Tropicana Las Vegas to Become a DoubleTree by Hilton

tropicana las vegasAccording to Incentive Travel & Corporate Meetings, DoubleTree by Hilton announced a strategic franchise agreement marking Hilton Worldwide's return to the Las Vegas Strip after 14 years. Under the terms of the agreement, Tropicana Las Vegas will continue to own and operate all 1,600 guestrooms in the resort, which recently completed a $200 million renovation.

The hotel's new name will be the Tropicana Las Vegas - a DoubleTree by Hilton, effective January 2013. Guests will be able to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points and airline miles at the resort.

"We clearly need to get Hilton Worldwide back on to the Las Vegas Strip," Rob Palleschi, global head of the Doubletree by Hilton brand told USA Today.

"We are thrilled to be affiliated with such a first-class organization that shares our customer-centric values, and we are honored that DoubleTree by Hilton selected us to represent their marquee brand on the Las Vegas Strip,” said Tropicana Las Vegas CEO Alex Yemenidjian. Yemenidjian and his partners bought the Tropicana out of bankruptcy in 2009, and now wish to transform it into an upscale property. Yemenidjian told USA Today that though the number of visitors to Las Vegas has returned to peak periods, the increased number of rooms in the city and the different mix of travelers has changed the market.

Hilton currently operates approximately 17 properties under various brands in the Vegas market, including an airport DoubleTree by Hilton.