LANSDALE, Pa -— Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced that it has broken ground on the 146-suite Lansdale Homewood Suites by Hilton in Lansdale, Pa. Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels target guests staying for five nights or more who prefer upscale, all-suite, residential-style lodging. The facility is expected to open in fall 2001. When construction is completed, the Lansdale property will be the fourth Homewood Suites by Hilton in the state and among more than 100 nationwide.

The Homewood Suites by Hilton Lansdale is owned by an affiliate of Wayne, Pa.-based Gulph Creek Hotels, which owns and operates five hotels, including three Hampton Inn hotels and one Hampton Inn & Suites, all in the Philadelphia area. Construction financing was provided by First Union National Bank. This is the sixth hotel that Gulph Creek Hotels has developed or acquired in the Philadelphia area in the past five years.

"The need for hotels that cater to guests staying five or more consecutive nights greatly exceeds the available supply," said Clarke Blynn, president of Gulph Creek Hotels. "Our new facility is being created specifically to meet the special needs of extended-stay travelers, in this case, the Merk Company's training needs, who stay at a property for extended amounts of time. We will offer spacious, residential-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate sleeping and living areas that are large enough for work, study, entertaining or relaxing."

"Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels have a home-like atmosphere that appeals to business travelers who stay for a few nights or a few weeks, as well as families vacationing with children and weekend travelers seeking a get-away retreat," added Blynn.

Guests enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet in the property's hospitality center, called the "Lodge," an evening manager's reception Monday through Thursday with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages, an executive business center, exercise facilities and a convenience store.

Located at 1180 Church Road, the six-story hotel will be located adjacent to Merck Company's new training center in Lansdale, which opened in August and already is operating near capacity. The Homewood Suites by Hilton is part of a larger mixed-use development, Pennbrook Corporate Center, which is being developed by Progress Development. In addition to the hotel, a 40,000 square-foot office building is under construction at the center.

Hotel amenities will include an outdoor pool, whirlpool, on-demand videos, exercise room, executive business center, outdoor terraced rock garden and 1,200 square feet of meeting space. Each suite of the hotel will have a fully equipped kitchen, featuring a microwave oven, refrigerator with ice-maker, twin-burner stove, dishwasher and all the necessary pots, pans and utensils. Additionally, suites contain two remote-controlled televisions, a videocassette player, ceiling fans, an iron/ironing board, two telephones with two lines and data ports, and free local calls.

Homewood Suites by Hilton is a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 1,800 hotels, resorts, and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the industry's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Harrison Conference Centers, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns, and Conrad International.

Kendra Walker
310/205-4545
Hilton