Hilton HHonors - Hilton International, the story of Hilton outside the USA

Many people are confused about how Hilton hotels are branded, and think all Hiltons worldwide are run by the U.S.-based hotelier. But only Conrads are run by the Beverly Hills-based U.S. company outside the United States, while the others are actually owned or managed from London. Here's an interesting backgrounder from today's "Globe and Mail":

www.globeandmail.com/gam/Travel/20000712/TRBIZZ.html (http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Travel/20000712/TRBIZZ.html)

With the integration of world wide reservations, the re-entry of Hilton International into HHonors (about eight years ago after it left for a short while following a feud between the two companies), and the rebranding with the unified Hilton ("H" in a circle) logo for marketing purposes (and the dropping of the "International" after most non-U.S. properties) this separate ownership may have been lost.

Here is a link to the story about the newly-rennovated Toronto Hilton that is referred to in the article:
www.globeandmail.com/gam/Travel/20000712/TRHOTEL.html (http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Travel/20000712/TRHOTEL.html)

[This message has been edited by Shareholder (edited 07-12-2000).]

US Hilton tried (within the last year or so) to buy back the name.

In reference to the Globe and Mail article: I'm not sure that people should be wandering in and out of hotels without the staff asking where they're going. Security is an enormous issue for frequent travelers. And having the front desk between the doors and the elevator bank is one way of monitoring who is coming and going.

In most cases, the Hilton International properties make the US Hilton's look like the Motel 6!

If you are up for something different in Honolulu, stay at the Kahala Hilton around the bend from Diamond Head. Very nice property, spacious suites, relaxed setting, awesome dining experiences and the dolphin pool is worth seeing even if you are not a guest there!

It is one of my personal favorites on the globe and defintely in my Top-5.

I believe the Hawaiian Hiltons are/were not Hilton International properties. Also the Kahala property was sold about two years ago, and it is not a Hilton today. I agree it was a very nice place to stay at. Somehow I think it is the Manderin Kahala today.

It is the Mandarin as noted by MisterNice. Actually, it was sold many years ago (more than 2, as I recall) and extensively remodeled. It opened as the Madarin 2-3 tears ago! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

It was also "NICE" as a Hilton, I should add, and far superior, IMHO to the Hilton HV! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif