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New Beds, Clocks, Amenities and Guest Room
Enhancements Underway Throughout All 2,300
Branded Hotels within the Hilton Family

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - July 5, 2005 -- With new bedding initiatives well underway at Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels, the Hilton Family of Hotels is dedicated not only to providing guests with an overall incomparable sleep experience, but also progressive amenities and business tools that enable them to achieve personal fulfillment and professional success while traveling.

A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. households(a), commissioned by Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT), found that 50 percent of respondents reported capturing only six hours or less of sleep per night while traveling, which is two hours less than the average needed to function at peak performance.

"The Hilton Family of Hotels is dedicated to the entire sleep experience, focusing on the comfort, productivity and well-being of our guests while staying at our hotels so that they can achieve their goals while traveling for business or pleasure," said Matt Hart, president and chief operating officer for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Beyond the beds, we're offering guests the peace of mind that comes with an easy-to-set alarm clock; new, larger televisions in selected brands; high-speed Internet access in every room; and other contemporary amenities that will help guests feel productive and pampered."

Offering the Most Comfortable Night of Sleep...and More

Each of the brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels is dedicated to offering guests the most comfortable night of sleep imaginable, introducing beds that feature a more retail look and feel, with a European-style elegance. Each of the bed types have been tested to ensure comfort and durability.

More specifically, each brand will provide the following in-room experience:

Hilton Hotels, Suites & Resorts

As part of the new Hilton Serenity Collection(TM), the Hilton Suite Dreams(R) bedding program features a plush-top mattress that outperforms a pillow-top, designed in conjunction with Serta to provide support and luxury. The mattress is posturized, meaning it is custom-designed with added coil support, particularly in the center of the bed, where most weight is concentrated. In addition, the innovative patented quilt design reduces tossing and turning and helps to improve circulation while sleeping. 

The Hilton Suite Dreams Mattress also has an extra-strong, broader internal rod that provides extra edge support to help prevent edge breakdown. Offering a special proprietary design, the box spring, including added coils, is 7 1/2 inches high, while the mattress measures 12 1/2 inches. The entire bed is situated 7 1/2 inches off the floor, which means the new Hilton beds are 4 inches higher than the previous version.

Fine European-style linens feature the highest thread count bedding package among the Hilton Family, with 250-count linens. Four pillows are provided on double beds and five pillows are provided for king beds, compared to two and three, respectively, prior to the new program. The pillows feature a center core of down and feather with a down outer wrapping.

Beyond the bed, all Hilton hotels will offer new bathroom amenities created exclusively for Hilton by Crabtree & Evelyn, called La Source, offering an appealing scent for males and females alike. Specific amenities include: shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash, mouthwash, moisturizing soap, shower cap, sewing kit, vanity kit, aqua brush with pumice, a shoe mitt and shoe horn. In addition:

  • New metal accessories include: a soap dish, tissue box cover, amenity tray, waste basket, ice bucket, ice bucket tray, memo pad and pen holder.
  • Armoires are being removed to create more space in the guest rooms, while 19-inch televisions are being replaced with 27-inch flat-tube televisions.
  • A complimentary, in-room fitness-in-a-bag program, called Hilton Fit Kit by Bally Total Fitness(R), was introduced at participating hotels in early 2005, enabling guests to continue their fitness regimen in the privacy of their guest rooms while on the road.
  • All hotels will offer high-speed Internet access -- either wired or wireless, depending on the location. Select locations also will offer PrinterOn(TM) service, which enables guests to send print jobs from laptops in their guestrooms directly to the hotel's 24-hour, complimentary business center for pick-up at their convenience.
Doubletree Hotels, Suites, Resorts & Clubs

Doubletree launched an aggressive product enhancement program in the spring of 2004, that, to-date includes more than $375 million of investment by the brand's hotel owners. As a result, this upscale, full-service brand has made progressive strides in reinvigorating today's travel experience by bringing to its hotel guests the true comforts of home.

An example of these efforts is the Sweet Dreams(R) by Doubletree Sleep Experience -- the brand's new sleep standard -- which includes:

  • A custom-designed, plush-top mattress that is supported by extra coils for a comfortable night's sleep.
  • A high-end, residential linen package of baffle-box down blankets, 200-thread count linens with triple sheeting, elegant contemporary bedcovers and matching bed skirts.
  • Four jumbo down pillows for full and queen beds and five jumbo pillows for king beds. (Hypoallergenic pillows available for guests upon request.)
  • A signature Sweet Dreams embroidered bed pillow -- a centerpiece that welcomes guests the moment they walk into their room.
This comfortable, inviting night of sleep is already offered in nearly 30,000 guest rooms at more than 150 Doubletree hotels in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. The Sweet Dreams by Doubletree sleep experience will continue to be deployed to the remainder of the brand's guest rooms during the next several months.

