Hilton Worldwide Launches Most Comprehensive iPhone Applications in the Lodging Industry

Company’s Mobile Revenue Increases 59 Percent for Third Quarter 2009

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Worldwide announced today that it is launching the most comprehensive iPhone and iTouch applications in the lodging industry. The company unveiled the new applications across seven hotel brands including its Conrad, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn brands in the United States. The new applications have features that are a first for the hotel industry including a “Request Upon Arrival” service that enables a traveler to place an order for room service and have a meal in the guestroom upon arrival at the Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites brands. The new applications also offer “e-check in,” a feature that provides remote check-in up to 48 hours in advance.

“Our new iPhone and iTouch applications are like having a hotel concierge in your pocket 24 hours-a-day seven days-a-week. We are constantly working to anticipate our guests’ needs and this is a great way for us to make the entire hotel experience more convenient”

The announcement comes as the industry is experiencing an increase in hotel reservations made on mobile devices. Hilton Worldwide reports a 59 percent increase in mobile revenue, during the third quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2009, generated primarily from the company’s mobile-enabled website. The company’s mobile revenue has increased every quarter in 2009.

“Our new iPhone and iTouch applications are like having a hotel concierge in your pocket 24 hours-a-day seven days-a-week. We are constantly working to anticipate our guests’ needs and this is a great way for us to make the entire hotel experience more convenient,” said Paul Brown, President of Global Brands and Commercial Services, Hilton Worldwide.

The Hilton and Doubletree brand’s iPhone and iTouch applications will be available first, and the other brands launching applications during November and December 2009. The new applications enable guests to manage their hotel experience from the palm of their hand and provide the following features:

• Search for hotels nearby via address, city, airport or even GPS mapping
• Make a new hotel reservation at any of Hilton Worldwide’s 3,400 hotels
• View, modify and cancel existing reservations
• Check-in online up to 48 hours in advance for gold and diamond members of the Hilton HHonors frequent-guest program
• Order food and/or services to be available “upon arrival” at the Hilton, Doubletree Embassy Suites and brands
• Redeem points and stays for members of the Hilton HHonors frequent-guest program
• Check point balances for members of the Hilton HHonors frequent-guest program

The announcement comes after Hilton Worldwide has already enjoyed one of the most successful mobile optimized websites in the industry which was launched more than two years ago. In addition, the company has already launched an iPhone application for the Hilton brand in the United Kingdom. Additional markets are being evaluated for mobile applications with a focus on countries such as Germany and Japan that have high concentrations of people who use mobile devices.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our brands are comprised of more than 3,400 hotels in 79 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors.

Editor’s note: Interviews are available with Paul Brown, President of Global Brands and Commercial Services, Hilton Worldwide and Chuck Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Global Online Services, Hilton Worldwide.