2008 November | Doubletree by Hilton Hotel San Jose, California

2008 Shows a Growth in Online Reservation Bookings

November 26, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

In an age where the personal computer has become a necessity both to individuals and companies alike, the internet has increasingly served as a convenience for knowledge-seekers who can find the answers to the universe at the “click of a SEARCH button”, and for multi-taskers who can choose, ship, and gift wrap a Christmas present without having to leave their “ergonomic” desk chair. The same is true for business travelers seeking to simplify their itinerary planning by booking their hotel rooms online.

In a “2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study” conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, it was discovered that the number of travelers utilizing the World Wide Web to make their reservations has increased 15% during the past year. ….travelers are finding that corporate-branded websites have better pricing and options than independent websites.

Of course Hilton was a website where travelers seeking to conveniently make online guestroom reservations, but for two years running, they have extended the same opportunity to meeting planners as well. Hilton’s e-events small group project allows individuals and meeting planners to plan family reunions, small weddings, and business conferences completely online without ever having to speak to a sales representative. “We put total control in the customer’s hand,” said Bob Brooks, Hilton’s Vice President of e-Sales. On e-events, customers are able to select their menus; book their guestroom block (up to 25 rooms); and even personalize a personal event web page where their attendees can obtain information regarding an event, view personal photographs and images related to the event, and book guestrooms in the event room-block.

For more information on booking an event at the Doubletree Hotel San Jose, feel free to try out our e-events web page at:
www.hiltonfamilyeevents.com

A tidbit brought to you by Shawn Parker, Catering Manager

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, events industry

Could It Be…A Boutique Brand From Hilton?

November 24, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Every hotel company these days from Starwood, to Kimpton, and even Marriott have boutique hotel brands. Everyone but Hilton that is.

Sure, Hilton has talked about it before. One of Hilton’s own executives have called their plans for a boutique brand “the worst-kept secret in the industry” and Hilton even stole Ross Klein from Starwood to create this mysterious collection. Yet while W Hotels is on the eve of celebrating their 10th birthday, Hilton still has no boutique brand answer. But is that about to change?

It looks like Hilton will finally provide us with some clues in late January during the hotel industries annual ALIS Conference in San Diego. Hilton has sent out a press invite which reads in part:

One of HHC’s [Hilton Hotels Corporation] core objectives is global growth; the news shared at this ALIS press event will outline impetus for growth and an exciting new product concept designed to meet the needs of an underrepresented segment of the market.

Even though Hilton is keeping everyone in the dark about this new brand, we’ve been able to find out that the hotels will be a 4.5 star “lifestyle” hotels with about 200-300 rooms and will be located throughout the world. Also the food and beverage components will be outsourced, probably meaning a celebrity chef (probably of Gordon Ramsay type caliber) will be headlining the restaurant and room service menu. As for any more details on the mystery brand, you’ll just have to wait until January 26th like the rest of us.

from HotelChatter.com

Doubletree Hotel San Jose is a member of the Hilton family of hotels

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, Doubletree Hotels, Hilton expansion, hilton hotels

Doubletree Hotel Hosts Smile Campaign

November 21, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Most people are familiar with the phrase “A smile goes a long way”. This is the phrase that came to my mind when making the decision to bring the Smile Campaign to the Doubletree Hotel San Jose. Generally it is very exciting to host a campaign, but hosting a campaign at a place where everyone is willing to participate and be heavily involved makes the campaign even more worth while. The idea of the smile campaign is to encourage team members to smile more frequently. Smiling is contagious, always makes people more approachable, and the impact that it has on a guest is priceless.

The campaign is a fun and energetic week long event that is full of activities for each department to participate in. A few of the activities include a smiley face sticker day, ice cream social, smile fun fact day, and a poster contest between hotel departments that is based on the theme “Me and My Guest Always Smiling My Best”. Throughout the campaign week, team members are able to make nominations for the associate smiling the most. The winners are announced and prizes are distributed at the end of the week rally to recognize everyone for their great efforts.

The Doubletree Hotel San Jose hosted their Smile Campaign during the week of November 17th and successfully spread a smile throughout the hotel. The associates and team leaders of our hotel were deeply involved in this campaign and encouraged one another to remember that smiling does indeed go a long way. The hotel team members will continue to keep passing a smile on to one another, our guests, and everyone that passes through our hotel.

