Hilton Hotels & Resorts Franchise News

Brand Commemorates Year of Milestones with Announcement of New Corporate Partnership for its Your2Hands Charity Program
MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Home2 Suites by Hilton, the mid-tier, all-suites, extended stay brand, is celebrating one year since opening its doors, and introducing guests to its innovative “hip and humble” approach for business and leisure travelers. In its short history, Home2 Suites has become one of the leaders in the mid-tier extended stay segment with close to 68 percent customer loyalty for its seven hotels across the United States – one of the highest scores within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. Currently, Home2 Suites has nine new hotels under construction, a strong development pipeline of more than 60 planned properties, and international expansion plans with its first Canada property signed and a Mexico property in the works...

January 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide has become the fastest growing major hotel company, expanding its portfolio by 29 percent since June 2007 and surpassing its competitors in total rate of room growth.[i]  During this time, Hilton Worldwide has also added more than 950 hotels to its total global footprint and created a pipeline of over 860 hotels, among several other successes.
In 2011, Hilton Worldwide opened a total of 170 hotels and gained supply share in each of its global regions. In the United States, Hilton Worldwide has over 10 percent of the room supply market share, the largest in the country, as well as over 18 percent of the active industry room pipeline in the planning to construction phases...

Embassy Suites Hotels and Homewood Suites by Hilton Ranked Highest within the North American Guest Satisfaction Index July 20, 2011 // Franchising.com // MCLEAN, Va. – Today, Hilton Worldwide announced that two of its 10 distinct brands landed top honors in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. Embassy Suites Hotels achieved the highest ranking in the "Upper Upscale Segment," its ninth top ranking in the study throughout the past 12 years. Homewood Suites by Hilton was awarded the highest ranking in the "Extended Stay Segment" – the eighth award in 10 years for the brand in this segment.

"Guest satisfaction is at the core of our business," said Paul Brown, president, global brands and commercial services...

230-Room Hilton Lima Miraflores Scheduled to Open in 2012 LIMA, Peru & MCLEAN, Va. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hilton Worldwide has entered into a Franchise Agreement with J.G.J. Proyectistas S.A.C., a Real Estate Developer based in Lima, Peru, to introduce the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to the Peruvian market with the 230-room new build Hilton Lima Miraflores. The hotel is scheduled to open in Q1 2012.

"Now is a period of tremendous global growth for the Hilton brand and this partnership will create an exceptional property in Peru's capital city," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. "With a population exceeding nine million people, Lima is a major market for international travel and key to our strong presence in South America...

Company Also Announces Several Other Major Accomplishments from the 2009 Year End MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hilton Worldwide announced today that, building on the record year the company had in terms of development in 2008, the next best year in the company's 91-year history was 2009.

In 2009, despite major challenges for the hospitality industry overall, Hilton Worldwide added 302 new hotels and more than 45,000 rooms to a total count that is now more than 3,500 hotels and 585,000 rooms. In 2008, Hilton Worldwide opened 327 properties.

For the fourth consecutive year, Hilton Worldwide opened more newly-constructed guest rooms in the U.S. than any other company.* Additionally, Hilton Worldwide's pipeline includes more than 900 hotels with more than 129,000 rooms scheduled to open...

Hilton Garden Inn to open in Samara October 07, 2009 // Franchising.com // London, Moscow & Virginia - Hilton Worldwide has today announced the signing of a management agreement with Otel LLC to open a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Samara, Russia. Scheduled to open in 2012, the Hilton Garden Inn Samara will become the sixth Hilton property in the country, and the second to join the award winning mid-market brand.

Welcoming today's announcement, Patrick Fitzgibbon Senior Vice President Development for Hilton Hotels, said: "There is significant appetite from hotel owners and developers in Russia for a contemporary yet affordable, focussed service product and our Hilton Garden Inn offers the perfect fit. Following the success of the brand's debut in Perm last year, we know there is strong growth potential for Hilton Garden Inn, especially in Russia's regional centres where there is a real need for quality, internationally branded accommodation...

