Wilkes-Barre, PA., February 6, 2003 – High Hotels, Ltd. today marked the official opening of its new 123 room Hilton Garden Inn hotel located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with a festive ribbon cutting ceremony.

Stephen Barrouk, President/CEO Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, Merle Mackin, Executive Director Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Thomas Lorenzo, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Nevin Cooley, Senior Vice President High Industries, Inc., Frank McCabe, President High Hotels, Ltd., and Heather Fogle, General Manager Hilton Garden Inn, were on hand to assist with the ribbon cutting. The ribbon, lined with five one-hundred dollar bills, was then presented to Martin Monahan, Chairman of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

This marks the opening of the ninth hotel owned and operated by High Hotels, Ltd. "Our new Hilton Garden Inn hotel is an exciting addition to the Luzerne County market," said Heather Fogle, general manager of the hotel. "With the spacious rooms, comfortable lobby and full complement of guest services and amenities the Hilton Garden Inn offers, we expect this hotel to become the first choice in lodging for business and leisure travelers."

The four-story structure Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre features: a signature glass-walled pavilion housing the reception desk; a Pavilion Pantry ® with a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items, and sundries; a breakfast café; a comfortable lounge area with a television and fireplace; a meeting room with 1,200 square feet of flexible meeting space; a 24-hour, complimentary business center; and an indoor pool and fitness center.

Guest room accommodations and features include: a hospitality center with a microwave oven, coffee maker and mini refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hairdryer; and an iron and ironing board. In-room entertainment and information services include on-demand movies, video games and interactive Hilton guest services.

Business-oriented features of the guest rooms include: complimentary high-speed Internet access; a spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a laptop computer; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height and two telephones equipped with two lines, data ports and voice mail.

The Hilton Garden Inn is owned and operated by High Hotels, Ltd. an affiliate of High Industries, Inc. based in Lancaster, Pa. The cost of the project was approximately twelve million dollars and has provided approximately 45 new positions to the Wilkes-Barre market. High Hotels also owns and operates award-winning Hampton Inn hotels in Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg-West, and York, Pa., Annapolis, MD, and Middletown, NY, as well as Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels in Reading and Harrisburg, Pa.

To make reservations at the Hilton Garden Inn, please call (570) 820-8595 or guests may call the chain's national toll-free reservation number, 1-800-HILTONS. Information about any Hilton Garden Inn hotel is available to Internet users by accessing www.hiltongardeninn.com or information about High Hotels, Ltd. at www.highhotels.com.