Beyond the bed, Doubletree is currently in the final stages of completing deployment of a comprehensive guest technology package at all of its hotels. When completed later this summer, guests will enjoy high-speed Internet access in all guest rooms and secure, remote guest printing services.

Doubletree also will be introducing a new bathroom standard across all hotels that will feature curved shower rods; larger, plusher towels; a granite and wood, residential style bathroom vanity; framed vanity mirrors; and a specially designed bathroom amenity collection.

Embassy Suites Hotels

In 2004, Embassy Suites Hotels introduced the Embassy Suites Hotels Essential Bedding Collection to its 175 hotels. With completion of its bedding program targeted for year-end 2005, the Essential Bedding Collection enhances every item on the bed, beginning with the mattress -- a Hilton Suite Dreams by Serta mattress. Customers will enjoy triple sheeting, which features a signature "Crinkle Sheet" as the top sheet.

A hypo-allergenic, cluster fiber pillow (which feels like down) is encased in a signature, printed, tone-on-tone pillowcase. All beds are finished with a bed skirt, elegant decorative throw and bolster pillow. Selected hotels offer down duvet inserts and down pillows.

Beyond the beds, all Embassy Suites Hotels have upgraded their bath towels to be larger and fluffier. The hotels offer true, two-room suites, with a separate bedroom and living room, and a wet bar with a sink, microwave oven, coffeemaker and mini refrigerator. All guest suites feature high-speed Internet access.

Hampton Inn / Hampton Inn & Suites

Representing the next phase of its Make it Hampton initiative launched in January 2004, Hampton Hotels is focusing the second phase of its renewal program on the bedding experience in 2005, which includes the introduction of a raised bed (to between 28 and 31 inches), 200-thread-count sheets, higher-quality mattress and box spring, and the addition of more pillows that are an enhanced-quality, standard signature pillowcase design.

All new Hampton hotels and existing hotels that were ready to replace their entire bedding hardware beginning in 2004 will have higher headboards and either the new Serta Perfect Sleepers Tranquility Nights(TM) or the higher-end Dream Structure(TM) mattress. Additional concepts to heighten the sleep experience for Hampton guests currently are being tested.

Beyond the beds, Hampton Hotels offer complimentary high-speed Internet access in all guest rooms and padded lap desks for greater comfort while working atop the bed. After 2004, newly designed and opened hotels offer more in-room space based on a modified furniture layout.

New bathroom features as part of its Make it Hampton program include:

  • Purity Basics(R) bath products, with a sleek and contemporary design, and night lights.
  • Curved shower rods for more spaciousness, with specially designed shower curtains that let in natural light at the top.
  • Higher-quality plush towels and wash cloths.
  • An open, under-the-counter vanity area is featured in newly designed hotels as of 2004, where plush towels are stored.
Hilton Garden Inn

All hotels of the upscale, mid-priced brand currently feature the Hilton Suite Dreams Bed. Additionally, in February 2005, Hilton Garden Inn announced a new sleep standard that will be rolled out to new hotels opening summer 2005. By year-end 2006, all system hotels will feature the Garden Sleep System(TM) by VSS Sleep Systems(TM) in 10 percent of rooms, or 10 king guest rooms, whichever is greater. Some hotels will have all king rooms equipped with the Garden Sleep System.

The Garden Sleep System is constructed using an array of layers developed to enhance the guest sleep experience. The entire sleep system displaces a person's unique weight and shape to eliminate the tossing and turning and gain the optimal amount of a good night's sleep.

The Garden Sleep System is constructed using VSS Sleep Systems patented V3 technology:

V1    100 percent New Zealand virgin wool -- which helps maintain the proper temperature to adjust to an individual's body temperature while allowing the material to breathe and wick away moisture.

V2    The Self Contouring Technology (S.C.T.), which does not utilize a pump or motor rather an air system that automatically adjusts to a person's weight, no matter the size or shape, and displaces body weight to offer a more restful sleep.

V3    The Patented Slat Foundation (P.S.F.) that consists of a numberof individual hardwood slats mounted on a unique suspension system, allowing the mattress to flex and shift according to a person's weight and provide the ideal balance between comfort and support.

To offer additional comfort for travelers, bed sheets are folded daily to include the signature Hilton Garden Inn "foot pocket," a special way of folding the sheets at the foot of the bed that creates room (or a pocket) for guest's feet, where sheets are normally tucked-in tight. The "foot pocket" is available in every Hilton Garden Inn guest room bed.

