PRESS RELEASE - 2009
Hilton Hotels Corporation Announces Addition Of Three Puerto Rico Resorts To Its Luxury AND Lifestyle Portfolio El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa and El San Juan Hotel & Casino Join the Waldorf Astoria Collection PRESS RELEASE - 2009
Beverly Hills, California (February 24, 2009) - Hilton Hotels Corporation announces the addition of three of some of Puerto Rico's most renowned luxury hotels to the company's luxury and lifestyle brands portfolio. El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa and El San Juan Hotel & Casino join the Waldorf Astoria Collection on Feb. 24, 2009 and April 7, 2009 respectively, while Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino will be welcomed by Conrad Hotels & Resorts on March 12, 2009. These newest additions mark each brand's debut in the Caribbean and demonstrate Hilton's commitment to the expansion of its luxury and lifestyle brands into key markets worldwide.
Sprawling across a cliff top high above the sea, El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa joins the Waldorf Astoria Collection today. Spread over 500 acres of lush tropical landscape in the quaint fishing village of Los Croabas, the lavish resort comprises a grand hotel of unique villages designed to combine tranquility with ultimate luxury. The resort overlooks the converging waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and is 31 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico and the international airport. Upon completion of a $120 million property-wide renovation in 2008, El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Waldorf Astoria Collection boasts a complete redesign to all 750 guestrooms and suites, the recently opened Coqui Water Park, an outpost of famed NYC steakhouse Strip House and the addition of the 21,090-square-foot Grand Atlantic Ballroom, bringing the resort's total meeting and event space to over 100,000 square feet. This luxury getaway is complemented by Las Casitas Village, an intimate resort within a resort, with luxury villas, a secluded infinity pool, tropical spa services and personalized 24-hour butler service for guests and families seeking a higher level of privacy and pampering.
For the perfect escape, the beachfront El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Waldorf Astoria Collection features an array of recreation activities including an Arthur Hills 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course, Golden Door Spa - the Caribbean's largest spa with 25 treatment rooms, seven freshwater swimming pools and private Palomino Island for sunbathing, water sports, horseback riding and more. A 9,500-square-foot circular world-class casino, seven tennis courts, fitness center, retail shops and a 25-slip private marina offering deep-sea fishing charters, sailboats, catamarans, and yachts are also available, while dining options seem limitless with nearly 20 onsite restaurants and cafes.
Dramatically set on one of Puerto Rico's most picturesque beaches in the fashionable Isla Verde district just five minutes from the international airport, the El San Juan Hotel & Casino has long been considered one of the Caribbean's leading hotel and casino properties. On April 7, 2009, the renowned hotel joins the Waldorf Astoria Collection following a $52 million renovation completed in 2007. With 382 guest rooms and meeting spaces designed by Robert Barry of Barry Design and an alluring pool and beachside experience - Encanto Beach Club, by acclaimed architect Stephane Dupoux - the El San Juan Hotel & Casino offers an exciting and vibrant escape.
The El San Juan Hotel & Casino, The Waldorf Astoria Collection?s chic elegance is exquisitely revealed in all guest rooms and bath elements combining energy, comfort, and pleasure. Outdoors, the hotel invites guests to a seductive poolside experience at the Encanto Beach Club, a social setting featuring 24 canopied, double-sided daybeds along the shoreline, three private cabanas, 25 versatile lounging pods, hammocks, swings, a swim-up bar, and more. An elegant Edouard de Paris Day Spa is a full-service peaceful oasis with five treatment rooms. A 16,500-square-foot casino delivers a warm, friendly atmosphere with elegant opulence, while eight award-winning restaurants present a delicious array of culinary delights. After a great meal, guests can relax with beverages and live music in one of the resort's bars, lounges or nightclubs, including the Lobby Bar consisting of The Gold Bar, The Silver Bar and The Blue Bar, each with its own attitude.
Additional amenities at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino, The Waldorf Astoria Collection include 35,000 square feet of versatile event space, including 14 rooms and unique outdoor spaces, business center with Internet access, complimentary children's activities, rooftop fitness center, and La Galeria, an air-conditioned shopping arcade.
