In 1919, Conrad Hilton founded the original Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas. Later, on December 1, 1964, the company launched it’s international operations known as Hilton International. In 1986 the company was sold to UAL corp. and then later on in 1987 it was sold again to Ladbroke Group plc. In 1999 the company adopted the name Hilton Group plc.
As a result, there were two separate companies operating under the Hilton name. The Hilton hotels that were outside of the U.S were called the Hilton International hotels while hotels in the U.S were called Conrad Hotels. In 1997, to get rid of the long-time consumer confusion, the American and British Hilton companies adopted a joint marketing agreement in which they shared the same logos, promoted each other's brands and maintained joint reservation systems.
In 1999, Hilton acquired Promus Hotel Corporation, which included the DoubleTree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites brands.
On December 29, 2005, Hilton Hotels Corporation agreed to re-acquire the Hilton International chain from it's British owner, Hilton Group plc. for $5.71 billion. As well as bringing the two Hilton companies back together as a single entity, this deal also included Hilton plc. properties operating as Conrad Hotels, Scandic Hotels and LivingWell Health Clubs. On February 23, 2006, the deal closed, making Hilton Hotels the world's fifth largest hotel operator in number of rooms. Hilton Group PLC (headquartered in the UK) then renamed itself Ladbrokes plc. And on March 1, 2007, Scandic Hotels was sold to EQT Partners.
In October 2007, Christopher J. Nassetta was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilton.
As a result, there were two separate companies operating under the Hilton name. The Hilton hotels that were outside of the U.S were called the Hilton International hotels while hotels in the U.S were called Conrad Hotels. In 1997, to get rid of the long-time consumer confusion, the American and British Hilton companies adopted a joint marketing agreement in which they shared the same logos, promoted each other's brands and maintained joint reservation systems.
In 1999, Hilton acquired Promus Hotel Corporation, which included the DoubleTree, Red Lion, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites brands.
On December 29, 2005, Hilton Hotels Corporation agreed to re-acquire the Hilton International chain from it's British owner, Hilton Group plc. for $5.71 billion. As well as bringing the two Hilton companies back together as a single entity, this deal also included Hilton plc. properties operating as Conrad Hotels, Scandic Hotels and LivingWell Health Clubs. On February 23, 2006, the deal closed, making Hilton Hotels the world's fifth largest hotel operator in number of rooms. Hilton Group PLC (headquartered in the UK) then renamed itself Ladbrokes plc. And on March 1, 2007, Scandic Hotels was sold to EQT Partners.
In October 2007, Christopher J. Nassetta was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilton.