DoubleTree
| File:DoubleTree by Hilton logo.svg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1969 in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States |
| Founder | Sam Kitchell |
| Headquarters | McLean, Virginia , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (47 countries as of 2019) |
| Products | Hotels, hospitality services |
| Parent | Hilton Worldwide |
| Website | www |
DoubleTree by Hilton represents a prominent American hotel brand operated under the umbrella of Hilton Worldwide. Since 2007, it has stood as Hilton's most rapidly expanding brand in terms of property count, leading the increase in available rooms between 2007 and 2015. By December 2019, DoubleTree managed a portfolio of 587 hotels offering a total of 135,745 rooms across 47 nations. This included 122 managed properties with 35,122 rooms and 465 franchised hotels accounting for 100,623 rooms.
Situated within the full-service hotel category alongside Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree is widely known for its distinctive chocolate chip cookies. These treats were originally crafted in the early 1980s exclusively for VIP guests but have since been extended to all visitors. The Nashville-based Christie Cookie Company has been producing these cookies for over three decades. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, DoubleTree shared its famous cookie recipe with the public as a way to maintain customer engagement.
DoubleTree’s growth model emphasizes broadening its international presence through franchising and management contracts. The brand capitalizes on its strong recognition and uniform guest service standards to increase market penetration within the competitive hospitality sector.
History
The inaugural Doubletree Inn was established in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1969 by Sam Kitchell, located on the site of Scottsdale Fashion Square. In December 1993, Doubletree Hotels Corporation combined forces with Boston’s Guest Quarters Hotels Partnership, rebranding all acquired all-suite properties as Doubletree Guest Suites. Subsequently, in 1997, it merged with Promus Hotel Corporation, bringing together Doubletree with brands such as Red Lion, Hampton Inn, and Embassy Suites. Following Promus's acquisition by Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1999, Doubletree became part of Hilton Worldwide. To reinforce its global brand presence, Hilton renamed the chain "DoubleTree by Hilton" in October 2010.
DoubleTree’s approach to expansion is centered on encouraging existing operators from other brands to convert their affiliations rather than relying primarily on new developments, which contrasts with competitors like Marriott or Sheraton. The company provides affordable renovation options aimed at retaining franchisees within its network, thereby strengthening its market position and competitive edge.
On November 2, 2019, DoubleTree's hallmark cookie made history by becoming the first baked item produced in space when ISS Commander Luca Parmitano prepared the cookie dough aboard the International Space Station—an innovative marketing milestone.
In late 2024, labor unrest at several DoubleTree sites—including locations in San Jose, the Seattle area Seatac, and Boston-Cambridge—triggered strikes followed by new labor agreements. These events highlight ongoing workforce challenges in hospitality and demonstrate strategic leadership responses to employee demands across critical markets.
Accommodations
| U.S. | Americas (excl. US) |
Europe | Middle E. & Africa |
Asia Pacific |
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Properties | 277 | 14 | 45 | 7 | 28 | 371 |
| Rooms | 70,989 | 2,700 | 8,997 | 1,273 | 9,095 | 93,054 | |
| 2014 | Properties | 292 | 16 | 54 | 11 | 37 | 410 |
| Rooms | 73,898 | 3,058 | 11,009 | 1,952 | 10,962 | 100,879 | |
| 2015 | Properties | 313 | 21 | 67 | 13 | 43 | 457 |
| Rooms | 78,388 | 4,068 | 13,121 | 2,362 | 12,833 | 110,772 | |
| 2016 | Properties | 326 | 22 | 86 | 13 | 47 | 494 |
| Rooms | 81,073 | 4,400 | 15,860 | 2,602 | 13,764 | 117,699 | |
| 2017 | Properties | 338 | 25 | 92 | 14 | 51 | 520 |
| Rooms | 83,691 | 5,160 | 16,899 | 2,838 | 15,185 | 123,773 | |
| 2018 | Properties | 351 | 27 | 105 | 16 | 60 | 559 |
| Rooms | 85,739 | 5,725 | 19,313 | 3,068 | 16,869 | 130,714 | |
| 2019 | Properties | 360 | 33 | 110 | 18 | 66 | 587 |
| Rooms | 87,071 | 6,498 | 19,783 | 3,882 | 18,511 | 135,745 | |
| 2020 | Properties | 371 | 39 | 115 | 19 | 72 | 616 |
| Rooms | 88,691 | 7,634 | 20,982 | 4,421 | 19,636 | 141,364 | |
| 2021 | Properties | 373 | 37 | 122 | 22 | 81 | 635 |
| Rooms | 88,355 | 7,332 | 22,027 | 5,167 | 22,020 | 144,901 | |
| 2022 | Properties | 379 | 42 | 123 | 25 | 91 | 660 |
| Rooms | 89,519 | 8,409 | 22,190 | 5,764 | 24,275 | 150,157 | |
| 2023 | Properties |385 |41 |126 |25 |100 |677 | |||||||
| 90,311 |8 ,282 |23 ,372 |6 ,343 |26 ,400 |154 ,708 |
Noteworthy Properties
- Billings, United States: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Billings ranks as the second tallest structure in the northern Rocky Mountains region and is distinguished by its brick masonry exterior. It was incorporated into the DoubleTree brand in 2016, following previous associations with Sheraton and Crowne Plaza.
