Thursday Marked Celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the DoubleTree

The following article was submitted to Patch by Frank Pagani.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino joined more than 200 guests in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the by Hilton Tarrytown on Thursday. The ceremony was held exactly a half century to the day when the then known Tarrytown Hilton became the first modern, high-end hotel to open in the Westchester region.

Astorino presented a county proclamation to the DoubleTree. It noted that since it opened on December 1, 1961, the hotel has served “as a pioneer for paving the way for the arrival of many other hotels…and has helped hotel/tourism emerge as one of Westchester’s six recognized economic clusters.” In 2010, that cluster contributed to $1.5 billion to the county’s economy.

The proclamation also commended the owners and staff for their dedication and commitment.

Also joining in marking DoubleTree’s milestone were Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner and Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell.

The Tarrytown Hilton was built in time to accommodate visitors who would be traveling to attend the  New York City 1964-’65 World’s Fair. Over the years, it underwent periodic expansions including a full renovation in 2007 when it reopened under the name, DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown. The major improvements made four years ago were designed to meet the needs of today’s increasingly diverse business population. They include Westchester’s largest ballroom (10,000 square feet that can accommodate 1,000 people); 24,000 square feet of meeting space, 17 meeting rooms and 247 guest rooms.

In the 1960s, with the hotel serving as a jumping-off point for visitors who came to the New York World’s Fair, the business landscape of Westchester started to change dramatically with the expansion of Fortune 500 companies and the Platinum mile of corporate offices along Interstate 287.

Commenting on the change of Westchester’s business landscape over the years, Rich Friedman, General Manager of the DoubleTree, said: “Today, small and medium-sized firms account for the majority of businesses in Westchester and provide us with opportunities to tailor our services to this highly dynamic market. Accordingly, we’ve seen our business events grow. Additionally, there has been increased demand for weddings, confirmations, engagement parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and numerous other family and social events.”

He added: “We’ve been a leader in this market over the past 50 years, having hosted more than one million guests, and thousands of meetings and social occasions.  Fifty years is a significant accomplishment for any business. With our completely re-designed hotel, we are more than ready to make sure we will continue this tradition of excellence for the next 50 years in the heart of the Hudson Valley.”

Thursday’s event capped a year-long series of 50^th year promotions and special events including:

Remember 1961 Package – To commemorate the year the hotel opened, an overnight package including dinner for two, accommodations and breakfast for two was available throughout the year for just $196.10.

50 Golden Years of Weddings – The hotel hosted a huge wedding reception in September for couples who were married at the property from 1961-2011. 

50 for 50 – Each week, the 50^th guest who checked into the hotel received a 50% discount on room rates, food and drinks. The ‘lucky’ guest was selected on any day of the week.

1961 Cocktail of the Month – Each month, the hotel announced a retro cocktail that was offered at the bar in Bistro Z, the hotel’s restaurant, for a special price.

Another 50^th anniversary promotion, “Honeymoon in the Bahamas,” will be continued in 2012. Couples who book a wedding reception of 200 people or more at the Platinum or Gold level will receive a FREE, five-night honeymoon at the British Colonial Hilton in the Bahamas.

“We’re thrilled to have hit this milestone in Westchester,” Friedman stated. “For those of us who are privileged to work here, there is a deep sense of pride about the tradition of excellence that has marked the history of this hotel. The opportunity to continue this legacy is something our entire staff is excited to be a part of.”