Explore our history and heritage.

When Conrad N. Hilton opened the first hotel to bear the Hilton name in 1925, he aimed to operate the best hotel in Texas. As a result of his commitment, leadership, and innovation, today Hilton is one of the most respected brands in the world. Discover our history.

  1. Early 1900s

  2. 1940s

  3. 1950s

  4. 1960s

  5. 1970s

  6. 1980s

  7. 1990s

  8. 2000s

  9. 2010s

    1. Welcome

      to the Hilton Worldwide historical timeline. Click above to learn more about our history, corporate milestones, and innovations.

    1. 1919

      Conrad Hilton buys The Mobley, a hotel in Cisco, Texas. Over the next few years, he buys other Texas hotels. While business is strong, Mr. Hilton has greater ambitions.

    2. 1925

      Conrad Hilton opens the high-rise Dallas Hilton, the first hotel to carry the Hilton name. Since air conditioning hadn't yet been invented, the elevators, laundry chutes, airshafts, and other non-customer facilities were placed on the building's west side, so that no guest rooms faced the western sun.

    3. 1927

      Hilton expands to Waco, Texas, and opens its first hotel with cold running water and air-conditioning in public areas.

    1. 1943

      With the purchase of the Roosevelt and Plaza hotels in New York City, Hilton becomes the first coast-to-coast hotel group in the United States.

    2. 1946

      The Hilton Hotels Corporation is formed, and becomes the first hotel company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

    3. 1947

      New York City's Roosevelt Hilton becomes the first hotel in the world to install televisions in guest rooms.

    4. 1949

      Hilton International is born, with the opening of the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico. Legendary barman Ramon "Monchito" Marrero creates the Pina Colada.

    5. 1949

      Conrad Hilton purchases "The Greatest of Them All," the original Waldorf Astoria in New York, NY.

    6. 1949

      Conrad Hilton appears on the cover of Time magazine, the first hotelier to achieve such recognition. (He appears again on the cover in 1963.)

    1. 1954

      Conrad N. Hilton buys Statler Hotel for $111 million dollars, which at the time was the largest real estate deal ever.

    2. 1955

      Hilton creates its first central reservation office, called HILCRON. Reservations can be made at any Hilton by telephone, telegram, or Teletype.

    3. 1955

      Hilton launches a program to bring air-conditioning to every hotel in the Hilton portfolio.

    4. 1955

      Opening of the Hilton Istanbul, the first modern hotel built from the ground up in post- World War II Europe. The landmark property earns its own postal code and stamp.

    5. 1958

      Barron Hilton introduces the new Hilton Carte Blanche credit card, the premier travel and entertainment card owned by Hilton Hotels.

    6. 1959

      Hilton pioneers the airport-hotel concept by opening the 380-room San Francisco Airport Hilton.

    1. 1964

      Hilton International forms as a separate company, with Conrad Hilton as president. Two years later, Conrad Hilton's son Barron succeeds him as president of the domestic Hilton Hotels Corporation.

    2. 1965

      Launch of Lady Hilton, the first hotel concept designed exclusively for women travelers. Select hotels feature women-only floors and rooms, and provide special amenities tailored to women.

    3. 1967

      Trans World Airlines acquires Hilton International. Conrad Hilton resigns his presidency to become chairman.

    4. 1969

      The first DoubleTree hotel opens in Scottsdale, AZ.

    1. 1970

      Hilton becomes the first NYSE-listed company to enter the domestic gaming business, by purchasing the Flamingo Hotel and the Las Vegas International. It's later named the Las Vegas Hilton.

    2. 1979

      Conrad Hilton passes away at age 91.

    1. 1982

      Conrad Hotels founded, with the goal of operating a network of luxury hotels and resorts in the world's major business and tourism capitals.

    2. 1984

      First Embassy Suites opens, in Kansas City-Overland Park, MO.

    3. 1984

      First Hampton Inn opens in Memphis, TN.

    4. 1987

      Hilton introduces Hilton HHonors™, its guest loyalty program.

    5. 1989

      First Homewood Suites Hotel opens in Omaha, NE.

    6. 1989

      Hampton Hotels is the first hotel company to promise 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. It states: Friendly service, clean rooms, comfortable surroundings, every time. If you're not satisfied, we don't expect you to pay.

    1. 1990

      The Hilton Garden Inn brand makes its debut, with four locations. It later expands to more than 500 properties.

    2. 1994

      Hilton HHonors™ surpasses competing hotel loyalty programs by offering members both points and air miles.

    3. 1995

      The first Hilton website launches: www.Hilton.com.

    1. 2002

      Hilton Worldwide Resorts launches as a vacation-ownership subsidiary, providing its members with premium resorts and exotic vacation experiences.

    2. 2006

      Hilton Hotels Corporation reacquires Hilton International, reuniting the companies for the first time in 40 years and expanding Hilton's portfolio of brands worldwide.

    3. 2007

      Hilton Hotels Corporation completes merger with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group's real estate and corporate private equity funds.

    4. 2007

      Christopher J. Nassetta joins Hilton Worldwide as President and Chief Executive Officer.

    5. 2009

      Hilton Hotels expands to 76 countries, making it the largest full-service hotel brand in the world.

    6. 2009

      Hilton Hotels Corporation changes its name and logo to Hilton Worldwide and moves its headquarters from Beverly Hills, California, to McLean, Virginia.

    7. 2009

      LightStay™, the proprietary system of measurement was launched as a Brand standard across the portfolio to calculate sustainability performance across the globe.

    1. 2011

      Home2 Suites, a new concept in the extended-stay market, opens its first property in Fayetteville, NC.

    2. 2011

      Hampton Hotels is named the #1 franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500® ranking.