Arctic Club Hotel Wins Prestigious 2009 State Historic Preservation Officer's Award for Outstanding Historic Preservation.

Careful, Thorough Preservation Leading up to Hotel's 2008 Opening Was Made Outstanding by an Integrated Team of Architects, Designers, Downtown Neighbors and Historians

SEATTLE -- The Arctic Club Hotel, soon to be renamed the Doubletree Arctic Club Hotel Seattle - Downtown in mid-May, has won the 2009 State Historic Preservation Officer's Award for the property's demonstrated outstanding achievement in historic preservation. Those responsible for the Hotel's preservation were honored this afternoon by Dr. Allyson Brooks, State Historic Preservation Officer, at the Columbia Room in the Washington State Legislative (Capitol) Building in Olympia.

"We're thrilled the state of Washington's Historic Preservation Officer held the Arctic Club Hotel in such high esteem to bestow us this distinguished award," Lara Latture said, executive vice president of The Hotel Group, which manages the property. "This achievement is a testament to the thousands of hours our talented and passionate architects, designers, downtown neighbors and historians dedicated to preserving the building's beloved heritage while meeting the needs of a full-service hotel."

The building, on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated city landmark, was designed by one of Seattle's most prominent architects of the time, A. Warren Gould. The 1916-constructed Arctic Building served as the long-time home of the Arctic Club, whose members included many of Seattle's early captains of industry as well as Alaska-Yukon enthusiasts.

Reinvigorated and transformed into the Arctic Club Hotel after more than two years of careful planning and remodeling, its doors opened July 9, 2008. Great care was taken to maintain the original treasures of the building, including its Alaskan marble-lined foyer and stairways, 23 molded walrus heads wrapping around the third-floor exterior (whose original ivory tusks were replaced in the 1940s for pedestrian safety and seismic concerns), and the historic Northern Lights Dome Room, one of Seattle's grandest event facilities comprised of Rococo gilt and original artistic frescos, ornamental cornices and stained glass dome ceiling.

The Hotel was lauded for its preservation of historical architecture, old-meets-new Northwest thematic interiors, and modern amenities. The public areas of the Arctic Club Hotel offer a rich blend of early 1900s architecture, remarkable artifacts inspired by the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition and original art. A comfortable mix of Art Nouveau, modern and period furniture lends a playful, elegant and approachable appeal.

The Hotel was one of 10 entities in Washington state receiving an historic award in seven categories.

About the Arctic Club Hotel

The Arctic Club Hotel Seattle is a 120-room hotel that combines the history and grandeur of an early 20th century men's club, the former Arctic Club, with contemporary design and amenities for business and leisure travelers. Classic, inspired cocktails are found at The Polar Bar, and the hotel features the Northern Lights Dome Room, one of Seattle's grandest function facilities, featuring a stained glass dome. Learn more at www.arcticclubhotel.com.

About The Hotel Group

The Hotel Group (THG) is recognized as a top 40 hotel management and national investment company with headquarters based in the Pacific Northwest. THG currently manages and/or owns 25 properties in 10 states and employs over 1,300 people. Since its inception in 1984, THG has managed more than 100 properties in 20 states, directed the design and construction of over 30 new hotels, and purchased nine full-service hotels representing more than $100 million in assets. For more information, visit www.thehotelgroup.com or call 425-771-1788.

About Doubletree Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, Doubletree Hotels, Guest Suites and Resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors([R]) guest reward program, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them.

Doubletree is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,200 hotels and 545,000 rooms in 77 countries, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton([R]), Conrad([R]) Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree([R]), Embassy Suites Hotels([R]), Hampton Inn([R]), Hampton Inn & Suites([R]), Hilton Garden Inn([R]), Hilton Grand Vacations[TM], Homewood Suites by Hilton([R]), Home2 Suites by Hilton[TM] and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection[TM].

To make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers can visit our website at www.doubletree.com, contact their preferred travel professional or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada.

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