MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 17 // PRNewswire // -- Hampton (http://www.hampton.com), the international brand of mid-priced Hampton Inn(R) and Hampton Inn & Suites(R) hotels, today set a new "personal best" record with the opening of its 1,500th hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites I-25 South Colorado Springs in Colorado. To mark the occasion, the brand announced plans to donate at least 150 bicycles to the Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region. Hampton is an official sponsor of USA Cycling. Colorado Springs-based Chartwell Hospitality owns and manages the hotel.
As part of the event, officials from Hampton, USA Cycling and Chartwell staged a bicycle race in the hotel's parking lot, culminating in the breaking of a Hampton banner at the finish line. Company representatives and local officials attending the event included Steve Johnson, CEO, USA Cycling, Don Jenkins, Chartwell's regional manager for the hotel, and Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, Hampton brand marketing.
"We have been concentrating on building our brand in the Americas," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice-president, Hampton brand marketing. "We see our development and growth in the next few years to include a much larger international development component. We currently are in the process of establishing footholds in Asia, India, and Europe. In 2008 alone, we expect to open or break ground on about 150 hotels."
Located at 2910 Geyser Drive in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the new, four-story Hampton Inn & Suites is conveniently situated across from the World Arena and proximate to such area attractions as the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Pikes Peak International Raceway. Guest rooms are equipped with complimentary, high-speed Internet access, flat screen televisions and granite-topped vanities. Guests also receive complimentary Hampton On the Run(TM) Breakfast Bags and a hot breakfast each morning. Hotel amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness room, indoor pool and 525 square feet of meeting space.
"Hampton is a proven development powerhouse that constantly outperforms brands within its competitive set in nearly every metric, especially guest satisfaction," said Kevin Green, vice president of Chartwell Hospitality. "This marks our 12th Hampton, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with the brand as we continue to grow our hotel portfolio."
Since opening its first hotel in 1984, Hampton has remained the trendsetter in what is now called the focused-service hotel segment.
"We completely made over the Hampton experience in 2004 when we introduced 'Make It Hampton,' which added more than 60 new features and services to each hotel," said Christa-Cathey. "The one thing that is constant with Hampton is our commitment to enhance the guest experience, from the addition of flat screen televisions to easy-to-use clock radios."
Hampton will donate 150 bicycles to the Boys & Girls Club. "Hampton is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and is an ideal sponsor for USA Cycling," said Nick Adams, director of sponsorship and business development for USA Cycling. "We salute them on reaching the 1,500 milestone, an achievement that will help them retain the yellow jersey of the premier, mid- market, limited-service hotel brand."
"Hampton prides itself on being a 'friend in town,' and we thought reaching out to the many communities of which we are a part to promote healthy living and environmental awareness was a perfect way to underscore our commitment," Christa-Cathey noted. "As a proud sponsor of the Olympic Team and USA Cycling again this year, and with their assistance, we believe this is an ideal opportunity to incorporate all aspects into one beneficial program."
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 65,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, visit http://www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
About the Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region, through its three sites, exists to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. It has been serving the youth of the community since 1888 -- 120 years.
Through dozens of nationally recognized programs, children ages 5 - 18 receive character and leadership development, education and career exploration, health and life skills, art and cultural awareness, and sports, fitness and recreational opportunities. The Clubs provide a safe place to learn and grow ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals, and most of all -- hope and opportunity. To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region, visit http://www.bgcppr.org or call (719) 570-7077.
About Hampton Hotels
Hampton, which includes Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, is a mid-priced leader in the lodging segment. Hampton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, the leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,900 hotels and 480,000 rooms in 76 countries and territories, including 100,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R) Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton(TM), Embassy Suites Hotels by Hilton(TM), Hampton Inn by Hilton(TM), Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton(TM), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations(TM), Homewood Suites by Hilton(R) and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection(R).
The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable(R). The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.
For more information about our company, please visit http://www.hiltonworldwide.com, and to learn more about our "be hospitable" philosophy, please visit http://www.behospitable.com.
SOURCE Hampton
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