World`s Largest Doubletree Hotel Debuts in Orlando

Landmark Hotel Raises New Flag, Unveils $35 Million Dollar Makeover
ORLANDO, Fla.--(Business Wire)--
Doubletree Hotels has announced the opening of the brand`s largest hotel in
Orlando, Fla. Spanning 28 lushly landscaped acres in the heart of Orlando`s
tourism corridor, the 1,094 room Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive
has commemorated its official debut with a dramatic $35 million transformation.
Formerly the International Plaza Resort and Spa, the Doubletree Resort is two
minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and within walking distance of
SeaWorld and its new Aquatica water park. The property is also minutes away
fromOrlando International Airport and Central Florida`s world-class attractions,
shopping and dining.

The new Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive is operated by New
York-based UrbanAmerica, one of the nation`s foremost minority-controlled, real
estate private equity firms, under a franchise agreement with a subsidiary of
Hilton Worldwide. Pyramid Hotel Group, LLC, a Boston-based full-service hotel
management and advisory company, manages the property.

"The opening of the Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive is an
excellent addition to our portfolio of more than 20 hotels and resorts
throughout the state of Florida," said Rob Palleschi, global head for Doubletree
Hotels. "With a location convenient to both Sea World and the Orange County
Convention Center, the Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive provides
travelers with our fourth great Orlando hotel in this major tourist and
convention destination -- with each Doubletree strategically serving a unique
leisure destination and travel experience in this city."

The completely renovated hotel provides a tranquil oasis, featuring a
Balinese-inspired theme with contemporary, dark-wood furnishings and Indonesian
design accents set against a lush, tropical landscape. With a warm and inviting
ambiance, the Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive offers something
for every guest, from richly appointed guestrooms and sparkling, palm-tree-lined
pools to majestic ballrooms and catering and event planning services. Amenities
include three pools; three dining options, including a full-service restaurant
and outdoor eateries; a casual, upscale bar; 60,000 square feet of flexible
event space; a state-of-the-art fitness center; a business center; a children`s
game lounge and more.

"It`s an honor for our hotel to join the Hilton Worldwide family of leading,
full-service hotels as the world`s largest Doubletree property," says Richmond
McCoy, president and CEO of UrbanAmerica. "The resort`s prime location and new
upscale amenities will provide an ideal retreat for both business travelers and
families in one of the country`s top tourism destinations."

Contemporary Accommodations

The resort`s 1,094 guestrooms are available in three distinct floor plans,
ranging from Resort Guestrooms, Tower Accommodations and Premium Accommodations
to more than twenty suites ranging from junior-, one- and two-bedroom
configurations to the property`s Premium Suites that include a spacious, 700 sq.
ft., two-bedroom suite with plush living and dining areas that feature
galley-like kitchen areas with granite countertops. Guestrooms welcome with
comfy Doubletree Sweet Dreams bedding and luxury linens, and spacious dark wood
desks with large work areas. Among the high-tech amenities: 32-inch, LCD
flat-screen televisions, MP3-compatible, stereo clock radios and high-speed
wireless Internet access.

Designed for couples and families, each of the Resort`s Premium Accommodations
features a kitchenette with microwave, coffeemaker and in-room
mini-refrigerator. Sleek, contemporary bathrooms have mosaic glass tiling,
brushed stainless steel accents and sliding bamboo panels. Select premium
guestrooms also feature hardwood floors.

As an official Florida Green Lodging Facility, the Doubletree Resort Orlando -
International Drive also follows a series of sustainable practices in their
everyday business. Guestrooms are equipped with water-efficient showerheads and
recycling trashcans. Comfort sensors automatically adjust temperature settings
to conserve energy when guests are not in the rooms.

Full-Service Dining

The Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive presents three dining
options, including the casual full-service Bamboo Grille, serving breakfast
buffets, lunch and dinner daily. Featuring contemporary American cuisine with an
Asian-fusion twist, the 270-seat restaurant features artistic lighting elements,
high-backed chairs and multiple seating tiers. Guests can also dine al fresco on
the sunlit, outdoor terrace.

For on-the-go fare and sweet treats, Max`s Deli offers breakfast pastries and
Starbucks Coffee, as well as sandwiches, salads, a children`s candy bar and
more. Visitors can enjoy tropical drinks poolside at Red Parrot Bar or relax and
mingle in the contemporary Bangli lounge, featuring stylish décor, wall-mounted
plasma TVs and a custom-designed bar set beneath a massive Capiz shell
chandelier.

