San Diego, CA—July 17, 2006—The Hilton San Diego Mission Valley Hotel announced today that its renovation project totaling $11 million in refurbishments, additions and upgrades will be unveiled at a grand opening gala on September 13, 2006. The top-to-bottom transformation includes extensive remodeling of the property’s 349 guest rooms, lobby and concierge, meeting spaces, executive lounge, pool area, fitness facilities, hotel façade, landscaping and more.

Guests and locals alike can also “get hooked” on the hotel’s brand new restaurant and lounge, STISH—a name derived from the steak and seafood fare that are the focus of its menu offerings. Now open under the direction of executive chef Nicolas Villamil, STISH features fresh ingredients every day, from the hand-shaken cocktails to beautifully presented dishes such as Plantain Napoleon. The result is a hip, upbeat urban fine dining experience that can’t be found anywhere else in Mission Valley.

“After nearly 20 years, we are bringing our look and feel back up to par with our reputation for outstanding service that makes us the jewel of Mission Valley,” said Simon Mais, general manager of the Hilton Mission Valley Hotel. “It’s exciting to see new life breathed into this spectacular hotel, allowing us to parallel the experience of San Diego’s finer downtown venues, at a more affordable price and central location.”

Hilton Mission Valley anticipates a more competitive edge and ability to appeal to a broader range of business travelers and tourists after the dramatic makeover, starting with its executive level, which features top floor views, a chic private lounge serving a hot breakfast buffet and evening hors d’ouevres, plush robes and upgraded amenities.

Each of the 349 smoke-free guest rooms will benefit from modernized architecture, interiors and heating/cooling systems to enhance comfort. Rooms will be furnished with Hilton’s state-of-the-art Suite Dreams™ bed sets, desks and adjustable task lighting. In the bathroom, new granite countertops, woodwork, press pewter fixtures and new faucets and fittings, tub enclosures, sinks and lighted make-up mirrors underscore the feeling of luxury and relaxation. The new rooms also feature Crabtree and Evelyn bath products as well as Hilton’s latest MP3 compatible clock radio.

The space that once housed the Monterey Whaling Company will become a new, 3,000 square foot high-tech meeting center, featuring three customizable rooms. The meeting spaces will boast sophisticated dropdown screens, LCD projectors, sound systems, DVD/CD/VCR, wireless high speed Internet, outlets at each work station and ergonomic chairs.

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