Saint Louis Hotel News July, 2007 St. Louis Hotels Guide www.hotels-stl.com St. Louis Hotels Guide is a complete resource of hotels listed by area for your convenience. Please call ahead to confirm information or for reservations. St. Louis Hotel News spotlight on development and events at area hotels. "If it's happening in St. Louis, it's on St. Louis Front Page." St. Louis News St. Louis CitySide Business News Community Info St. Charles News Southwest, IL News Art Gallery News Restaurant News Local Attractions Entertainment Shopping Guide Weather Downtown Map Gateway Arch Busch Stadium America's Center Scottrade Center Union Station Metropolitan Map Central West End Clayton Forest Park West Port Plaza St. Charles Lambert Airport Transportation How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit hotel news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com

Blackstone intends to invest in the Hilton properties and brands globally to enhance and grow the business for the benefit of owners, franchisees and customers. Blackstone Group to Acquire Hilton Hotels in $26 Billion All-Cash Deal St. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), July 8, 2007 - Hilton Hotels Corporation have announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with The Blackstone Group's real estate and corporate private equity funds in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $26 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will acquire all the outstanding common stock of Hilton for $47.50 per share. The price represents a premium of 40% over yesterday's closing stock price. Hilton's Board of Directors approved the transaction July 3. It is anticipated that the transaction will close during the fourth quarter of 2007; completion is subject to the approval of Hilton's shareholders, as well as other customary closing conditions. A special shareholders meeting will be scheduled at a later date. The acquisition brings together a leading global hospitality company with Blackstone's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Blackstone currently owns more than 100,000 hotel rooms in the U.S. and Europe, ranging from limited service properties such as La Quinta Inns and Suites to LXR Luxury Resorts and Hotels. The LXR collection includes such upscale properties as The Boulders Resort and Spa (Arizona), The El Conquistador Resort (Puerto Rico), The Boca Raton Resort and Club (Florida), The Golden Door Spa (San Diego), and The London NYC (New York). Blackstone's holdings complement Hilton's unparalleled family of brands, which include Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection. Blackstone intends to invest in the Hilton properties and brands globally to enhance and grow the business for the benefit of owners, franchisees and customers. Over the last fifteen years, Blackstone has been the largest private investor in hospitality worldwide and it has a strong track record of reinvesting in its hotel properties. Blackstone has invested approximately $1 billion in redevelopment capital in its LXR properties over the last three years; it has also grown the La Quinta brand by approximately 45% since its acquisition in January 2006. In a statement, Stephen F. Bollenbach, Hilton's co-chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Our priority has always been to maximize shareholder value. Our Board of Directors concluded that this transaction provides compelling value for our shareholders with a significant premium. We are delighted that a company with the resources and reputation of Blackstone fully appreciates the value inherent in our global presence, strong brands, industry leading marketing and technology programs, and unique portfolio of hotel properties." Jonathan Gray, Senior Managing Director, Blackstone, stated, "It is hard to imagine a better strategic fit for us than Hilton with its world-class people, brands and network of hotels. This transaction is about building the premier global hospitality business. We are committed to investing in the company and working with Hilton's outstanding owners and franchisees to continue to grow and enhance the business." St. Louis Hotels Guide: Special Spotlight Historic Seven Gables Inn Seven Gables Inn Listed on National Register of Historic Places Built in 1926, Seven Gables Inn, a Prince Tudor-style inn, with its high pitched roof and old world charm, exuding a sophisticated European grace, is nestled among office buildings, shops, art galleries and the area's finest restaurants in Clayton, Missouri, the St. Louis County Seat. This boutique hotel was the vision of architect Daniel H. Mullen and developers Captain Gunther Meier and Norman Comfort. Steep roofs, a massive chimney, tall, narrow windows and decorative half-timbering are just some of the Tudor influences found at Seven Gables Inn. This St. Louis, Missouri landmark originally housed apartments, offices and storefronts, until a renovation in 1986 transformed it into a European-style luxury hotel. St. Louis based Lodging Hospitality Management purchased the 32 room boutique hotel in July, 2006 and, dedicated to the integrity of the property, embarked on a major renovation and refurbishing, coupling Seven Gables architecture with state-of-the-art amenities to accommodate the lifestyle of today's travelers. Catering to both the business executive and the leisure traveler, Seven Gables Inn provides easy access to corporations, educational landmarks, cultural attractions, and entertainment venues. Guest rooms have been totally refurbished with plasma TVs, internet access, and fine Aveda toiletries. A cozy Parlor welcomes hotels guests to a private concierge -like setting, serving complimentary Continental Breakfast, afternoon refreshments, and cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres. A large plasma TV and daily newspapers complete the inviting setting. Guests can enjoy lunch and dinner in the Bistro and Wine Bar and listen to popular Jazz artists perform live on Thursday Friday, and Saturday evenings. The Garden Courtyard, nestled away from traffic noise, features ivy covered walls, soft music and a flowing fountain that enhances the outdoor dining experience. For reservations or more information, visit the web site for Seven Gables Inn or call 1-800-433-6590. Archived Hotel News: • Ameristar Casino St. Charles 'Tops Off' New Hotel, Spa and Pool Facility With a Las Vegas Style Party • Drury Hotels Offers Free Gas to Hotel Guests • Former Embassy Suites Hotel to Reopen As Suites at Lumiere Place • Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Debut Microsoft Surface • Hotel Web Sites Score Higher in Customer Satisfaction • Fuel Prices Won't Dampen Vacation Season • Holiday Inn Express Partners With Reading Is Fundamental to Promote a Smart Start in Education • Seminole Tribe Finalizes Acquisition of Hard Rock International • Hilton St. Louis Downtown Recognized for Best Overall Performance • Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel St. Louis to Undergo Multi-Million Dollar Renovation • Marriott Makes Sweeping Move To Eliminate Trans Fats from Food At Over 2,300 Hotels in North America • Loews Hotels Bans Artificial Trans-Fats at Its 18 Hotels and Resorts • Adults Miss the Luxuries of a Hotel Stay When Traveling Home for the Holidays The St. Louis Hotels Guide is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1997 - 2007 Moore Design Group.

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