DoubleTree by Hilton and Vail Resorts Announce the Planned Opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge for the 2011-12 Ski Season

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo., July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilton Worldwide and Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) are pleased to announce the signing of a franchise license agreement for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Breckenridge, Colo. Currently the Great Divide Lodge, the hotel conversion project will proudly open as the DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge in late 2011 following refurbishment and upgrades. It will be the first DoubleTree by Hilton mountain resort hotel located just steps away from the ski lifts in the United States and the 14th DoubleTree by Hilton property in Colorado.

"DoubleTree by Hilton is excited to introduce another outstanding hotel project in Colorado, this time in Breckenridge – one of the world's most renowned Rocky Mountain destinations filled with four outstanding seasons of recreational fun," said Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton.  "This project with the fantastic team at Vail Resorts underscores the unlimited opportunity for our brand to bring outstanding DoubleTree by Hilton destinations to a variety of incredible leisure travel destinations around the world."

DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge will offer 208 guest rooms, nine conference rooms, a business center, a fitness center, the 9600 Grill & Restaurant, an indoor pool, hot tubs, and a full service sports shop with equipment rental (winter only). With Breckenridge ski resort being one of the most popular mountain resorts in the U.S., the hotel is perfectly situated just steps away from the ski lifts of the Peak 9 base area, and is located just two blocks from historic Main Street Breckenridge. The planned opening for the hotel is just in time for Breckenridge's 50th Anniversary season.

Jeff Jones, co-president and chief financial officer of Vail Resorts, said: "We are thrilled to bring the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to Breckenridge. This agreement allows us to combine a classic hotel in a terrific location at the slopes of Breckenridge Mountain, one of the top ski resorts in the United States, with the DoubleTree by Hilton brand's fast-growing network that spans more than 250 hotel and resort locations in the world. With expanded customer reach through the Hilton HHonors® guest loyalty program, we expect the hotel and Breckenridge ski resort to benefit significantly from this new partnership."

DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at the brand's more than 250 DoubleTree by Hilton locations around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand's legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors® guest loyalty program; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

For more information on DoubleTree by Hilton, please contact your local travel professional or visit the brand's website at www.doubletree.com.  

About Vail Resorts

Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resort properties of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone mountain resorts in Colorado, and the Heavenly Ski Resort and Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties across the United States and in the Caribbean. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.  

About Breckenridge

With four huge peaks, 2,358 acres, five terrain parks, two half pipes, eight bowls, the highest chairlift in North America, the Gold Runner Coaster, and an authentic, hip mountain town with awe-inspiring views, Breckenridge definitely stands out from the rest.  Our authentic, Colorado town has over 200 restaurants, bars, and shops, so you're destined to find a good time in this unique, yet casual atmosphere.  Join us this winter for our 50th Anniversary, where celebrations, promotions and fun will abound all season-long! www.breckenridge.com/

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels 

With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 250 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve.  Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors® guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 60,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveler feel human again.

To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com.  Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and 615,000 rooms in 84 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.  For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

SOURCE Vail Resorts, Inc.