Hilton Atlanta Unveils New Look After Multi-Million Dollar Transformation

November 10,2009

An icon for more than three decades, and the 3rd largest hotel in downtown Atlanta, the Hilton Atlanta has completed a major transformation and renovation offering meeting planners a fresh new product in one of America’s most affordable cities.

The 30-story tower, located at 225 Courtland Street – in the heart of downtown Atlanta has completed a transformation which included all 1,242 guestrooms and suites, as well as the lobby and atrium areas, 119,000 square feet of meeting space, food and beverage outlets, and fitness facilities.

According to Tradeshow Week, Atlanta has topped the list for the second year in a row as one of the most affordable U.S. cities to host tradeshows. And with today’s economic concerns, affordability is on meeting planners and business executive’s minds. The Hilton Atlanta’s fresh new look offers organizations a perfect option to continue to conduct business, network and exchange ideas in a city and area that offers affordable pricing while still providing first class accommodations, technically updated facilities and flexible meeting space.

A bridge to new opportunities

A new sky bridge was created that connects the Atlanta Hilton with the neighboring Marriott Marquis Hotel so that meeting attendees can easily access the facilities at both downtown Atlanta hotels. The skybridge is the first of its kind in downtown Atlanta as it allows a combined sales effort between two seemingly competitor hotels.

Soaring 20’ high above Courtland Street between Harris and Baker Streets, the expansive 107’ long, 8’ wide bridge promises planners and attendees a seamless convention experience. The new access provides a combined 279,000 square feet of meeting space and 2,800 rooms all under one roof in the center of one of the most desirable and accessible convention destinations.

The creation of the new sky bridge adds an architectural element from the street and also creates a new sense of entry to the Atlanta Hilton. Now guests may enter from the newly designed porte cochere on the street level or from the sky bridge directly into the second story of the atrium, which is also the ballroom level of the Hilton Atlanta.

A new sense of arrival

The atrium itself has become a true focal point for the hotel with its intricate stone floor that blends beige and gold with taupe accents. The floor dazzles with its polished and honed finishes. Encircling the atrium is a freestanding colonnade of split faced stone capped with millwork and a new dramatic pendant light fixture that helps to articulate the volume of the space. The elevator cabs have been refreshed with a combination of dark-stained woods and metal mesh on the walls, carpeting for softness, and glass fronts so that guests can enjoy the atrium view as they ascend the building.

In addition, there are three newly renovated sky lounges in the hotel. These areas are now furnished with soft seating, as well as chairs with tablet arms, so that guests can use this interstitial space to work or socialize.

In the lobby, visitors are greeted from a newly redesigned front desk that will provide more opportunities for greater interaction with each guest. The desk is dramatically lit by pendant lighting with a fabric-drum shade. The lobby itself is defined with two zones as guests are led through these areas by the floor finishes. The reception area features a striking granite floor, area rugs and a lounge area which is carpeted. Existing columns are re-clad in brushed silver and wrapped with metal accents to create a sleek and contemporary look.

Offering inviting and comforting guest rooms

Perfect for the individual business traveler, conventioneer, couple or group attendee, the hotel’s newly renovated king guest rooms are designed for a serene and inviting stay. With 1,242 newly renovated guest rooms, designers have combined function and form to create a comfortable space designed for a serene and inviting stay.

Each guestroom features new soft goods and carpeting in these rich tones as well a new workstation that includes an oval desk/credenza with a pull-out nesting return area and a Herman Miller ergonomic chair. The rooms are decorated with contemporary ebony wood tones set against warm earth tone colors and cranberry accents. Each guest room offers a luxurious Hilton Serenity bed, a 32" HD LCD TV and WiFi access.

The bathrooms have been upgraded with new granite vanities and pendant lighting. The guest suites have also been upgraded with new furnishings, lounge seating and additional walk-in closet space. Guests indulge in the Serenity Bath™ which features Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source® bath amenities and all the comforts of home. The corridors invoke a similar color scheme with chocolate-brown door drops and frames painted to match, which provides a rich contrast to the ‘rice paper’ textured wall covering in a light camel tone.

The South - A Cooking Style, A Service Style, A Lifestyle.

Southern Elements is the full-service restaurant and bar that features traditional Southern Cuisine with a contemporary twist. Guests can have a cocktail while relaxing in the distinguished lobby lounge or catch the latest news and sports on large screen HDTVs. The restaurant décor follows the color palette of the guest rooms adding accents of dark stained wood. To complement the lobby, the dining area incorporates a series of draperies and decorative millwork that acts as a subtle divider to reconfigure the spaces for various events and hotel occupancy. The furnishings are designed for comfort with high back upholstered dining chairs and banquettes.

For the Meal on the Fly. Dine In or Carry Out.

MarketPlace is the new casual, quick-serve café serving gourmet food items, artesian sandwiches and salads, ice cream novelties, half-bottles of wine and premium beers. Open 24 hours, MarketPlace combines lounge furniture and high counters with barstools for comfort and offers Starbucks coffee, as well as convenient meals-to-go that can be used by guests for their flight or drive home.

State-of-the-art meeting space with an eco-friendly option

All 119,000 square feet of flexible function space was updated and coordinated with the new color palette. Cutting-edge technology is featured with touch screen readerboards and built-in screens in the meeting rooms. In addition, a third floor executive conference room center was created by relocating staff offices to the main floor. The move provided an additional 3,000 square feet of meeting space to the facility. The conference center features green initiatives to help reduce the hotel’s environmental impact. The eco-friendly features include using nontoxic and biodegradable cleaning products, recycling plastic, paper and aluminum, and composting food waste. The 18,000 square foot ballroom has also undergone a total transformation with new wall coverings and accessories.

Now completed, Hilton Atlanta is expected to be the premier convention hotel in downtown Atlanta.

About Hilton Atlanta

The Hilton Atlanta hotel offers 1,242 large, comfortable guest rooms and suites designed for comfort and productivity; they feature warm, rich tones and contemporary style. The Hilton Atlanta boasts 55 individual function rooms total 119,000 square feet of flexible function space. The function space is in such close proximity that the flow between a group's meetings, catered events, and breakouts is described as "SMART-FLO™". Guests may enjoy a variety of restaurants and outlets including two award-winning restaurants - Nikolai's Roof and Trader Vic's. Guests can also take advantage of a complete recreational menu including a fitness center with cutting-edge equipment, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor running track, and tennis and basketball courts. For more information, or to book a meeting, please call 404-659-2000, or visit www.atlanta.hilton.com.

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 90 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. Our brands are comprised of more than 3,400 hotels in 79 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, 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, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

Contacts : Hilton Atlanta Rukiya Bey Public Relations & Marketing Manager T: 404.222.2962 M: 404.392.3522 rukiya.bey@hilton.com.