The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza Opens in Virginia; Hilton Garden Inn Reaches 150th Hotel Milestone

Business Wire, Oct 3, 2002

Business Editors

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2002

Hilton Garden Inn(R) is proud to announce the grand opening of its 150th hotel -- the 189-room Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza, in Arlington, Virginia.

Arlington Courthouse LLC, developed and owns the newly constructed Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza, under a license agreement with Hilton Inns, Inc., a franchise subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corporation. The hotel general manager is Kevin Robert, formerly of the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa East/Brandon hotel in Florida.

The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza hotel opening celebration includes:

-- the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Hilton Garden Inn's 150th hotel

-- the announcement of complimentary high-speed Internet access in all Hilton Garden Inn hotel guestrooms by the end of 2003 -- placing the mid-price hotel chain ahead of its competitors by making complimentary high speed Internet access a brand standard

-- recognizing Hilton Garden Inn's partnership with the National Gardening Association (NGA) and celebrating NGA's 30th anniversary.

"The opening of our 150th Hilton Garden Inn hotel shows the rapid growth of our brand and truly represents our commitment to providing first-rate lodging and meeting facilities to both leisure and business travelers," said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president -- brand management, Hilton Garden Inn. "We're thrilled to open the first new build hotel in Arlington in nearly three years further strengthening our reputation among developers and travelers in providing a quality guest experience at an affordable price, in key hotel communities throughout North America."

The 150th hotel celebration also recognizes the relationship Hilton Garden Inn formed with the National Gardening Association earlier this year. Joining more than 30 other hotels growing school gardens throughout North America, the Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza will work with the fourth grade students of Key Elementary School in growing an indoor school garden.

The eight-story, high-rise structure Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza features: a glass-walled pavilion entrance; a Pavilion Pantry(R) with a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items, and sundries; seven suites; complimentary high speed Internet access in all guestrooms; the Great American Grill(R) restaurant, offering freshly prepared breakfast and dinner; room service dinner hours; an outdoor patio; a comfortable lounge area featuring a large screen television; a 336 square-foot boardroom and 1,200 square-feet of flexible meeting space; a 24-hour, complimentary business center; fitness center; heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool; and multiple laundry facilities on site.

"The Hilton Garden Inn concept is a perfect compliment to the needs of our community. Not only does it bring the Hilton Garden Inn brand to Arlington, it provides a unique and comfortable place to stay for business or leisure travelers when visiting the area," said Anders Eklov, owner of Arlington Courthouse, LLC.

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 include video-on-demand movies, video games and interactive Hilton guest services.

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

"The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza is perfect for business and pleasure with our location situated just minutes from the major attractions, corporations and government offices in Washington D.C.," said Kevin Robert, hotel general manager. "From the moment you enter our hotel's residential-atmosphere, our welcoming team members will ensure that your hotel experience is a carefree and pleasant one. Our goal is to make the Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza the perfect choice when your travels bring you to the Arlington/Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area."

Members of the Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program can earn Points & Miles(R) for every qualifying stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza. HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to Double Dip(R) by simultaneously accumulating both hotel points and airline miles with each qualifying stay. Hilton HHonors(R) provides more rewarding choices than ever before with more than 70 major airline, car rental and other travel-related companies.

The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza address is 1333 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201; phone: 703/528-4444; fax: 703/528-4933. The hotel is situated at Arlington Blvd. and Wilson Blvd., and just five miles from Washington, D.C. and many of its historical sites like the White House, Capital Hill, the Pentagon and veteran memorials including the Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial and World War II Memorial. The Mall featuring the Smithsonian Museums, including the Air and Space Museum, National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian Castle and the National Museum of Natural History, is also an easy drive from the hotel.