<< Return to news releases

DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Includes Naples in 50-City Tour to Celebrate Silver Anniversary of Signature Chocolate Chip Cookie
June 8, 2011

Hotel Brand Sweetens Up Summer One Treat at a Time for Hundreds of Thousands of People Nationwide

---

Media Contacts:

JoNell Modys, jonellmodys@colliergov.net, 239-252-2425

Mary Douglas, mdouglas@boomyourbrand.com, 757-497-4811

Jennifer Robbins, robbinsj@guestservices.com, 239-593-8733 ext. 7401

Cindy Dobyns, cdobyns@abovewater.com, 239-596-9149

Naples, FL (June 8, 2011) - DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Naples joins the nationwide brand in its celebration of the 25th anniversary of their signature chocolate chip cookie on Monday, June 13 by delivering sweet chocolate chip cookie treats to various locations throughout the area. Scheduled stops will include:

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive

11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette Frank Road

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sun & Fun Lagoon, 15000 Livingston Road

People are encouraged to stop by, get a warm, delicious cookie and register to win a weekend getaway at the DoubleTree including dinner for two at Charlie Chiang's Restaurant. To follow the progress of the Cookie CAREavan, go to http://www.facebook.com/doubetreeguestsuitesnaples.

Last week in New York City, the hotel brand officially launched the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Tour. From Atlanta to Austin, Miami to Minneapolis and St. Louis to Seattle, the custom-designed cookie truck will embark on a 10-week, 10,000-mile, 50-city journey to deliver hundreds of thousands of smiles to people across the country, arriving in Naples mid-month. The Florida tour dates include:

Wed., June 8 Orlando, FL

Fri., June 10 Miami, FL

Sat., June 11 Key West, FL

Mon., June 13 Naples, FL

Tues., June 14 Tampa, FL

Wed., June 15 Tallahassee, FL

At every stop along the tour, people can visit and enjoy a free chocolate chip cookie in the summer sun, share their stories about the beloved, all-American treat, learn more about the caring connection between DoubleTree by Hilton and the chocolate chip cookie and find out about the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Sweepstakes to win great prizes all summer long. On the site, visitors can view real-time event photos, videos and stories from the road.

"In today's busy world the little things can mean everything, and we feel that the simple act of kindness of a chocolate chip cookie can put a smile on a person's face anywhere and everywhere across America," said John Greenleaf, vice president - brand marketing, DoubleTree by Hilton. "The DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan is a great way for us to take our silver anniversary cookie celebration beyond our hotel doors, give back to the communities we proudly serve through our brand’s proud CARE Culture and encourage everyone to celebrate with us."

The cookie has been embraced by DoubleTree by Hilton as the symbolic foundation of the brand's CARE Culture, a passionate, longstanding service philosophy that inspires more than 60,000 team members to create a rewarding experience every day for guests, team members and communities.

The hotel brand anticipates sharing more than 250,000 cookies during the tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the cookie and bring smiles to thousands of people everywhere. Some surprise stops to deserving community groups and charities also are planned along the route.

Located on 3.6 acres of peninsula on the Cocohatchee River in Naples, Florida, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Naples offers 101 suites. Only 30 minutes from the Fort Myers Airport, the hotel is centrally located on the Cocohatchee Nature Preserve and two miles from beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches. A premier destination for corporate groups seeking meeting space as well as all-suite accommodations, the award-winning Doubletree Suites by Hilton Naples offers business and leisure travelers home-away-from-home comforts, impeccable service and legendary hospitality. Each one of the 101 suites is beautifully appointed and offers such amenities as two 37" LCD HD televisions featuring over 70 channels including HD programming, a wet bar with refrigerator, Wolfgang Puck gourmet coffee service, Citron by Crabtree & Evelyn bath and body products and the signature Sweet Dreams by Doubletree sleep experience. Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access is available in all guest rooms and public areas. Hotel amenities include two full-service restaurants, riverside heated pool and hot tub, 24-hour business center, and Fitness by Precor fitness center.

The Doubletree Suites by Hilton Naples is owned and managed by Guest Services, Inc. In business since 1917, Guest Services' 3,500 employees serve in over 250 facilities across the United States. For reservations or more information about the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Naples, visit www.doubletreenaples.com or call 239-593-8733.

###

Background

More than 230 million warm cookie welcomes served since 1986

Since 1986, the DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookie has represented a warm, friendly welcome for travelers. The brand began giving out chocolate chip cookies in the 1980s, when many hotels across the country used them as treats for VIPs. In 1986, the same secret recipe for today's chocolate chip cookie welcome became a brand standard that still exists today at all DoubleTree by Hilton hotels. Only a few select bakeries currently hold the cookie's secret recipe, which ensures that the same, delicious cookie is delivered consistently at every DoubleTree by Hilton location.

Every guest who checks into one of the more than 250 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts not only in the U.S., but 17 other countries across five continents receives this same, signature, warm welcome. In fact, DoubleTree by Hilton gives out approximately 60,000 chocolate chip cookies each day adding up to more than 21 million cookies annually.

DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookies are baked fresh several times daily at each hotel. Each cookie weighs more than 2 ounces and has an average of 20 chocolate chips. As a result, DoubleTree by Hilton uses an astounding 750,000 pounds of chocolate chips each year for this worldwide cookie welcome.

This U.S. Cookie CAREavan Tour is part of a Global Cookie CARE Campaign designed by DoubleTree by Hilton to share thousands of the brand's beloved chocolate chip cookies with the public at special events in major cities around the world this year. In fact, more than 1,000,000 chocolate chip cookies to date have been donated by DoubleTree by Hilton to honor and thank deserving members of the community from doctors and nurses to police and firefighters as well as non-profit groups such as food banks and homeless shelters.

The Cookie CAREavan Is Coming -- Follow Along on Facebook for Fun and Prizes

The fun doesn't end at the Cookie CAREavan event in just one community. People all over the country can track the tour and encourage friends and family to join the CAREavan in other cities by visiting the DoubleTree by Hilton Facebook webpage at www.facebook.com/doubletree.

As a proud member of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, visitors also can become a Hilton HHonors member on the spot and enter to win a selection of sweet summer prizes through the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Sweepstakes. Weekly prizes include tins of DoubleTree by Hilton cookies, Hilton HHonors Bonus Points and DoubleTree by Hilton weekend getaways, as well as the grand prize of a five-day four-night vacation and airfare for two to any DoubleTree by Hilton property in the U.S.* Terms and conditions apply and are available at www.facebook.com/doubletree.

For more information about the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan Tour across America and to become a fan, visit our tour site at www.facebook.com/doubletree. To learn more about or to make reservations at any of our 250 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts around the world, visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels.

###

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels

With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 250 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 60,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveler feel human again.

To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,700 hotels and 610,000 rooms in 82 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

* - No purchase necessary. Open to legal U.S. residents who are of legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (and at least 18 years of age) and who are Hilton HHonors members. Starts 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time (EDT) on May 26, 2011 and entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on August 3, 2011 to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing. Void where prohibited. For complete details, including various weekly entry deadlines, see official rules at www.facebook.com/doubletree. Sponsor: Hilton Worldwide, Inc. 7930 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102.

###