Jillian Johnson
Event Manager

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, Doubletree Hotels, Doubletree team members, Hilton Employees Tagged With: smiling

Do Your Holiday Shopping at the HHonors Rewards Store

November 20, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2008 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, more than 33 percent of Americans will be looking online for the season’s best gift deals. Hilton HHonors – one of the world’s premiere hotel loyalty programs — is offering savvy shoppers one additional way to save their cash, not to mention the headache of navigating holiday traffic, and still find the most sought-after gifts of 2008 through the Hilton HHonors Rewards Store.

Members can simply visit HiltonHHonors.com/shopping to exchange their HHonors points for popular merchandise and easily check off family members and friends on their holiday shopping lists. As an added benefit, free gift-wrapping is available now through November 30, 2008, on hundreds of select merchandise items.

From the latest in digital recording devices, televisions and gaming systems to clothing and accessories, HHonors members can find a wealth of gifting options in the Hilton HHonors Rewards Store including*:
– Nintendo Wii
– Nintendo Wii Fit
– Toshiba REGZA LCD HDTV
– Casio EXILM Digital Camera
– Hitachi Blu-Ray Hi Def Camcorder
– Flip Mino
– Dyson DC24 Ball Vac
– Garmin Nuvi Widescreen GPS
– Dooney and Bourke Wristlet
– Lacoste Polos

from marketwatch.com

Next time you visit Doubletree Hotel San Jose ask a front desk agent how to sign up for HHonors

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, Doubletree Hotels, HHonors, Hilton Honors

Doubletree Teaches Local Kids About the Awesome Colors of Autumn

November 19, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

(Assistant Front Desk Manager Daniel Torres talks to the kids about the leaves while helping them create their class tree)

As part of our continued effort to encourage students to connect with nature and explore the great outdoors, Doubletree Hotel San Jose teamed up with the Kindergarten classes at Reed Elementary school in San Jose on November 14th. Our goal was to inspire kids to view the environment more positively and understand how nature is vibrant and alive in our neighborhoods. Students participated in a fun lesson on the lifecycle of a leaf and why they change color in the fall. They also created and decorated their own leaves in order to compose a class tree to remember their experience. By thinking globally and acting locally, we can all make a difference in the world we live in!

When the children were asked about their favorite part, we got a variety of answers ranaging from – “My favorite part was learning about trees”…”making the tree,” “eating the cookie”, “the chip doll” Everyone had fun! When the class was asked “What time of the year do leaves fall off the trees?” One student replied, “at about 6:45″.

Additional information about the Doubletree’s Teaching Kids to CARE fall initiative and the hotel brand’s commitment to environmental education and awareness can be found at www.doubletree.com/thinktrees.

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, Doubletree in the community Tagged With: Teaching Kids to CARE

Don’t cook on Thanksgiving come to Doubletree

November 18, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Doubletree Hotel San Jose is offering two Thanksgiving Dinners. Join us on Thursday November 27th and choose from…

Dine a la carte style in Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops with a menu featuring all traditional fixings. Spencer’s will also be serving their regular full dinner menu. Both menus available from 5-9pm, Thanksgiving dinner is $33/person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended (408) 437-2170 or www.spencersforsteaksandchops.com

Or if you prefer a buffet style dinner join us in Sprigs from 11am-5pm for array of delectable dishes. Pricing is $27/adult, $19.95/children 6-12, senior citizens receive 10% off and children under 6 are free. Please RSVP to (408) 437.2169.

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, Doubletree Hotels, Spencer's for Steaks and Chops

Anchors Away! Hilton HHonors® Members Set Sail with CruisesOnly®

November 14, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Hilton HHonors members can now use points to embark on the cruise of their dreams. Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for the Hilton Family of Hotels, has launched a new alliance with CruisesOnly, America’s largest cruise agency. The collaboration allows HHonors members to redeem points for more than 6,500 cruises worldwide. HHonors members can start redeeming points for CruisesOnly e-certificates at www.CruisesOnlyHiltonHHonors.com and apply the certificates towards a wide variety of cruises, which sail to locations such as Europe, the Caribbean and even the 51-mile Panama Canal.

