WICHITA, Kansas - (November 18, 2011) – Wichita Airport Hotel Associates, L.P. has officially announced the signing of a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide to rebrand the 302-room Hilton Wichita Airport Executive Conference Center as the DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport in Q1 2012.  Ownership and management of the hotel will not change and the hotel will continue to be a proud member of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels, as they have for the past thirty years.

The soon-to-be DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport will complete the finishing touches on an already extensive, multi-phase hotelwide renovation that has refreshed the hotel’s guest rooms, meeting areas and public space in recent months.  A stylish, contemporary lobby redesign is in the planning stages and is expected to be completed in mid-2012.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at the brand’s more than 270 DoubleTree by Hilton locations in 22 countries around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors® guest loyalty program; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

Michael Phipps, hotel general manager said, “Our entire hotel team has enjoyed the privilege of serving the Wichita community for decades and we are excited to bring the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to our fine city.  Our name may change, but the same great faces and commitment to a rewarding hotel experience remain the same.  With a freshly baked all-American treat for every guest at check-in and our new lobby refresh, our welcome to the newly renamed DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport will actually become just that much ‘sweeter’ for residents and visitors alike.”

Located across the street from Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport, the DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport is a full service hotel offering over 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a business center, a fitness center and Legends Restaurant and Lounge, a local dining favorite.

“The DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport will be another ideal addition to our growing portfolio of more than 270 upscale hotels in a variety of airport, urban and getaway destinations across the globe,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton.  “We are delighted to work together with an amazing group of owners, management and team members that will represent this great hotel conversion in the Air Capital of the World.”

For more information on DoubleTree by Hilton, please contact your local travel professional or visit the brand’s website at www.doubletree.com

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels
With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 270 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve.  Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 60,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveler feel human again.

To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com.  Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels. For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at www.doubletreebyhiltonglobalmediacenter.com.

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 93 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 3,750 hotels and timeshare properties, with 615,000 rooms in 85 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 or connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.HiltonWorldwide.com/media.