According to Koos Klein, Hilton International President, Middle East and Asia Pacific, the overnight re-branding of the former Trident and Oberoi hotels is the culmination of six months intensive preparation and training between EIH Limited, the parent company of the Indian hotels, and Hilton International. The eight hotels now join a portfolio of more than 2500 Hilton-branded hotels in 70 countries around the globe.

Said Klein, "For the first time, Hilton customers from around the world can visit India and stay in a network of Hilton-branded hotels in eight great locations. Whether they meet for business in Delhi, Chennai or Mumbai or tour the historical attractions in Rajasthan or Kerala, they can now experience Hilton standards delivered through the superior expertise of the EIH group." 

Chairman of EIH Limited, Mr PSS Oberoi added, "The alliance between our two companies will enhance our strong leadership position in the Indian and overseas markets. The re-branded hotels will offer guests additional benefits and services of the Hilton group, including access to Hilton Hhonours, one of the largest and most successful loyalty programmes in the world." 

Under the strategic alliance, EIH will continue to manage all hotels and will undertake domestic marketing promotion and reservations in India. Hilton International will be responsible for international marketing, promotion and reservations through the Hilton global network.

The hotels include Trident-Hiltons Gurgaon, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Cochin and Hilton Towers in Mumbai. Trident Hilton Mumbai, a 400-room new property in north Mumbai, is scheduled to be built and opened in 2007.

About the Hotels
 

Hilton Towers, Mumbai  is centrally located on Marine Drive in the heart of the city's business district. The 575-room hotel offers luxuriously furnished rooms with views overlooking the city or the Arabian Sea. Hilton Towers has a reputation for sumptuous cuisine including contemporary delights at frangipani and south Asian fare at India Jones. Extensive banqueting and conference facilities as well as a modern 24-hour business centre make this a preferred hotel for corporate meetings.  Hilton Towers is within easy distance to the Gateway to India and is located on the doorstep to the Oberoi Shopping Arcade offering two levels of lavish boutiques and stalls selling hand-made crafts, exotic homewares, fashion and jewels. Trident Hilton Cochin is located in the port city of Cochin, on the coastline of India's southernmost state of Kerala. The city is celebrated for its unusual blend of Portuguese palaces, Jewish synagogues, British buttresses and traditional Chinese fishing nets strung alongside the breathtaking backwaters. Most visitors choose Cochin as the launching pad for

Hilton Towers Mumbai Nariman Point Mumbai, India -   Trident Hilton Jaipur Amber Fort Road Jaipur, India

Trident Hilton, Gurgaon, is located in the central business district, in close proximity to New Delhi's international and domestic airports and within easy distance of the capital. A business hotel with a difference, the building has a resort-like ambience characterised by domes, long corridors and walkways, inner courtyards, reflection pools and fountains. Its beautifully furnished guestrooms and suites overlook gardens and picturesque water bodies. Opened in January 2004, the hotel offers excellent conference and meeting facilities.

Trident Hilton, Agra, is located just 1.5 kms from the legendary Taj Mahal and a short distance from the city's other tourist attractions such as the magnificent double-walled red sandstone Agra Fort. The elegant low rise hotel features a central courtyard and stonework that is reminiscent of the Mughal era. The 139 well-appointed rooms overlook picturesque landscaped gardens and the pool. At 200 km from Delhi, Agra is the ideal destination for an overnight getaway and may be reached by plane, bus, or train.

Trident Hilton, Jaipur, is situated 30 minutes from the airport and ten minutes from the Jaipur's legendary tourist attractions, colourful bazaars and shopping centres. Renowned for its broad avenues, striking palace and magical warm hues at sunset, most of the city's attractions are confined within the fortified walls of the 'Pink City" to the north east.  Trident Hilton Jaipur's rose-coloured façade reflects traditional Rajasthani architecture. The 138 well-appointed rooms have individual Jharokha style balconies offering panoramic views of the scenic Mansagar Lake or the magnificent Aravalli range. Jaipur is located 265 kms south west of Delhi and is enroute to Udaipur.

Trident Hilton, Udaipur is set on the banks of the picturesque Pichola Lake, in Rajisthan's most romantic city with a blend of whitewashed buildings, marble palaces, lakeside gardens, temples and traditional Indian-style mansions. Trident Hilton Udaipur's elegant lime-washed building, is characteristic of the region's traditional architecture. Located just 10 minutes from the city centre, the hotel has a view of the surrounding Aravalli range and is the ideal base to explore Udaipur's fairytale palaces and colourful bazaars. Tastefully furnished rooms provide views of the landscaped gardens. Guests may choose to end each day with a sunset cruise on the Amrit Mahal, a traditional boat seeped in  aristocratic splendour, or relax in the open-air terrace and enjoy sunsets and a multi-cuisine menu from the hotel's Aravalli restaurant.

Trident Hilton, Chennai, is a 167 room low-rise hotel located near Chennai airport and the new business districts.  An easy 15-minute drive from the main city centre, the hotel is situated amidst five acres of tropical gardens and offers contemporary designed rooms with a beechwood finish and wooden laminated flooring. The hotel forms the ideal base to explore Chennai, the city formerly known as Madras, which offers fascinating temples, must-see ruins, a central flower market and Marina Beach, one of the longest in the world.

Trident Hilton, Bhubaneswar is located 15-minutes drive from the airport and close to the heart of Bhubaneswar, the capital of the east Indian state of Orissa and home to historic Hindu temples featuring elaborate carvings. The elegant hotel, with interiors inspired by Orissa's traditional temple architecture, is situated amidst 14 acres of landscaped gardens and fruit orchards. All rooms offer views of the beautifully landscaped gardens or the swimming pool.

About Hilton: Hilton International (HI), an operating division of the UK based Hilton Group plc, owns the rights to the Hilton brand name throughout the world, with the exception of North America. HI operates over 400 hotels, with some 250 branded Hilton, over 150 under the mid-market Scandic brand plus 15 luxury Conrad hotels, under a joint venture agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC). Hilton International employs over 65,000 staff in over 70 countries.