Hilton Brand tops BDRC's Middle East Survey as Leading Choice Hotel Brand for Business Travelers

September 21, 2009 // Franchising.com // MCLEAN, Va. and DUBAI, UAE - The Hilton Hotels (Hilton) brand tops the 2009 Business Development Research Consultants' (BDRC) Middle East Hotel Business Guest Survey as the number one hotel brand in the Middle East. The BDRC survey, which tracks the performance of 80 international hotel brands across the Middle East, also named Hilton the 'Leading Choice Hotel Brand' for the business traveler segment.

"Naturally we are delighted to be recognized as the leading hospitality brand in this region. The results are testament to our impeccable service and strong brand standards across all 31 Hilton hotels in the Middle East...

Hilton Leads the Way in Brand Awareness and Customer Usage in Annual Maktoob Research Travel Monitor August 31, 2009 // Franchising.com // MCLEAN, Va. and DUBAI, UAE – Hilton Hotels has been voted the most recognized hotel brand in both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) according to the 2009 Maktoob Research Travel Monitor. The annual syndicated study on travel trends and preferences tracks performance of the major players in the UAE and KSA hospitality and airline industries by canvassing and assessing opinions of frequent travelers from the two countries.

Hilton emerged as a front runner in brand awareness in the UAE and KSA at 73 per cent improving on last year's performance by 11 percent and 7 percent respectively...

Asia Pacific Business Hotel Guest Survey Ranks Hilton Hotels "Leading Choice Hotel Brand" for Fifth Consecutive Year August 31, 2009 // Franchising.com // MCLEAN, Va. and SYDNEY, Australia – A survey of Australian business travellers names Hilton Hotels the "Number One Hotel Brand" in Australia and the "Leading Choice Hotel Brand" in Australia for the fifth consecutive year. Topping the list of 95 of the world's leading hotel brands in the annual BDRC Asia Pacific Business Hotel Guest Survey, Hilton once again shows it is the leading name in Australia's hospitality Industry.

The BDRC brand ranking index or brand performance is measured against overall scores for prompted and unprompted awareness, usage of a brand, preferred choice (intent to recommend) and loyalty ratio...

Upscale Hotel Developments to Debut in Bristol and Milton Keynes Later This Year LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation continues the expansion of its upscale Doubletree by Hilton hotel collection in Europe following the signing of franchise agreements for properties in two key UK cities, Bristol and Milton Keynes.

Welcoming the announcements, Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP of Development for Hilton Hotels – Europe and Africa, said: "Doubletree by Hilton has now gained great momentum across the UK and Europe. These two signings will bring the number of UK Doubletree properties to seven, and we hope to have ten Doubletree by Hilton hotels open before the end of the year. If you broaden this to include Continental Europe, our first ever Doubletree was signed in Milan, and now two years on we are today signing our 14th Doubletree by Hilton hotel in the region...

New Hotels in Panama City Reinforce Company's Commitment to Grow in Central AmericaBeverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation announces its return to Panama with the signing of four multi-year agreements in Panama City, Panama: two management agreements for a brand-new Hilton and new build Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel, one franchise agreement for a Doubletree by Hilton™ conversion and one franchise agreement for a newly built Hilton Garden Inn. Each hotel will represent the first in the country for each brand.

"We are truly excited about these developments in Panama City and being back in such a great city," commented Daniel Hughes, senior vice president of operations, Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America, for Hilton Hotels Corporation...

Home2 Suites by Hilton™ is value-wise, extended-stay hotel brand with "hip and humble" style Beverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced the launch of Home2 Suites by Hilton™, a new mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept targeting the savvy, value-wise, extended-stay guest, an under-represented segment of the marketplace. The announcement was made at a special media and developer event prior to the kickoff of the 8th Annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit in San Diego, Calif. To demonstrate the strong interest from the hotel development community, 10 submitted franchise applications were announced at this morning's event, with the first Home2 Suites hotel expected to begin construction in the next 6 to 12 months...

Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa offers a uniquely Texan base from which to explore the state's number one tourist destination Beverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The newly converted Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel and Spa offers laidback accommodation with easy access to San Antonio's attractions. Located in the rolling hills dotted with centuries old live oaks and indigenous plants, there is no doubt why last summer The New York Times listed Texas's Hill Country as one of the top destinations to visit. Whether guests use the hotel as a home base from which to explore Hill Country, the Alamo, or to do business in San Antonio, this 227-room property provides a number of unique guest services, including three swimming pools, the Hill Country Spa, and its signature restaurant...

