An affiliate of The Carlyle Group owns the hotel in partnership with Highgate under a license agreement with Hilton Inns, Inc., a franchise subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corporation. 

"This milestone opening marks a significant achievement for the Hilton Garden Inn brand. Hilton Garden Inn is now 250 hotels strong, with many more hotels slated for opening in the fourth quarter of 2005 and beyond," said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president -- brand management, Hilton Garden Inn. "We continue to not only be one of the fastest growing brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, but the fastest growing brand in the entire hospitality industry. This rapid growth has been achieved without sacrificing our strong commitment to quality and to providing guests the best stay possible among mid-priced hotels." 

Located at 790 Eighth Avenue at 48th Street, Hilton Garden Inn Times Square is strategically situated in the midst of the Manhattan business hub, within walking distance to many of the city's most popular attractions. The hotel features the latest in guest comfort and sleep, as well as ergonomic and entertainment technology. Guestrooms include many exciting new attributes to help provide guests with the most enjoyable stay possible -- whether traveling for business or leisure -- among them the Garden Sleep System(TM) (in king rooms) by Natural Form, Herman Miller Mirra(TM)chairs, innovative HGI clocks with easy-to-program alarms and the ability to play a guest's MP3 or portable CD players, and unique to the Times Square location, high definition televisions. 

Additionally, guests who stay at the new Hilton Garden Inn Times Square will enjoy many of the hotel's characteristic amenities that make the brand so inviting to both business and leisure travelers, including: 

• Complimentary high-speed Internet access in every room 
• Complimentary remote printing service from guestroom to the hotel's business center 
• Spacious work desks with plugs and outlets at desk height 
• Complimentary 24-hour business center 
• Complimentary workout facility and Stay Fit Kit(TM) 
• In-room "Hospitality Center" featuring a mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker 
• Pavilion Pantry(R) for 24-hour snacks and sundries, including the universal cell phone charger 

As part of the grand opening celebration of the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, the hotel has formed a relationship with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to make a donation to the Ramon Aponte Park (at 47th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) on behalf of the guests attending the opening celebration. The donation will go toward overall park upkeep and beautification so Hilton Garden Inn guests and residents of the city can further enjoy the local community gathering place and the serenity and comfort of the outdoors.

"Garden is not only part of our name, but also part of the Hilton Garden Inn heritage. We have always been aligned with organizations (including the National Gardening Association) that promote gardening as a pastime and as a way to sustain life, nature and nutrition," said Mark Nogal, vice president -- marketing, Hilton Garden Inn. "The new relationship with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation supports this philanthropic mission. Together, we are giving back to our new neighborhood by adding to the beauty and foliage throughout the Times Square community." 

About The Carlyle Group 
The Carlyle Group is one of the world's largest private equity firms with nearly $30 billion under management and investments in more than 150 companies. Carlyle generates extraordinary returns for its investors by employing a conservative, proven and disciplined approach. The Carlyle Group employs more than 600 people in offices in 14 countries. To find out more about The Carlyle Group, visit thecarlylegroup.com. 

About Hilton Garden Inn 
Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand that's obsessed with ensuring today's busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road -- from complimentary high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms and secure remote printing to the hotel's 24-hour business center to getting the perfect night's sleep. Hilton Garden Inn is obsessed with ensuring guests achieve the best travel experience every time. Hilton Garden Inn developments represent one of the cornerstones of the Hilton franchise growth strategy. The Hilton Garden Inn brand is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation; recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company.