ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Hilton Hotels (NYSE:HLT) announced today the opening of its newest property, the Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park, an upscale hotel combining unique art and attentive hospitality in St. Petersburg's rapidly expanding Carillon Park business district. In keeping with the cultural and arts resurgence that St. Petersburg is experiencing, the 227-room hotel's design echoes the work of local and international artists, including Salvador Dali. In fact, the Salvador Dali Museum serves as the hotel's gift shop. The hotel's lounge and restaurant also features a lighted glass sculpture designed by the renowned Seattle-based artist Dale Chihuly.

The Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park is owned and operated by Hobbs & Curry Family Limited Partnership, under a franchise license agreement with Hilton Inns, Inc., a franchising subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corporation. The hotel is managed by Heartland Hotel Company.

"The new Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park offers this growing region a thoroughly modern level of luxury and amenities set against a striking, contemporary design," said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president, brand management, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "With a high level of personal service and sumptuous accommodations, the Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park is destined to become one of the premiere hotels for leisure and business travelers to the area."

Each of the 227 guestrooms, which includes 49 suites, is furnished with the new Hilton Serenity Bed, which features the Serta Suite Dreams(R) mattress and box springs, Pacific Coast(R) down duvet, Super Topper mattress pads, and high-quality linens and pillows. All rooms also have the Hilton Serenity Bath Collection, featuring the exclusive Crabtree & Evelyn line of La Source(R) bath amenities, and the easy-to-set Hilton Family alarm clock with MP3 player connectivity.

The hotel offers complimentary high-speed wireless (WiFi) and wired internet in most guestrooms and public areas, and a state-of-the-art business center. For recreation and fitness, guests can use the outdoor pool, invigorating fitness center and water-view walking trail. The hotel offers the Hilton Eat Right menu, offering health-conscious diners delicious and nutritionally-balanced meal options. Other features of the hotel include the delightful three-meal Salvador's restaurant and lounge, and complimentary shuttle service to Tampa and St. Petersburg International Airports and area businesses.

The hotel offers over 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, which includes a 9,600 square foot ballroom, executive board rooms and breakout rooms. Guests staying in the hotel's Executive Floor are offered complimentary breakfast for two and evening cocktail reception in the private Executive Lounge, which offers panoramic views of the city of Tampa Bay.

Travelers staying at this hotel have the opportunity to participate in the Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program, allowing guests to earn both hotel points and airline miles for the same stay at more than 2,700 hotels worldwide.

GETTING THERE
The new Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park is located at 950 Lake Carillon Drive, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716. The hotel is five minutes from the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport and 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport, and close to such major corporations as Raymond James Financial, Certegy, Jabil Circuits, Xerox, Allstate, Home Shopping Network, DANKA Business Systems, Aegon, Franklin Templeton, Catalina Marketing and Brighthouse. Phone: 727-540-0050. For more information or to make reservations, contact Hilton Reservations Worldwide at 1-800-445-8667 or visit .

ABOUT HILTON HOTELS
Hilton Hotels has been and continues to be a pioneering innovator in the full-service hospitality segment, with a name that is synonymous with excellence in hospitality and respected throughout the world. Hilton celebrates the accomplishment, enlightenment, renewal and celebration that travel enables. This commitment to personal guest achievement influences all decisions about products, programs and amenities, and is underscored by the belief that travel can and should be transformative. Each unique Hilton Hotel was specially built to reflect the sense of place of its location and each team member chosen to reflect a commitment and support of the local culture and community. To explore all that Hilton has to offer, please visit .

Kendra Walker
Hilton Hotels Corporation Brand Communications
310/205-4545
Hilton