Hampton by Hilton
File:HamptonByHiltonLogo.svg | |
Company type | Franchise |
---|---|
Industry | Hospitality |
Founded | 1984[1] |
Founder | Promus Hotel Corporation[2] |
Headquarters | McLean, Virginia, U.S. |
Number of locations | 2,000+ hotels |
Area served | United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Latin America |
Parent | Hilton Worldwide |
Website | www.hampton.com |
Hampton Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Hampton by Hilton are the names of a brand of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. Most Hampton hotels are independently owned and operated by franchisees, though a few are owned and/or managed by Hilton Worldwide. Hampton Inn is currently the largest franchise in the United States. Hotels marked Hampton Inn & Suites offer suites in addition to the standard rooms found at a Hampton Inn. Most Hampton Hotels (except the new Hampton Boutique Hotels) are considered limited-service hotels, as they do not offer an on-site restaurant nor amenities such as bell services and concierge found at full-service hotels. The Hampton hotel brand primarily caters to the budget-minded business and leisure traveler. As of October 2011, the chain comprises more than 1,800 hotels. An overwhelming majority of Hampton's properties are located in the United States however, international locations include Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United Kingdom where the chain operates under the name Hampton by Hilton. Hampton by Hilton locations offer additional services like an onsite bar as well as limited lunch and dinner.
History
Hampton Hotels were launched as a division of Holiday Inn, then owned by Promus Hotel Corporation, a Memphis, Tennessee, holding company that also owned Embassy Suites Hotels and DoubleTree Hotels. In 1999, Promus Hotels was acquired by Hilton for $3.7 billion. The Hampton brand is part of the Hilton Focused Service Group, and competes with AmericInn Hotels, La Quinta Inns & Suites, Comfort Inn/Suites, Drury Inn/Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, and Baymont Inn & Suites.
The first Hampton Inn opened in Memphis in the summer of 1984. It was a two-story, exterior-entrance building with 128 guest rooms. This hotel was located at 1585 Sycamore View Road. The hotel remained "The World's First Hampton Inn" until it closed in August 2005. That hotel was then sold, and today operates as an America's Best Value Inn.
Originally, Hampton hotels were given great latitude to customize the room decor and free hot breakfasts to suit local tastes. Since the acquisition by Hilton Hotels Corporation, the brand has focused on providing consistency among all hotels. The brand now allows for localized packages; for example, a Casino Package or a Fallsview Indoor Waterpark Package at the Hampton Inn at the Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Make it Hampton
In early 2004, Hampton kicked off a brand-wide $100 million renovation entitled "Make it Hampton". While "Make It Hampton" was the brand's response to similar renovations by competitors, it was the first renovation of its kind to focus on a higher volume of updates.
The renovation upgraded at least 5 features, including the installation of curved shower curtain rods in bathrooms, hot items in the "On the House" breakfast, and upgrading all the beds to the luxurious "Cloud Nine". The current slogan is "We love having you here". In April 2012, Hampton added the tag line "Feel the Hamptonality". As of 2014, all Hampton Inns must renovate by the end of the year. Renovations include a new "Jump Start Fitness Center", updated breakfast including hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and cheese omelettes with real, non-processed cheddar cheese.