Homewood's Top Award Goes to Homewood Suites Louisville-East

Brand's Annual Conference Pays Tribute to Exceptional Service

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. March 03, 2009

MEMPHIS, TN, March 2, 2009 - Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of all-suite, residential-style hotels, today announced the list of team members and hotels honored with awards at the brand's 20th annual conference in San Diego, Calif. last week. Ninety hotels were recognized in 12 different categories among the brand's more than 260 hotels for their exemplary customer service, adherence to Homewood Suites values, and leadership within the industry.

Homewood Suites' top award, The Connie Pride Hotel of the Year, recognizes the hotel that excels on key components, including: quality assurance audits measuring cleanliness, condition and brand standards; and customer scores rating staff service and the quality of the hotel's physical accommodations. This year's 2008 Pride Award winner is Homewood Suites Louisville-East, Ky., led by General Manager, Audra Axtell and Director of Sales, Coleen Kempf.

"In this down economy, top-notch customer service, targeted sales strategies and efficient hotel operations become even more important to the success of our individual hotels and our brand as a whole," said Bill Duncan, Global Head of Brand Management, Homewood Suites by Hilton. "Homewood Suites takes pride in outrageously pleasing our guests and we congratulate these top performers with our brand's highest honors."

Top Homewood Suites team members and hotels in select categories include:

General Manager:

Karen Rosenstrom, - Jacksonville - South/St. Johns Center, Fla.

Director of Sales:

Randy Nathan - Jacksonville - South/St. Johns Center, Fla.

Highest Extended-Stay:

Portsmouth, N.H.

Beth Curry, general manager

Amy Amirault, director of sales

Front Desk Team:

Columbus - Worthington, Ohio

Rose Gacias, general manager

Engineering Team:

Birmingham - South/Inverness, Ala.

Marshall Killingsworth, chief engineer

Gayle Wilkinson, general manager

Complimentary Services Team:

Jacksonville - South/St. Johns Center, Fla.

Karen Rosenstrom, general manager

Suitekeeping Team:

Homewood Suites by Hilton(R) at The Waterfront, Wichita, Kansas

Maria Medrano and Maria Renteria, executive suitekeepers

Shana Hill, general manager

Top New Hotel Performance:

San Diego - Airport/Liberty Station, Calif.

Rick Brown, general manager

The brand's annual conference gives general managers and sales directors the opportunity to participate in a variety of intensive training programs, including sessions on revenue management, food and beverage, and sales/marketing. Additionally, networking breaks and other team-building activities help to unify the brand voice and allow for individuals to share ideas, express best practices, and learn about unique programs.

Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has more than 260 hotels open with approximately 130 in the development pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, additional guest features include an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, complimentary grocery shopping services*, a complete business center, and laundry services at most locations.

The innovative brand is a guest favorite among both business and leisure travelers, consistently taking the top spot on key satisfaction studies. Homewood Suites by Hilton has been named "Best Value Hotel Chain" by Zagat Survey for three consecutive years (2007-2009); was awarded Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Extended-Stay Hotel Chains in J.D. Power & Associates 2008 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM**; and placed number one in the Upscale Extended Stay Hotel category in Business Travel News 2008 hotels rankings by corporate travel buyers.

*Guest pays for groceries. Other restrictions apply.