Sporting helicopter hats in honor of the hotel’s airport location and snipping a grand opening garden ribbon with a pair of hedge clippers are: Gerry Chase, president and COO New Castle Hotels and Resorts, Roy Williams Deputy Director Portland Airport, Ed Suslovic Portland City Councilman, Shannon Moore General Manager Hilton Garden Inn Portland Airport,Bruce Wennerstrom, Regional Vice President New Castle Hotels & Resorts, Dave Lutz, Vice President Portfolio Management Rockbridge. — Photo by New Castle

Officials with New Castle Hotels & Resorts unveiled the $6 million, 36-room expansion

and renovation of the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Airport in Portland, Maine, with a vine cutting ceremony and community gardening event at the nearby Masonic Learning Center.

"With 36 additional hotel rooms and a 'roots to fruit' renovation of the existing 88

rooms and public spaces, the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Airport is in full bloom, ready to meet the growing needs of the Portland market and the expanded international Jetport," said Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels and Resorts, which operates the hotel.

The hotel is owned by Rockbridge and is one of three Maine hotels owned by

Rockbridge and managed by New Castle.

The Hilton Garden Inn "Project Grow" lobby redesign creates a garden party feel that

invites lingering over a drink at the hotel's Garden Grille and bar, gathering with friends or relaxing with a good book. This indoor oasis is highlighted by cabana draperies, pendant lighting and lanterns in the atrium, extensive interior and exterior plantings and a garden cart of food and drinks. Communal breakfast and bar tables, along with comfortable, patio-style furnishings, give guests a place to gather and mingle.

The Hilton Garden Inn Portland Jetport is adjacent to the international airport and offers

124 new and completely renovated guest rooms, a heated indoor pool and hot tub, 800 square feet of meeting space, a 24-hour business center and a newly upgraded lobby, featuring the brand's Garden Grille and bar, serving breakfast, cocktails and dinner daily. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to the airport and downtown Portland, as well as in-room WiFi.

Portland International Jetport's $65 million expansion nearly doubled the size of the

state's largest airport and helped bring Southwest Airlines, the largest domestic carrier in the U.S., to the state. The Jetport continues to explore additional routes and airlines, while providing the comfort, convenience and passenger services expected by today's travelers.

About New Castle Hotels and Resorts

New Castle Hotels & Resorts (NCHR) is a fully integrated, industry-recognized hospitality investment, development and management company with a 40+ year track record of executing complex operational turnarounds, new construction and historic redevelopments. NCHR's current portfolio is architecturally and geographically unique, encompassing premium select-serve, full-service and resort properties in the U.S. and Canada, representing many of the world's leading brands. NCHR was founded in 1980 by David Buffam and is based in Ridgefield, Conn. For more information about the company, visit www.newcastlehotels.com or connect on social media at https://www.facebook.com/NewCastleHotelsResorts/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-castle-hotels-&-resorts/.