Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights Debut of Multi-Million-Dollar Transformation to Become a “Super-Natural Experience''

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, June 27, 2006. When the Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights quietly opened its doors a few months ago, the hotel was in the midst of completing the finishing touches on a multi-million-dollar renovation of what used to be an ordinary 241-room hotel.

On Monday, June 26, hotel owners F&F Realty and the Doubletree hotel team will proudly shared its extraordinary multi-million dollar transformation with invited business and community leaders in an exciting grand opening gala of its newly rejuvenated, contemporary and welcoming hotel experience.

Replacing the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, the grand re-opening gala brought the name behind the hotel to life with a “Double-tree” commemorative lighting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony was followed by a fun-filled “Nature Trail” tour and cocktail reception that introduced guests to the hotel’s stunning, state of the art facilities.

As guests proceeded along the Nature Trail, they filled out their guide map with stickers representing the various stops along the way: guest rooms and suites, the hotel’s 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the fitness center and indoor swimming pool, all of which have been totally re-designed and upgraded.

An array of local businesses executives celebrated the hotel's nature theme during the grand opening gala with massages, aromatherapy sessions and other special surprises.

Throughout the event, guests enjoyed delectable offerings from the hotel’s culinary and catering team including items from its popular new restaurant, Birch River Grill—An American Kitchen, which serves American classic cuisine in a rustic chic décor and has become very popular with locals as well as hotel guests. An array of tantalizing, new signature martinis were introduced at the event including the “Tree Tea” cocktail and “Doubletreeni” martini. Red and white wine also will be served.

Other special surprises will included “Chippie,” the Doubletree mascot named for the delicious signature chocolate chip cookie presented to every Doubletree hotel guest upon arrival.

"From our earliest renovation planning stages, we envisioned the Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights would become an ultra-modern, 21st century hotel that would appeal to both business travelers and leisure guests," said Linda Smogor, hotel general manager. "We are incredibly excited and proud to share the vision that has become a reality by showing our all new guest rooms, meeting and event space and restaurant – all of which have been developed to create a natural gathering place for residents and travelers alike to Arlington Heights, the O'Hare area and surrounding Chicago communities."

A hotel naturally designed as an ultra-modern and appealing place to rest, relax and work. Every guest room at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights proudly features the popular Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree Sleep Experience – which includes a plentiful amount of pillows, a luxurious linen package of a down-filled duvet wrapped in triple sheeting and a specially designed plush-top mattress and box spring system that ensures a great night’s sleep. Guest bathrooms feature contemporary lighting, vanities with granite counters, modern fixtures and a curved shower rod that allows for 20% more space in the shower. Even the guestroom’s simple-to-operate alarm clocks are exclusively designed to reset themselves daily so that newly arriving guests won’t suddenly be woken up by an early morning alarm that was programmed by the previous guest. Ten two-room suites at the Doubletree feature high-end amenities such as a wet bar and whirlpool tubs, refrigerator, microwave, and bathrobes.

Business guests also can enjoy the freedom of complimentary high-speed Internet access, available in all guest rooms and public areas, in both wired and wireless formats, along with a unique remote, printing service that provides travelers with the office tools they need to stay connected and print documents, presentations and other important materials 24 hours a day at their convenience.

New and current members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program also can reap the rewards of earning Points & Miles® for every qualifying stay at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights. Hilton HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to reap Double Dip® earnings by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points with each qualifying stay at more than 2,800 hotels worldwide.

For group events there are 11 meeting rooms, with more than 8,000 square feet of total event space. The Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights can accommodate meetings of up to 400 guests and banquets of 350 guests. There is also a beautifully and functionally furnished executive board room, equipped with Herman Miller® chairs, and an adjacent private salon.

For late-night snackers or arrivals, in addition to Birch River Grill, the hotel also features the convenience of Cravings, a 24-hour snack bar that features food freshly prepared by the restaurant.

The Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Arlington Heights Road, just a short drive northwest of O’Hare Airport. The hotel’s address is 75 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Ill., 60005. The hotel is minutes from such attractions as Woodfield Mall, Arlington Park Racetrack, Schaumburg Flyers Baseball and the nearby Schaumburg business corridor.

For more information about or to make reservations at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Arlington Heights, please visit the hotel’s website at:
www.chicagoarlingtonheights.doubletree.com or contact the hotel directly at (847) 364-7600.

About F&F Realty, Ltd.
Skokie-based F & F Realty, Ltd., has been active in the operation and management of residential and commercial real estate in the Chicago area since 1979. It operates a number of hotels, restaurant and catering properties including: The company currently manages several nationally franchised award-winning hotels including: the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro at 733 W. Madison, Chicago; the Crowne Plaza North Shore at 510 E. Route 83 in Mundelein, IL; the Crowne Plaza Silversmith at 10 S. Wabash, Chicago; the DoubleTree Arlington Heights at 75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL and the Holiday Inn Express Palatine at 1550 E. Dundee Rd, Palatine, IL. It also owns the Midwest Conference Center at 401 W. Lake St. in Northlake, IL . It also operates four restaurants: Birch River Grill—An American Kitchen at 75 W. Algonquin in Arlington Heights, IL; Dine at 733 W. Madison, Chicago; Karma at 510 E. Route 83 in Mundelein, IL; and Ada’s Famous Deli at 14 S. Wabash, Chicago.

Media Contacts:
Kurman Communications, Inc.
Lee Barrie/Cindy Kurman
(312) 651-9000
lbarrie@kurman.com or prcindy@kurman.com

Thomas Wingham
Doubletree Hotels
(310) 205-3381
thomas_wingham@hilton.com