Hilton to expand resort portfolio with 14 new resorts

Hilton International today announced plans to open a total of 14 new resorts, (over 3,500 rooms), over the next 36 months, increasing the number of Hilton Worldwide Resorts to 60 in 28 countries worldwide.

Hilton stated the reason behind the push to increase its resort portfolio is to reflect the changing mix of hotel customer, now 40% business and 60% leisure.

Commenting, David Michels, Hilton Group Chief Executive said: “This is a growth area for Hilton. As the demand for our resort package grows, our aim is to offer guests best service in exotic locations throughout the world.”

New resort openings planned for 2004 include:

- Conrad Bali Resort & Spa, Indonesia, April 2004, 343 rooms

- Conrad Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand, late 2004, 108 rooms

- Hilton Cebu Resort & Towers, Philippines, late 2004, 250 rooms

- Hilton Imperial Hotel Dubrovnik, Croatia, late 2004, 156 rooms

- Hilton Barbados, Caribbean, late 2004, 353 rooms

New resort openings for 2005:

- Hilton Amazon Eco-Lodge, Brazil, 196 rooms

- Hilton Denaru, Fiji, 309 rooms

- Hilton Venice, Italy, 380 rooms

- Hilton Evian Resort & Spa, France, 174 rooms

- Hilton Seychelles, 65 rooms

New resort openings for 2006:

- Hilton North Miami Beach Resort, Florida, USA, 190 rooms

- Hilton Santa Fe North Cities of Gold Resort, New Mexico, USA

- Hilton Margaret River Vineyard Resort & Spa, Australia, 156 rooms

- Hilton Krabi Resort & Spa, Thailand, 200 rooms

About the New Resorts in Asia

Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort will be transformed between May and September, 2004 in an extensive multi-million dollar renovation, to become Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa. The refurbishment programme will include enhancements to 462 of the resort’s 685 rooms, as well as improvements to the convention facilities, main lobby area, lobby lounge, and some of the restaurants. A spectacular 1,500 square metre Thai-style spa, featuring impressive views of the resort’s lotus lagoon will be built. The spa will offer an indulgent sanctuary created exclusively for guest’s pleasure and well-being. Set amidst the verdant tropical gardens, the spa will consist of exquisite single and double treatment suites, and will feature a palatial spa villa complete with a fragrant herbal steam room. A sensual range of treatments varying from ancient Asian rituals to the latest in Western technology will be offered.

Conrad Bali Resort and Spa, opening in April 2004, reflects the ambience of Balinese culture in luxury contemporary design. Located on the southern coast of Bali and secluded on 6.8 hectares of tropical gardens and lagoons with cascading waterfalls, the resort is complemented by a 300 meter white sand beach.

The opening of the Conrad Phuket Resort & Spa is scheduled for the first quarter of 2005. The resort will boast 31 luxury villas, each with a private plunge pool. An infinity-edge swimming pool offering sweeping ocean views, five retail outlets and a 100-seat restaurant offering ocean views are also planned.

The Hilton Krabi Resort & Spa is scheduled to open in 2005. The Hilton Krabi Resort and Spa, a deluxe 200-room property, will be built on unspoiled beachfront just minutes from the seaside town of Krabi. Almost three quarters of the property will comprise two to three-storey low rise buildings, while the remainder are expected to be upscale stand-alone villas. The resort will feature two restaurants and bars, two meeting rooms and a number of leisure facilities including a spa with eight massage rooms.

Opened on February 1, 2004, the 172-room Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, is one of the most comprehensive health retreats in the Greater Tokyo Area and provides upscale accommodation coupled with eastern and western approaches to health management. Situated 100 km west of Tokyo in the foothills of the majestic Hakone mountains and with views over Sagami Bay, Hilton Odawara offers recreation facilities for all tastes including a bowling alley, gym, sports arena, 18-hole golf putting green, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, four dining outlets and five karaoke rooms. The centrepiece of the resort is the three-story Bade Facility which houses a large indoor Japanese-style hot spring bath featuring views across the ocean, more than a dozen hydrotherapy and relaxation spas, a 25-metre lap pool, massage and spa treatment rooms and a relaxation room.