Hilton Hotels Corp. Announces Opening of Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City; Represents 10,000th Hotel Room Opening for Hilton Garden Inn Hotels

Business Wire, May 15, 2000

Business Editors

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2000

Hilton Hotels Corp. (NYSE:HLT) has announced that its mid-priced product, Hilton Garden Inn, achieved a milestone today with the opening of its 10,000th Hilton Garden Inn guest room.

The milestone was achieved as the 279-room Hilton Garden Inn(R) Philadelphia Center City, in Philadelphia, opened for business, representing another addition to the company's growing roster of more than 70 Hilton Garden Inn(R) hotels.

The newly constructed Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City is owned by HGI Associates, and operated under a license agreement with Hilton Inns Inc., the franchise subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corp. GF Management manages the hotel. The hotel is part of a massive Center City urban renewal project.

Constructed atop the existing Gallery II Parking Garage, the high-rise, 10-story hotel offers impressive views of the city from its lobby. The hotel represents one of three large urban Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the United States, joining the 357-room Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown North and the 300-room Hilton Garden Inn Washington D.C. Franklin Square.

"Hotel accommodations representing the upper end of the mid-priced hotel category in Center City are in high demand among cost-conscious business travelers as well as leisure travelers seeking a weekend getaway," said Tom Keltner, executive vice president - Hilton Hotels Corp. and president - franchise hotel group. "The Hilton Garden Inn is uniquely designed to meet the needs of this traveling segment."

The Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City features a signature glass-walled Pavilion housing the reception desk; a Pavilion Pantry(R) with a selection of microwaveable packaged, refrigerated and frozen items, and sundries; a restaurant offering freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner; lounge and bar with a television and fireplace; room service from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; five meeting rooms representing 2,400 square feet of meeting space; a 24-hour, complimentary business center; and a guest laundry facility.

Guest room accommodations and features include a hospitality center with a microwave oven, coffee maker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hairdryer; and an iron and ironing board. In-room entertainment and information services, including on-demand movies, satellite cable television and interactive Hilton guest services, are provided by On Command Corp.

Business-oriented features of the guest rooms include a spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a portable computer; high-speed Internet access; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with two lines, data ports and voice mail.

Members of the Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program can earn Points & Miles(TM) for every qualifying stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Phildelphia Center City. HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to Double Dip(R) by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points with each qualifying stay.

Recreational facilities consist of a fitness room, indoor swimming pool and a whirlpool.

"The hotel's residential feel will appeal greatly to business travelers seeking a homelike atmosphere featuring warm decor and appointments, as well as leisure travelers visiting friends and relatives in the greater Philadelphia area," said Vijnan Chandra, general manager.

Hilton Garden Inn developments represent one of the cornerstones of Hilton's franchise growth strategy. More than 200 Hilton Garden Inn properties are expected to be open or under construction in the United States, Canada and Mexico by year-end 2000.

The Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City's address is 1100 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107; phone: 215/923-0100; fax: 215/925-0800. The hotel is situated off Highway 676 and I-95 (Vine Street exit) at the intersection of 11th and Arch streets in Philadelphia, eight miles from the Philadelphia International Airport. The hotel offers 750 parking spaces, is adjacent to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market, five blocks from the Liberty Bell and is attached to the Gallery Shopping Mall.

Hilton Hotels is recognized internationally as a preeminent company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 1,800 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Harrison Conference Centers, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns and Conrad International.

Reservations can be made for any hotel or resort in the new family of Hilton brands through a professional travel agent or by contacting the following:

BRAND NAME WEB SITE ADDRESS PHONE (USA/CAN)

Hilton(R) www.hilton.com 1-800-HILTONS Hilton Garden Inn(R) www.hilton.gardeninn.com 1-800-HILTONS Doubletree(R)