BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. / Hilton Hotels Corp. today announced the opening of the 178-room Hilton Garden Inn® Evanston, in Evanston, Ill., representing another addition to the brand's growing collection of more than 100 Hilton Garden Inn hotels across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Winston Hotels owns the newly constructed Hilton Garden Inn Evanston under a licensing agreement with Hilton Inns Inc., the franchising subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corp. Meristar Hotels and Resorts Inc. manages the hotel.

"We are excited to enter the community of Evanston as Hilton Garden Inn is quickly becoming the trusted brand that provides each guest with what they need in convenient locations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico," said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president - brand management, Hilton Garden Inn for Hilton Hotels Corp. "The opening of our brand's sixth Chicago area hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston, exemplifies our growing commitment to providing a contemporary mid-priced hotel product in many Chicagoland communities."

A high-rise, six-story structure, the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston features: the Pavilion Pantry® convenience mart with a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items, and sundries; the Great American Grill® restaurant, offering freshly prepared breakfast; a comfortable lounge area with a television and fireplace; six meeting rooms with 4,300 square feet of flexible meeting space; a 24-hour complimentary business center; and an on-site laundry facility.

Guest room accommodations and features include: a hospitality center with a microwave oven, coffee maker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hair dryer; and an iron and ironing board. In-room entertainment and information services include on-demand movies, video games and interactive Hilton guest services.

Business-oriented features of the guest rooms include: a spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a portable computer; high-speed Internet access; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with two lines, data ports and voice mail.

Recreational facilities consist of a fitness room, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool. The beaches and parks of Lake Michigan are just blocks away. Tennis courts and golf courses also are nearby.

"The Hilton Garden Inn Evanston offers the best location for both the leisure and business traveler," said Michael Ginter, hotel general manager. "The hotel is steps away from world-renowned Northwestern University and is the perfect choice for travelers visiting friends or relatives at the school. Business travelers also will find the hotel accommodating with our six meeting rooms and close proximity to major corporations such as Rotary International Headquarters."

Members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program can earn Points & Miles(TM) for every qualifying stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston. HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to Double Dip® by simultaneously accumulating both hotel points and airline miles with each qualifying stay.

Hilton HHonors® provides more rewarding choices than ever before with more than 70 major airline, car rental and other travel-related companies.

Hilton Garden Inn developments represent one of the cornerstones of Hilton's franchise growth strategy. More than 200 Hilton Garden Inn properties are currently open or under development in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The Hilton Garden Inn Evanston address is 1818 Maple Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201; phone 847/475-6400; fax 847/475-6460. The hotel is situated east of Interstate 94 at the intersection of Maple Avenue and University Place, just 13 miles from both O'Hare International and downtown Chicago.

Hilton Hotels Corp. is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises approximately 1,900 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties.

Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad(TM), Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Harrison Conference Centers®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Company®, Homewood Suites® by Hilton, and Red Lion Hotels & Inns®.

To find out more about Hilton Garden Inn hotels or make reservations, visit the Web site at www.hiltongardeninn.com or call 1-800-HILTONS from the U.S. and Canada.

Jeanne Datz Rice
Hilton Hotels Corporation Communications
+1 310 205-4545