Foundation of Hilton Hotels
Conrad Hilton opened his first hotel, the Mobley Hotel, in Cisco, Texas, marking the beginning of what would become Hilton Hotels Corporation.
1919
1925
Opening of the First Hilton Hotel
The first hotel to bear the Hilton name, the Dallas Hilton, opened in Dallas, Texas.
1943
Coast-to-Coast Expansion
Hilton became the first coast-to-coast hotel chain in the United States with the purchase of the Roosevelt and Plaza hotels in New York City.
1947
First Hotel to Install Televisions
The Roosevelt Hilton in New York City became the first hotel in the world to install televisions in guest rooms.
1949
First International Hilton
Hilton expanded internationally with the opening of the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1954
Largest Real Estate Transaction
Hilton Hotels Corporation purchased the Statler Hotel Company, making it the largest real estate transaction of its time.
1955
Introduction of the Hilton Reservation System
Hilton introduced the first centralized reservation service, called "HILCRON," a precursor to modern hotel reservation systems.
1959
First Airport Hotel
Hilton opened the first airport hotel, the San Francisco Airport Hilton, catering to the needs of air travelers.
1965
First Hotel to Offer Room Service
Hilton pioneered the concept of room service, enhancing the guest experience by offering meals delivered directly to guest rooms.
1967
Hilton International Becomes Independent
Hilton International was spun off as a separate company, focusing on the brand's growth outside the United States.
1979
Launch of Conrad Hotels
Hilton introduced Conrad Hotels, a new luxury brand named after its founder, Conrad Hilton.
1999
Hilton HHonors Program
Hilton launched its customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors, offering rewards and benefits to frequent guests.
2007
Acquisition by Blackstone Group
Hilton Hotels Corporation was acquired by the Blackstone Group in a leveraged buyout valued at approximately $26 billion.
2013
Hilton Worldwide IPO
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. went public again with an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange.
2016
Introduction of Tru by Hilton
Hilton launched Tru by Hilton, a midscale brand designed to appeal to younger travelers seeking value and simplicity.
2020
Hilton CleanStay Program
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hilton introduced the CleanStay program, enhancing cleaning protocols to ensure guest safety.
2023
Expansion into New Markets
Hilton continued its global expansion, opening new properties in emerging markets and strengthening its presence in established destinations.
