WAR VETERAN HONORED AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA ORLANDO OPENING CEREMONY
ORLANDO, Fla., October 2, 2009 - The Waldorf Astoria® Orlando welcomed its first guest on October 1, 78 years to the day the original New York City landmark hotel opened its doors. Sergeant Joshua Stephen Cope, acknowledged by the United States Pentagon as the most decorated war veteran of Desert Storm, was the honored first guest at Thursday's ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Florida native served two tours in Iraq, for which he received numerous commendations including the Army Commendation Medal and two Purple Heart medals. During his second tour in 2006, Sergeant Cope's Humvee struck a roadside bomb in Baghdad, causing Cope to lose both of his legs and sustain serious injuries to his right hand. Three of his fellow soldiers were killed in that same attack.
"We are so thankful to the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our freedom," says Michael King, general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. "Sergeant Cope epitomizes what it means to be an American, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor him as the first guest of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando."
Other special guests joining Joshua Cope on this "Day of Firsts" included Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Golf Course Architect Rees Jones.
The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club and the adjacent Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek also open their doors this week. Known collectively as Bonnet Creek, the 482-acre vacation destination is conveniently surrounded by Walt Disney World® on three sides, yet secluded by a private nature preserve.
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando infuses the Jazz-age elegance of New York's Art Deco Waldorf Astoria, complete with stunning lobby clock and the vibrant ambience of Florida. Comprised of 497 deluxe rooms and suites, the hotel features signature Waldorf Astoria food and beverage establishments such as Peacock Alley® and Bull & Bear Steakhouse® as well as 28,000 square feet of exclusive flexible meeting space. The hotel's outdoor facilities feature s formal signature pool encircled by chic private cabanas and complimented by lush tropical landscaping.
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers 1,000 rooms and suites and 122,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is part of Bonnet Creek - a 482-acre complex surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort - that will also be home to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The hotel will also offer a two-acre lagoon-style pool and six restaurants and lounges, including La Luce®, a signature eatery created by famed Napa Valley Chef Donna Scala.
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek transcends the hotel experience with 1,000 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, six distinct dining options, a two-acre lagoon-style pool, 122,000 square feet of meeting space and a variety of pre-function areas. Its outdoor venues include Bonnet Creek Island, a private retreat ideal for cocktails or storybook weddings.
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando emulates the elegance and grandeur of its legendary New York namesake. Comprised of 497 deluxe rooms and suites, the hotel will feature signature Waldorf Astoria food and beverage establishments such as Peacock Alley and Bull & Bear, 28,000 square feet of exclusive flexible meeting space and a variety of pre-function areas. The hotel's outdoor facilities boast a formal signature pool, encircled by chic private cabanas and complimented by lush tropical landscaping.
Guests of both properties can take advantage of the Rees Jones-designed Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, WA Kids children's program, 24,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain® and 4,000-square-foot fitness center.
For more information on the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, please call (407) 597-3600 or visit www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com. For more information on the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, please call (407) 597-5500 or visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,300 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries and more than 130,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand VacationsTM, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, the Waldorf AstoriaTM and the Waldorf Astoria CollectionTM, as well as the recently launched Home2 Suites by HiltonTM. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.
Hilton Worldwide is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.
The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.
For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com.
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Contacts: |
Mike Hicks / Gina Stouffer Media Web site: www.BonnetCreekMedia.com Lou Hammond & Associates www.Twitter.com/BonnetCreek michaelh@lhammond.com www.Facebook.com/BonnetCreek 561-655-3836 |