In addition to the El San Juan Hotel & Casino, The Waldorf Astoria Collection also operates ten other properties - seven in the United States, comprising the inspiration for the brand, the legendary Waldorf Astoria in New York; Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona; Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa in Maui, Hawaii, the Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club, the Naples Grande Beach Resort and The Reach Resort, Florida and La Quinta Resort & Club in Southern California. Internationally it operates the 46-suite Qasr Al Sharq or "Palace of the Orient" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Rome Cavalieri, and most recently the Trianon Palace in Versailles which joined the collection in December 08.
The company is also developing Waldorf Astoria Collection hotels and residences in key cities around the world and next year expects to launch the Dakota Mountain Lodge, The Waldorf Astoria Collection (Park City, Utah) and The Bentley, The Waldorf Astoria Collection (London), as well as The Boca Resort & Club, The Waldorf Astoria Collection (Boca Raton Florida) and the legendary The Roosevelt, The Waldorf Astoria Collection (New Orleans). The Palace Jerusalem, The Waldorf Astoria Collection (Israel) is expected to open in 2010.
Ideally located on San Juan's upmarket Condado strip, the renovated Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino is a welcome addition to the Conrad line of hotels and resorts. The Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza will debut on March 12, 2009 showing off a $70 million dollar redesign completed in 2008 which included an intensive refurbishment of all rooms, public areas, an impressive new lobby, and 40,000 square feet of meeting space. Just 15 minutes from the international airport, this sleek and contemporary urban oceanfront hotel has the distinction of being the only hotel to overlook both the Atlantic Ocean and the tranquil Condado Lagoon.
All 570 guest rooms, designed by Leo Daly have undergone dramatic transformations, merging plush comforts with seamless technology. Each room offers a private balcony with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean or Condado Lagoon, and the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza's Laguna and Ocean Wing accommodations offer large, luxurious suites. For lovers of fine cuisine, the resort includes a wide array of internationally flavored restaurants, including Gusto de Italia, Eight Noodle Bar, and Varita. The Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza also offers an abundance of upscale amenities and services, including a recently redesigned fitness center, poolside massages, two clay tennis courts, a secluded beach, three outdoor swimming pools, and an electrifying 24-hour casino, the largest in Puerto Rico.
This addition is the latest international expansion for Conrad Hotels & Resorts, which currently operates 17 properties worldwide. These include four in the Americas - the Conrad Chicago, Conrad Indianapolis, Conrad Miami and Conrad Punta Del Este Resort & Casino, eight in Asia Pacific - the Conrad Bali, Conrad Bangkok, Conrad Centennial Singapore, Conrad Hong Kong, Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Conrad Tokyo and Conrad Treasury Brisbane, four in Europe - the Conrad Brussels, Conrad Dublin, Conrad Istanbul and Mount Juliet Conrad, Ireland and one in the Middle East - the Conrad Cairo.
Future developments for the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand span major US cities as well as gateway business and resort destinations around the globe and include future properties in Shanghai, Koh Samui, Dubai and Beijing, amongst others. These additions will substantially increase the brand portfolio by 2010, accelerating Conrad's growth as one of the most significant luxury hotel brands in the world.
Ross Klein, Global Head, Luxury & Lifestyle Brands, Hilton Hotels Corporation commented: "Puerto Rico is a classic luxury destination for those seeking adventure and relaxation, and we're delighted to be expanding our key luxury brands into this rapidly booming market. Conrad Hotels & Resorts represent a growing global worldwide network, while the Waldorf Astoria Collection blends signature elements from each indigenous location with authentic luxury experiences - each brand offers something unique to this beautiful natural destination, and we look forward to extending our signature guest experiences to Puerto Rico."
For additional information or reservations visit www.waldorfastoriacollection.com or www.conradhotels.com.
All properties are now part of the wider Hilton Family network, including the Worldwide Reservations Network and the Global Distribution System, making it easier for guests to access reservations information. Each property will also participate in Hilton HHonors, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates.
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