooperates with the Company, at the Company's sole expense, in
seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).

          7.   Specific Performance.
               --------------------

               (a)  The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered
by him hereunder are of a special, unique, extraordinary and personal character
and that the Company Affiliates would sustain irreparable harm in the event of a
violation by the Executive of Section 6 hereof. Therefore, in addition to any
other remedies available, the Company shall be entitled to specific enforcement
and/or an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the
Executive from committing or continuing any such violation of this Agreement
without proving actual damages or posting a bond or other security. Nothing
herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other
remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, including the
recovery of damages.

               (b)  If any of the restrictions on activities of the Executive
contained in Section 7 hereof shall for any reason be held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be excessively broad, such restrictions shall be
construed so as thereafter to be limited or reduced to be enforceable to the
maximum extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear; it
being understood that by the execution of this Agreement the parties hereto
regard such restrictions as reasonable and compatible with their respective
rights.

                                       12
<PAGE>

               (c)  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
in the event that the Company fails to make any payment of any amounts or
provide any of the benefits to the Executive when due as called for under
Section 5 of this Agreement and such failure shall continue for twenty (20) days
after notice thereof from the Executive, all restrictions on the activities of
the Executive under Section 6 hereof shall be immediately and permanently
terminated.

          8.   Withholding.  The parties agree that all payments to be made to
               -----------
the Executive by the Company pursuant to the Agreement shall be subject to all
applicable withholding obligations of such company.

          9.   Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in
               -------
writing and shall be deemed given and received when delivered personally, four
(4) days after being mailed if sent by registered or certified mail, postage
pre-paid, or by one (1) day after delivery if sent by air courier (for next-day
delivery) with evidence of receipt thereof or by facsimile with receipt
confirmed by the addressee. Such notices shall be addressed respectively:

               If to the Executive, to:

               7308 Calvert Street
               Annandale, Virginia 22003

               If to the Company or to the LLC, to:

               MeriStar Hotel & Resorts, Inc.
               1010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
               Washington, D.C. 20007
               Attention: Legal Department

or to any other address of which such party may have given notice to the other
parties in the manner specified above.

          10.  Miscellaneous.
               -------------

               (a)  This Agreement is a personal contract calling for the
provision of unique services by the Executive, and the Executive's rights and
obligations hereunder may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or
hypothecated by the Executive. The rights and obligations of the Company and the
LLC hereunder will be binding upon and run in favor of their respective
successors and assigns. The Company will not be deemed to have breached this
Agreement if any obligations of the Company to make payments to the Executive
are satisfied by the LLC.

               (b)  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard to conflict of laws principles.

                                       13
<PAGE>

               (c)  Any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or any breach hereof shall be settled by arbitration in Washington, D.C. by a
single neutral arbitrator in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of
the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon any award rendered may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof, except in the event of a
controversy relating to any alleged violation by the Executive of Section 6
hereof, in which case the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief
from a court of competent jurisdiction without the requirement to seek
arbitration.

               (d)  The headings of the various sections of this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not define or limit any of the terms
or provisions hereof.

               (e)  The provisions of this Agreement which by their terms call
for performance subsequent to the expiration or termination of the Term shall
survive such expiration or termination.

               (f)  The Company and the LLC shall reimburse the Executive for
all costs incurred by the Executive in any proceeding for the successful
enforcement of the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation all
costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses.

               (g)  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
other prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, all of which shall be
terminated on the Commencement Date. In addition, the parties hereto hereby
waive all rights such party may have under all other prior agreements and
undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto, or among the
Executive, CapStar Hotel Company and CapStar Management Co., L.P., with respect
to the subject matter hereof.

                           [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                       14
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
effective as of the date first above written.

                              EXECUTIVE:



                              ______________________________
                              John Emery



                              COMPANY:

                              MERISTAR HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.



                              By:____________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:



                              LLC:

                              MERISTAR MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC


                              By: MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.,
                                    its general partner



                              By:____________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                   Schedule A
                                   ----------


          Executive may act as an officer of CapStar Hotels, Inc. and Latham
Hotels, Inc. and their respective subsidiaries in connection with their general
affairs and in connection with the ownership, management, financing and sale of
their interests (and the interests of entities in which they are general
partners or principals) in the following hotels.


          1.  Ramada Inn, Slidell, Louisiana


                                      A-1