Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa Opens February 1 With New Approach to Well-Being. Hilton International`s first Worldwide Resort in Japan promises to put back what life takes out by offering a healthy approach to vacations through spa and fitness facilities and wholesome spa cuisine.

When it opens on February 1, 2004, the 172-room Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, will be one of the most comprehensive health retreats in the Greater Tokyo Area and will provide upscale accommodation coupled with eastern and western approaches to health management. A team of health and well-being professionals has been appointed to design personalized fitness and dietary packages for resort guests, added Mr Michael Nigitsch, Hilton International`s Vice President Japan and Micronesia.

“Hilton Odawara Resort and Spa`s vision is to help our guests discover natural beauty for the mind, body and spirit. Whether guests come for a week-long health overhaul or a short rejuvenating break, the facilities will entice them to relax, refresh and rejuvenate for the greater things in life,” Nigitsch said.

Situated 100 km west of Tokyo in the foothills of the majestic Hakone mountains and with views over Sagami Bay, Hilton Odawara offers recreation facilities for all tastes including a bowling alley, gym, sports arena, 18-hole golf putting green, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, four dining outlets and five karaoke rooms. The centerpiece of the resort is the three-story Bade Facility which houses a large indoor Japanese-style hot spring bath featuring views across the ocean, more than a dozen hydrotherapy and relaxation spas, a 25-metre lap pool, massage and spa treatment rooms and a relaxation room.
Recently appointed Hotel Manager, Mr Hidehiko Yamaguchi and his Executive Chef, Mr. Masashi Mizuguchi, will develop a nutritious spa cuisine under the ?eNatural Hilton?f concept for the resort?fs main restaurant.

“Natural Hilton uses first-grade ingredients sourced from the local area. We will work with neighboring farmers to grow as much produce as possible, including organic ingredients, to create tasty and nutritious dishes that are reflective of the season,” Yamaguchi said.

Hilton Odawara Resort and Spa will target five distinct market segments.. During the week, the resort will appeal to housewives, corporate groups and senior travelers. Weekends will attract families and single female professionals opting for relaxation and pure pampering, said Yamaguchi, who also estimated that 20 percent of the business will come from the weddings and incentive market.

“Hilton Odawara has 14 meeting and banquet rooms, the largest catering for up to 150 people. With a wide range of recreation facilities, plus the spa and treatment facilities, we can reward and inspire business teams with innovative week day or weeklong packages that offer a balance between conferencing and retreating,” he said.

All 172 guest rooms have balconies and ocean views. The hotel is easily accessible from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka via the Tokaido Shinkansen / Tokaido Main Line, Odakyu Line and the Tomei Highway.

Mr Hidehiko Yamaguchi was formerly Director of Business Development Hilton Nagoya.

Hilton was the first international hotel brand to establish a luxury property in Japan when it opened the Hilton Tokyo in 1963. The company now operates six hotels including Hilton Tokyo, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Hilton Osaka, Hilton Nagoya, Hilton Otaru and Hilton Narita New Tokyo International Airport and has signed an agreement to operate a 296 room Conrad Tokyo which opens in mid 2005.  In October 2003, Business Traveller Asia Pacific awarded Best Business Hotel Osaka Hilton Osaka.

Hilton International (HI), an operating division of the UK based Hilton Group plc, owns the rights to the Hilton brand name throughout the world, with the exception of North America. HI operates over 400 hotels, with some 250 branded Hilton, over 150 under the mid-market Scandic brand plus 15 luxury Conrad hotels, under a joint venture agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC). Hilton International employs over 65,000 staff in over 70 countries. A global marketing alliance between Hilton International and the North American based Hilton Hotels Corporation, extends the number of hotels operated by both companies worldwide to over 2,400 - over 500 of which are branded Hilton.
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