Travelers Staying Closer to Home Enjoy Added Savings This Summer -- Doubletree Hotels(R)...

Travelers Staying Closer to Home Enjoy Added Savings This Summer -- Doubletree Hotels(R) Responds to Growing "Staycation" Trend with Packages and Promotions That Simplify Summer Getaways

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
As gas prices continue to rise and the economy continues to
change, more Americans are opting for shorter-distance travel
alternatives that won't break the bank. According to the Air Transport
Association, an estimated 1.3 percent fewer Americans are expected to
fly this summer versus the same season last year - with many families
choosing to explore local attractions in their hometowns. A wide
variety of value-added packages and amenities that have been designed
by Doubletree(R) Hotels to guarantee that even a 'staycation' or local
area getaway this summer can feel like miles away from home.

"People across America are still finding great places for an
economical summer vacation. This year, it's interesting how many
people are becoming tourists in their own town or region and exploring
some of those great nearby attractions they tend to take for granted,"
said Mary Beth Parks, vice president, brand marketing for Doubletree
Hotels. "With more than 190 hotels and resorts located throughout the
U.S. and Canada, there's always a Doubletree hotel or resort that is
less than a one-tank trip away. Travelers can save the extra travel
time, check in with us, get away from the daily routine at home and
enjoy more valuable time with friends and family - all at a place even
closer to home than they think."

Staycationers can capture those last days of summer fun before
they slip away by enjoying some of the unique leisure travel offerings
available at Doubletree Hotels, including:

-- Bed and Breakfast Package - Travelers will relax with the Bed
and Breakfast package, which includes the luxurious Sweet
Dreams(R) by Doubletree sleep experience and a complimentary
Doubletree Breakfast buffet for up to two adults and two
children (12 and under staying with adult hotel guests in the
same room) each morning.

-- Sweet Romance Getaway - Guests can show a little love this
summer with a Sweet Romance Getaway package which includes
early check-in and late check-out (based on availability), the
welcome of sparkling wine or cider upon arrival and the
blissful convenience of a complimentary breakfast(a).

-- kidsCAREpak(R) - Kids ages three through 12 staying at
participating Doubletree Hotels through Labor Day Weekend will
receive a complimentary welcome gift that brings the energy
and excitement of the Olympics to their family vacations. Kids
can enjoy a colorful sling canvas backpack filled with such
fun activities as hackysacks, flying saucers, coloring books
and crayons and more.

-- Net Direct Rates at doubletree.com - Consumers who make their
plans ahead of time can take advantage of is a great value
offer. Net Direct Rates compete against advance purchase, no
refund products sold on Priceline or Hotwire, with a
requirement of full payment in advance - a great way to save
up to 20 percent at most hotels(b).

Whether guests choose to bask in the sun poolside or simply walk
to and from the numerous attractions nearby, it's worth noting that
Doubletree is the largest hotel brand in the industry to offer
complimentary SPF 30 face lotion by Neutrogena(R) in every guest room.
Some Doubletree hotels are even offering special value-added local
hotel packages that provide discounts and complimentary passes to
local attractions where travelers can stay and play. And so many
guests enjoy the complimentary welcome of a legendary Doubletree
chocolate chip cookie at check-in.

Famed travel expert and author of TheTravelMom.com, Emily Kaufman,
agrees that the staycation trend is smart way to travel. "Consumers
are still eager to take vacations this summer - they are just becoming
more resourceful given gas prices and the current economic climate,"
says Kaufman. "Value-added packages like the ones offered at
Doubletree Hotels provide the perfect opportunity for travelers to
avoid the extra gas expenses, additional baggage charges and long
lines at the airport to enjoy a cost effective vacation."

So just how can travelers enjoy a great summer getaway without
traveling far from home? Kaufman offers her top five tips for
travelers looking to make the most out of their "staycation" below.

-- Surf your local area travel websites - Just as people search
websites for those faraway vacations, even your own city has a
series of travel and visitors bureau sites that provides
detailed lists and information for local attractions. All it
takes is a slightly different way of web surfing for that
summer staycation and consumers can find all sorts of
activities and adventures right in their own backyard.

-- Love The Ones You're With - Whether you're miles from home on
an exotic island or minutes from your own front door, the
memories you create can be just as great. Take the extra time
you get from avoiding the long-haul travel hassles to enjoy
the people you're traveling with. Be sure to take just as many
photos too ... it'll make the emotional ties to your
destination that much stronger.

-- Pick Your Vacation Personality - Make sure that you are
creating vacation opportunities that offer something for
everyone by picking places that match the personality of
people you travel with. For example, do you like to explore
new places with sightseeing, museums and attractions or does
sitting by the pool relaxing with a book fit your family
better? You can easily find all of the above not far from
home.

-- Stop Speeding Ahead And Slow Down- We live in a busy world
with everyone running from one chore or activity to the next
every day. It seems obvious, but sometimes it's hard to remind
ourselves that vacations are a time to slow down, unwind and
spend meaningful time enjoying the company of the ones we
love.

-- Save some energy - Turn off the air conditioner at home and
leave the hospitality to the hoteliers. Even better, choose a
local hotel with a pool to cool off in and enjoy that
refreshing plunge in the pool.

To book a reservation or for more information on Doubletree
packages and promotions, travelers can visit www.doubletree.com and
click on the 'Specials and Packages' section.

About Doubletree Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations
in more than 190 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation
destinations worldwide, Doubletree Hotels, Guest Suites and Resorts
are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to
today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted
hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm
chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the
award-winning Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program, each Doubletree
guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. To
make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers can visit our
website at www.doubletree.com, contact their preferred travel
professional or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada.

(a) Service of alcohol is subject to state and local laws. Must be
of legal drinking age.

(b) Net Direct Rates: Advance Purchase/NonRefundable Rate. Full
payment in advance required. Your credit card will be charged
immediately for entire stay. No refunds for charges, cancellation or
non-arrival on check-in date. Other restrictions may apply. For
complete rules, click here {insert link for Net Direct Rates} or call
1-800-Hiltons.

Doubletree Hotels Media Relations
Thomas Wingham / Erika White
310-205-4545 / 310-205-7805
thomas.wingham@hilton.com /
erika.white@hilton.com
http://www.hiltonworldwide.com
or
Cohn & Wolfe
Elaine Pacheco / Spencer Woolcott
310-967-2961 / 310-967-2974
elaine_pacheco@cohnwolfe.com /
spencer_woolcott@cohnwolfe.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008