Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya welcomes first guests.

LONDON & MOSCOW, Aug 26, 2008 – Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) has announced the launch of its first property in Russia, with the debut of the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya - the first of three different Hilton family hotel brands expected to open in the country this year. Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, which is owned by JSC Sadko Hotel, will be operated under a franchise agreement with Hilton and managed on behalf of the owning company by a subsidiary of Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

Welcoming the opening of the hotel, Wolfgang M. Neumann, President of Hilton Hotels Europe, said: “This marks an exciting and historic occasion for us at Hilton, with the opening of our first ever property in Russia. As one of the world’s fastest growing cities, Moscow presents us with a real opportunity for substantial expansion for the Hilton brand in the years to come across the region.”

Neumann added: “”We are delighted to expand our partnership with Interstate outside of the US for the first time and look forward to working together to establish this unique property as one of the leading hotels in Moscow, enabling guests to experience Hilton’s unique brand of hospitality.”

Considered one of the Russian capital’s key landmark buildings, the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya is one of seven famous ‘Stalin’ towers that define the Moscow skyline. Originally constructed in 1954, the hotel retains many of its historic features and architecture, and is complimented by crisp modern design as part of a complete refurbishment of all public areas and guest rooms. From lavish bronze chandeliers and lion statues, to carved wooden ceiling panels and stain glass windows, Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya’s interior space has been designed to reflect the hotel’s grand history. The modern interior has been finished using a combination of oak and redwood, along with granite, marble and Russia’s famous red Shokshinsky quartzite throughout, whilst the building’s impressive Stalinist façade has been carefully restored.

Located next to Moscow’s Garden Ring and a short walk from the city’s main Leningradskaya train station, Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya is within easy access to the city’s famous Red Square making it a great option for exploring Moscow’s historic landmarks. The hotel is only 30 kilometres from Sheremetyevo International Airport.

“The Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya represents an exciting chapter in our growth story,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president – brand management, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to continued growth in this region and throughout the continent.”

Spread over 28 floors, the hotel has 273 modern rooms, including 39 executive rooms, which provide guests with spectacular panoramic views across the city. The well appointed rooms offer the very latest in in-room technology including individual climate control, LCD flat screen televisions, as well as high-speed and Wi-Fi internet access. The hotel also has five beautifully furnished historical suites as well as a luxurious three-room Presidential Suite.

Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya’s signature gourmet restaurant offers the very best in Russian and international cuisine, whilst its stylish lobby lounge and Leningrad bar provide the perfect retreat for guests. For those looking to relax and unwind, a state-of-the-art health and fitness club provides a range of facilities including a fully equipped Hilton fitness by Precor gym, an indoor swimming pool and beauty salon and spa.

The hotel’s business centre offers 24 hour business support facilities as well as six fully equipped meeting rooms and a grand ballroom - making the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya the ideal choice for meeting and conference needs.

The opening of Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya heralds the start of HHC’s plans to develop rapidly across Russia, not only focusing on Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also actively looking at opportunities in key regional cities. The company has announced plans to debut its mid-priced brand Hilton Garden Inn in the Russian city of Perm as well as its first Doubletree by Hilton property in Novosibirsk, both expected to open by the end of the year. The hotel in Novosibirsk represents the first hotel to open as part of a significant development alliance with London & Regional Properties Limited to introduce 25 hotels in Russia over the next five to seven years, encompassing selected brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels, including Conrad®, Hilton®, Doubletree by Hilton™, Hilton Garden Inn™ and Hampton by Hilton™ hotels.

Neumann elaborated: “We are entering into Russia at a pivotal time in its economic development.  Improved accessibility from key feeder markets such as Western Europe and the US combined with increased wealth and mobility of domestic travellers are certainly key factors for this growth. To cater for this we anticipate that we could see more than 70 Hilton Family hotels across Russia over the next ten years.”

Hilton has named Russia as one of its key development regions, joining the UK & Ireland, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Germany, Turkey and Poland as core strategic areas for the introduction of the Hilton Family of hotels in Europe. In addition to the three new Russian properties, HHC expects to introduce a further eight new hotels across mainland Europe in 2008, including a ‘re-launch’ of the renowned Rome Cavalieri hotel, which is expected to re-open its doors under The Waldorf=Astoria Collection banner next month.
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Notes to Editors

About Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Interstate Hotels & Resorts has ownership interests in 55 hotels and resorts, including seven wholly owned assets.  Together with these properties, the company and its affiliates manage a total of 222 hospitality properties with nearly 46,000 rooms in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada and Ireland.  Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has contracts to manage 15 to be built hospitality properties with approximately 3,550 rooms.  For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company’s website www.ihrco.com.

About Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in more than 74 countries, including 135,000 team members worldwide.  The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hiltonâ, Conrad Hotels & Resortsâ, Doubletreeâ, Embassy Suites Hotelsâ, Hampton Innâ, Hampton Inn & Suitesâ, Hilton Garden Innâ, Hilton Grand Vacationsâ, Homewood Suites by Hiltonâ 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 nine brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of
kindness and generosity.

For more information about our company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com, and to learn more about our be hospitable philosophy, please visit www.behospitable.com

Media Enquiries:
Hilton Family of Hotels (Europe)
Nicola McShane                                               Iain Wearmouth
Director of Communications Europe                Communications Manager Europe
Tel: +44 (0)207 856 8077                                Tel: +44 (0)207 856 8547