Hilton HHonors - Hilton Indianapolis

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Press Release Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Indianapolis Races into Town Later This Summer
Wednesday June 16, 7:30 am ET
Aggressive $6.5 Million Renovation Now Underway

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2004--Hilton Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:HLT - News) today announced that the Adam's Mark Hotel at Market and Illinois streets will become the Hilton Indianapolis by mid-August. A $6.5 million refurbishment project is currently underway and expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The re-branding and renovation of the hotel follow the January 2004 purchase of the facility by MSPA Acquisition II, L.P., a joint venture between Pyramid Advisors LLC and the Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund. The hotel will be operated by Pyramid Hotel Group, a division of Pyramid Advisors LLC, under a franchise license agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation.

In May 2004, hospitality veteran and recipient of the Indiana Hotel and Lodging Association 2003 General Manager of the Year award William (Bill) Stanton assumed the position of vice president/managing director.

"The world of hospitality is all about making people comfortable and providing personalized amenities. While we will offer the technology and business resources that are part of mainstay business travel, the new Hilton Indianapolis aims to provide a venue that is first and foremost comfortable, pleasing and aesthetic," Stanton stated. "The hotel's location is in the heart of downtown and proximity to major corporations, the statehouse and convention facilities, which makes the Hilton Indianapolis ideal for serving Indianapolis's growing visitor base."

The aggressive, top-to-bottom enhancement project at the hotel is underway to dramatically improve every aspect of the hotel. The hotel also plans to introduce an internationally recognized restaurant in the next six to 18 months. Dining and interior renovations aren't the only things that will differentiate the Hilton Indianapolis from the city's other leading hotels. The 332-room hotel will boast 215 suites, including 30 state suites.

"Indianapolis's unique mix of business, cultural attractions and sports is increasingly making it a destination town for both corporate and leisure travel. We are pleased to expand our presence in this dynamic and growing part of the nation's heartland," said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president - brand management for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "Just as important, Bill Stanton's leadership on the 500 Festival, Mayor's Hospitality Commission and other community organizations, coupled with more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, proves that our new Hilton Indianapolis not only will have an experienced general manager, but a dedicated high-visibility community leader."

About Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund

MSREF is a private real estate investment fund affiliated with and sponsored by Morgan Stanley. Since its inception in 1991, MSREF has acquired over $25 billion in real estate in four domestic and two international funds.

About Pyramid Hotel Group

Pyramid Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Pyramid Advisors LLC, is a U.S. hotel management and development company based in Boston. The company is manager/owner of 15 hotel properties in the U.S. and has acquired and developed approximately $500 million worth of hotels in the past three years. Pyramid provides property management, asset management and project management services to over 40 facilities, comprising a company portfolio of approximately $1 billion in asset value.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the flagship brand of the Hilton Family of Hotels. During the brand's legacy, this upscale, full-service collection of hotels and resorts has grown to include some of the world's most renowned places to stay. Team members at Hilton Hotels & Resorts pride themselves on a passion for delivering a satisfying experience to the most discriminating of travelers and reflect commitment and support to the local culture and community in which they reside. For more information, please visit our website at www.hilton.com.
Contact:

Hilton Brand Communications
Jeanne Datz/Thomas Wingham, 310-205-4545
jeanne_datz@hilton.com
thomas_wingham@hilton.com
http://www.hiltonworldwide.com
or
Hickman + Associates
Susan Miller, 317-816-9760
smiller@hickmanassociates.com


Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation

At the Hilton Indianapolis right now. As a gold, got breakfast coupon and a suite upgrade. However, it doesn't look like they've done any renovations...

Looking for information and/or stay reports on the Indianapolis Hilton (the one downtown on Market St.). I believe it was re-branded from being an Adam's Mark in the 2004 time frame.

Any comments on the rooms? Does it have an Executive Lounge? Good upgrades for Diamonds? How are the Fitness Room and pool?

Since it is only a Category 4, I'm not expecting too much...

I'm planning a stay there in May and would like to know the same information.

