Hotel Online Special Report

advertisement
Hilton Group plc and Hilton Hotels Corp 
Accerlating Expansion of Conrad Brand
LONDON, England, & BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Nov. 15, 2000 -- Hilton Group plc and Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) announced today the formation of a joint venture company to expand the Conrad brand of luxury hotels on a worldwide basis. 

Owned equally by Hilton Group plc and Hilton Hotels Corporation, this joint venture for new Conrad hotels will be headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with Clement Barter serving as president. The Conrad brand has earned a reputation for first-class style and service among both business and leisure travelers . There are presently 12 luxury properties operating in Europe, the Middle East, South America and Australasia, along with another two now under development. Building upon this existing reputation and goodwill as a foundation, the joint venture company will further enhance the brand�s presence in the luxury segment of the hotel industry on both sides of the Atlantic. 
 

Conrad brand development will be achieved primarily through the securing of management contracts for new build hotels and conversions, requiring modest investment by the joint venture partners. Additionally, the companies are exploring designating the Conrad brand to specific portions of existing Hilton properties. 

David Michels, group chief executive of Hilton Group plc, commented: �The creation of this joint venture demonstrates the continued strength of the alliance between our two companies. There is, without question, more room in the market for additional luxury hotels to complement the existing portfolio of Conrad properties, and we are now perfectly placed to expand the brand selectively throughout the world.� 

Stephen F. Bollenbach, president and chief executive officer of Hilton Hotels Corporation, commented: �Since its inception, the Conrad brand has stood for the finest in lodging accommodations, and through this partnership�yet another example of the powerful relationship between our company and Hilton Group plc�we now have the opportunity to bring the Conrad style of hospitality and service to even more customers, while solidifying our presence in the luxury hotel segment.� 

Anders Hansson, representing the owning company of the Conrad London, Blue Harbour Ltd. commented: �This new joint venture is a wonderful initiative for the expansion of the Conrad brand. It will provide additional global exposure to the Conrad Hotels� luxury product and will allow for more frequent business travelers to visit our hotels.� 

Conrad Hotels are currently located on four continents, with properties in Istanbul, Turkey; Hong Kong; Singapore; Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt; Gold Coast and Brisbane, Australia; Punta del Este, Uruguay; London, England; Dublin, Ireland; and Brussels, Belgium. Additional Conrad Hotels are under development in Jakarta, Indonesia; and Bangkok, Thailand. 

This new joint venture further cements the alliance between Hilton Group plc and Hilton Hotels Corporation. Signed in January 1997, the alliance includes joint reservations systems, combined sales and marketing programs, a unified logomark and advertising campaign, and the industry-leading Hilton HHonors® loyalty program, which is expected to have 11 million members by year-end 2000. 

Conrad International® Hotels to invest US $25 million in development in year 2000.

Beyond new hotel openings planned in the Far East in the years to come, the current enhancement program will ensure that all Conrad International hotels maintain and further develop their deluxe product and reputation worldwide.

BRUSSELS
The UK�s most luxurious health and spa group, Champneys, opened an impressive new health and beauty spa resort at Conrad International Brussels in the European capital in January 2000.  Built on three floors and covering over 2,500 square meters, it is the first Champneys club to open in continental Europe, as part of an international expansion. 

In addition, Conrad International Brussels recently launched two new cyber conference rooms with facilities aimed at specialist conference and meeting planners. 

LONDON
Conrad International London launched its new restaurant, Aquisia in April 2000. Over US $3.2 million has been invested for the redesign of its new restaurant and bar and the extension of some of the conference facilities. Named for its waterside location and Ray Neve�s cuisine with oriental and Mediterranean classic influences, the restaurant pays tribute to modernist design with light Asian details in a symphony of light and space. The dining area interacts with the bar and provides an extended view of the marina and the Thames. During the day, natural light streams through the glass panels, from the marina bringing to guests elements of the river life, while enjoying lunch, tea or a drink. During the summer months, the glass panels open to enable open-air riverside dining. In the evening, the play of light and the sound of calming music take over to change the mood of the restaurant and bar. A combination of optic fibers and floor lights, together with a warm palette of reds and blues imbue the space with warmth and intimacy.  

DUBLIN
The Conrad International Dublin 191 guest roomswill undergo a US $3 million refurbishment.  Starting in July 2000, each room will be redesigned to the latest specifications for business travelers, containing fax, three dial telephones, modem connections, interactive television, CD players, power points adapted for US and UK plugs, automatic power control, iron, ironing board, trouser press, in room safe and the comfort of luxurious bathrooms with all required facilities. 

HURGHADA, Egypt
This deluxe resort hotel is undergoing a complete refurbishment, valued at US $3 millions as of April 15, 2000. This will include redesigning all the guest rooms which will be equipped with new furniture, new landscaping for the property and redesign of pathways. The color scheme selected is based on contemporary pastel and light colors.

THE FUTURE
New luxury Conrad International hotels are in the advanced stages of planning in Asia, with Bangkok, Thailand scheduled for opening in 2001 and Jakarta, Indonesia for an inaugural in 2003.

###
Contact Us At:
Charles Anson / Tricia Field
Hilton Group plc (UK)
+44-20-7856-8107
or
Marc Grossman / Jeanne Datz
Hilton Hotels Corporation (USA)
310/205-4030
http://www.hilton.com

Also See Top Ten List for Success in the Travel Industry Offered by Steve Bollenbach, Hilton CEO/ Oct 2000 
Hilton Hotels Scholarship Program Developed to Offer Educational Assistance to Dependents of Eligible Hilton Employees / June 2000 


To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search

Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.