McLean, Virginia (November 7, 2012) – DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of the 303-room DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Hobby Airport, located less than half a mile from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport and just 30 minutes from the Houston Intercontinental Airport.  Formerly a Hilton, the hotel will continue to be owned and operated by 1859 Historic Hotels of Galveston, Texas, and guests will continue to earn and be able to redeem HHonors points at the hotel.

As part of its transformation, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport is undergoing a comprehensive renovation, to include a new executive lounge on the ninth floor for Hilton Honors members, a private wine room for special occasions in the Boardwalk Dining Room, an airline crew lounge and all public spaces, including the front desk and exterior entrance area.  A complete makeover of the guest rooms and baths will begin in January 2013.

Hotel General Manager Helen Bonsall said of the transformation, “Our hotel’s dedication to a superior guest experience aligns perfectly with the DoubleTree by Hilton brand promise to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveler feel human again.” She continued, “This culture of caring begins with the presentation of a warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in and carries through all aspects of the hotel stay. We have enjoyed a long association with Hilton Worldwide since 1982 and look forward to many years to come with this invigorating brand realignment.”

DoubleTree by Hilton is the fastest growing full service brand at Hilton Worldwide, with 38 hotels opened year-to-date and at least a dozen more forecasted to open by year’s end.

“With more than six million residents, Houston is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and expanding in many areas, such as arts and culture, business and aerospace,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “Judging by the way visitors to Houston have embraced our three, other DoubleTree by Hilton hotels coupled with the growing leisure and business demand, I am certain that an additional DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is right for the market, right for our growing brand, and, most importantly, right for the guests who travel here for the booming business environment, exciting professional sports teams and growing tourism opportunities.”

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport is near to downtown Houston, Johnson Space Center NASA, scenic Galveston Island, the Houston Zoo with 55 acres of land and 6,000 animals, the theatre and museum districts and the George R. Brown and Pasadena Convention Centers. Visitors can enjoy a variety of local attractions, including museums, historic sites, theatre, nine performing arts organizations, the Bayou Place entertainment complex, restaurants, plazas and parks, as well as outdoor activities like hiking, bird watching, biking or camping.

Guests of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport will enjoy the brand’s signature benefits found at more than 310 DoubleTree by Hilton locations in 23 countries around the world, including the warm 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.

The tastefully appointed guest rooms and suites at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport feature bright décor and modern comforts and conveniences suited to today's business and leisure travelers.  All rooms include a single king-size or two double beds; granite bathrooms; mini fridge; complimentary, wireless, high-speed, internet access (also in public areas); spacious work desks with ergonomic chairs; 37-inch high-definition LCD TVs in standard rooms; 42-inch, high-definition LCD TVs in suites; MP3-compatible alarm clocks; plush bedding and combed cotton linens; Wolfgang Puck in-room gourmet coffee and tea service; and Crabtree & Evelyn Citron bath and body products.  Suites offer a living room and bedroom area.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport offers 18,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting spaces, for events that can accommodate up to 900 people. The hotel’s largest meeting room, at 8,214 sq. ft, is a venue designed for both business and social events. The hotel also has a 24-hour, self-service, business center and complimentary printing service that includes “print-from-your room” convenience. For guests who wish to keep up with their workout program while traveling at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport, a state-of-the-art fitness center and outdoor swimming pool are available.

Guests have a choice of dining options at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport, including The Boardwalk, serving fine cuisine under the skylights and amid the hotel’s fountains. The Plaza Café serves the brand’s signature Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast, an a la carte menu and lunch buffet in a casual atmosphere.   When it’s time to relax, guests can enjoy afternoon or evening cocktails, wine and specialty beers in the Sundance Lounge, where the fireplace and juke box create a warm and engaging environment. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres are served Monday through Friday from 4 – 7 pm at the Sundance Lounge.

The DoubleTree by Hilton is located at 8181 Airport Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77061 and offers 24-hour complimentary airport transportation. For more information about the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston Hobby Airport, please call 1 713 645 3000, visit www.doubletree.com, contact your preferred travel professional or dial 1 800 222 TREE.

About DoubleTree by Hilton
With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations and more than 310 hotels in gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations in 23 countries, DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest reward program, each DoubleTree by Hilton guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them.

To find out information about any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our website at www.DoubleTree.com or contact their preferred travel professional. 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 Centre at www.doubletreebyhiltonglobalmediacenter.com.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is a 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 offered 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 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 640,000 rooms in 91 countries and territories 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®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.