Memphis, TN. - April 18, 2013 - College campuses are more than just natural attractions for students, local sports venues and educational and cultural events. Major hotel chains like Hilton Garden Inn view college locations as increasingly smart, recession-proof investments as they create built-in consumer bases for family weekends, potential new students, business travelers, homecomings and job opportunities for hospitality students residing within a stone’s throw of their schools.

The 550-plus chain of upscale, modern, yet affordable hotels has indeed taken a lead role to develop new properties on or near college campuses. Some of the brand's new properties include:

The 135-room Hilton Garden Inn, Stony Brook, NY:

• The property opened in February 2013 at the entrance to StateUniversity of New York's Stony Brook Campus and steps away from the University Hospital.
• The school is just minutes from Stony Brook Village Center, Port
• Jefferson Village, 15 miles to MacArthur Islip (ISP) Airport and some 60 miles from New York City.

The 108-room Hilton Garden Inn, Rochester, NY:

• The property is slated to open in May 2013 with such neighbors as
• University of Rochester, one of the country’s top-tier research universities; Rochester Institute of Technology; and Nazareth College.
• Nearby attractions include CMAC Performing Arts Center and Finger Lakes Casino.

The 128-room Hilton Garden Inn, Durham University Medical Center:

• The property is slated to open in September 2013 between Duke
• University’s East and West Campus, and is ideally placed to serve Duke University and Duke Medical Center.
• The hotel will feature a breakfast and dinner-only restaurant, bar/lounge, fitness center, indoor heated pool, outdoor patio with fire pit and luxury lounge furniture, and free high-speed wireless, wired Internet throughout the hotel.
• Guests will have easy access to the Duke campus or explore downtown, Durham hot spots such as Brightleaf Square and The American Tobacco Historic District.

The 147-room Hilton Garden Inn, Redondo Beach, CA:

• The property is slated to open in spring 2014 with a 2,200 square-foot meeting facility, restaurant and bar, outdoor pool and spa, fitness center, business center and 24/7 market.

• Guests will have easy access to Everest College, El Camino College, Westwood College and University of Columbia

The 118-room Hilton Garden Inn, Knoxville, TN:

• A bit more established among college area hotels, this Hilton Garden Inn lies directly across the street from the dorms at The University of Tennessee’s flagship campus.
• The property boasts a range of excellent business amenities and leisure facilities, including a 24-hour business center, heated pool and fitness center, free WiFi, full-service restaurant and the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry.
• Knoxville is Tennessee’s third largest city with 600-plus restaurants.

About Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, upscale, yet affordable hotel brand that continually strives to ensure today's busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road - from our oh-so-comfortable Garden Sleep System® bed to complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home. For more information about our locations around the globe, visit www.hgi.com or call 1-877-STAY-HGI.

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 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.