Hilton Removes Minneapolis Franchise After DHS Booking Denials
Hilton Hotels announced it would sever ties with a Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minnesota, following a video that showed a desk clerk refusing to book rooms for a person claiming to be a Department of Homeland Security agent. The decision came after the hotel’s owner, Everpeak Hospitality, had previously apologized for canceling reservations for DHS agents, claiming it was not consistent with their policy. Despite Everpeak’s initial assurance that the issue was resolved, the new video demonstrated a continued refusal to accommodate DHS employees, leading Hilton to take immediate action. Hilton reiterated its commitment to being a welcoming place for all and stated it would reinforce its standards with all franchisees to prevent similar incidents.
John Q. Hosedrinker