http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020716/160114_1.html

Tuesday July 16, 8:15 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn Springfield Opens its Doors in Massachusetts

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2002--Hilton Hotels Corporation announced today the opening of the 143-room Hilton Garden Inn® Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Columbus Hotel Management owns and manages the newly constructed Hilton Garden Inn Springfield, under a franchise license agreement with Hilton Inns, Inc., the franchise subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corporation.

"We are excited to open our first Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Massachusetts," said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president -- brand management, Hilton Garden Inn. "As the brand continues to open and develop properties throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, we are rapidly becoming a recognized leader in the upper end of the mid-priced lodging segment and the trusted brand to give customers what they need to make their stay a pleasurable experience."

The six-story structure Hilton Garden Inn Springfield features: a signature glass-walled pavilion housing the reception desk; a Pavilion Pantry® with a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items, and sundries; a breakfast cafe; room service during dinner hours; a comfortable lounge area with a television and fireplace; two meeting rooms with 2,300 square feet of flexible meeting space; a 24-hour, complimentary business center; a game room; a fitness center, heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool; and an on-site guest laundry facility.

Guest room accommodations and features include: a hospitality center with a microwave oven, coffee maker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hairdryer; and an iron and ironing board. In-room entertainment and information services include on-demand movies, video games and interactive Hilton guest services.

Business-oriented features of the guest rooms include: a spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a laptop computer; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with two lines, data ports and voice mail.

"The Hilton Garden Inn Springfield will be a perfect complement to the needs of our community. Not only does it bring the Hilton Garden Inn brand to Massachusetts, it provides a unique, affordable and comfortable place to stay for business or leisure travelers when visiting the area," said Carol M. Sikora, general manager. "The hotel is also located near many attractions, including the Basketball Hall of Fame, Eastern States Exposition and Six Flags New England."

Members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program can also earn Points & Miles(TM) for every qualifying stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Springfield.

The Hilton Garden Inn Springfield is located at 800 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105; phone: 413/886-8000; fax: 413/886-8100. The hotel is situated at the intersection of West Columbus Avenue and Broad Street, and is approximately 17 miles from Bradley International Airport. Nearby corporations include American Saw, Farm Credit Bureau, Friendly Ice Cream, Lego, Mass Mutual, Smith & Wesson and Spalding.

The Hilton Garden Inn brand is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation; recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad(TM), Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Company® and Homewood Suites® by Hilton.

To find out more about Hilton Garden Inn hotels or make reservations, please visit our Web site at www.hiltongardeninn.com or call 1-800-HILTONS from the U.S. and Canada.
Contact:

Hilton Garden Inn Brand Communications
Jeanne Datz / Agnes Sibal, 310/205-4545
[email protected] / [email protected]
http://www.hiltonworldwide.com
or
Hilton Garden Inn Springfield
Carol M. Sikora, 413/886-8000
[email protected]