Celebrating 100 Years of Hilton

Did you know Hilton is 100 years old? I was invited to be a part of Hilton’s anniversary festivities in San Antonio on the Riverwalk. Not only was it such a joy to be a part of such a historical celebration, it was also fun seeing the Hilton team filled with so much pride.

Hilton Worldwide is a multinational, hospitality company that manages a portfolio of hotels and resorts. On May 31, 2019, Hilton celebrated its 100^th anniversary and they did so by debuting 2 new philanthropic programs. The Hilton Effect Foundation “will fund projects around the world led by our teams and nonprofit partners that are having a positive impact on our communities.”

These programs include Hilton Effect Grants, Room 702 Award and Disaster Relief. The Random Acts of Hospitality Service Initiative is designed to encourage Hilton employees around the world to engage in “meaningful, simple” acts of kindness in local communities. Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton said “100 years ago, our founder Conrad Hilton had a noble idea: that travel can make the world a better place.

That deep-rooted sense of purpose has fueled our transformative impact on people and communities all across the globe, as we have welcomed 3 billion guests, employed 10 million Team Members and contributed $1 trillion in economic impact.”

As of June 3, 2019, Hilton Worldwide has approximately 5,700 properties, with approximately 923,000 rooms, in 113 countries and territories. Hilton Worldwide features 17 world-class brands, including 5 full-service hotels, 4 focused-service hotels, 3 all-suite hotels, 2 lifestyle hotels, 2 luxury hotels and 1 vacation resort.

Brief History of Hilton:

May 31, 1919- Hilton was founded by Conrad Hilton when he purchased his first hotel- The Mobley- in Cisco, Texas. Conrad Hilton was born on December 25, 1887 in San Antonio, New Mexico. He passed away, at the age of 91, on January 3, 1979 in Santa Monica, California.

1925- Dallas Hilton was the 1^st hotel to use the Hilton name.

1947- Roosevelt Hilton, in New York City, was the world’s 1^st hotel to have televisions in the guest rooms.

1949- Hilton opens its 1^st international hotel- Caribe Hotel- in Puerto Rico.

1954- Hilton purchases the Statler Hotel Chain for $111 million dollars, making it the largest real estate deal in history, at the time.

1959- Hilton opened its 1^st airport hotel- Hilton San Francisco Airport.

1965- Hilton started franchising hotels in the U.S.

1973- Hilton launches the industry’s most sophisticated computerized hotel reservation system, HILTRON.

1987- Hilton Honors, Hilton’s guest loyalty program, launches.

1995- Hilton launches its 1^st website, www.hilton.com.

2003- By 2003, all Hilton brand hotels feature complimentary high-speed internet access.

2009- Hilton’s global headquarters is relocated from Beverly Hills, California to Tysons Corner, Virginia.

2009- Hilton launches its 1^st mobile app.

There are approximately 275 hotels throughout San Antonio and about 43 of those are Hilton-brand hotels and resorts.

100^th Anniversary Celebration Participating San Antonio Hotels:

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel San Antonio Airport

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Brooks Hotel and Spa

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio NW I-10

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites San Antonio Downtown/Market Square

Hampton Inn & Suites San Antonio Lackland AFB SeaWorld

Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Airport

Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Hotel at the Rim

Hilton Palacio del Rio

Hilton San Antonio Hill Country

Homewood Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport

Homewood Suites by Hilton San Antonio Northwest

The Emily Morgan San Antonio DoubleTree Hotel

Disclosure: I was invited by Hilton Palacio del Rio to be the social media influencer of the event. Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.