Warm. Comfortable. Friendly.

August 3, 2008
11am - 4pm

You will find the best bridal professionals in the wedding industry. Bridal Showcase features professional California d.j,’s, bands, bridal salons (gowns), formalwear (tuxedos), cakes, photographers, videographers, florists, honeymoons / reception sites, specialty items such as favors and invitations.

Go online to get a coupon for $2 off admission price http://bridalshowcase-ca.com/sanjose.html

Check out our elegant wedding venue at Doubletree Hotel San Jose or call today to speak to our wedding coordinator 408.437.2806

KUNSHAN, China, July 22, 2008 – Doubletree by Hilton®, one of the upscale, full-service brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, today introduced a unique prototype of hotel rooms in the fast growing business centre of Huaqiao, China. Located 15 km from Kunshan and 30 km from the city centre of Shanghai, the Doubletree by Hilton Huaqiao/Kunshan is a 398-room, 5-star hotel that will welcome the world’s travelers later this fall. Known as a brand for its unique approach to customer care and service, the guest room prototype has been designed to showcase how this first East China Doubletree by Hilton hotel is striving to create a luxurious, contemporary hotel experience. “Another main purpose of the hotel guest room prototype project was to welcome feedback from corporate and leisure travelers during the development process. That way, we can ensure that when we open our final hotel product at the Doubletree by Hilton Huaqiao/Kunshan, we can meet or exceed the expectations of today’s travelers,” said John Burger, hotel general manager.

The Doubletree by Hilton, which will be located at the Huaqiao International Business Park in Kunshan will represent the second hotel opening by the brand in China this year. The Doubletree by Hilton Beijing is now open and three additional Doubletree by Hilton hotels in China currently under development. The 24-story hotel will feature more than 2,500-square-meters of meeting and banquet space with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment, an open-air, lushly landscaped roof-top garden, a heated indoor swimming pool, a Doubletree Fitness by Precor facility, and multiple dining and gathering options including a signature Si Yuan Chinese restaurant featuring 15 private dining rooms.

As one of the brand’s first hotels in Asia, general manager John Burger explains the unique approach they are taking to ensure that the design team carefully thinks through all details of what’s important to the local business traveller: “Our objective was to create a series of rooms that we could show to consumers through focus groups. Each new room we designed incorporated a little more direct insight from what our customers told us they are looking for in comfort and convenience. The final room prototype is a direct replica of what you will see when the hotel is complete. At that time, we hope that the attention and investment we spent building this prototype environment for the Doubletree by Hilton Huaqiao-Kunshan will result in a great experience that is truly appreciated by our future hotel guests.”

This is an except from the press release, for more information about the Doubletree Hotel Huaqiao-Kunshan, please visit our website at http://kunshan.doubletreebyhilton.com in English or http://kunshan.doubletreebyhilton.com.cn in Chinese. The hotel also can be reached directly at its pre-opening office at +86-512-5760-2222.

Picture this: Agroup of twentysomething men and women comfortably sprawl on vibrantly colored beanbag charis and cushy sofas, checking their PDAs, BlackBerries, and laptops as they chat with cohorts via a live feed on an oversized LCD screen. The room is bathed in warm, natural light entering through floor-to-ceiling windows. Along with the refreshing air from the open windows, just a hint of lavender permeates the room. Fresh fruit is within arm’s reach, along with small bowls of nuts and dried fruits.

No, its not a break room at Google headquarters. It’s one vision of the conference room of the future-a version that’s already being played out in conference centers across the country and one that experts expect to become increasingly common. Of course, that’s not what all meetings will look like in the future, but it is part of a trend toward ensuring that meeting spaces are flexible enought to suit the varying needs of all kinds of groups.

“The physical elements of a meeting are going to be differnet in the sense that they won’t always take place in a meeting room as we now know it,” says Mark DePiero, senior vp of global acquisitions for Dolce International, based in Montvale, NJ. “We know that we’ll still have general sessions and breakouts of a sort, but breakouts won’t be the traditional setup of eight chairs and a conference table…

Erin Peschel, CMP, director of sales and marketing for the Conference CEnter at NorthPointe, based in Lweis CEnter, OH says that Northpointe and other Sodexo confernce centers are “rolling in what we call ’soft seating’-chairs and sofas and ottomans, even beanbag chairs-that help attendees think be comfortable and think outside the box.” While such setups can be particularly appropriate for brainstorming, strategizing, and teambuilding meeting, they’re obviously not appropriate for all meetings…

For something that’s a little more tradtional looking, but still addresses new thoughts in learning styles, “pods” are gaining favor. Rather than simply setting up rows of tables and chairs, pods are tables that set in a U kind of shape. Classroom use to be the default style, but now we’re findig a lot of groups want pods or half rounds both which give a more open and free flowing feel that encourages sharing or thoughts and ideas…

excerpts taken from Corporate Meetings and Incentives July 2008

A documentary series following three NH Hoteles properties in The Netherlands has become one of the most popular shows on Dutch television since its launch in March. Some 400,000 viewers tune in to SBS 6 five days a week to follow the day-to-day operations at Amsterdam’s NH Schiphol Airport, NH Jan Tabak and NH Barbizon Palace.

