Following the critically acclaimed Hilton Sleep-Tight Rooms(R) introduced in 1996, Hilton Hotels announced today it is advancing into the next phase of what the company calls its "Travel Lifestyle Centers(TM)," or TLCs(TM). A total of 16 specially equipped Health-Fit Rooms(TM) and Stress-Less Rooms(TM) are now being tested in selected Hilton Hotels across the country.

According to Robert E. Dirks, senior vice president-marketing for Hilton, the pre-holiday launch of these new rooms is no coincidence.

"Our Surveys show that 44 percent of people believe holiday travel is more stressful than any other trip they take during the year. We also know that travelers tend to eat more when away from home," said Dirks. "With that in mind, the holidays seem like the natural time to introduce room concepts that are designed with stress reduction and fitness in mind."

Earlier this year, Hilton representatives met with some of the top fitness and stress management experts in the country to develop the Health-Fit and Stress-Less Room concepts.

"It's gratifying to know that a hospitality company is actually taking the issue of stress seriously and investigating ways to help travelers combat its effects," said Dr. Lyle Miller, director of the Biobehavioral Institute of Boston and a consultant involved in the development of the Stress-Less Rooms. "Travel is a major source of stress."

Richard T. Cotton, vice-president of the American Council on Exercise helped Hilton create an environment in the Health-Fit Rooms that encourages fitness.

"An important ingredient to staying fit is developing a consistent exercise regimen," said Cotton. "Traveling can be a big barrier to that consistency. The Health-Fit Rooms are set up to make it easier for guests to exercise and eat right."

Hilton Stress-Less Room

The specially equipped Stress-Less Rooms offer a variety of products and services to help relieve the tension often caused by travel.  The rooms include:

• Relaxor(R) -- Massaging Seat Topper: Seat pad that rests on back and seat of chair to massage body and back and applies heat to the lumbar area.
• Relaxer(R) -- Calming Pool: Actual fountain provides the soothing sound of flowing water to create a nature-like environment.
• Relaxor(R) -- Sound and Light Therapy with Alarm Clock: Choice of six relaxing nature sounds to softly wake up guests.
• Bio-Magnetic's Corporation -- Pulse Magnetic Belt: Integrates magnetic massage treatment for guests to experience without assistance.
• Cequal Products -- The Bed Lounge(R): Hand-crafted soft foam "chair" specifically structured with arms, back and comfortable headrest to support the upper-body providing maximum comfort for guests.
• Pressure Positive Co. -- Jacknobber II(R) Backnobber II(R): Innovative massage tools to assist in providing pain-releasing pressure to the back, neck, shoulders and muscles.
• LIVINGarts(R) -- Adagio: Music for Relaxation: Peaceful music to create the stress-relieving environment.
• LIVINGarts(R) -- Living Yoga's A.M./P.M. Yoga for Beginners Video Set: Alternative yoga videos to gently awaken the body in the morning and relax the body before bed. (1)
• Rockland Industries -- Roc-Lon(R) TLC(TM) Drapes: Special blackout drapes with a patented magnetic closure system to completely shut out light and noise.
• SERTA -- Pillow Top Mattress: Special mattress features coil-on-coil construction with added foam pillow-top upholstery.
• Panasonic -- RX-DS18 CD/Radio Stereo System: CD/radio with digital tuner, 3-D sound and extra bass.
• Creative Bedding Technologies -- Fossfill(TM) Pillows: Revolutionary pillows offer identical comfort and feel of down, without down's allergic properties.
• Naturistics -- Relaxing Aromatherapy Kit: Special aromatherapy lotions to soothe and relax.
• Stress Reduction Tips: Stress reduction tips, found in the in-room Welcome Guide, provided by the American Institute of Stress and the Behavioral Institute of Boston to assist in bringing balance and peace to guest's lives.

 Hilton Health-Fit Rooms

Hilton Health-Fit Room products and services make staying in shape a little less challenging with the help of an innovative room set-up.  The rooms include:

• Reebok(R) Cross Conditioning Systems -- CyclePlus(R) Machine: Total body workout machine providing three cardiovascular exercise modes.
• Men's Fitness and Shape Magazines: Health and fitness magazines for men and women.
• SPRI -- Original SPRI Xertube(TM): Specially designed resistance tubing for a variety of in-room exercises.
• MET-RX -- Source One Bar: Complimentary nutrition bars (available in guest room minibars) in gourmet flavors that provide protein and 27 essential vitamins and minerals.
• Walking/jogging Trails: These maps are provided for either a leisurely walk or run.
• 20-Minute Workout: 20-minute 'in-room' workout, found in the in-room Welcome Guide, provided by the American Council on Exercise(A.C.E.) and Spri Products, Inc. guide guests through a quick and simple, routine.

During the last five years, Hilton Hotels -- in cooperation with such organizations as the National Sleep Foundation, The American Institute of Stress, The Biobehavioral Institute of Boston, Reebok, American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) and the Hilton N. Conrad College in Houston, TX -- has been researching the affects of travel on sleep, health/fitness and stress.

Hilton is developing a travel-related brochure offering expert tips and insights on how to combat stress and stay fit while on the road. The booklet, "Stay Fit and Stress Less While Traveling," will be available later this year. For those suffering from travel-related sleep dysfunctions, consumers can request Hilton's current "Sleep and the Traveler II," now available by writing to: Hilton TLC, c/o DCG, 7758 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046, or via email at [email protected], or fax (323) 845-0189.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as the preeminent gaming and hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages and franchises hotel-casinos, resorts, vacation ownership and hotel properties. Its World Wide Web address is http://www.hilton.com.