Beyond the beds, all Hilton Garden Inn guest rooms will offer high-definition television for an optimal, in-room entertainment experience, Herman Miller Mirra(TM) chairs for greater comfort while working at the desk, complimentary high-speed Internet access and secure PrinterOn service, enabling guests to send print jobs from laptops in their guestrooms directly to the hotel's 24-hour, complimentary business center for pick-up at their convenience. In addition, every Hilton Garden Inn hotel features the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry(R) convenience mart, offering beverages, snacks, microwaveable food items and sundries, and a full service restaurant featuring freshly prepared breakfast, including the signature Hilton Garden Inn waffle, lunch and dinner.

For those looking for an in-room workout option, Hilton Garden Inn hotels offer the Stay Fit Kit(TM), which includes the following: a yoga mat, medicine ball, elastic bands for resistance training and hand weights. These complimentary kits are available at the front desk for guests to check-out during their stay.

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Given the typical Homewood Suites guest stays an average of 14 nights, enhancements to the guest suite are perhaps the most important of the "Distinctly Homewood" program. All Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels will feature Serta Suite Dreams mattresses and box springs, along with cozier cotton blend duvet covers, Down Dreams pillows with 250 thread count pillow cases, chenille throw blanket and a signature, Homewood Suites wood duck pillow. The bedding package continues the brand's focus of upscale residential by translating that positioning to beds in each suite.

Beyond the beds, the brand is upgrading the guest bathroom with bowed shower rods for more space in the shower, ringless shower curtains and larger, heavier towels. The countertops in the bathrooms also will be upgraded to a granite vanity, which is a more home-like feature. In addition, Homewood Suites is branding all in-suite Neutrogena(R) care amenities with the Homewood Suites by Hilton logo.

Kitchen upgrades will feature granite counter tops, as well as wood laminate or ceramic tile flooring in all suites.

Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels are all-suites (either studio, one- or two-room suites) and offer full kitchens, grocery shopping service, high-speed Internet access and televisions with VHS or DVD players.

Industry-First, Easy-to-Set Alarm Clocks Being Installed in 250,000 Rooms

Travelers who stay at the Hilton Family of Hotels won't have to lose sleep ever again over how to set the alarm clock.

In an effort to help guests be more productive, the Hilton Family of Hotels custom-designed its own clock, featuring an easy-to-set alarm. What's more, the new clocks also feature a connection cable for MP3 players and other portable music devices, an addition Hilton made after research revealed that consumers prefer to maintain their own music lifestyles while on the road.

Nearly 250,000 new clocks will be phased in to all existing and newly opened Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Club and Homewood Suites by Hilton guest rooms by July 15, 2005. Hampton Hotels led the way by installing its version of the clock in 2004 in more than 130,000 hotel rooms(b).

The new Hilton Family clock features a sleek design and simple digital alarm interface for buzzer, radio wake-up and snooze. The simple-to-set alarm requires only three easy steps (also printed on the front of the clock): 1. Press Alarm Set; 2. Indicate Alarm Time preferred by using increase or decrease buttons; 3. Press Enter. Additional features include:

  • Four pre-set buttons for local radio stations designated by a graphic of the music type.
  • Connection cable for use with guest's personal MP3 player, portable CD player, laptop and other entertainment devices.
  • Built-in stereo speakers for radio or connected devices.
  • Large LCD screen with dimmer that adjusts to high, medium or low.
  • Automatic daily alarm time reset, preventing an alarm set by a previous guest from repeating.
Operationally, the hotel staff sets the time zone information only once (the clock arrives with time and calendar pre-set by the manufacturer), and the clocks automatically adjust one hour ahead for Daylight Savings Time and back to Standard Time, and adjust for Leap Year.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,300 hotels, resorts, and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the industry's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) and Homewood Suites by Hilton(R).

(a) Kelton Research conducted the survey on behalf of the Hilton Family of Hotels March 18-20, 2005. The survey includes responses by 1,000 consumers and has a +/- 5 percent degree of error.

(b) The new clocks at Hampton Hotels do not feature the jack for an MP3 or CD player hook-up.

Contact:

Hilton Hotels Corporation
www.hilton.com
 

Also See: Homewood Suites by Hilton Commences Brand Enhancement Program; Full Completion for 145 Hotels Slated for Year End 2008 / February 2005
Newly-designed Hilton Technology Room a Laboratory for Gathering Customer Feedback; Helps Determine Which Pieces Appropriate for Full-scale Deployment / May 2005
Hilton Garden Inn® Evolving with New Guest Room Amenities: 26� Flat Panel High-def TVs, Ergonomic Desk Chair and New Technology Air Cell Mattresses / February 2005
Hampton Studies Guest Touchpoints; Results in New Product Standards and Technology to be Rolled Out Immediately in the 1,250-hotel Hampton System / January 2004


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