NH Chief Operating Officer Francisco Zinser stresses that “Hotel”—for which 60 half-hour episodes have been filmed and a second season already is planned—is not a reality show. There are no actors, no scripts and no manufactured drama. “Hotel” is balanced, and NH does not
review episodes before they air. It makes for an authentic view of life in the hotel industry.

“If something goes wrong, well, things go wrong,” Zinser says. “The problem is not that things go wrong, the problem is how you avoid them happening in the future and how you resolve that issue.”

“Hotel” is too new for NH to know to what degree the show is impacting business. However, Zinser says most guests are excited to be filmed and a number of guests have indicated that they booked an NH hotel because of the show.

source: Hotels magazine, June 2008

Looking to strenghten its full service brands and improve guest satisfaction, Hilton Hotels teamed up with Precor, a leader in premium fitness equipment. Hilton research showed that a high-end fitness center could increase guest staisfaction by as much as 30 percent. Less than 18 months after its partnership with Precor began, 350 full-service hotels within the Hilton Family of HOtels have installed Fitness by Precor gyms and guest satisfaction has already improved by 10, and in some locations, 20 percent.
Sullivan’s job, on its own, is a testament to the importance of fitness in today’s hospitality industry. Also a personal trainer and former competitive figure skater, Sullivan was hired to the newly created position two and-a-half years ago, whith the sole fous of fitness. “It shows Hilton is listening to its guests,” she says. “They created a whole department around this.”

Recent surveys indicate that business travelers rank fitness centers as one of the top-five features they look for when traveling. The co-branded initiative announced in July 2006, Hilton Fitness by Precor, looks to capitalize on the growing trend. The goal is to have the Precor gyms installed in all full service locations, more than 500, by year-end.

excerpts from the recently featured article “Partnership provides premium gyms” in Lodging Hospitality magazine

Doubletree Hotel San Jose opened it’s renovated Hilton Fitness by Precor center in Fall of 2007 and it has been a big hit with guests. All cardio equipment features its own flat screen TV. There is also a wide range or weight machines and free weights as well as a roomy stretching area. Book your next stay in San Jose with us and discover it for yourself.

Doubletree by Hilton Novosibirsk expected to open in Fall 2008
Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) has today announced that it has entered into a franchise agreement with ZAO Russkaya Kompaniya Razvitiya (a wholly owned subsidiary of the London & Regional group) to introduce the Doubletree by Hilton(TM) hotel product in Russia.

This agreement forms part of a ‘Strategic Development Alliance’ with London & Regional Properties Limited (L&R) which (once formalised) is expected to introduce approximately 25 new hotels across Russia, encompassing selected brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels.

Scheduled to open towards the end of 2008, the upscale, full service hotel Doubletree by Hilton brand will debut in Novosibirsk, Russia’s third largest and fastest growing city, marking Hilton’s rapid expansion into the country with three different hotel brands launching this year.

‘Today marks a historic occasion for us at Hilton, with the debut of our first-ever Doubletree by Hilton(TM) development in Russia,’ explained Wolfgang M. Neumann, President of Hilton Hotels - Europe. ‘This announcement cements our intention and commitment to grow our presence in key strategic markets such as Russia, where we firmly believe there is huge potential for hotel growth in key cities across the country. We have no doubt that the Doubletree by Hilton(TM) brand is the ideal fit to meet demand in this country, and underscores our strategy to integrate our successful Hilton Family of Hotels(R) brands into growth markets throughout Europe.’

Located some 3,000 km from the Russian capital, Novosibirsk is considered to be an important business hub, and is known as a major commercial and scientific centre. With a population of over one million inhabitants, Russia’s third largest city has established itself as the cultural heart of Siberia and is served by Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport (OVB) with regular flights to Europe, Asia and other Russian cities.

