Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Daniel Globe
DoubleTree Hotels, officially branded DoubleTree by Hilton, is part of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. The upscale hotel brand dates to 1969 and is best known for its warm chocolate chip cookie welcome. One important detail is easy to miss, though: Hilton owns the DoubleTree brand, but it does not necessarily own the building or land behind each DoubleTree hotel.
Quick Answer
DoubleTree by Hilton is a brand of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Hilton Hotels Corporation gained DoubleTree when it acquired Promus Hotel Corporation on November 30, 1999. Hilton owns the DoubleTree brand and hotel system, but individual DoubleTree properties are commonly owned by third parties and either managed by Hilton or operated under franchise agreements.
Key Takeaways
- DoubleTree by Hilton is part of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., the publicly traded hospitality company behind the Hilton family of brands.
- The first DoubleTree opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1969.
- DoubleTree merged with Promus Hotel Corporation in 1997, and Hilton acquired Promus in 1999.
- Hilton owns the DoubleTree brand, but individual DoubleTree hotel buildings may be owned by separate investors or companies.
- As of March 31, 2026, Hilton reported 717 DoubleTree hotels with 160,277 rooms worldwide.
History and Background of DoubleTree Hotels
The Early Years
The first DoubleTree hotel opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1969. According to Kitchell’s history of the brand, founder Sam Kitchell and executive Pete Bidstrup launched the first DoubleTree Inn next to Scottsdale Fashion Square.
The brand’s famous cookie came later. Hilton’s official DoubleTree Cookie history says the signature chocolate chip cookie debuted in 1986 as a nightly turndown amenity. In 1995, DoubleTree moved the warm-cookie experience to hotel front desks, turning it into the check-in tradition travelers recognize today.
The original DoubleTree Cookie is baked by Nashville-based Christie Cookie Co. Hilton has also introduced an allergy-friendly cookie option at participating hotels in several markets.
Expansion and Growth
DoubleTree expanded during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s through a combination of hotel development, management agreements, franchising and conversions. In 1993, DoubleTree combined with Boston-based Guest Quarters Hotels Partnership. The all-suite properties became part of the DoubleTree system, including hotels marketed as DoubleTree Guest Suites.
DoubleTree’s growth has come through more than new construction alone. Management agreements, franchises, acquisitions and conversions have all played important roles in building the brand’s global footprint.
A New Chapter
On December 19, 1997, DoubleTree Corporation completed a merger with Promus Hotel Corporation. The combined company retained the Promus Hotel Corporation name and brought DoubleTree together with brands that included Hampton, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites and Red Lion at the time.
The biggest ownership change came two years later. On November 30, 1999, Hilton Hotels Corporation completed its acquisition of Promus Hotel Corporation. The transaction added DoubleTree and the other Promus brands to Hilton’s hotel system. Today’s parent company is Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
DoubleTree Hotels: A Part of Hilton Worldwide
DoubleTree now operates as DoubleTree by Hilton within Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Hilton controls the brand, trademarks, reservation platform, standards and other intellectual property associated with DoubleTree. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. is also a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HLT, so Hilton itself is ultimately owned by its shareholders.
Does Hilton Own Every DoubleTree Hotel?
No. Hilton owns the DoubleTree brand, but that is different from owning every physical hotel.
Note: Hilton’s property summary for March 31, 2026 listed 717 DoubleTree hotels: 169 were managed and 548 were franchised or licensed. None appeared in Hilton’s corporate “Ownership” category. A managed DoubleTree can be operated by Hilton for another owner, while a franchised hotel can be owned and operated by an independent company that uses the DoubleTree brand under an agreement with Hilton.
This distinction explains why two DoubleTree hotels can have different owners, operators, room designs and property-specific policies while still participating in the same Hilton reservation and loyalty systems. It can also matter when dealing with property-specific issues such as a hotel refund, since the booking channel, hotel operator and individual property’s terms may affect how a request is handled.
DoubleTree and Hilton Honors
DoubleTree participates in Hilton Honors. Members who book eligible stays can earn Hilton Honors Points and use them toward reward nights and other redemptions. Current member benefits also include features such as digital check-in, Digital Key and free Wi-Fi at participating properties.
Some benefits depend on membership tier. For example, space-available room upgrades are offered to qualifying elite members rather than every Hilton Honors member. Late checkout is generally subject to availability, while Hilton’s current Diamond Reserve tier includes a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout benefit. These benefits can make repeat stays across Hilton brands more rewarding, but travelers should check the current Hilton Honors terms before relying on a specific perk.
Amenities and Services Offered at DoubleTree Hotels
| Category | Typical Offerings |
| Room Amenities | Comfortable bedding, workspace, television, Wi-Fi and in-room conveniences; exact features vary by hotel |
| Services | Front-desk services, business facilities and, at some properties, room service, laundry, concierge or valet parking |
| Dining | Restaurants, bars, grab-and-go options and property-specific food and beverage service |
| Recreation | Fitness facilities and, depending on the location, pools, spas, resorts or other leisure amenities |
| Meetings & Events | Meeting rooms, event venues, audiovisual capabilities and catering options at many full-service properties |
DoubleTree is positioned by Hilton as an upscale, full-service brand for both business and leisure travelers. Hilton’s brand materials highlight contemporary accommodations, food and beverage experiences, fitness facilities and meeting or event spaces.
