sdix

Interesting. This is the old Sahara. As a meeting planner I just (last week) got the pitch from their sales VP on their property. Not a single mention or hint of joining Hilton. Even if she knew there was a discussion of loyalty programs and not even a wink.

jamesteroh

I am surprised they didn't update the employees answering the phones on this and I'm surprised I was the first one that had called with that question. I hope they do give decent benefits since I don't normally rent a car in LAS and there is a connected monorail stop and it's very near to the hotel pool party I want to go to that weekend

formeraa

But you were probably talking to an outsourced call center somewhere?

skunker

Hmmm...when I think luxury Rapid City, SD does not jump to mind.

mudbug31

+1. Maybe it would be a different story if it was some sort of resort nestled in the Black Hills and not downtown Rapid City. To be fair, it is an interesting hotel with an interesting history, replete with alleged ghost sightings--among other tidbits.

Its inclusion in this Curio, to me, shows what Hilton is planning for this brand--a hodge-podge of random hotels in random places--perhaps whoever wants to jump in with Hilton? Seems that it will fit well in that, like DT, one would probably have to vet a particular hotel for its pros/cons.

Sterlingguy

Not a lot of details, but another option is good. Although the Sahara/SLS is out in the boonies.

http://www.vegaschatter.com/story/20...tel+Collection

Amelorn

This perfectly represents my initial reactions. Add to that: "Oh my, an ill-defined hotel brand. I knew that my life was missing something!"

Michael19887

I actually think the mission is quite defined here. Local, non-chain hotels that want the marketing advantage of being attached to a major chain's loyalty programs but want to keep their own identity... such as property names that they've had for years, bath amenities, bedding, etc. It is really a marketing tool for these properties to reach HHonors guests while still maintaining their unique identity without having to be called Hilton, DT, Conrad, etc.

IsleOfMan

While I agree, the type of property that becomes part of the Curio collection could very quickly become very convoluted. That said, a brand umbrella like Curio would make a lot more sense for properties like theWit, Arctic Club, etc that are currently "a Doubletree by Hilton" and even some Hilton properties like Palmer House and The Drake (sorry for the Chicago emphasis, I've been planning a trip).

The Doubletree brand, to me, has always been more akin to a down-market Hilton, regardless of some of the pretty high-end "a Doubletree by Hilton" properties, and even some extremely high-end eponymous properties (like Times Square). The main problem is that the overlap between the two is wide-sweeping with little if any true brand distinction (with both containing all-suites properties more akin to Embassy Suites to even further confuse).

The only way Hilton is going to gain any real brand focus and organization is to make some pretty major shifts at many properties to minimize the overlap and properly categorize. Sadly, I doubt this will happen any time due to the perceived short-term chaos it might cause.

santarosaflyer

The Doubletree brand is fairly new in London and they have been adding several properties each year. These were older hotels which have been renovated. I can easily see several of these properties joining the new brand.

tsmith12

Hilton Worldwide (HLT_) is launching Curio, a luxury brand, and making the SLS Las Vegas casino/hotel in Las Vegas one of the first Curio properties.

Curio will be a collection of four- and five-star hotels that will allow Hilton customers to earn and redeem rewards points under the Hilton HHonors program.

"Our customers and owners have expressed strong interest in a brand from us that includes hotels that can retain their unique identity but also deliver the many benefits of our system, including our Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program," Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta said in a statement.

In Las Vegas, Hilton is joining SLS Las Vegas, which is owned by SBE Entertainment and Stockbridge Real Estate, to renovate the former Sahara Hotel and Casino on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The $415 million hotel is scheduled to open on Labor Day weekend.

Chapel Hill Guy

I've stayed in the Hotel Alex Johnson and it really is an interesting property.

http://www.alexjohnson.com/

It's a member of the Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. When I was there, I think I read that Mark Twain stayed there several times.

As I live in Chapel Hill, I've not had the opportunity to stay in The Franklin Hotel, however I have had drinks a few times in the lobby bar. It's a lovely property.

Both of these hotels are very nice additions to the Hilton portfolio.

skunker

I don't doubt that. I did look up the hotel before posting my comment and even though I have not stayed at that hotel I stand by my comment.
Just because a hotel is historic does not mean it is luxurious. If you want historic and luxurious I recommend the Heathman in Portland, OR (nevermind the 50 Shades of Grey hype) or the Brown Hotel In Louisville, KY.

Chapel Hill Guy

Lighten up. I wasn't questioning your opinion of the hotel (well, actually you were mostly denigrating Rapid City ), I was merely pointing out that it is an interesting hotel and it is indeed luxurious in a turn-of-the-century, American West sort of way. Lots of exposed wood, big leather chairs, etc. Easy to envision Mark Twain sitting in the bar enjoying a libation with a cigar in his mouth. A very comfortable place that I'm glad is joining Hilton.

Points Scrounger

When I saw the term "lifestyle brand" the first thing I thought of was IHG's Indigo chain.