MCLEAN, Va. – Jan. 7, 2015Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced that Hotel Phillips will join Curio – A Collection by Hilton™, a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels hand-picked for their distinctive character and personality, appealing to passionate travelers seeking local discovery. Hotel Phillips is expected to join Curio in 2017 after extensive renovations. Arbor Lodging Partners, which acquired the hotel in October 2015, is overseeing the significant revitalization of the property, which is currently underway; Arbor’s affiliate, NVN Hotels, will manage the hotel.

Located in downtown Kansas City, Hotel Phillips is an art-deco icon built in 1931, and has been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1979. The inner walls of the hotel have seen the likes of Tina Turner, John Barrymore and many other visiting entertainers in its lifetime. New Jersey Architect & Design firm, KKAD will lend their signature style of “comfortable luxury” to transform the iconic space while preserving the hotel’s history and honoring the famous art-deco details of its celebrated past. With close proximity to the Power & Light District, the Sprint Center and Kansas City Convention Center, the hotel’s neighborhood is active and vibrant.

“We aim to deliver a guest experience that takes advantage of all the amenities the hotel’s downtown location has to offer, while also contributing to the revival of the heart of Kansas City,” said Vamsi Bonthala, chief executive officer of Arbor Lodging Partners.

The 217-room hotel is a classic luxury property featuring a marble staircase in its entrance, stylish and modern accommodations and 11,000 square feet of flexible meeting and events space. The hotel offers full-service dining and room service, and is considered one of the premier hotels in Kansas City.

Hotel Phillips’ commitment to the local arts and culture scene is longstanding. In addition to three free weekly performances from local jazz musicians, the hotel also hosts an artist-in-residence program. The chosen artist has the chance to display his or her works in the hotel studio, restaurant and throughout the hotel. The concierge and staff are also happy to give recommendations on local art galleries within walking distance from the hotel.

“The renovations will enhance this dynamic property’s rich history with modern amenities, providing our guests with an authentic and satisfying experience that appeals to all generations,” adds Arbor Lodging Partners principal Sheenal Patel, also chief executive officer of NVN Hotels.

Renovations of the hotel will include a repositioning of the historic property as the go-to lifestyle and locally-driven hotel in the market. New food and beverage options as well as creative programming will be revealed in the coming months.

“Arbor Lodging Partners is really doing something special with the Hotel Phillips, and we at Hilton Worldwide are thrilled to be part of it,” said Matt Wehling, senior vice president, development – North America, Hilton Worldwide. “The extensive renovation plans only enhance the properties already excellent attributes – location, history, and amenities and will parallel Arbor’s expert guest service. We are looking forward to giving our loyal Hilton guests premier access to this world-class property.”

“Hotel Phillips Kansas City perfectly embodies the meaning of our Curio collection in terms of its independent feel and capturing the spirit of its local surroundings,” said Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton. “To pair our Hilton HHonors guests, as well as new travelers, with such an iconic yet modern hotel engrained deeply in its community is exactly what we’re striving for with Curio.”

Upon joining the brand, Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton will participate in the Hilton HHonors® loyalty program, which is open to all guests and free to join. HHonors members always get our lowest price with our Best Price Guarantee, along with HHonors Points, free standard Wi-Fi, access to digital check-in and Digital Key, and no hidden fees, only when they book directly through Hilton.

For more information on Hotel Phillips, visit curiocollection.com. Media may access high resolution images and more information by visiting news.curiocollection.com.