GREENVILLE, SC – Homewood Suites–Greenville scored gold-medal reviews when the Para-Cycling Road World Championships rolled into South Carolina’s Upstate, bringing para- athletes from New Zealand and Venezuela and fans from around the country to the award-winning hotel.

“The Homewood team worked hard to create a home away from home for the cyclists who have overcome so much on their way to success,” says Ann Kies, director of sales for Paragon Hotel Company, which owns & manages the extended-stay hotel at 102 Carolina Point Parkway, only minutes from Greenville’s alluring downtown. “Our team so impressed the athletes that the cyclists took tons of pictures with the staff so that they could tell everyone back home about the new friends they’d met here,” Kies says.

The New Zealand and Venezuelan teams returned home with more than memories, too, winning a total of seven medals from the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) event that drew 291 athletes from 44 countries competing in relay events, time trials and road races.

Homewood Suites Greenville earned gold-medal commendations from others guests, too.

“The hotel was extremely accommodating,” Robert R. Mebane says in a five-star review. And Claire D. Duluth, in another five-star post, adds: “We visited Greenville to attend the Para- Cycling Road World Championships. We met friends there from around the country … (and) they came over to our room to watch college football on Saturday afternoon between races and to cool off. Everyone was wonderful! Fantastic staff. Very clean. Great food!”

Homewood Suites Greenville belongs to the Hilton brand that J.D. Power & Associates have awarded “Highest in Guest Satisfaction among Extended Stay Hotel Chains” four years in a row, and the Greenville hotel is part of Paragon Hotel Company’s property portfolio. For more information about the company, visit http://www.phc-hotels.com.

About Paragon Hotel Company

Founded in 1995, PHC is a hospitality real estate management and development company based in Anderson, SC. The company’s vision, “constantly challenging the status quo,” complements its mission to acquire, develop and manage a portfolio of unique properties and lifestyle experiences for the enjoyment of our guests, while delivering exceptional financial results to investors and positively impacting the surrounding communities. The company’s portfolio of more than 2,100 rooms in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee includes hotels within Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental, Best Western, Choice, Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Wyndham Worldwide franchises.

ANDERSON, SC – When Billy Hedden arrives for work every day, he’s out to engineer the best day possible for everyone, from fellow employees to hotel guests.

That’s why Hampton Inn Anderson’s chief engineer captured Hilton Worldwide’s “Spirit of Hampton Award,” becoming the first Paragon Hotel Company employee ever to win the coveted prize.

“Billy may be our Chief Engineer,” says Mitesh Patel, Paragon’s executive vice president, “but he’s more than a maintenance man. If you’re having a bad day or feeling down in the dumps, Billy goes out of his way to cheer you up.”

The award goes to the Hampton Inn employee – among the brand’s 1,900 properties and 50,000 Team Members worldwide – who personify “Hamptonality.” The term captures every hotel’s approach to friendly customer service, anticipating guests’ needs and providing travelers with helpful suggestions about area attractions, historical facts and fun things.

And that’s what Billy Hedden does every day. His fellow Team Members cite his never-ending funny stories and silly jokes as day-making smile inducers. Throughout his four years at the 120 Interstate Blvd. property, he also greets all staff members and hotel guests by name, as he works his way from the laundry room to the housekeeping break room to the front desk and back, supervisors say.

And yet Billy, who describes himself as a spiritual man who says the blessing for staff meals but still respects others’ faiths, accepts the award with a humble smile. “I just treat guests the way I would want my family treated,” he says. “No matter what they need, I try to help them – and seeing their gratitude makes me feel good about myself.”

For more information about the company, visit http://www.phc-hotels.com.

About Paragon Hotel Company

Founded in 1995, PHC is a hospitality real estate management and development company based in Anderson, SC. The company’s vision, “constantly challenging the status quo,” complements its mission to acquire, develop and manage a portfolio of unique properties and lifestyle experiences for the enjoyment of our guests, while delivering exceptional financial results to investors and positively impacting the surrounding communities. The company’s portfolio of more than 2,100 rooms in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee includes hotels within Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental, Best Western, Choice, Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Wyndham Worldwide franchises.

GREENVILLE, SC – Hampton Hotels, Hilton Worldwide’s global brand of more than 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced the official opening of its newest property, the 86-room Hampton Inn Greenville/I-385 Haywood Mall located at 255 Congaree Road, Greenville, S.C.

“Greenville has proven to be a thriving hub for business and leisure getaways,” said Joyelle Lew, general manager, Hampton Inn Greenville/I-385 Haywood Mall. “Not only will the new Hampton Inn Greenville serve corporate professionals, it will also function as a great destination for vacationers visiting to experience the city’s culinary, art and theater offerings.”

The hotel is owned and managed by Paragon Hotel Company. It is the 53rd Hampton property in South Carolina.

The Hampton Inn Greenville/I-385 Haywood Mall is conveniently located just off I-385, minutes from Downtown Greenville. The hotel is within a 10-minute drive from the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) and in close proximity to attractions such as the Haywood Mall, Magnolia Park Town Center and Greenville Zoo.

Guest rooms are equipped with modern amenities designed to help guests relax and stay productive, including a microwave, refrigerator, 42in LED TV, and clean and fresh Hampton bed®. The new hotel also features Hampton’s Perfect Mix Lobby, designed with a variety of seating and lighting options for both leisure and business travelers as an extension of the guestroom.

Hampton Hotels fosters a unique culture of hospitality called “Hamptonality.” This term describes each hotel’s approach to friendly customer service, anticipating guests’ needs and providing travelers with helpful suggestions about area attractions, historical facts and fun things to do around town. Additionally, hotels are infused with local photography and artwork, highlighting each property’s connection and support to its own community.

About Paragon Hotel Company

Founded in 1995, PHC is a hospitality real estate management and development company based in Anderson, SC. The company’s vision, “constantly challenging the status quo,” complements its mission to acquire, develop and manage a portfolio of unique properties and lifestyle experiences for the enjoyment of our guests, while delivering exceptional financial results to investors and positively impacting the surrounding communities. The company’s portfolio of more than 2,100 rooms in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee includes hotels within Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental, Best Western, Choice, Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Wyndham Worldwide franchises.