With Pent-Up Demand Expected in 2021, Hilton Introduces Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions for Meetings and Events

 

As we emerge from a year of uncertainties, one business reality seems crystal clear: Hybrid meetings and events will be critical in the near-term. To address this dramatic shift in how people meet and celebrate, Hilton is introducing a set of Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions. The new suite of offerings, which will continue to evolve, directs event planners to Hilton’s hybrid-ready hotels while also providing them with planning resources – including an expanded Hilton EventReady Playbook and flexible customer offers.

Global program roll-out to feature hybrid-ready hotels across the portfolio

With each meeting and event experience delivered by dedicated team members, as part of the Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions, participating hotels will have access to comprehensive team member training resources to build and strengthen their knowledge in hybrid events.

Weathering the Coronavirus storm, Hilton Style..

                             In a year when the travel industry faced challenges like never before, Hilton weathered the storm by staying true to its founding purpose – to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality. As the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for the travel and tourism industry, Hilton developed industry-leading guest innovations, reached significant growth milestones and continued to positively impact communities around the world.

Even as the company faced the biggest test in its 101-year history, Hilton’s resilient, capital-light business model enabled it to organically reach its 1 million room milestone in the fourth quarter. 

Three of the hotels that helped the company cross this important threshold paint a picture of Hilton’s global growth story: Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch in South Africa, illustrating the company’s expansion into Africa; Tru by Hilton Savannah Airport, showcasing the power of the fastest-growing new brand in Hilton’s portfolio; and the Hilton Garden Inn Guizhou Maotai Town in China, helping deliver on the company’s ambitious growth goals in the APAC market.

Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Recognized With 14 Condé Nast Traveller 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards

The Roosevelt New Orleans Photo Hilton

Condé Nast Traveller announced the results of its 33^rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing 14 unique properties within Hilton’s luxury portfolio. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts earned 11 property awards and Conrad Hotels & Resorts earned three property awards for best-in-class hotels around the globe.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.

Of the 14 Hilton luxury properties recognized, six were ranked in the top five, and eight properties were ranked in the top 10 in each of their respective categories. Two properties secured the coveted number one ranking with The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel ranking as the top hotel in New Orleans and Waldorf Astoria Beijing coming in as the first choice among all hotels in China.

Conrad London St. James Announces Plans to Create a New Destination for Food and Drink in Central London

 

At the heart of one of London’s most symbolic boroughs, Conrad London St. James will be taking centre stage with the opening of four new food and drinks concepts in Westminster. The hotel, set in Constitutional London and a stone’s throw from London’s most-visited landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye, is investing £1.75 million in creating exceptional and pioneering eating and drinking concepts. Designed to provide a truly British experience, and with the area’s community and global travellers in mind, the hotel will launch a new signature restaurant; a contemporary take on the traditional London pub; an afternoon tea lounge, and the addition of the hotel’s first cocktail bar. Significantly, Michelin-starred chef Sally Abé has been appointed as Consultant Chef.

The hotel has appointed leading designers Wilson Associates to create stunning interiors to bring to life a very London pub; a glamorous new restaurant inspired by pioneering women; a seasonally-influenced and elegant cocktail bar; discreet private dining, and an afternoon tea lounge.

Hilton Effect Foundation Reveals 2020 Grants and Achieves $1 Million in Global COVID-19 Community Response Efforts

23 grants awarded to organizations worldwide to help build stronger and more inclusive communities

 The Hilton Effect Foundation announced today its 2020 Hilton Effect grantees, which include community-based organizations playing a direct role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. Through these grants and donations already made by the Foundation, which serves as Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, the Foundation has now awarded more than $1 million dollars in COVID-19 community response efforts.

“A core part of the Hilton Effect Foundation’s work is to support our communities around the world through both good times and bad,” said Kate Mikesell, president, Hilton Effect Foundation. “From the very start of the pandemic, we have been listening to community leaders about the direct and indirect challenges they are facing as a result of COVID-19. Based on their feedback, we have focused our grants on driving inclusive recovery and strengthening community resiliency.” 

New Survey Reveals What Americans Are Missing the Most

Travel

According to a new study released Monday by Hilton, 95% of Americans are missing travel right now – are you one of them? It’s not surprising, after six months of restrictions brought on by a global pandemic which led to working and learning from home and little change in scenery … day after day after day. What is surprising though? That within this time, 188 million Americans already feel a ‘travel memory deficit,’ leading to greater stress and the feeling of FOMO on lost or missed out upon special moments with loved ones. 

Traveling, it seems, is one of the great American pastimes that brings long-lasting joy, with nine in 10 respondents saying that travel memories are the fondest they have. Travel – over special occasions or personal achievements – is attributed to creating their most frequently recalled “happy memory,” with the majority of those surveyed also citing that creating these lasting memories is a primary motivation for their trips. As for playing favorites, 54% said travel memories are more important than their favorite piece of jewelry, and 53% say those memories are more important than their smartphone. So, the best way to reclaim your happy? Take a trip!

