Homewood Suites by Hilton Celebrates 20th Anniversary
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Homewood Suites by Hilton Celebrates 20th Anniversary
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Category: Worldwide
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-08-26
Enters 20th Year with Nearly 300 Properties, Steady Market Share Gains and Revamped F&B Program
Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of all-suite, residential-style hotels, today celebrates its 20th anniversary of providing extended-stay, business and leisure travelers with many of the comforts and conveniences of home. The brand enters its 20th year with three consecutive quarters of steady growth in market share, a development pipeline of more than 120 planned properties and a current footprint of more than 275 hotels – more than 30,000 upscale suites – throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Throughout our 20-year history we have strived to provide our guests with specialized amenities that make a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel a place where you actually live, not just stay,” said Bill Duncan, Global Head of Homewood Suites brand. “As we celebrate this important milestone, we want to thank all of our loyal guests, dedicated owners and team members who have made Homewood the industry’s leading upscale extended-stay brand.”
Homewood Suites’ most recent innovation included a revamping of its complimentary Suite Start hot breakfast and Welcome Home reception meal programs. Developed with a consulting chef, the brand spent two years crafting and testing exciting new menu items, including many new healthier options. This food & beverage upgrade also included a corresponding video iPod-based training program to familiarize employees with the new offerings.
Homewood Suites opened its first hotel in Omaha, Nebraska on August 23, 1989 and since then, has had many other firsts, including the introduction of a 100% satisfaction guarantee in 1993, making it the first national upscale hotel brand to offer such a promise. Two years later, Homewood Suites was one of the industry pioneers in the use of the Internet; offering online reservation capabilities to guests.
Other key milestones in the brand’s recent history include:
1999 – Joined the Hilton Family of Brands with Hilton’s purchase of Promus Hotels Corp.
2000 – Opened 100th property with a hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
2002 – Opened first international hotel in Mont-Tremblat, Quebec, Canada
2004 – Introduced brand-wide complimentary high-speed Internet access in all guest suites
2006 – Introduced Suite Selection; the hotel industry’s first interactive, web-based room selection tool
2007 – Became the first hotel brand to utilize video iPods to train team members
2007 – Opened first hotel in Mexico with a property in Torreon
2008 – Published children’s book series explaining business travel through use of brand mascot, Lewis the Duck
2009 – Opened 275th hotel with forecast of opening 300th in early 2010
Homewood Suites is a guest favorite among both business and leisure travelers, consistently taking the top spot on key satisfaction studies. Homewood Suites by Hilton has been named “Best Value Hotel Chain” by Zagat Survey for three consecutive years (2007-2009); was awarded Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Extended-Stay Hotel Chains in J.D. Power & Associates 2008 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM*; and placed number one in the Upscale Extended Stay Hotel category in Business Travel News 2008 hotels rankings by corporate travel buyers.
“Although the current economic climate is challenging, over the past 20 years, Homewood Suites has built a strong foundation for growth,” added Duncan. “Our solid development pipeline combined with a commitment to innovation will put us in more places with the services and amenities guests are looking for.”
Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has more than 275 hotels and approximately 120 properties in the development pipeline. The brand offers complimentary high-speed internet access, daily Suite Start hot breakfast, and a Welcome Home reception featuring a light meal and beverages, Monday through Thursday. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, Homewood Suites guests can find at each hotel an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, exercise facility and guest laundry at most locations. Additional guest services include a complimentary grocery shopping service** and a complete business center at most locations.
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