However, amenities are not identical across the portfolio. A city-center DoubleTree may emphasize meeting rooms and dining, while a resort property may have pools, a spa or recreational facilities. Travelers should check the individual hotel’s Hilton page rather than assume every DoubleTree provides room service, valet parking, a pool or another specific amenity.
Pro Tip: Before booking, open the specific DoubleTree property’s “Amenities” section on Hilton.com. Brand membership tells you what hotel family you are booking, but the individual property page is the better source for parking, breakfast, pool, pet, airport-shuttle and room-service details.
Locations and Expansion of DoubleTree Hotels
DoubleTree has grown far beyond its Arizona origins. Hilton’s first-quarter 2026 property summary reported 717 DoubleTree hotels with 160,277 rooms as of March 31, 2026. Hilton’s DoubleTree brand materials also describe a presence across 62 countries and territories.
As of March 31, 2026, Hilton reported 717 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and 160,277 rooms worldwide.
Growth comes from both new construction and conversions of existing hotels. That conversion strategy helps explain why individual DoubleTree properties can have noticeably different architecture and layouts.
Historic properties are part of that mix. The DoubleTree by Hilton Utica in New York, for example, operates in a historic hotel building constructed in 1912. Properties like this can retain a strong local identity while operating within the wider DoubleTree system.
DoubleTree Hotels: A Preferred Choice for Business and Leisure Travelers
DoubleTree’s full-service positioning makes it suitable for many business trips. Hotels commonly offer work-friendly guest rooms, fitness facilities and meeting or event spaces, although the exact setup depends on the individual property. Airport, downtown and convention-oriented DoubleTree hotels can be especially convenient for meetings and corporate travel.
Leisure travelers can find DoubleTree properties in city centers, resort areas and destinations near major attractions. Families may value connecting-room options, larger room types or recreational amenities where offered. Because many properties have different owners and local operating characteristics, travelers should compare individual hotels rather than assume every DoubleTree delivers exactly the same physical experience.
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at DoubleTree Hotels
DoubleTree participates in Hilton’s broader Travel with Purpose strategy. Hilton uses its LightStay platform to measure environmental and community-impact information across its hotel system, including areas such as energy, water, waste and community programs.
Hilton’s wider sustainability work includes energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, food-waste programs, soap recycling and efforts to donate suitable surplus food where local laws and operating conditions allow. Hilton reported that managed hotels in North America are required to have a food-donation program and that its portfolio continues to expand food-waste reduction efforts.
These are Hilton-wide systems and goals, so the exact sustainability projects visible to a guest can differ from one DoubleTree property to another. A hotel’s ownership structure, location and facilities can all influence which programs are used on site.
The Future of DoubleTree Hotels within Hilton Worldwide
DoubleTree remains an active growth brand inside Hilton. Hilton’s February 2026 DoubleTree fact sheet listed 233 hotels in development, while subsequent first-quarter reporting showed the operating portfolio had already increased to 717 properties.
Future growth is likely to continue through a combination of new-build hotels and conversions of existing properties. That approach allows Hilton to expand the DoubleTree network while property owners gain access to the DoubleTree name, Hilton’s reservation channels, Hilton Honors and the company’s broader commercial systems.
At the guest level, the brand continues to center its identity on the warm cookie welcome, full-service amenities and Hilton Honors integration. At the ownership level, however, DoubleTree remains a good example of how modern hotel chains work: the company whose name is on the hotel is not always the company that owns the underlying real estate.
Families planning a DoubleTree trip may also want to compare travel gear before leaving home. This guide to the 5 best double travel strollers for spring adventures covers options designed to make family travel easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns DoubleTree Hotels?
DoubleTree by Hilton is a brand of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Hilton Hotels Corporation acquired DoubleTree through its purchase of Promus Hotel Corporation on November 30, 1999.
Does Hilton own every DoubleTree hotel?
No. Hilton owns the DoubleTree brand, but individual hotels may be owned by independent investors or companies. As of March 31, 2026, Hilton listed 169 DoubleTree properties as managed and 548 as franchised or licensed, with none in Hilton’s corporate ownership category.
When did Hilton buy DoubleTree?
Hilton gained DoubleTree on November 30, 1999, when Hilton Hotels Corporation completed its acquisition of Promus Hotel Corporation. DoubleTree had previously merged with Promus in December 1997.
Is DoubleTree part of Hilton Honors?
Yes. Eligible DoubleTree stays participate in Hilton Honors. Members can earn and redeem Hilton Honors Points and receive program benefits, although perks such as room upgrades depend on membership tier and availability.
How many DoubleTree hotels are there?
Hilton reported 717 DoubleTree by Hilton properties containing 160,277 rooms as of March 31, 2026. Hilton’s brand materials list DoubleTree locations across 62 countries and territories.
Sources
- Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. — Q1 2026 Results — March 31, 2026 DoubleTree property, room, management and franchise totals
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Promus Acquisition — November 30, 1999 Hilton acquisition and brands obtained through Promus
- The Story of Hilton — Hilton — 1969 opening of the first DoubleTree hotel in Scottsdale
- DoubleTree by Hilton Fact Sheet — Hilton — brand positioning, global footprint, amenities and development information
- DoubleTree Cookie — Hilton — official 1986 cookie debut and 1995 move to the front desk
- Hilton Honors Member Benefits — Hilton — current loyalty benefits and tier-specific perks