Hilton Caribbean launches major makeover campaign includes $85 million renovations, new management, new hotel
December 19th, 2006
Hilton Caribbean launches major makeover campaign includes $85 million renovations, new management, new hotel
Miami (December 19, 2006) – Hilton Caribbean hotels and resorts is wrapping up 2006 with an array of exciting changes, from $85 million renovations at five properties and new management, to top industry awards and plans for a new resort in the Bahamas.
RENOVATIONS:
Major renovations and plans are being unveiled at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau, Caribe Hilton, Hilton Curaçao,Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, and Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre. The more than $85 million investment is transforming guestrooms, health clubs, meeting spaces, and public areas.
British Colonial Hilton Nassau announces plans to completely renovate 21 suites and 35 Executive Floor rooms, which will include new Hilton’s “suite-dreams” beds, linens, amenities, flat screen TVs, blackout curtains, specially designed work area, and a fresh color scheme. In addition, the hotel will refurbish its famous 00-suite, inspired by the hotel’s connection to the 007 craze – both “Thunderball” and “Never Say Never Again” were filmed at the property. The 00-suite, expected to be completed in summer 2007, will include furniture and amenities Mr. Bond himself would expect – martini bar, personalized stationary, and more.
Caribe Hilton debuted plans for a complete transformation in 2007 including garden wing guest rooms, corridors, lobby, landscaping, and Palmeras Restaurant and Oasis Bar. The resort will also complete renovations to tower building guest rooms, two ballrooms, Atlantico Bar & Grill, and fitness center. All this, in addition to an already completed expansion featuring a new Executive Floor lounge, dining outlets, and 168 Condado Lagoon Villas – making the resort the largest in San Juan, Puerto Rico with 812 rooms.
Hilton Curaçao will soon feature upgrades to its exterior, lobby, and meetings facilities. The 196-room beachfront property recently debuted new beds in all rooms, and earlier this year opened a new Executive Floor with 34 renovated hotel rooms, two suites, and an Executive Floor Lounge, plus a Hilton Meetings® complex boasting five new meeting rooms and new business center making the resort the largest meetings complex on the island.
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort will launch another expansion program that includes a 6,000 sq. ft. exhibition center. The resort recently unveiled a newly-expanded casino – now the largest in Puerto Rico ‘s southern region. With 11,600 sq. feet, the gaming facility at Hilton Ponce offers 337 slot machines, including 60 coin-less slot machines. Additional enhancements include new restrooms, a giant screen, and modern lighting system. The Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club, with a 27-hole Par-72 PGA Championship world-class facility which features Puerto Rico ‘s first island green, was completed last year. The club’s beachfront clubhouse offers private lounges, swimming pool, and two restaurants guests can enjoy.
Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre’s major renovation project began last year and is expected to be completed March 2009. The renovation features a total refurbishment of all rooms, including two expanded Executive/HHonors Floors, and 39 new rooms. Dining outlets will also be renovated to incorporate the “Hilton Caribbean Breakfast” and implement upgrades to dining rooms, outdoor terraces, and seating capabilities. Additional areas include lobby refurbishment, addition of new lobby bar, and coffee shop, a new world-class spa with treatment rooms and fitness center, ballroom renewal, and creation of a Hilton Meetings® complex with four meeting rooms and business center.
Hotels will remain open and fully operational during the renovations works and guests will not be exposed to any disturbance.
NEW RESORT:
Hilton will manage Conrad’s first resort in the Caribbean, located on the island of Bimini just 48 miles East of Miami. The luxurious 250-room Conrad Bimini Bay Resort & Casino, featuring a spa, casino, a variety of fine dining restaurants, and marina, is expected to debut in 2009.
NEW MANAGEMENT:
Three Hilton hotels in the Caribbean welcomed new general managers this year. British Colonial Hilton Nassau welcomed Peter Webster, formerly general manager at Hilton Curaçao; Hilton Santo Domingo opened its doors to Hector Concari , formerly general manager at Hilton Barquisimeto, Venezuela; and Hilton Tobago Golf & Spa Resort appointed Jacob Ascher, formerly director of operations at British Colonial Hilton Nassau.
AWARDS:
Many hotels received prestigious accolades in 2006:
- Hilton Santo Domingo, AAA Four Diamond Award (the first-ever to be received by a hotel in the Dominican Republic)
- Hilton Curaçao, Curacao ‘s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards
- Caribe Hilton, Puerto Rico ‘s Leading Resort at the World Travel Awards
- Hilton Tobago Golf & Spa Resort, Tobago ‘s Leading Golf Resort at the World Travel Awards
Notes to Editor:
Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) is the leading global hospitality company, with nearly 2,800 hotels and 485,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 150,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Scandic and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection™. For more information, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.