Meetings and Events

For Orlando`s bustling meetings industry, Doubletree Resort Orlando -
International Drive offers 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space,
ranging from grand ballrooms to covered garden verandas. Each state-of-the-art
meeting facility is equipped with the latest business services and amenities.

The Oceans Conference Center in the main building of the resort totals more than
20,000 square feet of function space, with the largest ballroom on property at
12,000 square feet. Close to the restaurants and lounge, the Oceans Conference
Center caters to groups of up to 1,000 guests.

Nearby, the freestanding Lakes Conference Center provides nearly 13,000 square
feet of event space, including executive conference rooms, an outdoor patio and
pre-function space. The 10,000-square-foot Great Lakes Ballroom seats up to
1,000 guests beneath soaring ceilings. For intimate gatherings and weddings, the
Tower Terrace provides an elegant outdoor setting overlooking the resort`s lush,
tropical landscape.

Filled With Recreation Facilities

Major landscaping enhancements offer a variety of environments throughout the
Doubletree Resort Orlando - International Drive. Within this lush, natural
setting, guests can create their own personalized vacation experience without
feeling confined to a single area of the resort. Quiet solace can be found in a
palm-shaded hammock or in a secluded Polynesian hut. Families may enjoy quality
time on the mini-golf course, putting green or in one of several of the resort`s
gathering spaces. Three sparkling pools have also been enhanced with interactive
water features, a children`s pool, private relaxation areas and
brick-paver-lined sundecks and walkways.

Other amenities include a nine-hole miniature golf course, a full-service day
spa and a high-tech children`s lounge with computers and Wii Nintendo game
stations. Additionally, the fitness center is open round-the-clock, offering the
latest cardio and weight-training equipment as well as four wall-mounted LCD
televisions.

Available seven days weekly is the dedicated concierge desk assists with passes
and complimentary shuttle service to Walt Disney World, as well as to the
resort`s attraction partners -- SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios Orlando.
Staff also can assist with making reservations at area restaurants, golf
courses, and sporting and cultural venues. Among the hotel`s other services:
24-hour, personalized lobby check-in and checkout; valet service and gated
self-parking; full-service catering; on-site car rental office and modern
business center with wireless Internet access.

Members of the Hilton HHonors ® guest rewards program can Double Dip® and earn
both airline miles and hotel points for every qualifying stay at the Doubletree
Resort Orlando - International Drive. Hilton HHonors is the only guest rewards
program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem
hotel points for free nights with No Blackout Dates. With No Blackout Dates,
members can redeem their Hilton HHonors points, as long as a standard room is
available*.

"We look forward to showcasing our outstanding transformation to business and
leisure travelers visiting the Orlando area. Our guests will appreciate our
refreshingly unexpected upgrades at the Doubletree Resort Orlando -
International Drive and our friendly and attentive hotel team who look forward
to welcoming every guest with one of the best reward programs in the industry
and the brand`s legendary warm chocolate chip cookie," said Greg Gooding, hotel
general manager.

For more information or to make reservations at the Doubletree Resort
Orlando-International Drive, please call 1-800-327-0363 or visit
www.doubletreeorlandoidrive.com.

About UrbanAmerica

UrbanAmerica, a minority-controlled, real estate private equity firm founded in
1998, is among the first registered investment advisors to participate in the
revitalization of urban centers through the investment of institutional capital
in commercial real estate. UrbanAmerica has raised $521 million in equity within
its two funds and has acquired and developed more than 5 million square feet of
building space with assets valued in excess of $2 billion. In addition,
UrbanAmerica is the only urban real estate investment fund to receive three
allocations of New Markets Tax Credits totaling $152 million for investments in
its target markets. More information about UrbanAmerica is available at
www.urbanamerica.com.

About Doubletree Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than
200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide,
Doubletree hotels 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 guest reward program, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay
wherever their travels take them.

Doubletree is part of Hilton Worldwide, a 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. To find out more
information or make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers may visit
our website at www.doubletree.com, contact their preferred travel professional
or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada.

* - Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles, and redemption of
points are subject to HHonors Terms and conditions.

Doubletree Hotels Media Relations
Thomas Wingham, 703-883-5315
thomas.wingham@hilton.com
or
Ypartnership Public Relations
Sharlet Brennan or Melissa Renna
407-875-1111
Sharlet.Brennan@ypartnership.com / Melissa.Renna@ypartnership.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009