Occupying a prime location, just off the city’s central Lenin Square, the newly-built Doubletree by Hilton Novosibirsk will offer 188 guest-rooms, and will form part of a mixed use development. The hotel will offer leisure and business travellers a bar and restaurant, a health club, as well more than 370m2 of flexible conference and meeting facilities, business centre and complimentary parking.

Hotels across the Doubletree by Hilton portfolio pride themselves on a longstanding tradition of distinctively designed properties that reflect the local area, the warm welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie at check-in, the rewards of the prestigious Hilton HHonors(R) loyalty programmea and a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate. Doubletree by Hilton looks forward to expanding its unique worldwide spirit of hospitality in Russia with the same core attributes, along with impeccable service with a sense of contemporary style and individuality.

‘Doubletree Hotels continues to expand its upscale, full-service hotel portfolio at a solid pace. This newest hotel agreement in Novosibirsk, Russia reinforces our pride in Doubletree by Hilton being recognised by hotel owners and developers as a dynamic, credible and lucrative hotel brand for hoteliers around the world,’ commented Dave Horton, senior vice president - brand management for Doubletree Hotels. ‘The Doubletree by Hilton Novosibirsk will support Siberia’s business and tourism growth, as it welcomes guests to experience the diversity that makes this region of Russia such an incredible place to visit.’

Today’s announcement also reflects the further expansion of the Hilton Family of hotels across Russia. Hilton’s first hotel in Russia will be the 275-room Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, which is scheduled to open in early May. The company also plans to debut its mid-priced brand Hilton Garden Inn in the Russian city of Perm by the end of the year. Through an anticipated agreement with London & Regional, Hilton is primed to develop 25 new properties across Russia, encompassing selected brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels. Throughout the next 10 years, Hilton anticipates it will open more than 70 hotels across Russia, not only focusing on Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also actively looking at opportunities in key regional cities.

source: http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

Doubletree Hotel San Jose presents Detox Sundays, a Vegas style pool party taking place every Sunday now through August 31, 2008. Party includes live DJ, dancing, private cabanas for rent, bottle service, and more. Tickets are sold at the door, for more information visist www.detoxpoolparties.com

From: This Week @ PCMA, volume XI, Issue 25

Hotels are getting greener, healthier, and more technologically savvy, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2008 Lodging Survey. Among the findings of the survey, which was conducted by Smith Travel Research: 68 percent of hotels use energy-efficient lighting, 79 percent have an exercise facility, and 91 percent offer wireless Internet access

Doubletree Hotel San Jose is a certified GREEN Hotel. Book with us today www.sanjose.doubletree.com

Hotelier Honored With Top Corporate Award For Outstanding Commitment to Environmental Stewardship and Education

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. / LINCOLN, Neb., June 26, 2008 – Doubletree® Hotels is proud to announce that it has received the prestigious 2008 “Promise to the Earth Award” from the Arbor Day Foundation™. The Promise to the Earth award is presented annually by the world’s largest non-profit tree planting organization to corporations for outstanding commitments to environmental stewardship and education. The award also recognizes organizations that support the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission to “Inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.”

The Arbor Day Foundation acknowledged Doubletree for their continued and growing dedication to three major projects:

Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE® Community Outreach Program – which has reached more than 2.2 million kids worldwide about the importance of civic and environmental responsibility
Doubletree Hotels / Arbor Day Foundation 250,000 Tree Milestone – a proud accomplishment that has included participation through our Teaching Kids to CARE program as well as public outreach campaigns
Exploring Trees Inside and Out Traveling Museum Exhibit – a 2,500 square foot interactive museum exhibit exclusively sponsored by Doubletree Hotels that already has reached more than 150,000 visitors in the first four months of its three-year tour across America.

Our sincere thanks and congratulations goes to the 190+ hotels and resorts that proudly represent our Doubletree brand and our 2008 Promise to the Earth Award.

From Cambridge UK to Costa Rica to California and beyond, thousands of team members have truly demonstrated a natural commitment to our CARE Culture by re-connecting a new generation of kids in their local communities to the wonders of trees and nature outside our doors every day. Doubletree’s Promise to the Earth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation truly demonstrates that “When you CARE, it shows.”

For more information on Doubletree’s environmental outreach and education initiatives, please visit our Think Trees website at www.doubletree.com/thinktrees.

Make your next hotel reservation at our certified green hotel at: www.sanjose.doubletree.com

One site your don’t want to miss in San Jose is the Tech Museum of Innovation 201 S. Market St. 408 294 8324 www.thetech.org ($8) Not that you need the address the building is bright orange. They have exhibits on everything from virtual-reality game Second Life to green power. Fun for everyone!