Introducing Canada's First Doubletree Hotel in Toronto
	TORONTO Sept. 2, 2003 Doubletree(R) Hotels, Suites, Resorts and Clubs (NYSE:HLT) is proud to announce the opening of the brand's first Canadian property -- the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport.
This 433-room hotel debut in Canada's largest city represents another international addition to the brand's collection of more than 155 fine properties across the U.S., Canada and Latin America. With more than $12 million in renovations and upgrades during the past four years, this full-service hotel features: -- One of Canada's most versatile hotel convention facilities, spanning more than 60,000 square feet, with a capacity of up to 3,150 people; -- Five fine dining and entertainment outlets, including one of the finest Italian restaurants in Toronto; -- Extensive recreational facilities, including an onsite indoor waterpark; -- And a host of additional amenities and services for both the leisure and business traveler. Located directly across from the Toronto Congress Centre, the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport is centrally located near the major metropolitan crossroads of Highways 401, 427, 407 and 409, just 25 km (17 miles) from downtown Toronto and 3 km (2 miles) from Lester Pearson International Airport. The Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport will continue to be owned and managed by Keck Seng Group, under a franchise agreement with Doubletree Hotel Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation. "There is one hotel that has just made the rewards of visiting the Greater Toronto area much sweeter. From our unique welcome with our fresh-baked signature chocolate chip cookies upon check-in to the rewards of our world-renowned Hilton HHonors(R) guest loyalty program, we encourage Canadians to discover the Doubletree difference," said Dave Horton, senior vice president -- brand management for Doubletree. "We are proud to welcome this incredible hotel to our Doubletree family, whose owners also own the Doubletree Hotel Alana Waikiki in Hawaii. This is one example of how Doubletree continues to explore potential hotel development and conversion opportunities across the Western Hemisphere." Doubletree Hotels, Suites, Resorts and Clubs encourage today's travelers to break out of the traditional travel routine. From the bright lights of New York City to the sun-drenched beaches of Hawaii and now Canada's largest city, our style is simple and sincere. Whether visiting for business or pleasure, Doubletree is a place where you will be cared for and encouraged to be comfortable. Guests are "welcomed" at every Doubletree hotel with upscale amenities and accommodations, as well as friendly and professional service. "In the spirit of continuous improvement during the hotel's 40-year history in serving the Toronto area, our move to become affiliated with a world-renowned brand like Doubletree will prove to be a great advantage for our hotel team members, as well as our guests," said Herb Whiteway, CHA, general manager of Canada's first Doubletree hotel. "We already share the Doubletree mission in providing a comfortable environment in which to do business or enjoy a weekend getaway, and our customers will certainly benefit from all of the new enhancements we have completed to make Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport the place to stay whether traveling to or from the GTA." Recent hotel improvements at the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport include an exterior transformation with a new facade, improved soundproofing and new carpeting in the hotel's main ballrooms and breakout rooms, major enhancements to the hotel's dining outlets and much more. Standard guestrooms include a pull-out sofa bed; a work desk; two dual-line telephones with speakerphones, voicemail and dataports; a hair dryer; an iron; and a coffee maker. In-room entertainment services and complimentary newspaper delivery are also available. Executive Floor rooms include upgraded amenities, access privileges to a private lounge that hosts complimentary breakfast in the morning and a manager's reception(a) in the afternoon and complimentary hotel parking for one car during every day of your hotel stay. The hotel's seven whirlpool suites; ten one-bedroom King suites; and bi-level Presidential, Confederation, Prime Minister and Ambassador Suites are spacious and have hosted some of Canada's most well-known dignitaries. The Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport has the fifth largest hotel conference center in Canada. With 17 versatile and dedicated meeting room combinations -- including the 15,000 square-foot Plaza Ballroom, 10,000 square-foot International Ballroom and the 3,200 square-foot Mississauga Ballroom -- this hotel has received the coveted Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings magazine for their second consecutive year. Onsite audiovisual specialists, a dedicated convention services manager and a creative selection of menus for various needs and budgets make the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport the ideal gathering place for any event from small executive meetings to large conventions, trade shows or social events. The Doubletree International Plaza Toronto Airport also offers enough dining and entertainment options, so that you never need to leave the hotel. Alfredo's is an upscale dining experience with a perfect blend of Northern Italian/Continental Cuisine and award-winning service. The Orchid Cafe offers a casual family dining atmosphere with healthy snacks and bountiful buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a casual get-together at the end of a busy day, Harry's Bar is the perfect place to take a time out with specialty drinks, light meals and a pool table. If you're looking for nighttime entertainment, the Wild Rose Saloon is a two-story honky tonkin' local favorite with pool tables, hot new country dance lessons and great western style served by the friendliest people in town. Also on site is the independently operated Ginko's Japanese Restaurant with Sushi Bar, Tappan-Yaki and Tatami Room. For recreation and fitness, the Doubletree features an indoor waterpark complete with two giant waterslides, a sauna, a heated swimming pool, a whirlpool and a separate kids' splash pool. The hotel's state-of-the-art fitness center contains the latest in cardiovascular and weight-training equipment. The hotel also will offer 24-hour room service, and a complimentary local shuttle service also is available to accommodate early risers or late arrivers traveling in and out of Pearson International Airport. The Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport is centrally located, with convenient access to all local points of interest, including the CN Tower, Air Canada Centre and Canada's Wonderland.