I can't reply in detail, but.....

Mrs. cblaisd (Diamond) stayed there twice last year.

Once was the first week it was a Hilton. The room, she said, was a nice upgrade -- although, service-wise, there were some staff training issues.

Second time she was put in a very cruddy room, but the next day the manager, with apologies, upgraded her to a very nice room.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

I have stayed there three times in last year and half. Rooms I get are always "very" large and comfortable, suites. It was under renovations all three stays, should be finished now. Resturant was very good, but construction all around. Bar closed, construction.

Since it was an old Adams Mark it had a good atmosphere and grand architecture.

I will stay again and again and again when I travel to Indy. Close to just about everthing, mall, stores, resturants, convention center, footbal stadium, etc.......

Just a quick update on this Hotel - still a great place to stay, they seem to be keeping everything working, friendly staff (low turnover), and good on upgrades. However, they have eliminated their breakfast buffet (no exec floor/lounge, so it is in the resto) and switched to a vague '1 item off the menu plus beverage' policy. Still good, but nowhere near as good as that buffet was. Oh well:)

Cheers,

Answida

If I were you, I would stay at the Conrad Indianapolis - very close to the downtown Hilton and much nicer.

In fact - when I stayed at the Conrad in late April, the price was actually cheaper than the Indy Hilton!!! I would look in to that because that Conrad is amazing

Mike B.

I stay thier often. The suites are huge. Some of the best rooms I have ever had. The staff are ok and the location is decent. I stay because of the Suites and the nice Gym they have. They have 4 suites per floor and two of those suites are master suites, well over 1,000 SF not sure how big but they are big.

This weekend.

As others have noted, huge rooms. We (4 of us) had a "double queen suite" which was two double beds and separate tv, living room.

The room was nice. BUT

I will go back the HGI next time since the staff at Hilton was pleasantly incompetent. We had much better service previously at HGI.

At check-in, I was given one breakfast coupon (I'm a diamond). When I inquired she said she could give one more. I know this is consistent with the written policy, but it's the first time at at Hilton or HGI or Doubletree I wasn't given one for everyone. No complaint, but her tone was cold. No apparent room upgrade (but the rooms are huge). A free water in the room. Free drink ticket I didn't use.

Things got worse next morning. We went to the restaurant around 11:00 on Sat. Asked if they served lunch as well as breakfast. Was told yes. Later, the waitress (the only fully compentent person we encountered) after checking, apologized that the person we asked did not understand English well and that only the breakfast buffet was available. At the end of the meal she gave us the discount for all four to apologize. (Left her a huge tip as she was the only person we encountered who was both pleasant AND competent.) (Still had to pay $4 per person versus NYC where a $20 breakfast for all four of us was comped.)

Then we went to get our car and bags. Instead of late check-out we had taken our bags to the front desk while we ate. Big Mistake! One person on the desk at a busy time. Lack of bell service. Bottom line, it took almost an hour to retrieve our bags and leave!

So I'll take the superior service at the HGI over the huge rooms at Hilton next time I'm in Indy :)

This weekend.

As others have noted, huge rooms. We (4 of us) had a "double queen suite" which was two double beds and separate tv, living room.

I know this is consistent with the written policy, but it's the first time at at Hilton or HGI or Doubletree I wasn't given one for everyone. No complaint, but her tone was cold. No apparent room upgrade (but the rooms are huge).

What exactly do you mean by "no apparent room upgrade"? What did you book?

Use the new Conrad! Exquisite!

I would definitely say use the Conrad. I stayed at this Hilton every week for about three months last year and had great upgrade success. Giant suites with the 6 person round tables in them. That being said, it's just a bigger hotel room with the same worn furniture. The staff is pleasant, although slightly boneheaded as noted. The food is so/so. For Hilton properties in DT Indy I would go

Conrad
Homewood Suites (probably for price, but also very nice)
Hilton Garden Inn (better than the Hilton and better location)
Hilton

I would also put the Westin above or below the Homewood based on price.