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Hilton family reunites and launches new luxury brand

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American-based Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) agreed to purchase 400 hotels from U.K.-based Hilton Group (HI), reuniting the Hilton brand for the first time since it split in 1964. Upon completion of the buyout, scheduled for first quarter 2006, HHC will become the world’s largest lodging company with nearly 2,800 hotels and 475,000 rooms in 80 countries. The Hilton Group will be renamed Ladbrokes, after its holdings in the casino industry.

“This transaction represents the final and logical step in a process that began in 1997 with the signing of our strategic alliance, and is a unique opportunity to once again position HHC as a global lodging industry leader for the first time in more than 40 years,” said Stephen F. Bollenbach, HHC co-chairman and chief executive officer.

Stateside, HHC debuted The Waldorf-Astoria Collection on Jan. 31, 2006. Launching with the famous New York City-based luxury hotel were three CNL Hotels & Resorts: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on the island of Maui in Hawaii; Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Ariz.; and La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif.

"The extension of the legendary Waldorf-Astoria designation to three of our premier destination resorts is an exciting undertaking that we expect will take these properties to even higher levels of sophistication,” said Thomas J. Hutchison III, chief executive officer of CNL Hotels & Resorts. “We are particularly pleased to showcase this exclusive world-class designation within our portfolio of distinctive assets and to further our strong relationship with Hilton.”

Plans to expand the brand by building new hotels and conferring the exclusive designation on existing luxury properties are underway; criteria for designation include architectural significance, unique décor, original artwork, historic or landmark status, and a reputation for product and service excellence.