All Entries Tagged With: "Hilton"

Hotels Come Together to Launch RoomKey.com

While the rise in third-party hotel reservation websites has been a boon to customers, the high fees they charge participating hotels has not always sat well within the industry. That reality has led six of the world’s leading hotel chains to join forces to open their own hotel booking website called RoomKey.com. The most significant difference between RoomKey and its third-party competitors is the fact that it will direct users to the individual websites of the 23,000 participating hotels, so that customers can make a direct booking with that facility.

The six participants include Choice Hotels International, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels, IHG, Marriott International, and Wyndham Worldwide. All six companies own an equal share of the new company and will work together to further develop the site. They are also looking to add more hotel chains who might want to participate.

The new site is being made possible with technology acquired through an asset purchase from Hotelicopter. In addition to allowing customers direct bookings, the Hotelicopter platform provides an avenue for destination marketing that can help drive customers to member hotel websites while they search a specific locale. This added convenience is expected to boost web traffic and further the group’s marketing efforts.

Guangzhou, China Hilton Opens

Visitors to Guangzhou, China now have a new luxury hotel option with the opening of the brand new Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe. The hotel, operating under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, is the first of two being opened by Hilton in the south-eastern Chinese city. It is conveniently located close to the airport and only a few steps away from the city’s East Railway Station.

The site for the Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe was chosen as a way to meet the needs of international business travelers in the region. The city is one of China’s most advanced manufacturing cities, playing host to businessmen and women from around the world. With just over 500 luxury rooms and suites, the new hotel brings the strength of the Hilton name and reputation to Southern China. Luxury is the key word describing the hotel and its rooms, especially the Presidential Suite which is one of the largest in the city.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts Greets Visitors with New Lobby Design

The Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner, Virginia recently became a showcase for Hilton Hotels & Resorts and their new lobby design project. The hotel’s $40 million facelift includes a contemporary new lobby featuring food and beverage options, an adaptable “community” environment, and accessible technology. If the design proves successful it may become the new standard for the Hilton brand.

Upon entering the hotel visitors are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that resembles the average American living room. The environment is intended to encourage the gathering of guests for social interaction, a shared work environment, and plenty of collaboration.

The lobby includes a dedicated technology lounge which integrates the standard business centre idea with personal, social networking. The entire package is made complete by a progressive bar open 18 hours a day with an evolving menu of beverages and “to-go” items.

The project’s designers even went so far as to include the social networking aspect into the front desk. Gone is the standard elongated counter space, replaced by several pod style check-in desks that promote interaction between guests and staff.

Hilton Opens Pattaya Beachfront Resort in Pattaya, Thailand

The Hilton has opened a floating hotel in Pattaya, Thailand. Hilton Pattaya is a beachfront resort that overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and is located approximately 90 minutes southeast of Bangkok. The hotel is located at the complex that has Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront shopping and entertainment facility including more than 200 shops and restaurants and 10-screen cinema. Guests who stay at the Hilton Pattaya have exclusive access to the complex through the ground floor.

This luxury hotel has 302 elegant guest rooms and suites located on floors 19 – 33 of the hotel. Suites offer floor to ceiling windows. All rooms offer mesmerizing ocean views from private balconies. Rooms are stylishly decorated, and have spacious bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs. Other facilities include separate living and dining areas. Many suites also include bathtubs on the balconies.