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Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation’s global brand of upscale, full-service hotels, announced that more than one third of its California hotels are in the process of completing $130 million worth of renovations this year. These projects are part of an ongoing global initiative by the Hilton brand to upgrade its facilities and guest accommodations in order to exceed guest expectations for style, convenience and comfort.
"With our headquarters in Beverly Hills, our California hotels are a particular source of pride for us,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president – brand management, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “The Hilton hotel brand has a proud tradition of providing its guests with the latest in stylish, valuable amenities and services. This ongoing renovation program will bring the brand to the highest service levels among upscale hotels. Guests are already noticing and commenting positively on these recent changes, which has driven increases in guest satisfaction scores.”
The following renovation projects are either under way or have been completed this year in Northern California:
1. Hilton San Jose – Positioned in the heart of Silicon Valley and connected to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, the hotel recently launched a comprehensive $11 million renovation program. All areas of the hotel will be upgraded, including its 353 guestrooms and suites, meeting space, public areas, restaurants, bar and outdoor patio. The hotel is adding approximately 2,500 ft² of meeting space, as well as totally reconcepting the restaurant and bar. Additionally, the property’s fitness center will be expanded and will include Precor® fitness equipment.
2. Hilton Sonoma Wine Country – Nestled in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, this property made a $6 million investment in order to update all of its guestrooms. It also revamped its pool, upgraded its fitness center, and improved its parking lot.
3. Hilton Sacramento/Arden West – Situated at 2200 Harvard Street, the property spent $4.2 million to completely renovate its meeting space with new carpet, wall covering, banquet chairs and lighting, in addition to doubling the size of its concierge lounge to 800 ft². The property also relocated its restaurant, business center and fitness center, upgraded its pool area and built an additional 400 ft² suite. In addition, the extensive renovation projects are either under way or have been completed this year in Southern California.
4. Hilton Anaheim – Adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center and steps away from Disneyland Resort, this hotel spent over $27.5 million in 2008 to renovate its guestrooms, as well as their presidential suites. This investment also affected the property’s public spaces, including the executive level lounge, lobby, restaurants, bar, front desk, and fitness center and food court. These changes complimented the initial phase of guest room revitalization, as well as the ballroom and meeting space refurbishments that were completed in 2007. In 2009 the hotel plans to spend an additional $3 million on further property upgrades.
5. Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa – Encompassing 26-acres right on San Diego’s famous Mission Bay, the property spent $26 million to revitalize the entire resort. This included extensive improvements to the lobby, registration areas, gift shop, restaurant and all 357 guest rooms and suites. It also added Essence, the resort’s new $5-million spa, featuring nine treatment rooms and a lounge, as well as an Aroma coffee bar.
6. Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport – Located at 18800 MacArthur Blvd., the property completed an $18.5 million dollar renovation project in January of this year. This refurbishment included its meeting rooms, dining areas and lobby, which was awarded first place in the hospitality service category of the American Society of Interior Design’s 2008 Legacy of Design Awards.
7. Hilton San Bernardino – Located at 285 East Hospitality Lane, the hotel as spent approximately $11 million to upgrade all guest rooms, public areas including the lobby, restaurant and bar, as well as the meeting and banquet facilities. Additionally, the property constructed a new Precor fitness room, and modernized the hotel’s exterior faηade.
8. Hilton Los Angeles Universal City – Located adjacent to the main entrance of Universal Studios®, this property underwent an $8 million make over this year. Both the guestrooms and the public areas, such as the lobby, meeting rooms, restaurant, lounge and fitness centers, were refurbished. The food and beverage offering was also enhanced with the addition of a Starbucks Coffee Corner in the lobby and a Bar and Grill in the pool area. In 2009, the upgrades continue with the planned installation of flat-screen televisions in the guestrooms and a free-standing refreshment area in the lobby.