Conrad Hilton
Conrad Hilton was the founder of Hilton Hotels, a legendary figure in the lodging industry and one whose global hospitality perspective set an unprecedented standard for international luxury. Hilton was born on December 25, 1887, in San Antonio, New Mexico. He took up a range of disparate professions, including banking, before buying his first hotel – the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas- back in 1919. He eventually opened his own multi-facility business and expanded to the Howard Johnson name in 1925 after buying a Dallas Hilton.
Hilton dreamed of a global hotel empire and accomplished that dream by building hotels or purchasing chains in major metropolitan areas across the globe. He based his philosophy on providing top-notch services, luxurious amenities and, most of all, consistency – which are the prevailing features that have since been associated with Hilton. He had already led the field by purchasing New York's Waldorf Astoria in 1949.
He was incredibly generous and charitable throughout his life, declaring once that "it remains the duty of each to add as much illumination and warmth to our world through hospitality we can. The Hilton family legacy continues today with the vast and extensive brand of luxury accommodations known as Hilton Hotels.
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