Survey Reveals 22 Percent of Business Travelers Want to Be Tucked in by Carmen Electra and No Wake-Up Call at All

Business Wire, Sept 28, 2004

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- From Newspapers to In-Room Beverages, Hilton Garden Inn "Ask the Traveler" Survey Reveals What Business Travelers Really Want

The first annual Hilton Garden Inn "Ask the Traveler" survey released today took a deep look into the psyche of the business traveler, resulting in some surprising and insightful findings, including a fondness for Carmen Electra and Brad Pitt. The survey was administered at two Hilton Garden Inn properties as a beta test to determine what business travelers really want. Guests were asked five questions, ranging from the preferred newspaper outside the door to how they prefer their wake-up call in the morning.

"Hilton Garden Inn, wants to remain in touch with our guests to find out what they need, what they want and what will make their stay a great experience," said Mark Nogal, vice president of marketing for Hilton Garden Inn. "We started with a survey sample at two hotels to test it out, and moving forward, we will continue to survey our guests to learn as much as we can about the changing needs of business travelers."

What Do Guests Forget Most?

The survey revealed that when guest respondents were asked which item they forget most often while traveling for business, 31 percent said a cell phone charger. Approximately 21 percent cited a razor as the most forgotten item, followed by 19 percent who said toothpaste.

"Eight years ago, toothpaste probably would have been the most forgotten item, but as guests have learned to make the most of their cell phones as well as become more tech-savvy while traveling, it's no surprise that a cell phone charger has made its way to top of the list," said Nogal. "With the fast moving pace of technology, Hilton Garden Inn hotels strive to provide guests what they need to be most productive when on the road, that's why all guestrooms offer complimentary high-speed Internet access and secure remote printing service, and the Pavilion Pantry(R) where they can buy toothpaste and other forgotten toiletries that don't quite make it in the suitcase. Our 'Ask the Traveler' survey will help us to find out more about the preferences of our travelers."

Which Celebrity Would Guests Most Like to Tuck Them In?

Hilton Garden Inn asked respondents which celebrity they would most like to tuck them in at night, and Brad Pitt was the winner with 28 percent of the vote. However, among Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Carmen Electra, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman, four percent of those surveyed added their spouse to the list.

"We're always looking for feedback from our guests and it's no surprise that our business travelers who were surveyed added their own category wanting their spouse to tuck them in after a long day," says Nogal.

What Do Guests Want to Drink? Read?

Guests were asked what type of beverage they would like available in the room, and 10 percent of the survey respondents said a vodka tonic, while the leading answer was bottled water with 54 percent. Runner-ups included coffee and soda with 15 percent of the vote, and tea at four percent.

As the preferred newspaper outside of a guest's door, USA Today won out with 42 percent of the vote, followed by the local paper at 27 percent, The Wall Street Journal at 11 percent and The New York Times at 10 percent. And, interestingly enough, Mad Magazine came in at 8 percent, indicating a business traveler's need for some light-hearted reading while on the road.

How Do Guests Want to Be Woken Up?

Although one respondent answered outside of the survey and requested to be woken up with chirping birds, 30 percent of those surveyed requested an automated wake-up call. Some 25 percent of respondents chose being awoken by an alarm clock, and 22 percent chose a personal wake-up call. And, almost 23 percent didn't want to be woken up at all.

About The "Ask the Traveler" Survey

The Hilton Garden "Ask The Traveler" survey was administered at the Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo, in El Segundo, Calif., and the Hilton Garden Inn Valencia, in Valencia, Calif., properties throughout the months of June and July 2004. Approximately 400 guests were asked to fill out the five-question survey to gauge the likes and dislikes of business travelers.

About Hilton Garden Inn

For the past three years, Hilton Garden Inn has received the distinguished "Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Mid-Scale Hotel Chains with Full Service" award in the 2004, 2003 and 2002 J.D. Power and Associates North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM). Hilton Garden Inn developments represent one of the cornerstones of the Hilton franchise growth strategy. More than 300 Hilton Garden Inn hotel properties are currently open or under development in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand offering complimentary high-speed Internet access in all hotel guestrooms and secure remote printing to the hotel's 24-hour business center. The Hilton Garden Inn brand is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation; recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,100 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) and Homewood Suites by Hilton(R).