Doubletree by Hilton Enters Middle East

Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced the entry of the Doubletree by Hilton brand into the Middle East with the signing of a Management Agreement with Mohamed Ahmed Ali Hassan Ruqait for the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E set to open Q1 2010.

"Our belief is that guests and investors should be able to choose between a multitude of brands each offering a different product for a different market segment and investment risk profile. Hence we are delighted to further the growth of the Hilton Family with the first Doubletree by Hilton agreement in this region, and the first branded all-suite hotel product in Ras Al Khaimah. The Doubletree brand offers distinctively designed full-service upscale hotels and suites. We are extremely delighted to partner with Mr. Ruqait on this property,” said Jean-Paul Herzog, Area President, Hilton Hotels, Middle East & Africa.

With a network that spans more than 200 hotels and resorts around the world, Doubletree’s first signing in the Middle East will bring with it the Culture of Care (Caring, Attentive, Responsive and Empowered service) which has made it an international icon of high quality service. This ethos transcends established standards by developing an emotional and personal experience for guests due to its individualised attention to detail.

The new-build Doubletree Suites by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah plans to feature 112 apartments fitted out in a contemporary style with innovative guest technology including an internet package and stereo speaker connectivity for MP3 players and CD players. The 84 studios, 14 one-bedroom apartments and 14 two-bedroom apartments are designed to re-create the comforts of home including a Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree sleep experience to help ensure rest and relaxation whilst away from the comforts of home. Additional facilities planned for the hotel include an all-day dining restaurant and bar, a boardroom, business centre, swimming pool and a fitness centre.

"We are pleased to partner with such a respected brand like Hilton and look forward to introducing the Doubletree by Hilton experience to the Middle East. With its heritage of warm hospitality and attention to detail, Doubletree will lend a rounded, more individual touch to the hospitality offerings here, and will help underline Ras Al Khaimah as an internationally attractive travel destination,” said Mohamed Ahmed Ali Hassan Ruqait.

The property’s location in the Northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is in close proximity to major commercial and business sites such as the Free Trade Zone Business Park and the Exhibition Centre. Dubai International Airport is only a 45-minute drive away.

"Doubletree by Hilton is one of today’s most dynamic upscale hotel brands in the travel industry; providing upscale accommodation and personalised guest experience. It is exciting to launch this brand in a market that is young, vibrant and filled with potential. With the support of the dedicated Doubletree team and strong local alliances, we look forward to evaluating additional new build and conversion opportunities to develop the Doubletree brand further in the Middle East,” said Rob Palleschi, Global Head, Doubletree Brand.

Hilton Hotels has a large brand footprint in the Middle East & Africa with 41 hotels across 13 countries. There are nine Hilton branded hotels currently operating in the U.A.E. Additional properties under development in Ras Al Khaimah are the Hilton Mina Al Arab Resort opening in 2011, and the third and final phase of the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort opening in Q3 this year.

Note to Editors:

Hilton Hotels Corporation is a leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,300 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel 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®, the Waldorf Astoria™ and the Waldorf Astoria Collection™, as well as the recently launched Home2 Suites by Hilton™. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.

The company currently operates 41 hotels in the Middle East & Africa – 16 hotels in Egypt, nine hotels in the UAE, five in Saudi Arabia and one each in Oman and Kuwait, plus another nine hotels in Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Hilton Hotels has a signed development pipeline of an additional 19 properties across Middle East & Africa in the U.A.E, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde.

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 brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com

The Hilton Reservations and Customer Care telephone numbers in the Middle East are as follows: