Hilton HHonors - Hilton Launching Chain Of Luxury Hotels under Waldorf-Astoria Brand

NEW YORK - Hilton Hotels, which has owned the Waldorf since 1949, is scheduled to announce today it will launch a chain of luxury hotels under the Waldorf-Astoria brand.

The new brand will include business hotels and resorts worldwide and match or exceed the chain's current luxury leaders, Hiltons and Conrads, for its level of amenities.

Starting Feb. 1, Hilton will re-brand three well-known U.S. resorts for which it won management rights this year: the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii; the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix; and La Quinta Resort near Palm Springs, Calif.MO< The resorts, whose original names will be accompanied by "The Waldorf-Astoria Collection" designation, will see little change in operations, but they will be added to Hilton's reservations system, Hilton President Matt Hart says.

More here:

http://www.wlbz2.com/home/article.asp?id=30635

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2006-01-17-waldorf-main-usat_x.htm

So which hotels are likely to be placed into this W-A Collection? (Sounds a bit like Starwood's "Luxury Collection" hotels.)

Waldor-Astoria itself and Conrad Brussels are my first guesses. :D

Sounds like we will at least have an opportunity for a reward stay in Maui!!! Its a really great property too! ^ :D

Hopefully they won't build two buildings at each new location, as in one with small rooms and indifferent service, and a palatial one that you can't redeem points and where celebrities live!

I am very excited about the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui being added. I have stayed there before and it is a very nice property. I would choose this property over HHV or HWV anytime.

I wonder if the points redemption will be the same as a Cat 6 or if a new level would be created (ack!).

This is great news. The Biltmore will be a great stay in PHX.

Of course add a Maui hotel after I give up trying to use points for going to Maui, well I guess good to know for next time.

Hopefully they won't build two buildings at each new location, as in one with small rooms and indifferent service, and a palatial one that you can't redeem points and where celebrities live! Beat me to it, brother. At a real Waldorf-Astoria copy it could take up to half an hour for one of the four people behind the desk to notice you and check you in. You might get a nice room, but you might also get a broom closet with thick, dusty, filthy velvet drapes and groaning 1890s plumbing, and a thermostat no man can control. And your greasy, lukewarm room service cheeseburger will take an hour and cost $30.

I'll stick to Hilton Garden Inns. :)

Must be time for the introduction of the Cat 7 hotel at 80,000 pts a night.

I have stayed at LaQuinta and really enjoyed my stay. Nice big rooms, virtually private pools/hot tubs, a great spa, and some pretty good food.

Overall, this is great news in my opinion.

Must be time for the introduction of the Cat 7 hotel at 80,000 pts a night.

I hope not. The 100k to 150k-175k 6-night awards and the GLONP to GLONP2 increase to 175k are still fresh in my mind. I would hate to see another big jump in multi-night awards.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060117/20060117005489.html?.v=1

Press Release Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation Extends World's Greatest Hotel Name to Create Luxury Brand Line: The Waldorf=Astoria Collection
Tuesday January 17, 9:00 am ET

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2006--Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT - News) has announced that the company is introducing a new luxury hotel line that will extend the cachet of New York's legendary Waldorf=Astoria® hotel.

Unveiled today as "The Waldorf=Astoria Collection®," the new, elite brand designation will build upon the legend that company founder Conrad N. Hilton called "The Greatest of Them All," the Waldorf=Astoria. The Waldorf=Astoria Collection is launching with the Waldorf=Astoria itself and three world-class luxury resorts that will be newly managed by Hilton:

* Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on the island of Maui in Hawaii
* Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona
* La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California

All four resplendent hotels will maintain their established, well-known names, while adding The Waldorf=Astoria Collection designation as a mark of their exclusivity. Hotels within The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will benefit from the support of award-winning technology programs, the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program, the industry-leading Hilton Reservations Worldwide system, eBusiness programs, worldwide sales and marketing programs, and operations support.

The Waldorf=Astoria hotel is wholly owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation, and the Grand Wailea, Arizona Biltmore and La Quinta properties are owned by Orlando-based CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a leading hotel real estate investment trust (REIT).

Hilton Hotels Corporation will acquire the three management contracts from La Quinta, Calif.-based KSL Resorts, which currently manages the three luxury hotels.

"The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will build upon a deeply established and highly reputable hospitality name -- the Waldorf=Astoria -- that represents one of the cornerstones of our company's history," said Matthew J. Hart, president and chief operating officer of Hilton Hotels Corporation. "We will take this world-renowned name to new heights as we develop a new line of business that has significant growth potential and that we anticipate will have enormous appeal to current and prospective hotel owners and developers worldwide."

"The extension of the legendary Waldorf=Astoria designation to three of our premier destination resorts is an exciting undertaking that we expect will take these properties to even higher levels of sophistication," said Thomas J. Hutchison III, chief executive officer of CNL Hotels & Resorts. "We are particularly pleased to showcase this exclusive world-class designation within our portfolio of distinctive assets and to further our strong relationship with Hilton."

Criteria for the exclusive designation of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will include architectural significance, unique decor and original artwork, historic or landmark status and a reputation for product and service excellence.

More than 55 years after Conrad Hilton's purchase of the Waldorf=Astoria, demand for luxury hotel accommodations and service continues to thrive. As such, the company anticipates that its new Waldorf=Astoria Collection will grow through:

* Co-branding of existing luxury landmark or boutique hotels that will add The Waldorf=Astoria Collection to their name;
* Designation of existing high-end Hilton or Conrad hotels as part of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection; and
* Opening new-build hotels or hotel/residential developments in gateway cities using the Waldorf=Astoria brand name itself to provide prestige and elegance, globally. The company will seek management contracts for truly special hotels in select markets, using the Waldorf=Astoria brand name.

The company's Conrad brand, with 19 world-class luxury hotels and resorts operating in the United States, England, Ireland, Belgium, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Australia and Uruguay, will continue to grow through management contracts. Plans for new Conrad Hotels, both in major U.S. cities and resort destinations around the world, are in various stages of development and the brand continues to remain strong.

Waldorf=Astoria Collection Portfolio

The debut of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection at the three CNL Hotels & Resorts properties will take place on January 31, 2006; at that time, The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will include the following:

The Waldorf=Astoria

The Waldorf=Astoria offers 1,245 rooms, including 197 suites. The Waldorf Towers, a hotel within a hotel, offers a total of 180 rooms, including 101 suites.

Representing one of the first "grand hotels," the Waldorf=Astoria has been world renowned for more than a century. The hotel was the first of its kind to give prominence to the Art Deco style in America. Today, the exterior and interior design are acknowledged as masterpieces of this art genre. The New York City Landmark recently unveiled numerous original Art Deco treasures as part of its renovation.

The jewel of the Waldorf=Astoria's lobby, Peacock Alley®, just concluded an extensive, Deco-inspired renovation and redesign. The new venue includes a restaurant, a bar and two private dining rooms, and combines the Waldorf=Astoria's classic surroundings with a fresh, contemporary look.

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa:

The Waldorf=Astoria Collection

An award-winning and world-famous property, the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa in Maui, Hawaii, includes 780 guest rooms and 100,000 square feet of meeting space. Situated on 40 meticulously landscaped acres, the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa opens onto Maui's beautiful Wailea Beach, voted one of the best beaches in Hawaii and America.

Averaging 640 square feet of luxuriously appointed accommodations, each guest room features a private lanai (balcony), Italian marble bathroom with oversized bathtub and separate glass enclosed shower, sitting area and writing desk.

The acclaimed Wailea Canyon's four activity pools include tile slides, a white water rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, the world's only water elevator, a sand beach, six waterfalls, caves, three Jacuzzis, a sauna and an infant pool. Additionally, its renowned Hibiscus Pool is an architectural achievement.

The resort's Spa Grande is noted among the Top 10 Spas in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazines.

An extensive art collection complements the resort, consisting of more than 80 works including original paintings, sculpture, graphics, murals and artifacts.

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

The Waldorf=Astoria Collection

Known throughout the world as the "Jewel of the Desert," the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa provides a restful oasis nestled on 39 acres at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and covered with lush gardens, glistening swimming pools, and Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced architecture.

Considered one of the most spectacular resorts in the world, the Arizona Biltmore features 738 guest accommodations, including 78 one- and two-bedroom villas, eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, an 18-hole putting course, and a full-service European spa, offering more than 22,000 square feet of outdoor retreat areas and cascading whirlpools, salon and state-of-the-art fitness center.

The adjacent Arizona Biltmore Country Club offers two 18-hole PGA golf courses, The Links and The Adobe.

La Quinta Resort & Club

The Waldorf=Astoria Collection

The only hotel to have an incorporated city named after it, the legendary La Quinta Resort & Club has preserved the charm and serene ambiance of its glorious past while offering guests the finest in resort amenities and services, including five resort golf courses, one of the nation's top tennis clubs, a full-service spa and fitness center, exclusive dining and resort shopping.

La Quinta Resort & Club features 90 holes of some of the country's best golf, including the famous TPC® Stadium Golf ® Course at PGA WEST® and the picturesque Mountain(TM) Course at La Quinta Resort.

The resort features 23 tennis courts, 42 pools, 52 hot tubs, five restaurants and 800 guest rooms tucked away in 640 charming Spanish-style casitas.

La Quinta Resort & Club's luxurious suites feature a limited-use kitchen, fully loaded iPod and Bose Docking Station, and spacious accommodations.

I am very excited about the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui being added. I have stayed there before and it is a very nice property. I would choose this property over HHV or HWV anytime.

Hot diggity dog! I've wanted to stay at this property for a long time.

Have you read the thread HHonors Reward Category Changes Coming Soon (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=510159)? It seems to fit this one, hand in glove.


I am very excited about the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui being added. I have stayed there before and it is a very nice property. I would choose this property over HHV or HWV anytime.

I wonder if the points redemption will be the same as a Cat 6 or if a new level would be created (ack!).

Have you read the thread HHonors Reward Category Changes Coming Soon (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=510159)? It seems to fit this one, hand in glove.

Also this may mean the Waldorf Towers could be made available for redemption, albeit at a much higher premium.....

[QUOTE=infinityplusone]I am very excited about the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui being added. I have stayed there before and it is a very nice property. I would choose this property over HHV or HWV anytime.

Me too. Do you guys know when these new properies will take award reservation from hilton? I will visit Maui this summer, can't wait to try the new Waldofr-Astoria Maui :cool:

Just noticed it shows on hilton home page: Our New Luxury Hotel Line. so quick.

I hope this new brand doesn't consider things like the Conrad Istanbul to be Waldorf-Astoria Collection material. I am interested to see how Hilton goes about this.

In the press release when they say 'the worlds greatest hotel NAME'. At least they didnt try to kid themselves by calling the WA the World's greatest Hotel. Just returned from a visit there (closest Hilton property to my client) and was so disappointed and under impressed. Was told from the moment I checked in that they have more diamonds a day there than they know what to do with and that they are not impressed with seeing a diamond card (did learn some neat stats on how many diamonds there are and so on). Glad I wasnt spending my money to be so let down.

Beat me to it, brother. At a real Waldorf-Astoria copy it could take up to half an hour for one of the four people behind the desk to notice you and check you in. You might get a nice room, but you might also get a broom closet with thick, dusty, filthy velvet drapes and groaning 1890s plumbing, and a thermostat no man can control. And your greasy, lukewarm room service cheeseburger will take an hour and cost $30.

Well the London Waldorf Hilton will fit right in here then and already conveniently has half of the appropriate name ;)

A name alone won't keep a brand alive forever ... especially if it fails to deliver. And if a name/brand/hotel fails to deliver for those with top-tier status in the hotel's loyalty program, that is not a good sign.

...if a name/brand/hotel fails to deliver for those with top-tier status in the hotel's loyalty program, that is not a good sign.

^ ^ ^

I cannot agree with you more! Especially at "Flagship" properties like W=A for Hilton and Park Hyatt for Hyatt......if a Diamond receives less than satisfactory service at the Flagships, the corporate will have a LOT of make up to do....

Beat me to it, brother. At a real Waldorf-Astoria copy it could take up to half an hour for one of the four people behind the desk to notice you and check you in. You might get a nice room, but you might also get a broom closet with thick, dusty, filthy velvet drapes and groaning 1890s plumbing, and a thermostat no man can control. And your greasy, lukewarm room service cheeseburger will take an hour and cost $30.
)
.........Ah, like a typical UK Hilton then.

The implementation of this is going to be extremely interesting. I'd like to see Hilton come up with something more high-end to appease all of us (me included) who are occasionally tempted to jump to Starwood because they have some nicer high-end properties. I would welcome Hilton being able to satisfy us at every price point and luxury level.

I used my "chat now" button to ask when I could book the Maui property. The agent checked and said no dates yet.

Anyone hear anything?

I emailed Hilton for info. They got right back to me.
I was concerned we might not be able to use Honoros points. It looks like we will. I'm very excited about the Maui property. It's a fantastic resort

Dave,
We are quite pleased with the developments of our new Waldorf=Astoria Collection, and having a presence on Maui again (since 1976) has been very important for us.

I'm delighted to let you know that these three resorts will definitely become a part of our HHonors program. Please watch for communiques shortly from HHonors on how you may redeem your points/miles for a wonderful stay at any of them.

We look forward to seeing you soon at our hotels and resorts.

Just recieved this teaser in my January emailed statement:

Redeem HHonors® points for items from the Waldorf Collection™.

The link just goes to a new site that lets you burn points for Waldorf products. Figures that they would try to have members burn points on the products, but give no hotel redemption info. They are saving the best for last.

Oops! :o

I got info that the tentative date to start reservations for Maui will be May 1st.

Also, I asked about the "changes" to Hilton honors points. I was told that it appears 900 hotels are being recategorized. It didn't sound like any point requirements were changing nor any changes to the Glon type VIP rewards.
hopefully Grand Wailea will be avaliable with a Glon2. It'll be my new yearly family vacation spot and Hilton will get all my business throughout the year.

I got info that the tentative date to start reservations for Maui will be May 1st.

.

Was that when you can start calling them for Resv or book dates after 5/1?

Was that when you can start calling them for Resv or book dates after 5/1?

That is when you can start calling.
He also said they have started a waiting list of tentative dates for Diamond members.

That is when you can start calling.
He also said they have started a waiting list of tentative dates for Diamond members.

Thanks for the update.

Hi,
I am planning on going to Phoenix for a week in early June 2006.

Having just had a look at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel website it looks beautiful and will conisder staying there ( I normally stay at the Pointe hilton Tapatio Cliffs) as the prices look reasonable for the hotel.

Regards

TBS

Hi,
I am planning on going to Phoenix for a week in early June 2006.

Having just had a look at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel website it looks beautiful and will conisder staying there ( I normally stay at the Pointe hilton Tapatio Cliffs) as the prices look reasonable for the hotel.

Regards

TBS

I'm in Phoenix in a couple of weeks time. Thought about changiing from the Pointe Hilton Tapatio to the Arizona Biltmore. However prices are nearly double at that time and they also charge a $20 Resort Fee charge. But it does look a wonderful resort.

I just received word from the Diamond desk that GLONP2 can be used for Waldorf-Astoria collection and that outside of the VIP Only awards, it will be 40,000 points a night.

I just received word from the Diamond desk that GLONP2 can be used for Waldorf-Astoria collection and that outside of the VIP Only awards, it will be 40,000 points a night.
Great News. :)

I just received word from the Diamond desk that GLONP2 can be used for Waldorf-Astoria collection and that outside of the VIP Only awards, it will be 40,000 points a night.Has anyone had any redemption experience yet?

I'd like to confirm that these properties are accepting GLONP2.

Otherwise, it is 40K per night, 50K during high season, and no point stretchers.

http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/rewards/hotel.jhtml#standard_hotel_rewards_