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Doubletree by Hilton Expands to Greece

Welcoming today's announcement, Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton Worldwide's senior vice president, development - Europe & Africa, said: "Hilton Worldwide is continuing its exciting rollout of its portfolio of brands across Europe and we are delighted to announce the opening of the first Doubletree by Hilton in Greece. The country has a strong tourism infrastructure and Kos is the second most popular destination in the Dodecanese Archipelago. With the hotel market in Greece dominated by independently run hotels and domestic chains, we believe there are wonderful growth opportunities for all our brands throughout the country."

Doubletree by Hilton Resort, Kos - Helona is on the south-eastern coast line of Kos Island. The hotel, which originally opened as an independent hotel in June 2009, will offer 238 rooms including 15 suites and three villas, two restaurants and bars, a spa and fitness area, a private beach as well as 800 square metres of meeting space, including a room able to accommodate up to 700 people.

Doubletree by Hilton is an upscale full-service brand that has seen remarkable growth since its first introduction in Europe in spring 2008. Ten properties are now open across Europe in the UK, Italy and Slovakia, with development projects confirmed in Russia and Romania.

Rob Palleschi, global head for Doubletree Hotels, commented: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our first Doubletree by Hilton in Greece. Kos Island is a stunning destination attracting leisure and business guests alike and the hotel is in a superb location, offering excellent facilities. This latest announcement represents a new chapter in our European expansion and will open new opportunities for owners to invest with Hilton Worldwide and Doubletree by Hilton."

Doubletree by Hilton is a proud member of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels with a fast-growing network that spans more than 200 locations around the world. The new hotel will introduce business guests and tourists in Greece to the brand's longstanding tradition of distinctively designed properties that reflect the destination and surrounding area.

Some Doubletree by Hilton characteristic qualities include the warm welcome of the brand's legendary chocolate chip cookie to every guest at check-in, the rewards of the prestigious Hilton HHonors loyalty programme and a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate. Doubletree by Hilton believes in a set of business values that make their hotels a desirable place for employees to work and a satisfying place for travelers to stay.

"All of us at the LAKITIRA HOTELS Group are delighted that our brand new resort hotel in Kos - Helona - today joins Hilton Worldwide to become the first Doubletree by Hilton Resort in Greece," commented N.J. Andriopoulos, President of Lakitira Hotels and shareholder of AKTI HELONA, the management company for the resort. "With such a high standard for operations, stunning construction and distinguished design, we always wanted our hotel to be part of a major international hotel chain so we could offer our guests the best services and facilities possible. Our cooperation with Hilton Worldwide, the global leader in hospitality, will without doubt result in a significant upgrade for the island of Kos as a destination and we are proud that this upgrade is the outcome of our efforts and hard work."

About Doubletree by Hilton Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, Doubletree by Hilton hotels and resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest reward programme, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. For more information on Doubletree by Hilton, please visit www.doubletree.com.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our brands are comprised of more than 3,500 hotels in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

Hilton Worldwide
Jules Kerby
Director of Corporate Communications - Europe
+44 (0) 7966 893697
Email: jules.kerby@hilton.com
or
Charlotte Wilmots
Manager of Corporate Communications - Europe
+ 44(0) 20 7856 8114
Email: charlotte.wilmots@hilton.com
or
Thomas Wingham
Director - Brand Public Relations, Doubletree Hotels (USA)
+1 703 883 5315 (USA)
Email: thomas.wingham@hilton.com