Hilton Hotels Corporation to Franchise the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa and Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa Beverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced that it has entered into franchise license agreements with Louis Wane for three hotels on the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, in French Polynesia. Three existing hotels will be re-branded as the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa and the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, effective 16th January 2009.

In conjunction with the franchise agreements, the three hotels will be managed by South Pacific Management, one of Tahiti's leading resort management companies. Headquartered in the Tahitian capital Papeete, South Pacific Management has a strong track record in managing resort properties in French Polynesia and currently manages a group of ten resorts located across the three main archipelagos...

December 23, 2008 // Franchising.com // BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.,- The Hilton Family of Hotels has announced that Homewood Suites by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels and Doubletree Hotels have been recognized as the top three best value hotel chains" in Zagat's 2009 Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas Survey. The 2009 guide covers 1,001 hotels, resorts and spas nationwide based on input from 14,049 frequent travelers and travel professionals, such as meeting planners and travel agents.

"We are delighted that Zagat enthusiasts have recognized Homewood Suites by Hilton, Embassy Suites and Doubletree hotels as offering superior value," said Paul Brown, president, global brands and shared services, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Each of these hotel brands contributes to memorable travel experiences and enables guests to stretch their travel dollar by providing value-oriented features and amenities...

Phil Keipper Promoted to Senior Vice President, Architecture and Construction – The Americas; Habib Enayetullah Joins as Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Asset Management Beverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation ("Hilton") announced today that Matthew Richardson has been named global head of architecture, design and construction, effective immediately. In this capacity, Richardson will oversee the company's worldwide efforts with respect to new build projects, capital improvement, technical advisory services, interior design and construction for owned and managed as well as franchised properties. He joins Hilton from Host Hotels and Resorts where he served as senior vice president and chief development officer, overseeing all of the company's design and construction activities...

Company Appoints New Development Team to Spearhead Addition of 150 Hotels & Resorts Beverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation today announces expansion plans to quadruple its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America by adding 150 new hotels to the portfolio over the next five years. The company also reveals a new development structure, made up of six dedicated staff, to lead the efforts in achieving this objective. This news underscores the company's stated goal to add 1,000 hotels to its international portfolio in ten years.

Steve Goldman, president, global development & real estate, for Hilton Hotels Corporation, explained, "Expanding our global platform is a strategic priority for Hilton. We are focusing on accelerating the growth of our international management and franchise business by securing strategic development agreements and employing resources in international markets...

Hilton Appoints 20-Year Company Veteran to SVP Position

Beverly Hills, CA, September 15, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Hilton Hotels Corporation announces that Daniel Hughes has been promoted to senior vice president, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In this role, Hughes will form part of the company's senior operating team for Hilton's full-service hotels: Hilton(R), Conrad(R) Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection(R) and will support the company's focus on growth in the region and quality in operations.

Joseph Berger, area president, Americas, for Hilton Hotels Corporation, commented, "I am delighted with the appointment of Danny Hughes as a senior operating officer within our Americas organizational structure...

The Ultimate Destination for Pleasure Seekers, This Unique Property Combines Resort Luxury with the Spectacular Scenery of New Mexico Beverly Hills, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced the grand opening of the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder, a stunning desert rose nestled at the foot of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Northern New Mexico. Encompassing 587 acres of pristine land, it is the largest fully inclusive destination resort in the state. This newly built property features 395 spectacularly decorated rooms and suites featuring authentic Pueblo architecture and design elements. The resort also offers a variety of recreation and entertainment options, including a golf course and driving range, pools, tennis courts, and a 16,000 ft² spa...

The Hilton Houston North Offers Travelers Texas Hospitality in a Convenient Location

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Hotels today announced the opening of the newest place to recharge in the "Energy Capital of the World." The Hilton Houston North, just minutes away from the attractions of downtown Houston, sits adjacent to the sprawling Greenspoint business and shopping center, making it the ideal location for business and leisure travelers alike. Following the adage that everything is bigger in Texas, an expansive atrium welcomes guests to this deluxe 480-room hotel, which includes 165 executive suites, 26 junior suites, five parlor suites and three presidential suites. Previously the Wyndham Greenspoint, the hotel has fully renovated all guest rooms and landscaping, and will feature newly revamped meeting spaces, restaurants and a Hilton Fitness by Precor® exercise center, by November 2008...