Doubletree Debuts in Downtown San Diego Hotel with $11 Million Hotel Transformation

Business Wire, August 16, 2007

Ocean Inspired Ambiance Combined With Contemporary Downtown Design Create Refreshing New Hotel Offering in the Heart and Soul of San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Doubletree([R]) Hotels (NYSE:HLT) welcomes a city center hotel addition in America's Finest City with today's debut of the Doubletree Hotel San Diego Downtown. Situated on a hillside in Little Italy that overlooks the downtown San Diego skyline with dazzling harbor and bayside views, this 333-room, 22-story full-service hotel is situated in the heart of one of the country's most vibrant and successful downtown business, entertainment and shopping districts. The historic Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, Seaport Village, Petco([R]) Park and the San Diego Convention Center all are within convenient walking distance, along with easy access to the famed San Diego Trolley that whisks visitors off to Old Town; Qualcomm([R]) Stadium; Tijuana, Mexico and other local attractions.

Formerly a Radisson([R]) hotel, the team at this newest Doubletree addition is placing the finishing touches on an $11 million renovation project that has completely reinvigorated all aspects of the hotel including guest rooms, 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, dining facilities and much more.

The Doubletree Hotel San Diego Downtown is operated by Harbor View Hotel Ventures LLC, under a franchise license agreement with Doubletree Hotel Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation. The hotel is managed by San Diego-based American Property Management Corporation (APMC).

"Given the enormous popularity of San Diego as a top destination among leisure and business travelers as well as convention-goers, we are extremely proud to introduce our fifth Doubletree hotel in the San Diego area," said Dave Horton, senior vice president - brand management for Doubletree Hotels. "Our Doubletree hotel reach now provides travelers, meeting planners and local residents with a great portfolio of hotels, event facilities and locations to choose from in San Diego County. From Del Mar to Rancho Bernardo to Mission Valley and now downtown San Diego, this fantastic Doubletree addition demonstrates strategic ways we continue to grow our brand in major metropolitan areas across North America and around the world."

"APMC was formulated on the belief that truly caring for guests, elevating the guest experience and being genuinely appreciative of their loyalty is representative of genuine quality service. The core hospitality values of the Doubletree brand and the Hilton Family of Hotels reinforce the philosophy we have engendered," said Michael Gallegos, president and CEO, APMC. "Our entire hotel team is proud to welcome the world to America's Finest City with our $11 million reinvestment in downtown San Diego to create a contemporary, comfortable and upscale downtown hotel offering."

Guests enter the Doubletree Hotel San Diego Downtown with an inviting and soothing ocean-inspired sensory experience that features an intricate cascading design of water and glass that envelopes the unique style of check-in pods. Breaking the barrier of the traditional front desk, guests are not only greeted with a personalized welcome they also receive the warm and delicious welcome of the legendary Doubletree chocolate chip cookie.

Most of the spacious guest rooms and suites at the Doubletree Hotel San Diego Downtown feature private balconies that open up to the heart and soul of downtown San Diego, while all guest rooms have been significantly updated with a contemporary design scheme of warm beach tones and textures that create an environment of tranquil comfort with modern elegance. Contemporary, residential-style furnishings include large, flat-screen televisions; Wolfgang Puck([R]) in-room gourmet coffee service and the brand's signature Sweet Dreams([R]) by Doubletree Sleep Experience. Spacious guest bathrooms have been redesigned to include Neutrogena([R]) bath and body products; upgraded lighting; new vanities, fixtures and granite counters; framed mirrors and a curved shower rod that allows for 20% more space in the shower.

Business travelers enjoy large workspaces with outlets at desk height; ergonomic desk chairs; complimentary, wireless high-speed internet access; and virtual in-room printing services in every guestroom. A 24-hour, self-service business center also is convenient for those last-minute office needs. A complimentary hotel shuttle is available for transportation to San Diego International Airport.

The well-appointed meeting and event space at the Doubletree Hotel San Diego Downtown -- the largest function space of which is the 3,600-square-foot Seaport Ballroom -- can nicely accommodate small to medium-sized gatherings for executive training seminars, banquets, social occasions and receptions for up to 250 guests.

To unwind at the beginning or end of a long day, guests may enjoy an outdoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool, and dry sauna. The Doubletree Hotel San Diego Downtown also provides business and leisure travelers with a fitness facility which includes an extensive array of cardio and weight training equipment. Ariana offers exquisite and fresh California cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a relaxed atmosphere for a favorite evening beverage. In-room dining also is available during peak hours.