Crestline Hotels & Resorts Appoints Craig L. Hillyard General Manager for the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

CHICAGO, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. today announced the appointment of Craig L. Hillyard as General Manager for the 357 guestroom Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.   The hotel is located in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, just steps to North Michigan Avenue shops and restaurants.  It also offers 5,727 square feet of flexible meeting space located on the first and 12th floors with spectacular views of Chicago's skyline.

Mr. Hillyard has been with Crestline Hotels & Resorts for more than 10 years and since 2004 as General Manager for the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia.  He brings more than 25 years of hospitality industry management experience to this position, having also been General Manager for the Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place, another Crestline managed hotel, and the Westin Atlanta North, as well as the former Sheraton Colony Square Hotel in midtown Atlanta.  He began his career with ITT Sheraton Corporation, and more recently worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

"Craig's extensive experience and commitment to excellence make him a tremendous asset for the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown," said James Carroll, President & CEO for Crestline Hotels & Resorts.  "Craig's expertise in improving market penetration, revenue enhancement and guest satisfaction, while growing property value for the owner, all make him a dynamic leader," added Carroll.

Mr. Hillyard holds a B.S. in Hotel Administration from James Madison University where he graduated Cum Laude at the top of his class.  He is active in hospitality industry community affairs and is a member of Rotary International.  He can be reached at [email protected].

The Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

The Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown is located at 10 E Grand Avenue in the heart of downtown Chicago. The hotel's 357 guestrooms and suites offer complimentary high-speed Internet access, an in-room hospitality center with microwave, refrigerator and coffeemaker as well as a large work desk with an ergonomic chair.  For relaxation there is an indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, and a 24-hour complimentary business center with secure printing.  For dining, the hotel offers The Weber Grill, serving freshly prepared breakfasts, lunch and dinner, as well as the Pavilion Pantry which offers a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items perfect for in-room preparation.

The Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile hotel is 12 miles from Midway Airport and 17 miles from the O'Hare International Airport.  For information and reservations visit online at www.stayhgi.com or call 312-595-0000.

About Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is one of the nation's largest independent hospitality management companies.  Founded in 2000, the company presently manages 48 hotels, resorts and conference and convention centers with nearly 8,800 rooms in 11 states and the District of Columbia.  Crestline Hotels & Resorts manages 10 independent properties in major US markets including Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.  Crestline also manages properties under such well-regarded brands as Marriott, Hilton, Westin, Sheraton, and Crowne Plaza.  For more information visit: www.crestlinehotels.com.

Note: Certain matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Certain, but not necessarily all, of such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology.

SOURCE Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc.