Harrah's Reno Hotel Plans

Harrah's plans to convert the 408-room Harrah's managed Hampton Inn hotel, adjacent to Harrah's casino and hotel property in Reno Nevada, to the Harrah's brand name.  Harrah's and Promus Hotels, Inc. have reached an agreement in which Harrah's will pay a one-time franchise termination fee, which will be expensed in the company's second quarter.

"The Hampton Inn at Harrah's Reno was constructed in 1995 before Harrah's current brand strategy was fully developed, including the 1997 completion of Harrah's WINet database which ties all of our property databases together to create a single customer information system, and the Fall 1997 launch of the highly successful Total Gold, Harrah's patented national player rewards and recognition system. The success that we have had in positioning Harrah's as the preferred brand among our target customers will be strengthened in the Reno market by offering a single-branded high quality hotel offering," explained Jim Rogers, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Reno. "A single brand name for our full hotel offering will allow us to better serve our loyal Harrah's guests and to link into our brand marketing delivery systems." With the conversion of the Hampton Inn, Harrah's Reno will offer 973 hotel rooms and suites. Conversion will be completed in fourth quarter 1998.

Harrah's Joliet Hotel Plans

Harrah's today announced plans to proceed with a $29 million development project, which will be located in Joliet's City Center.  The plan includes a 204-room hotel (four suites) with 8,000 square feet of new and renovated office space.  The hotel will be located between Harrah's pavilion and Cass Street.  The addition of a full-service hotel will allow Harrah's Joliet to expand its customer base beyond the 50-mile radius of downtown Joliet.

"We are excited to proceed with this project that will put the Harrah's name on the first full-service hotel in downtown Joliet since the late 1970s," said Tom O'Donnell, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Joliet. "With the addition of casino entertainment, Joliet has emerged as a tourism destination. This project will allow us to attract overnight visitors outside the Chicagoland market and to better accommodate Harrah's loyal customers from across the country who may be looking for a high quality casino entertainment experience in the Joliet area." The hotel is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 1999. 

Harrah's Entertainment is the most recognized and respected brand name in the casino entertainment industry. Founded more than 60 years ago, Harrah's is focused on building loyalty and brand value with its targeted customers through a unique combination of excellent products and services, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.