For over a century, Hilton has embraced hospitality as a powerful force for positive change. With this ethos and its strong connections to the Los Angeles community—boasting 70 years of history and 40 years as the company’s headquarters—Hilton was honored to collaborate with American Express to assist Angelinos affected by the recent catastrophic wildfires by offering 20,000 hotel room nights to families needing temporary shelter.
From mid-January to early February, over 5,000 adults and nearly 2,000 children, who had been displaced or temporarily evacuated, were accommodated for up to seven nights at Hilton-branded hotels free of charge while they sought longer-term housing solutions. The nonprofit organization 211 LA connected families in need to the Hilton and American Express-sponsored initiative, resulting in more than 20,000 room nights booked at over 160 Hilton-branded hotels throughout California.
These wildfires caused immense sadness for many within our cherished LA community. While the recovery journey may take time, this collaboration with Hilton and American Express provided immediate shelter to those in urgent need. 211 LA is proud to assist these families, guiding them toward safety and hope. Maribel Marin, executive director, 211 LA
Since the fires began, Hilton team members have dedicated themselves to offering guests not just a place to stay, but also compassion and encouragement during this challenging time.
At the iconic Beverly Hilton, several meeting spaces were converted into “comfort zones”, providing a safe haven for families evacuated from their homes, where they could relax, enjoy refreshments, and engage in entertainment activities. Acknowledging that many guests arrived with pets, the hotel staff organized pet-friendly areas stocked with food, toys, and exercise space—ensuring that both guests and their furry companions felt welcomed. The Beverly Hilton also acted as a donation center for essentials, such as baby bottles and clothing, generously collected from the community and given to the Beverly Hills Fire Department.
Meanwhile, at Hilton Garden Inn LAX Airport/El Segundo, a generous toy donation from local businesses initiated a community donation drive that collected clothing, toiletries, pet food, snacks, and essential items for displaced guests at eight other hotels throughout the Los Angeles region.
Hilton team members are driven by our founder’s vision that hospitality serves as a force for good, and we are devoted to caring for our guests and one another. We thank the team members and partners in this initiative who stepped up to support the Los Angeles community during such trying times. Katherine Lugar, executive vice president, Corporate Affairs, Hilton & president, Hilton Global Foundation
Hilton and American Express share a longstanding partnership in providing temporary accommodations to those in need. Over the past five years, the two companies have collaborated to offer more than 2 million rooms to individuals, families, and first responders affected by crises.
Amid the devastating LA wildfires, we take pride in supporting our communities—not just with words but through action. American Express is honored to continue its partnership with Hilton, providing lodging for Los Angeles residents as they recover and rebuild. Jen Skyler, chief corporate affairs officer and chair of the American Express Foundation
In addition to these initiatives, Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation have provided support to first responders courageously combating the fires in the Los Angeles region through contributions to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the International Association of Fire Fighters Foundation.
Hilton Honors members can also contribute to relief efforts by donating points to benefit the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and other nonprofit organizations.
211 LA continues to play a vital role in supporting relief efforts within the Los Angeles area. To donate or find out more, visit 211la.org.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a prominent global hospitality enterprise with a portfolio encompassing 24 prestigious brands featuring more than 7,600 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms across 126 countries and territories. Committed to realizing its founding mission to spread the warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests throughout its century-long history, ranks as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune, and has earned recognition as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven years in a row. Hilton has implemented industry-forward technology enhancements to elevate the guest experience, such as Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades, and confirmed connecting room bookings. Through the award-winning loyalty program Hilton Honors, nearly 190 million Hilton Honors members who book directly can earn Points for hotel stays and unique experiences. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can manage their stay, choose their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key, and check out, all from their smartphone. For more details, visit stories.hilton.com and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
