Doubletree(R) Makes Its European Debut in Italy

Doubletree by Hilton™, the upscale, full-service brand that is part of the Hilton Family of Hotels, has announced the debut of its first hotel in continental Europe with the opening of the Doubletree by Hilton Milan. This opening heralds the arrival of Hilton Hotels Corporation’s 88th European hotel and the addition of a second Hilton Family hotel in the Italian fashion capital.

Situated in the heart of Viale Certosa, northern Milan’s essential business district, the newly built Doubletree by Hilton Milan is located between the Fiera Milano Exhibition Center and Trade Fair Complex and the new Rho Fair Grounds – two of the main venues for Expo 2015. Milan’s main cultural and leisure attractions such as Castello Sforzesco, Piazza Duomo, Via Monte Napoleone, Brera Arts District and La Scala Opera House are a convenient 10-minute drive from the hotel.

"We are honoured to open our first European Doubletree by Hilton in one of the most important business capitals on the continent. This exciting hotel opening in Milan truly demonstrates the momentum behind the Doubletree by Hilton brand and its fast-growing expansion of full-service hotels across Europe and around the world,” commented Dave Horton, senior vice president – brand management for Doubletree Hotels.

As one of the upscale hotel brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, Doubletree by Hilton will introduce business travellers and tourists in Italy to the brand’s longstanding tradition of distinctively designed hotels that reflect the destination and surrounding area. Other Doubletree by Hilton characteristic qualities include the warm worldwide welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie to every guest at check-in, the rewards of the prestigious Hilton HHonors® loyalty programme and a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate.

Welcoming the announcement, Wolfgang Neumann, President of Hilton Hotels - Europe, said: "Today marks a historic occasion for us at Hilton, with the debut of our first-ever Doubletree by Hilton in continental Europe. Having identified Italy as one of our key strategic markets, the launch of this exciting new brand in one of the region’s finest cities underscores our strategy to integrate our successful Hilton Family of Hotels brands into growth markets throughout Europe - enabling us to provide an incredible range and choice of quality accommodation to our customers wherever they travel.”

21^st Century Design for a 21^st Century Milan

A modern, organic glass and wood exterior introduces arriving guests to the six-storey hotel’s elegant design as they enter via a pathway of rich, travertine marble. The main reception area leads to an airy entertainment and dining space, incorporating a comfortable lounge area with plush chairs and relaxing sofas. Spacious public areas are infused with natural sunlight filtering through the rooftop skylights, along with floor to ceiling glass windows. The hotel’s courtyard terrace with lush landscaping allows guests to enjoy informal al fresco drinks and dining and provides an ideal venue for unique, private outdoor receptions and events.

Contemporary Guestrooms and Residential Style Amenities

With an ultra-modern design bathed in complementary warm neutral tones, each of the 240 guest rooms at the Doubletree by Hilton Milan feature contemporary style, modern conveniences and a range of luxurious amenities for in-room comfort. Each of the 29sqm guestrooms is equipped with a comfortable workspace, as well as the very latest in-room technology, including LCD flat-panel televisions and wired and wireless high-speed internet access. Rooms also feature the brand’s signature Sweet Dreams™ by Doubletree sleep experience complete with high-thread-count linens and an abundance of pillows for a great night’s sleep.

For recreation, Doubletree by Hilton Milan guests have complimentary access to the brand’s signature Doubletree Fitness by Precor facility, fitted with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength-training equipment.

Catering for business and meetings

The hotel’s conference and meetings facilities - which can accommodate up to 450 guests - are located on the ground floor of the hotel, and offer over 450 sqm of flexible function space and state-of-art audio-visual and communication technology that can be configured to offer up to eight function rooms - all featuring natural daylight. An on-site, 24-hour Business Centre provides a variety of essential support services.

Sumptuous Food and Beverage Offerings "Under Glass”

The Doubletree by Hilton Milan is proud to present Glass – an innovative bar and restaurant combination that features some of the finest in Milanese and international cuisine. Guests can select from a wide variety of light lunch items as well as delectable dinner offerings. For those looking to enjoy a gathering place at the end of a busy day, the Glass bar proudly presents the enjoyable Milanese tradition of aperitivo (‘Happy Hour’) each afternoon, offering a range of refreshments accompanied by an array of tantalizing, complimentary snacks.

The Doubletree by Hilton Milan is operated by G&W Hotel Invest Srl. under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Gregorio Pecoraro, hotel owner, commented: "The development of the Doubletree by Hilton Milan has been a labour of love for all who have been involved since its inception. Our entire hotel team is truly proud to represent the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Italy and Continental Europe. We believe that today’s leisure and business travellers who stay with us will enjoy the Doubletree by Hilton philosophy of impeccable service, contemporary style and a refreshingly relaxed sense of informality and individuality.”

Worldwide brand expansion in Milan and beyond

Doubletree already features a collection of more than 45,000 rooms in more than 190 locations worldwide, predominantly in the United States to date. A rapid worldwide expansion of the Doubletree by Hilton brand has included an aggressive opening plan of upscale, full-service hotels and resorts in Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, the United Kingdom and now Italy with additional hotels and resorts in Panama, Peru, Russia, Slovakia and Thailand anticipated to open during the next several months.

Doubletree by Hilton is set to grow its Italian presence further, following the recent signing of its second Italian hotel development deal – an upscale golf resort in Acaya in the southern province of Lecce, which is anticipated to open in mid-2009.

Hilton now operates 12 hotels within the Hilton Family of Brands across Italy, located in key destinations such as Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Sorrento and Matera. This year the company expects to add a further four new hotels in Palermo, Milan-Malpensa, Bari and Bologna. Last month the company ‘relaunched’ the former Rome Cavalieri Hilton as a prestigious Waldorf=Astoria Collection property, marking the debut of the Hilton Hotels Corporation’s luxury brand in Europe.

The Doubletree by Hilton Milan is one block from the Viale Certosa, with direct access to the A8 and A4 Autostradas. Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa Airport are 25km and 40km from the hotel, respectively and the Milan Central Train Station is just 10 minutes away. The hotel address is Via Ludovico di Breme 77, Milan, Italy 20156. For more information about the Doubletree by Hilton Milan or to make reservations, please visit our website at milan.doubletreebyhilton.com, contact your local travel professional, call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada or contact the hotel directly at +39 02 928831.

About Doubletree by Hilton Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 190 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, Doubletree by Hilton hotels and resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today’s business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand’s legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors^® guest reward programme, each Doubletree by Hilton guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. To make reservations at any Doubletree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our website at www.doubletree.com.

About Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in more than 74 countries and territories, including 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton^®, Conrad Hotels & Resorts^®, Doubletree^®, Embassy Suites Hotels^®, Hampton Inn^®, Hampton Inn & Suites^®, Hilton Garden Inn^®, Hilton Grand Vacations^®, Homewood Suites by Hilton^® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection^™. 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®. The philosophy is shared by all nine 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 www.hiltonworldwide.com, and to learn more about our be hospitable philosophy, please visit www.behospitable.com.