DENVER, COLO. – April 22, 2013 – Colorado’s first dual-brand hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center, will celebrate its grand opening late April 2013. Located in downtown Denver, just a half block from the Colorado Convention Center, at 550 15th St., the property’s ownership group, Denver-based Stonebridge Companies , re-imagined the original Xcel Energy headquarters into the new, first-ever, Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel. The property is comprised of 302 rooms and 4,355 sq. ft. of meeting space, and will split its lobby between the two brands, offering separate front desks, lodging and dining areas – each catering to the needs of its respective guests. The dual brand concept also creates enhanced communal areas, including meeting rooms, the pool and fitness center, than those offered at the stand-alone properties, benefitting both business and leisure travelers.

“We are pleased to bring this dual-branded property to downtown Denver,” said Navin Dimond, president and CEO of Stonebridge Companies. “Our team has taken great care and consideration in the adaptive reuse of this landmark Denver building, originally constructed in 1962, and hope that our guests will enjoy it. We are especially pleased with the efforts taken to make it a true original, from the selection of signature artwork from six local emerging Denver artists, to the living green wall in the lobby, to the bold use of color, texture and space throughout.”

Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center is Stonebridge Companies’ first dual-brand property, and will bring approximately 75 jobs to the Denver area. The opening also marks the 12th dual-branded property from Hilton Worldwide in North America, and the 11th featuring the Homewood Suites brand.

Location
The 13-story hotel boasts a prime location, just steps from the Colorado Convention Center, and two blocks from the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Additionally, Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center is within walking distance to popular downtown hotspots including Coors Field, the Pepsi Center, the Denver Art Museum, the Larimer Street shopping and restaurant center, and 16th Street Mall, among others. Denver International Airport is just 25 miles away, and the majestic Rocky Mountains beckon from the horizon, with spectacular mountain views from many of the Homewood Suites guestrooms, and stunning city views from the Hampton Inn & Suites guestrooms.

Art & Design
Two years before the Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center was slated to open, Stonebridge Companies commissioned local Denver hospitality design team, Design Force, and art curator, NINE dot ARTS , to thoughtfully design the space. With the directive to utilize the space as a canvas to create sculpture and art, Design Force used bold colors from both the warm and cool color families in the lobby and common areas, to create a balance that allows guests to feel relaxed and comfortable. And, instead of placing potted plants throughout the lobby, the team built a living green wall to bring the natural landscape inside in an unconventional, urban way.

Given the floor-to-ceiling windows in the property’s atrium-like first floor, NINE dot ARTS knew that much of the art would be enjoyed by guests, and local Denver passersby alike. The team worked hand-in-hand with Design Force to source artwork that complimented the design, scouring local galleries and art reviews for almost a year in order to find the six local artists whose work embodied the color palette, scale and energy of the urban environment that surrounds the building. Ten of the 16 signature pieces, all from local artists, were commissioned specifically for the Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center, and much of the lobby and common area wall space was specially-designed to house these pieces of art.

Accommodations & Amenities
The Hampton Inn, which is comprised of 96 rooms and 24 suites, and the 182-suite Homewood Suites, will share various amenities, including a complimentary 24-hour business center with remote printing access, complimentary WiFi property-wide, and complimentary daily newspaper and local calls. Additionally, all property guests will have access to a guest laundry facility; the indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub; a 1,600 sq. ft. state-of-the-art workout facility; the 24-hour Suite Shop, featuring snacks and sundries; and access to the 550 Bar & Patio lounge, featuring libations and light appetizers.

The Hampton Inn & Suites
In addition to a modern aesthetic that feels warm and intimate, each Hampton Inn room and suite will feature a clean and fresh Hampton bed®, mini-refrigerator and microwave, and a lap desk to accommodate working on the bed, as well as complimentary hot breakfast, and 24-hour hot cocoa, freshly brewed coffee and tea in the lobby.

Homewood Suites by Hilton
Designed for extended stays, the Homewood Suites offer guests urban studio suites, many with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver cityscape. Each offers a fully-equipped kitchen with full-sized fridge, a dining table that doubles as a work desk, complimentary grocery shopping service and the complimentary Suite Start™ full hot breakfast and a dinner reception, held Monday through Thursday, that includes beer and wine.

Meetings & Groups
The Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center offers 4,355 sq. ft. of meeting space. This includes eight function rooms that feature uninterrupted meeting space, broken up by columns for the most flexible, attractive set-ups, and five executive boardrooms that are equipped with the latest technology. The pre-function space is an ideal for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction or social gatherings. Extra high-speed, complimentary internet is available throughout all meeting spaces.

“The dual brand concept is a win-win for business and leisure travelers alike,” said Tom Sprankle, general manager. “That, in addition to this particular property’s distinct design and ideal location, makes it an exciting addition to Denver’s hospitality landscape.”

About Stonebridge Companies
Founded in 1991 by Navin C. Dimond, Stonebridge Companies is a privately owned, innovative hotel management company headquartered near Denver, Colorado, which has developed over 60 hotels and operated more than 75 lodging properties. Currently, Stonebridge Companies operates over 40 hotels comprising in excess of 6,000 guest rooms in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, Washington and New York. The diverse portfolio includes select-service, extended stay, mid-scale and full-service hotels in primary and secondary markets. For detailed information, visit www.StonebridgeCompanies.com

About Hampton Hotels
The Hampton Hotels brand, including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton, is an award-winning leader in the mid-priced hotel segment, serving value-conscious and quality-minded travelers.  With over 1,900 properties totaling more than 185,000 rooms in 11 countries, Hampton Hotels is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company.  All Hampton hotels offer comfortable surroundings and a friendly service culture, defined as "Hamptonality," delivered by over 50,000 Team Members and supported by the 100% Hampton Guarantee®, reinforcing its commitment to providing excellent service to both business and leisure travelers alike.  High-quality and consistent accommodations and amenities such as free Wi-Fi, free hot breakfast, and the latest technology and innovations, such as multi-unit Power Cubes and the brand’s signature Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed®, combined with numerous locations worldwide, have made Hampton a leader in its segment and one of the fastest growing hotel brands globally.  Please visit www.hampton.com, http://news.hampton.com  or www.hamptonoffers.com  for more information and connect with Hampton Hotels online at www.faceboook.com/Hampton, http://twitter.com/Hampton  or www.youtube.com/Hampton

About Homewood Suites by Hilton™
Homewood Suites by Hilton is an upscale, all-suite, residential-style hotel with more than 300 hotels open in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Voted “Top Extended-Stay” hotel by J.D. Power and Associates, Homewood Suites by Hilton is the first choice for guests seeking comfortable, home-like accommodations when traveling for an extended stay. Beyond its spacious suites, which feature separate living and sleeping areas, and fully equipped kitchens with full sized refrigerators, additional value-driven amenities include: complimentary Internet, a daily full-hot breakfast, and healthy, delicious evening meals with drinks every Monday-Thursday. The brand is focused on guest satisfaction and stands behind each stay with its 100% Suite Assurance® guarantee. For more information, please visit www.homewoodsuites.com.

*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws.  Must be of legal drinking age.