DUBAI, UAE and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Windhoek opened today as Hilton Worldwide's 50th hotel in the Middle East and Africa and expanding the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio to 77 countries. Officially opened by the President of Namibia, Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba, the 150-room property is located in the heart of the CBD near Freedom Square, just 20 minutes away from Hosea Kutako International airport. It is operated under a management agreement with the United Africa Group.

"As the global leader in hospitality, it is exciting to mark our entry into a new country with an exceptional hotel. Travellers place great trust in Hilton because our brand's legacy is one of being the first major hotel brand into emerging markets and Hilton Windhoek continues this tradition," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

"Namibia is a growing market with tourist arrivals increasing every year; it offers travellers an opportunity to explore the best of Africa with its many conservation parks, wildlife reserves and the untouched Namib Desert."

Hilton Windhoek offers guests a choice of luxurious accommodation including a presidential suite, four diplomatic suites, four king executive guest rooms, eight king deluxe rooms, 22 executive rooms, 12 double rooms and 99 king rooms. The hotel also offers guests an array of onsite leisure facilities and dining options including a heated lap pool with sundeck, wellness centre with two treatment rooms and a 24-hour Hilton Fitness by Precor gym, all of which are located on the rooftop with spectacular views of the city.

Restaurant choices within the hotel include Ekipa - an all-day dining restaurant, Kalabar Bar and Terrace, Centrum Lounge and Terrace, Divine Wine Bar and the Sky Bar also located on the roof top offering guests the ideal spot for cocktails and light snacks at sundown. Corporate travellers can make use of a choice of meeting rooms including a boardroom which can accommodate up to 250 guests as well as breakout areas suitable for tea and coffee breaks.

"We are delighted to open our Hilton property in Namibia. Not only is it providing Windhoek with its first five-star hotel, but it has also given us the chance to become part of the local community," says Rudi Jagersbacher, area president, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide. "We have employed more than 200 people locally to work in the hotel and over the last few months these Team Members have undergone training in our Hilton service standards. We look forward to playing an ongoing part in the development of the Namibian tourism sector."

Hilton Worldwide currently has 31 hotels across the continent of Africa with another nine in the development pipeline. This year, Hilton Worldwide has opened six hotels and signed 10 management agreements across the Middle East and Africa.

For more information about Hilton Windhoek and to access images, visit www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com/windhoek.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
One of the most recognized name in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 540 hotels in 77 countries and the brand remains synonymous with "hotel." Access the latest Hilton news at www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com or begin your journey at www.hilton.com. Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.twitter.com/hiltononline, www.facebook.com/hilton and www.youtube.com/hilton. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide's ten market-leading brands.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,700 hotels and 610,000 rooms in 82 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.

For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.