BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 26, 2002—Hilton Hotels Corporation announced today the opening of the 100-room Hilton Garden Inn® Grand Forks/UND, in Grand Forks, ND. Developed by Tom Arnot of Beechwood Development, LLC, the Hilton Garden Inn Grand Forks/UND hotel was constructed in a record six-month time frame—construction began in May 2002 with the hotel opening its doors for business on Friday, November 22, 2002. On average, Hilton Garden Inn new hotel construction usually takes between nine to 12 months to complete.

University Hotel Development, LLC owns and operates the newly constructed Hilton Garden Inn Grand Forks/UND, under a franchise license agreement with Hilton Inns, Inc., the franchise subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corporation. Exel/Beechwood Management LLC manages the hotel.

“We are thrilled to open our first North Dakota Hilton Garden Inn location in Grand Forks—adjacent to the University of North Dakota,” said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president—brand management, Hilton Garden Inn. “As the brand continues to open and develop properties throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, we are rapidly becoming a recognized leader in the upper end of the mid-priced lodging segment.”

The three-story structure Hilton Garden Inn Grand Forks/UND features: a signature glass-walled pavilion housing the reception desk; a Pavilion Pantry® with a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items, and sundries; the Great American Grill®, offering freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner; room service during dinner hours; a comfortable lounge area with a television and fireplace; three meeting rooms with 3,500 square feet of flexible meeting space; a 24-hour, complimentary business center; a fitness room; heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool; and an on-site guest laundry facility.

Guest room accommodations and features include: a hospitality center with a microwave oven, coffee maker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hairdryer; and an iron and ironing board. In-room entertainment and information services include video-on-demand movies, video games and interactive Hilton guest services.

Business-oriented features of the guest rooms include: complimentary high-speed Internet access; a spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a laptop computer; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with two lines, data ports and voice mail.

“All of our hotel team members look forward to welcoming business and leisure travelers to the Grand Forks/University of North Dakota area,” said Doug DeMars, hotel general manager. “Our convenient location and the best in guest services makes us the perfect mid-priced lodging choice when visiting North Dakota.”

Members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program can also earn Points & Miles® for every qualifying stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Grand Forks/UND.

Just four miles from the Grand Forks International Airport, the Hilton Garden Inn Grand Forks/UND is located at 4301 Dartmouth Drive., Grand Forks, ND 58203; phone: 701/775-6000; fax: 701/746-0298. The hotel is situated at the intersection of I-29 and Demers Ave., and is an easy drive to Fargo, ND and Winnipeg, Canada. Nearby attractions and corporations include the Alerus Convention Center, Engelstad Arena, University of North Dakota, Amazon.com, Simplot and Altru Hospital.

The Hilton Garden Inn brand is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation; recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world`s best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Company® and Homewood Suites® by Hilton.

To find out more about Hilton Garden Inn hotels or make reservations, please visit our Web site at www.hiltongardeninn.com or call 1-800-HILTONS from the U.S. and Canada.

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