Conrad Punta de Mita Officially Opens, Ushering in New Era of Luxury in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit

Mexico’s coveted Riviera Nayarit welcomes a bright new era in hospitality with today’s official opening of Conrad Punta de Mita – Hilton’s first-ever Conrad brand resort in Mexico, and the second Conrad brand property in the country. Situated beside the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific on a two-mile-long beach, the highly anticipated opening of the 324-room property invites travellers to discover contemporary luxury.

“The opening of Conrad Punta de Mita marks an important milestone for Hilton, as we bring Conrad-level style, service and experiences to the shores of Riviera Nayarit,” said Jorge Giannattasio, Hilton’s senior vice president and head of operations, Caribbean & Latin America. “As one of Mexico’s most sought-after destinations, Punta de Mita is the perfect location for the newest addition to our luxury portfolio in the region – and we can’t wait for our guests to discover the inspiring experiences that await at Conrad Punta de Mita.” 

Hilton Appoints Chris Carr to Board of Directors

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. today announced the appointment of Chris Carr, Chief Operations Officer of sweetgreen, to its board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Carr will serve on the Nominating and ESG committee of the board.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris to Hilton," said Jon Gray, chairman of Hilton's board of directors. “When we began our board search process last year, we were looking to add world class executive leadership in global and consumer-facing organizations. Chris brings these highly relevant skills, as well as unmatched focus on customer experience and procurement. We look forward to his insights as we navigate Hilton's continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Hilton Hotels introduces a new cleanliness programme. CleanStay.

Next week, the global hotel chain, Hilton will start a new cleanliness programme around the world, to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection in all its properties.

It is called Hilton CleanStay, and has been created in collaboration with Lysol and Dettol maker RB and Mayo Clinic and will include new procedures to designed to make people feel safer staying at a Hilton location this summer.

“For more than a century, our top priority has been the safety and security of our guests and Team Members. As the hospitality industry evolves to address travellers’ changing expectations – especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic – Hilton CleanStay is the latest evolution of our commitment to providing the peace of mind and confidence our guests need to travel freely, while protecting our Team Members,” said Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton.

“Though our hospitality may look different in the short term, around the world we are eager to welcome our guests once more and create the unforgettable experiences they have come to expect from Hilton.”

Hilton and RB have expanded this partnership to support the global portfolio of hotels and the trusted RB family of products will be used in multiple markets around the world.

Hilton guests can expect to begin seeing changes in some hotels around the world starting next week, with Hilton CleanStay implemented across Hilton’s 18 brands by mid-July.

Hilton CleanStay from Check-in to Check-out

Hilton’s Collection Brands Build Momentum with Expansive Development Plans for 2020

Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection by Hilton are committed to offering an authentic, independent stay experience with an additional 120 one-of-a-kind hotels in their global pipelines




From picturesque island getaways to charming small towns, Hilton’s full-service Collection brands – Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton – opened 40 unique hotels last year in sought-after destinations. In 2020, the brands’ development goals feature notable milestones, including Curio Collection’s 100th hotel opening and Tapestry Collection’s debut in Europe.

“Today, Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection offer travelers distinctive experiences at more than 100 hotels worldwide – from enjoying locally sourced seafood from the surrounding ocean waters as part of the Dock to Dish program at Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, to admiring the original chocolate factory design at The Wilbur Lititz near historic Hershey, Pennsylvania,” said Jenna Hackett, global head, Hilton’s Collection brands. “Hilton’s Collection brands promise our guests an enriching travel experience. Through the introduction of unique hotels to our growing global portfolio, we can maintain that promise on an even greater scale with anticipated openings in destinations like Lisbon, Paris and Madrid.”


In the year ahead, Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection are expected to welcome the following hotels:


Curio Collection Openings
The Emerald House Lisbon, Curio Collection by Hilton(Q3 2020): The Emerald House Lisbon is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation and will be situated in the heart of Lisbon, steps away from many of Lisbon’s top attractions and the historical districts of Chiado and Baixa, known for its vibrant restaurant scene, boutique shops and local culture. The hotel will boast 67 guest rooms, a fitness center, restaurant and bar for guests and local residents to enjoy.
Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton (Q3 2020): As Curio Collection’s second property in Chicago and the first hotel on Navy Pier, Navy Pier Chicago’s 222 guest rooms will feature floor to ceiling windows that showcase breathtaking views of the city’s famed skyline, Lake Michigan and the Pier. Guests will also enjoy a high-energy first floor restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an unparalleled 30,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant, bar and event space.
The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton(Q3 2020): The Fellows House Cambridge embraces Cambridge’s heritage as home to one of the U.K.’s most prestigious universities. Everything from the hotel’s interiors to its name pays tasteful tribute to the great minds who have graced the city through the centuries. Filled with poetry, scientific drawings and famous quotations, the hotel will offer guests a place to truly stay, eat and drink in the style and culture of the city.


