BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Jan. 17, 2006 -- Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) has announced that the company is introducing a new luxury hotel line that will extend the cachet of New York's legendary Waldorf=Astoria hotel. Unveiled as "The Waldorf=Astoria Collection," the new, elite brand designation will build upon the legend that company founder Conrad N. Hilton called "The Greatest of Them All," the Waldorf=Astoria. The Waldorf=Astoria Collection is launching with the Waldorf=Astoria itself and three world-class luxury resorts that will be newly managed by Hilton: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on the island of Maui in Hawaii Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California All four resplendent hotels will maintain their established, well-known names, while adding The Waldorf=Astoria Collection designation as a mark of their exclusivity. Hotels within The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will benefit from the support of award-winning technology programs, the Hilton HHonors guest reward program, the industry-leading Hilton Reservations Worldwide system, eBusiness programs, worldwide sales and marketing programs, and operations support. The Waldorf=Astoria hotel is wholly owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation, and the Grand Wailea, Arizona Biltmore and La Quinta properties are owned by Orlando-based CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a leading hotel real estate investment trust (REIT).