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The Hilton Austin’s President Was Appointed In A Corrupt Bargain

by Gary Leff

Mar 06 2021

The Hilton Austin is owned by the City of Austin. Or, technically, by a separate entity created by the city. The city appoints the company’s board, and can amend its bylaws. But because it is a ‘private’ entity owned by the city, it is able to apply for a federal Paycheck Protection Loan to cover payroll costs it is going to be incurring anyway. Cities themselves cannot apply for these forgivable loans.

When applying for the PPP loan was discussed at the City Council meeting, other dirty laundry about the Austin Hilton got aired.

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A-Rod Is Going To Buy 20 Hotels And Turn Them Into Hiltons

by Gary Leff

Dec 15 2020

Former Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, who recently failed in his bid with fiance’ J. Lo to buy the New York Mets, will invest in and front a $650 million hospitality fund which plans to acquire 20 hotels – largely in New York, Miami and Seattle but potentially also the Caribbean – and turn them into Hiltons. He’s already acquired the Curio Collection hotel in Miami.

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Hilton To U.S. Government: Stop Using Our Hotels To House Detained Children At The Border

by Gary Leff

Jul 25 2020

Hilton says that their hotels shouldn’t be used to house children detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after it was revealed several franchised properties near the U.S.-Mexico border were housing children and their private contractor chaperones prior to deportation. These properties have hosted over 200 bookings of this nature.

Here’s a challenge for you: If you think an airline or hotel chain ought to decide whom they’ll do business with on the basis of their values, wouldn’t you also have to support bakeries choosing to provide wedding cakes only to heterosexual couples if that’s what’s dictated by their values? Or should businesses only make decisions about whom to serve based on your values?

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Hilton In DC Learns ‘Pimpin Ain’t Easy’ After Charging 5th Graders A $10,000 Coronavirus Cancellation Fee

by Gary Leff

May 12 2020

Within hours of the story hitting several media sources, a Homewood Suites by Hilton has reversed course and will refund $10,000 owed to a 5th grade class in Florida.

In a rather bizarre story the Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Downtown wanted to charge an elementary school $20,612 when they weren’t able to travel to D.C. in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The hotel eventually agreed to take just $10,000, withheld from the group’s deposit. In an unexpected twist, the kids are getting the money back thanks to intervention by an incarcerated rap artist.

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