Hospitality Net

The video iPod® provides a number of innovative opportunities for Homewood Suites in employee training, sales communications and performance coaching. The iPod’s® portability, flexibility and simple to use technology will provide ongoing updates to employees, creating a simple, easy-to-use training method. The video iPods supplement an already robust training curriculum offered to the hotel team members by the Homewood Suites brand. Depending on the size of the property, each Homewood Suites will receive two or three iPods, as well as a protective case for each device, belt clips and lanyards, earbuds , power adapters and conversion kit so the iPod® content can also be used in large classroom settings. The iPods® will be loaded with all applicable training materials for immediate use upon receipt at the hotel. The video iPods, designed by Apple® are 30GB and have 14 hours of playback with rechargeable lithium batteries.

Rebecca Wyatt, senior vice president of brand management, was especially ecstatic to make this announcement. She noted that, “This project is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of a popular and stylish piece of technology, using the iPod’s® excellent functionality to advance the way in which Homewood Suites conducts its employee training. The video iPod’s® portability and user-friendly technology will provide ongoing, up-to-the-minute updates that can be downloaded easily by our hotels.”

Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has 195 hotels open with another 120 in the pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, Homewood Suites guests can find at each hotel an on-site Suite Shopâ convenience store, exercise facility and guest laundry at most locations. Guests can also enjoy a daily complimentary Suite Start® hot breakfast and a Welcome HomeÒ reception featuring a complimentary light meal and beverages Monday-Thursday evenings. † Additional guest services at Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels include a complimentary grocery shopping service* and a complete business center at most locations.

To make reservations at a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel, travelers can visit the Homewood Suites Web site at www.homewoodsuites.com or call 1-800-CALL-HOMEâ. Homewood Suites participates in the Hilton HHonorsâ guest reward program, which allows its members to Double Dipâ by simultaneously accumulating both hotel points and airline miles with each qualifying stay.

Homewood Suites by Hilton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) a leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,900 hotels and 500,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 105,000 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®.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton’s philosophy that, “It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.” The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all 10 brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

Hilton Hotels Corporation’s sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team will extend through the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, and includes the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team(s) and the 2007 U.S. Pan-Am Team.