Tapestry Collection Openings
Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (Q1 2020): The first Tapestry Collection hotel to open in Spain, Atocha Hotel Madrid will introduce the Tapestry Collection experience to Madrid locals and visitors alike. The 46-room hotel on Calle Atocha is just metres from Madrid Atocha railway station, the busiest in Spain, and is within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, including the Golden Triangle of Art museums, Puerto del Sol which contains the famous city square clock and Plaza Mayor, boasting grand Spanish architecture.
Le Belgrand Hotel Paris Champs Elysees, Tapestry Collection by Hilton(Q1 2020): As the first Tapestry Collection hotel in France, Le Belgrand Hotel Paris Champs Elysees is undergoing a significant renovation designed to create a unique ambiance and reflect the building’s heritage. Guests will enjoy a lobby/bar area and thoughtful touches throughout the property, including original artwork exclusively curated for the hotel and placed in all rooms and public areas showcasing well-known French artists.
Bermudiana Beach Resort, Tapestry Collection by Hilton(Q4 2020): Situated on a cliff overlooking the pristine pink-sand beach and turquoise waters, Bermudiana Beach Resort will welcome guests to 90 fully furnished hotel residences. As the first Hilton property in Bermuda, the resort will offer an array of vibrant amenities including a family-friendly swimming pool and infinity pool, an indulging spa, an immaculate and secluded beach in addition to a terrace with its signature restaurant, bar and ocean views.
Together, Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection have more than 120 properties in their pipelines. From urban destinations like Washington, D.C. to cultural hot spots like Taipei, both brands will continue to evolve their offerings to feature each hotel’s unique identity and story, weaving in local culture and providing each guest a rich experience that is authentic to its destination.
Guests of Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection hotels have the ability to tap into Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.

The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton Refurb Complete

Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, the newest addition to Hilton’s upper upscale Curio Collection, The Reach Key West recently made its debut and will be the brand’s first property in the destination. The reimagined 150-room resort, owned by Park Hotels & Resorts, is positioned on the only natural sand beach in the southernmost tip of the continental U.S. in Key West. The resort also features a new oceanfront restaurant and bar, Four Marlins, with a completely modernized design that offers delicious cuisine amid sea breezes on the open-air wood deck.

Hilton Expands Food Donation Initiative to Nearly 300 Hotels in Time for the Holidays

Photo Business Wire

As the holiday season approaches, Hilton has expanded of its innovative food donation initiative to all of its managed hotels across the United States and Canada, representing one of the largest hotel food donation programs to date. The company expects to donate nearly 100 tons of food over the next year – enough to feed more than 160,000 people – while also diverting millions of pounds of food waste from landfills.

“We have a century-long tradition at Hilton of playing a pioneering role in the hospitality industry, and it is inspiring to see our Team Members taking that spirit out into their communities to address the serious problem of food insecurity,” said Chef Marc Ehrler, Vice President of Americas Culinary, Hilton. “What started as a pilot in a few of our hotels has become a movement because our Team Members are motivated by a desire to have a positive impact.”

Tru by Hilton celebrates the opening of its 100th hotel with a 100-Stay giveaway

Tru by Hilton celebrates its milestone 100th hotel opening by giving away 100 two-night stays to inspire getaways. The game-changing brand from Hilton has grown at an incredible pace, hitting 100 hotels less than three years since first opening its doors.

Ideal for leisure or business travel, Tru by Hilton offers guests a consistent, enjoyable experience at an affordable price. Hotels feature reimagined spacious lobbies offering everything from board games to the build-your-own “Top It” breakfast bar, bright, efficiently designed guest rooms with the amenities most important to travellers, and a feel for the local community with custom mural art and the Tru-ly Local Wall spotlighting area attractions and activities.

Hilton Ranked #2 Workplace in World

Hilton today received further recognition for its outstanding workplace culture, named as one of the World’s Best Workplaces by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work. For the second consecutive year, Hilton has ranked #2 on the list of the top 25 companies and remains the only hospitality company on the list. Hilton Team Members at the world’s most hospitable company said the culture, benefits and travel perks make it a great place to work.

“During our milestone 100th year of hospitality, it’s an honour to once again be recognized as the #2 Best Workplace in the World and remain the only hospitality company on the list,” said Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton. “Our Team Members have always been at the heart of our success, and at a time when the light and warmth we share with the world has never been more important, we remain deeply committed to showing them the same hospitality they share with our guests. To everyone in our Hilton family, thank you for coming on this journey with us and continuing to work together with us to ensure we are a truly great place to work for all.”