- Boston, United States: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston - Downtown occupies the historic site of the former Don Bosco Technical High School, a notable Catholic educational institution.
- Brighton, United Kingdom: The DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, originally designed by Alfred Waterhouse, joined Hilton's portfolio in 2000 and was rebranded under the DoubleTree name in 2023.
- Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Operating within Lilleybrook, a manor from the Regency period converted into a hotel in 1922, the DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham offers historic charm combined with modern hospitality.
- Denver, United States: Since 2010, The Curtis skyscraper has been part of the DoubleTree collection and features student dormitories serving the Auraria Campus.
- Detroit, United States: The Fort Shelby Hotel, showcasing Neoclassical architecture, was transformed into a DoubleTree Suites property in 2008 following an $82 million restoration project.
- Dublin, Ireland: From 2013 until 2016, DoubleTree managed the Burlington Hotel.
- Harrogate, United Kingdom: After a £15 million refurbishment, Hilton assumed management of the historic Majestic Hotel as a DoubleTree property in 2019.
- Hilo, United States: The Grand Naniloa Hotel, recognized as Hawaii island’s oldest hotel, underwent a $30 million renovation before being rebranded as a DoubleTree in 2016.
- Las Vegas, United States: Affiliated with DoubleTree since 2012, the Tropicana Las Vegas casino hotel is situated adjacent to one of the world’s busiest hotel intersections.
- London, United Kingdom: The 100 Queen's Gate Hotel London functioned as a DoubleTree property from 2015 to 2019 before joining Hilton’s Curio Collection; the building dates back to 1870.
- Los Angeles, United States: Located in Little Tokyo, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown opened under Hilton management in 2012 following extensive renovations.
- Miami, United States: Overlooking Sea Isle Marina—the venue for the Miami International Boat Show—the DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay offers premium waterfront accommodations.
- Miami Beach, United States: Previously operated by DoubleTree, the historic Art Deco Surfcomber Hotel was acquired by Kimpton in 2011.
- Naha, Japan: The DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle is positioned near the renowned Shuri Castle.
- New York City, United States:
- In 1991, a DoubleTree Suites hotel replaced part of the original Palace Theatre on Broadway; this property closed in 2019 to make way for TSX Broadway redevelopment, with plans for a Tempo by Hilton hotel opening slated for 2024.
- The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan New York City—originally a Loews theater opened in 1961 and designated as a landmark—was rebranded as DoubleTree in 2005 but ceased operations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Pittsburgh, United States: Between 1995 and 2001, the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh operated under Vista Hotel management before becoming affiliated with DoubleTree; it later transitioned to Starwood’s Westin brand.
- Portland, United States:
- The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland originally opened as a Sheraton in 1959 and held the title of Oregon’s largest hotel throughout the 1980s.
- From its opening in 1978 until its sale during the 1990s, the Holiday Inn Portland-Columbia Riverfront functioned as a DoubleTree property.
- Roanoke, United States: Managed by DoubleTree from 1995 until 2016, Historic Hotel Roanoke later joined Hilton’s Curio Collection; ownership resides with Virginia Tech.
- Seattle, United States: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport is conveniently located near Seattle–Tacoma International Airport along Route 99.
- San Antonio, United States: Situated opposite the Alamo and recognized as part of Historic Hotels of America, the Emily Morgan Hotel operates under the DoubleTree brand.
- Santa Monica: Formerly branded as a DoubleTree Suites property, the Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites was rebranded to Hilton following renovations completed in 2021.
- Springfield, United States: Opened in 1985 as Ramada Renaissance, this hotel came under DoubleTree management in 2013 and features an underground passage connecting it to the Bank of Springfield Center.
- Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom: Etruria Hall—once home to Josiah Wedgwood—is part of a hotel complex acquired by Hilton and rebranded as DoubleTree Stoke-on-Trent in 2020.
- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Completed in 2021 at an investment of AED 232.3 million, this hotel accommodates up to 254 guests and serves more than 65,000 diners annually while overlooking Majaz waterfront and park.
- Utica, United States: Following renovation work completed in October 2017, Historic Hotel Utica reopened under the name DoubleTree by Hilton Utica.
- Zagreb, Croatia: Situated downtown within the Green Gold business complex, this is one of three Hilton-branded hotels operating within Zagreb.