“Hilton HHonors is always looking to create value for our members and offer them more opportunities to redeem points,” said Adam Burke, senior vice president, customer loyalty, Hilton Hotels Corporation. “Through this new relationship with CruisesOnly, HHonors members are able to redeem points for fantastic cruises at a variety of price points. Plus, HHonors members can now easily use points in locations such as Hawaii for both a stay and a cruise.”

About Hilton HHonors
Hilton HHonors(R) is an esteemed guest reward program that gives frequent travelers a fast way to earn the rewards they want most. It is the only guest reward program to offer Points & Miles(R) and No Blackout Dates with no capacity controls at more than 3,000 hotels. Enrolled members can Double Dip(R) to earn HHonors points and airline miles for the same stay, at nearly any rate, at any participating Hilton Hotels Corporation Family of Brands. In addition to redeeming HHonors points for complimentary nights, Hilton HHonors members can also redeem points for merchandise, vacation packages, unique experience rewards and more.
Membership in HHonors is free. Travelers may enroll online by visiting HiltonHHonors.com.

An update from Kylie Burke, Sales Leader in Training that she found in the Hilton “E Clips” Newsletter

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, HHonors, Hilton, Hilton Honors, hilton hotels Tagged With: CruisesOnly

San Jose Airport Parking for the Holidays at Doubletree

November 13, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Now that you have your holiday reservations, make one for you car! Forget the hustle and bustle of trying to park at the airport, park your car with Doubletree Hotel San Jose. You can check your flight status when you arrive at our in Lobby flight status screens, grab breakfast or a coffee at Sprigs, then our complimentary shuttle will give you a lift to the airport just 5 minutes away.

Go to our San Jose Airport Parking page for more info and to make a reservation.

Filed Under: Doubletree by Hilton San Jose, Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose Airport Parking Tagged With: Airport Hotels

Doubletree Hotels Introduces Requests Upon Arrival Guest Service Program at 190 North America Hotels

November 12, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Doubletree Innovative Program Enables Guests To Personalize Their Stays In Several Ways By Pre-Ordering Personal Touches and Amenities Prior To Hotel Arrival

Doubletree Hotels announces the launch of its latest initiative, which provides business and leisure travelers with the opportunity to personalize their hotel stays before they arrive at the hotel. The Doubletree Requests Upon Arrival guest service program offers guests the opportunity to pre-order an array of complimentary items, delicious snacks and beverages, and distinctive products and services to be delivered to the guest’s room prior to arriving at any Doubletree hotel in North America. From fresh fruits and fun surprises for the kids to room upgrades and romantic rose petals on the bed, guests can now add a personal touch to their stay when booking travel at more than 190 participating Doubletree hotels and resorts.

‘Doubletree continues to explore ways to empower our guests with choices that will enrich their travel experiences and ensure their time with us is satisfying, relaxing and enjoyable,’ said Mary Beth Parks, vice president – marketing for Doubletree Hotels. ‘Now, through our Doubletree Requests Upon Arrival program, guests have an opportunity to personalize their stays more than ever before by selecting added conveniences to help them make the most of their travel time.’

Despite Economic Challenges, People Traveling Over Holidays Feel Time and Money Spent is Small Price to Pay to be With Loved Ones

November 12, 2008 By Cookie Leave a Comment

Creating Memories, Building Relationships and Traditions Cited as Important Factors For Holiday Travelers

Despite current economic challenges, 60 percent of people who will travel during the holidays strongly feel the time and money spent is a small price to pay to be with people they love, it was revealed in a unique survey quantifying why people take trips during the holidays.

Respondents to the Harris Interactive survey of 2,256 adults conducted last week for the Travel Industry Association credited four reasons as significant and valuable for hitting the road to visit family or friends at Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are:

• creating memories,

• maintaining traditions,

• reconnecting and building relationships, and

• improving a person’s sense of overall well-being.

“All indicators point to the fact that people feel the enriching experiences that holiday travel affords and the opportunity to share time with loved ones is of great value to their life,” said Suzanne Cook, Senior Vice President of Research for the Travel Industry Association.

“Most people appear to be unwilling to give up what and who they love, even in more stressful times,” Cook added.