Hilton Hotels Corporation Signs Two UK Doubletree by Hilton Development Agreements with Double Digits in Sight

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 14^th Doubletree by Hilton hotel in the region.

The first project, which is expected to open before the end of the year, will see the existing Cadbury House Hotel and Country Club near Bristol converted to the Doubletree by Hilton Bristol South. The hotel will have 72 guest rooms and offer extensive meeting space, a restaurant, bar and access to a health club and spa facility. This agreement will be the second with Sanguine Hospitality – who already work with Hilton at the Doubletree by Hilton in Chester which rebranded and opened in March 2009.

The second agreement is with Hotel MK to open the Doubletree by Hilton Milton Keynes, this new-build hotel will be located within the football stadium that is home to the MK Dons Football Club. This first Doubletree hotel to be integrated into a professional sports complex will be located at the front west stand of Stadium MK. Several rooms on the pitchside will double up as executive suites during major events. The Doubletree by Hilton Milton Keynes will have 127 guest rooms and also is expected to open before the end of 2009.

Rob Palleschi, Global Head for Doubletree Hotels added: "The strength and appeal of the Doubletree by Hilton brand for hotel owners around the world lies in its versatility -- whether it is a city centre conversion project, large new build development or destination resort. Thanks to organizations like Sanguine Hospitality and Hotel MK, this is enabling us to take advantage of a number of different development opportunities as we look to grow in both gateway and key business cities as well as attractive vacation destinations where our brand can respond to the changing desires of today’s corporate and leisure travellers."

With a fast-growing network that spans more than 200 locations around the world, Doubletree by Hilton continues to introduce business and leisure travellers throughout Europe 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 caring commitment to the communities in which they operate.

"Moreover, these new signings will complement our existing Hilton Family of Hotels properties in these two cities and throughout the UK, adding to what are already thriving business hubs with excellent leisure facilities and transport links – all in all offering fantastic locations for Doubletree by Hilton hotels,” added Fitzgibbon.

About Doubletree by Hilton Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 200 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 guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them.

Doubletree is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, a leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,300 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries and more than 130,000 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.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.

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 on the Hilton Family of Hotels, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com. For more information on Doubletree by Hilton, please visit www.doubletree.com.