Historic Hotel in Chester, UK Celebrates £27.5 Million Redevelopment with New Doubletree® by Hilton Name

Doubletree by Hilton™, the upscale, full-service brand that is part of the Hilton Family of Hotels, has announced that the Hoole Hall Country Club and Spa in Chester, UK is completing the finishing touches on a £27.5 million transformation and has officially been re-branded as the Doubletree by Hilton Chester.

Situated just minutes from Chester’s historic city centre in a lovingly restored 18th century manor house, the Doubletree by Hilton Chester provides a unique blend of past and present with modern conveniences and splendid contemporary style. The Doubletree by Hilton Chester hotel's outstanding facilities feature a Grade II English Heritage listed conservatory, stunning grounds and gardens, and a luxury day spa scheduled to open in autumn 2009. An ideal venue for weddings, conferences, and leisure travel, the hotel is a 40-minute drive from either Manchester International Airport or Liverpool's John Lennon International Airport.

Operated by Sanguine Hospitality Ltd, under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation, the property becomes the third Doubletree by Hilton to open in the United Kingdom and the sixth in Europe during the past 12 months, signifying the continued expansion of the brand in this country and around the world.

"The opening of the Doubletree by Hilton Chester truly highlights the unique flexibility and potential for hotels across Europe that may be interested in joining the Hilton Family of Hotels, as Doubletree continues to expand in some of the most desirable leisure and business destinations around the world. This hotel is an outstanding complement to our current UK collection of hotels in Cambridge, Aberdeen and London, as well as our upcoming hotel at Dunblane Hydro this summer,” 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 provides business travellers and tourists with 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.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President of Development for Hilton Hotels – UK, Europe and Africa, said: "This latest hotel opening in Chester is another example of the great momentum building behind the international expansion of the Doubletree by Hilton brand, as we look to open more than 20 hotels in the UK alone during the next five years.” It is also further demonstrates our commitment to growth in the Northwest of England – with three other hotels opening in nearby Liverpool within the next 18 months across our Family of Hotels.”

The Doubletree by Hilton Chester features 110 well-appointed guestrooms and suites that have been planned and designed with a contemporary look and feel that is designed to pamper. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and feature the brand’s signature Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree sleep experience with high-thread-count linens and plush pillows and include 32-inch, flat screen TVs, complimentary high-speed internet access, a fridge, an electronic safe, upscale bath and body products and much more.

For business meetings or social gatherings, the Doubletree by Hilton Chester offers a superb choice of six flexible meeting venues encompassing more than 7,200 sq. ft., including a spectacular 3,500 sq. ft ballroom. Intimate outdoor weddings are also available on the beautifully landscaped grounds or in the hotel’s gazebo. Impressive style defined by the simplicity of white leather and warm wood accents sets the mood at the Orchid Room -- a fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar, where New York chic meets Victoriana. Breakfast, lunch or dinner is proudly presented daily with an array of expertly prepared dishes that feature only the highest quality seasonal ingredients and local produce whenever possible.

Tony Wright, general manager of the Doubletree by Hilton Chester, remarked: "With the breathtaking transformation of an idyllic 18^th century manor that represents relaxed sophistication and impeccable design, our team is determined to make this historic new chapter in hospitality at the Doubletree by Hilton Chester successful. Specialising in luxury, quality and service, we believe that leisure and business travellers who stay with us will enjoy this unique offering of accommodation and fine-dining experience in one of our country’s most attractive cities.”

With a convenient location just off the M53, the Doubletree by Hilton Chester is convenient to many corporate offices such as Shell^® Global Solutions, Bristol Myers Squibb^®, General Motors^® and Unilever^®. When business is finished, visitors may take in the many sights and sounds of the Cheshire region including the Medieval Rows shopping gallery, walking tours of the ancient walled city, the Chester Cathedral, the world-famous Chester Zoo, Chester Racecourse, Oulton Park or cruises on the River Dee.

The Doubletree by Hilton Chester is located at Hoole Hall, Warrington Rd, Chester, United Kingdom CH2 3PD. For more information about the hotel or to make reservations, please visit our website at http://chester.doubletreebyhilton.com, contact your local travel professional, or contact the hotel directly at +44 (0) 01244-408800.

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 by Hilton guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them.

Doubletree is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 77 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^®, Home2 Suites by Hilton^® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection^®.

To make reservations at any Doubletree by Hilton hotel, travellers may visit our website at www.doubletree.com.