Left to right: Bruce Rigby: VP Cache Valley Bank, Bradley Christofferson: President Rimrock Construction, Brent Garlick: Director West Valley City, Dallin Johnson: Hotel Owner, Mayor Mike Winder: Mayor West Valley City, Alma Erekson: Hotel Owner, Dawn Koenig:VP Hilton Hotels, Alan Anderson: CEO Chamber West, Carl Duke: VP Suburban Land Reserve, Terry Roylance: Suburban Land Reserve Allen Erekson: Architect

“Home2 Suites is the perfect mix of modernism and comfort for extended-stay guests of West Valley City,” said Bill Duncan, global head, Home2 Suites. “We continue to make great strides forward with this brand. This is the first Home2 Suites hotel to break ground in 2011, and next week we will open the doors of our first hotel in Fayetteville, North Carolina.”

There are approximately 75 Home2 Suites planned and another 30 in the development stage.

“What a great opportunity to partner with Hilton Worldwide,” said Alma Erekson, owner of Inn Management Inc. “The hotel is in an ideal area, located inside a business park with over a million square feet of occupied office space and more than 15,000 full time employees. We know there are many more outside of the park who will be utilizing this property, and we are excited to serve the people and guests of West Valley City.”

Potted blue spruce seeds, tagged with the message, ‘Home2 Suites, watch us grow’ were given to everyone in attendance in recognition to Home2 Suites by Hilton putting down roots in the community. The blue spruce is the state tree of Utah.

“We fully support Hilton and Home2 Suites in this economic investment,” said West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder. “We are excited about the start of what is already a great relationship with Hilton Worldwide. Home2 Suites will be a wonderful addition to our city.”

The brand’s approach to extended-stay travel emphasizes comfort and flexibility, easy access to technology, community space and a unique design. Research shows that guests in extended-stay situations seek community and connection with others after several days, even if it means they are all singularly working among others in a common space.  Based on that research, Home2 Suites properties feature an open lobby area with approximately 4,200 square feet of space called the Oasis.  The Oasis is an industry-leading expanded community space that includes communal and individual work zones, wireless access, 52” flat-screen TV and a complimentary breakfast service area that provides one of the most expansive continental breakfasts in this segment of the hospitality industry.  The “Inspired Table” breakfast offers a wide variety of continental and customizable breakfast options, including select hot items.  The variety, which includes breads, pastries, hot and cold cereals, and unique toppings, is such that a guest could have a different breakfast each day for 70 days without repeating.  The Oasis encourages a social environment where guests can obtain information on the local area, check e-mail and connect with others and because of its size and offerings is unique in the extended-stay category.
    
All guest suites include the proprietary Home2 Suites “working wall” that incorporates the kitchen and flexible working space connecting separate living and bedroom zones.  A fully accessorized kitchen contains a refrigerator/freezer with icemaker, dishwasher, place settings for six, microwave oven and coffee maker. The media/working zone includes a queen size sofa/sleeper, 42-inch flat screen TV, roll-around ottoman, ambient task lighting, iHome alarm clock with iPod port and MP3 jack, and various pieces of furniture which can be moved around to create customized living spaces and adjustable storage options.  Other highlights of the Home2 Suites brand are the Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, an integrated guest laundry and fitness room, a saline pool, patios with grills, outdoor seating areas and an exercise trail.
 
The Home2 Suites brand is committed to environmentally conscious practices.  In addition to recycling throughout the hotel, appointments include low flow showers and faucets, biodegradable food trays, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dual flush toilets, recycled flooring, Energy Star appliances, carpet and surfaces made from recycled product and other sustainable product selections. Home2 Suites is also rolling out Hilton’s proprietary LightStay system, which measures energy and water use and waste and carbon output at Hilton Worldwide properties around the globe.

About Home2 Suites by Hilton
Home2 Suites by Hilton, the newest addition to the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, is a mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept designed to offer stylish accommodations, flexible guest room configurations and inspired amenities for the cost-conscious guest.  As the fastest growing brand in the history of Hilton Worldwide, Memphis, Tenn-based Home2 Suites offers a complimentary breakfast selection; innovative and customizable guest room design; combination laundry and fitness area; complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access; multiple outdoor spaces; 24-hour business center; expansive community spaces; and a commitment to environmentally friendly products and hotel operations. For more information about Home2 Suites by Hilton visit http://www.home2suites.com/.  For information on franchising opportunities, visit http://www.home2franchise.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 91 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 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, 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.