When traveling into space for an extended period of time, Hilton and Voyager Space want astronauts and space tourists to know that where you are is important. Voyager, a global leader in space exploration, announced today that Hilton will be the official hotel partner of Starlab, Voyager’s proposed free-flying commercial space station.
“More than just a destination, Starlab will be an experience infinitely more unique and artistic through the innovation, expertise and global reach of the Hilton team,” said Dylan Taylor, chairman and CEO of Voyager Space. “Voyager and Hilton have an intense focus on creating innovative solutions for the future of humankind, and this partnership opens new doors to what is possible for comfort-oriented space exploration and habitation.”
Voyager and its operating company Nanoracks received $160 million from NASA in 2021 for the Starlab space station, which will replace the International Space Station. Starlab is said to have the capacity to continuously accommodate up to four astronauts and to house the George Washington Carver (GWC) Science Park, a state-of-the-art laboratory system and the first science park in space. Starlab has leveraged the experience of Voyager and Nanoracks in managing global customer experiences and research operations on the International Space Station for over a decade.
“Hilton has been innovating to improve guest experiences and open new destinations for more than a century. We are excited to partner with Voyager to bring this expertise to Starlab,” said Chris Nassetta, Hilton President and CEO. “For decades, discoveries in space have positively impacted life on Earth, and now Hilton has the opportunity to leverage this unique environment to enhance the guest experience wherever people travel. This landmark collaboration underscores our deep commitment to spreading the light and warmth of hospitality and providing a friendly, dependable stay—whether on Earth or in space.”
This unique project builds on Hilton’s impact in new and emerging markets storied history with plenty of space and global leadership in the hospitality industry, welcoming more than three billion guests across a portfolio of 18 brands with 7,000 properties in 122 countries and territories. In partnership with Voyager, Hilton will bring this unique scale and customer focus to Starlab as it continues to serve every traveler for every travel need.
The research and design work dedicated to Starlab could also lead to advances that drive sustainability and increase design efficiencies for future hotel owners in space and on Earth. Just as Hilton has done throughout its 100+ year history, from developing the first centralized reservation system and the first hotel with in-room air conditioning to introducing Digital Key technology and pioneering Confirmed Connecting Rooms, the company will continue to set the standard for the industry and are now bringing that legacy of innovation beyond the earth.
With its recently launched global platform, Hilton. For The Stay., powered by its It Matters Where You Stay advertising campaign, the company is also bringing a wealth of consumer insights proving that stay is the crucial element that makes any journey, even to outer space, about success or… failure can decide. Hilton will bring the company’s renowned hospitality expertise and experience to support the design and development of crew suites aboard Starlab, helping to reinvent the human experience in space and make longer stays more comfortable shape.
Voyager and Hilton will collaborate on architecture and design, leveraging Hilton’s world-class creative design and innovation experts to develop the space hospitality crew’s headquarters aboard Starlab, including common areas, hospitality suites and astronaut sleeping arrangements. In addition, the teams will seek to explore opportunities together for longer-term efforts, including the ground-to-space astronaut experience, global co-marketing and branding, and other tourism, educational, and commercial endeavors.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a Portfolio of 18 world-class brands with more than 6,800 hotels and more than 1 million rooms in 122 countries and territories. Committed to fulfilling its founding vision of filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests throughout its more than 100-year history, earning a top spot on the list of the world’s best places to work World 2021 and was recognized as a global leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. In 2021, in addition to opening more than one hotel per day, Hilton introduced several industry-leading technological improvements to improve the guest experience, including digital key share, automatic complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning Hilton Honors guest loyalty program, the nearly 128 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, choose their room, check in, open their door with a digital key, and check out—all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information and connect with Hilton on Facebook, TwitterLinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