Conrad New York Midtown Debuts in the Heart of Manhattan

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s global luxury hotel brand, announced this week the grand opening of the 54-floor, 562-suite Conrad New York Midtown.  

This is the brand’s second New York City property and is located at 151 West 54th St., the former site of The London NYC and adds to Conrad's extensive portfolio of luxury hotels around the world.

“We are incredibly proud and excited for the Conrad New York Midtown to open as our second property in New York City”

Following a complete hotel renovation, guest suites more closely resemble a metropolitan pied-a-terre than a traditional NYC hotel room. Design elements, programming and curation of the hotel are innately residential, inviting guests to experience what it would feel like to live in Manhattan.

Massive expansion for Hilton in Canada

The Hilton Hotel Group, a global leader in hospitality plans a massive expansion of nearly 70 hotels in Canada.

Hilton announced robust Canadian expansion plans for Canopy by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tru by Hilton, driven by the region’s thriving tourism industry. Providing guests with vibrant, unique experiences at different price points, the expanded footprint of Tru by Hilton and the introduction of Canopy by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton into Canada will offer travellers more options in the country.  

Canada has seen an impressive upswing in tourism and in the first quarter of 2019, the tourism economy grew in 2019 by nearly 4%. In a year-on-year comparison, the country experienced an 8% increase in tourism growth, with overnight arrivals from the U.S. increasing 5% in the first five months of 2019. 

Hilton has the largest hotel construction pipeline in Canada with nearly 70 hotels and 8,000 rooms, comprising 22% of the total hotel pipeline in the market. Key growth milestones anticipated during the next four years include: 

Young business travellers prefer solo sightseeing and social work spaces

New Hilton Hotels & Resorts survey finds that 73% of young professionals have a better travel experience when they spend free time on their own – from exploring the city to unwinding at the lobby bar.

As Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to innovate its offerings for the next generation of business travellers, the flagship brand is releasing new survey findings uncovering the travel highs and lows for young professionals, ages 23-35, who attend meetings while on the road. The survey revealed that, while young business travellers prefer a buzzing social environment and in-person interactions during regular work hours, they would rather spend their evenings on their own.

Hilton previously conducted research unveiling that business travel is a major work perk among this group. This year, the findings focused on what truly influences and shapes young professionals’ experience on the road, including their preferences in dining, workspaces and how they blend personal interests with professional requirements.

Hilton’s All Suites Brands Start Strong in a Year to be Filled with Milestones, Anniversaries and Global Expansion

Photo: Business Wire

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton, collectively making up the All Suites brands by Hilton, had a strong start to 2019, opening 21 properties in the first quarter and remaining on pace to open 130 by the end of the year. Together, the All Suites brands by Hilton have nearly 1,050 open properties and a pipeline of close to 600.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Opens Milestone 300th Property, Embassy Suites by Hilton Inks Deal for Debut Property in Aruba

This year will also be noteworthy for each brand individually, with Home2 Suites by Hilton having just hit its 300th property milestone and continuing its legacy of strong growth. At the same time, Homewood Suites by Hilton, which has increased in brand value by 99 percent year over year according to Brand Finance’s Hotels 50 2019 annual report, is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary while nearing its milestone 500th property. Embassy Suites by Hilton is also getting set for an anniversary, and its 35th year has already been marked by expansion, with new signed deals for properties in the Caribbean and EMEA countries.

Hilton primed for a new century of world-changing impact with 200th hotel grand opening in the China market

Photo Hilton

World-renowned international hospitality management company Hilton (NYSE: HLT) ushered in a milestone in its China market development as it celebrated its centennial birthday with the grand opening of its 200th hotel -- Canopy Chengdu. As Hilton's second largest outside the United States, the market in China is a top priority in Hilton's strategic development, where it has maintained an annual growth rate of more than 50 percent since beginning rapid expansion in 2017. Currently, one out of every three hotels under construction in the country belongs to the Hilton Group.

Hilton Grand Vacations announces its fifth New York City property

Hilton Grand Vacations announces its fifth New York City property, The Central at 5th by Hilton Club. The ground-up, 34-story project developed by Hidrock Properties exclusively for HGV, is a result of HGV’s continued efforts to deliver new product offerings in highly coveted urban and vacation destinations.

“New York City has long been a top travel destination for our owners and guests,” says Mark Wang, president and CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. “As current and potential owners reiterate the importance of vacation ownership opportunities in the Big Apple, we are thrilled to provide them with a premier new property that is ideally positioned near some of the best attractions the city has to offer. We are confident that this expansion will drive our Net Owner Growth by fulfilling the desires of current and future owners.”