TORONTO and MCLEAN, Va. (January 31, 2013) – Hilton Worldwide and Bayview Hospitality Group (BHG) today announced that the landmark Metropolitan Hotel Toronto, which BHG recently acquired along with the hotel’s two restaurants, will become downtown Toronto’s first DoubleTree by Hilton. BHG will continue to operate the hotel when it converts to a DoubleTree by Hilton later this year.

“Entering the downtown of a gateway city such as Toronto with a well-known destination hotel and proven operators such as BHG is a great way for DoubleTree by Hilton to start the year,” said John Greenleaf global head DoubleTree by Hilton.  “We’ve recently signed franchise agreements for hotel conversions in Kamloops, BC; West Edmonton, AB; and downtown Regina, SK. With all three planned to open this year, we will more than double our portfolio in the country.”

Located amidst the vibrant retail centre at Dundas Square, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Nathan Phillips Square, and Osgoode Hall, the hotel is surrounded by Canada’s leading teaching hospitals, three major universities and the provincial legislature. BHG plans to reposition the well-known hotel to become the first DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Toronto. The repositioning strategy includes an extensive refurbishment to the hotel. The new design direction and upgrades will bring a heightened level of comfort and a sophisticated, urban look and feel to the full service hotel.

“We are truly excited to introduce the first DoubleTree by Hilton to the world class city of Toronto,” said Alnoor Gulamani, president of BHG. “BHG has a relationship with Hilton Worldwide that goes back many years over multiple hotel projects in the Greater Toronto Area. The Doubletree by Hilton brand is the perfect fit for this central, cosmopolitan location.”

DoubleTree by Hilton currently offers two locations in Canada - DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Airport and DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls.  The brand is built around a service culture which strives to Create A Rewarding Experience (CARE) for its guests. The experience starts with a warm and welcoming chocolate chip cookie and offers unique comforts and conveniences for guests to enjoy.

About Bayview Hospitality Group
Bayview provides investment, management and development leadership with a focus on providing the best practices and operational excellence. Through extensive hotel investment and operations experience, BHG delivers ground-breaking projects and results. The company has a rich history with Hilton Worldwide, having brought the first purpose-built Homewood Suites by Hilton to Canada in 2005. In 2010, it opened the country’s first dual Homewood Suites-Hampton Inn hotel location. BHG has over 1,000 guest rooms in six hotels across Ontario. Visit www.bayviewhospitality.com for more information.

About DoubleTree by Hilton
With a fast-growing, global collection of more than 325 upscale hotels in gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve.  Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 65,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveler feel human again.

To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com.  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 Center 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 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and 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.