Hilton�s Largest Development in its History Anticipates September 2009 Opening, the Waldorf=Astoria® Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek / May 2008

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Hilton�s Largest Development in its History Anticipates September 2009 Opening,
the Waldorf=Astoria® Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
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ORLANDO, Fla., May 22, 2008 � Yesterday, the highly anticipated $550 million Waldorf=Astoria® Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek hosted a �Topping Out� ceremony at the site of the landmark property. Slated to open September 2009, the first Waldorf=Astoria outside New York City completed its final 14th floor and the 17-story Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek has attained its highest point in construction.
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�We are extremely pleased that Hilton�s largest development in its history remains on schedule and thank everyone here that has been able to join us in sharing this milestone,� stated Ted Ratcliff, senior vice president, Hilton and Doubletree Operations � East. �I look forward to welcoming each and every one of you back to our property in September 2009, when we host our first guests at The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.�

As part of the event, Waldorf=Astoria Executive Chef John Doherty hosted a cooking class with children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida. A 24 foot Norfolk Pine was raised to the top of the resort as civic, community and business leaders looked on and toured the site. Additionally guests enjoyed cuisine prepared by Chef Doherty from recipes of The Waldorf=Astoria Cookbook, which he authored.
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L-R: Ted Ratcliff, Senior Vice President, Hilton/Doubletree Operations � East; Mike Schugt, Hilton Hotels Corporation Regional Vice President Southeast, US, Latin America, Caribbean Sales & Marketing; Tim Bridwell - VP, New Projects, Florida, and Tom Parke, director of marketing The Waldorf=Astoria® Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek celebrate the Topping Out of The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

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- A New Meetings Destination Destined for Greatness-

Surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort, the Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek development is 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport and five miles from private jet preferred Kissimmee Gateway Airport. High level executives adhering to a strict schedule can utilize the resort�s on-property heliport. Convenient area attractions include Cirque du Soleil, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Museum of Arts and Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.

Guests at both properties have play privileges at Rees Jones designed championship golf course, measuring 7,205 yards, can experience private wine dinners at exclusive Waldorf signature restaurants including the Bull & Bear Steakhouse®, and indulge in a customized spa program at The Waldorf=Astoria Spa by Guerlain® .

Each signature amenity is complimented by the dedicated services of a multi-lingual staff as well as a talented sales, catering and culinary team who have superior knowledge of the destination and are experts in creating unparalleled off-property events.

-The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando-
The original Waldorf=Astoria has a rich history of hosting gatherings of world leaders, United Nations Ambassadors, World Economic Forum participants and a �who�s who� of Fortune 500 companies to its Park Avenue board rooms, ballrooms and meeting spaces. The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando, the first to be built outside of New York City, will offer that same level of service that heads-of-state and business tycoons expect.

The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando offers 28,000 square feet of exclusive meeting space and pre-function areas including the 8,100-square-foot Presidential Ballroom, which will be flawlessly decorated for the most opulent galas and functions. Two Executive Boardrooms and 15 classically designed meeting rooms are also available. Outdoor locales, including a partial-island surrounded by a lagoon on three sides, take advantage of the warm Florida temperatures while serving as a scenic backdrop.

-Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek-
The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers 122,000 square feet of meeting space and pre-function area and features the 36,000 square-foot Bonnet Creek Ballroom, 27,300 square-foot Floridian Ballroom and a total of 42 meeting rooms, including 27 breakout rooms. One Executive Boardroom and two designated boardrooms accommodate 12 to 24 attendees.

Contact:

Michael Hicks
T: 561-655-3836
[email protected]

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Also See:	GEM Realty Capital Along with Other Equity Partners Begin Construction on the 1,000-room Hilton and the 498-room Waldorf=Astoria at the Bonnet Creek Mixed Use Resort Development Adjacent to the Walt Disney World Resort / April 2007
	A 1,000-room Hilton and a 500-room Waldorf=Astoria Planned for Bonnet Creek Adjacent to Walt Disney World Resort; The First Ground-up Waldorf=Astoria Hotel to be Built Since the Original in New York / May 2006