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Hilton

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

Back to profile5 entries

  1. 2025

    DoubleTree conference-cancellation discrimination allegations

    The U.S. Department of Justice alleged that the owner of a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Orlando discriminated against an Arab American organization by canceling a planned conference after the October 2023 Hamas attack and resulting war. The matter concerned the hotel's ownership and operation rather than a finding that Hilton corporate itself committed the alleged discrimination; the parties reached an agreement to avoid extended litigation.

    Source

  2. 2025

    Employment discrimination litigation involving Hilton-branded properties

    Several Hilton-branded properties and Hilton-related entities were named in employment discrimination, retaliation and wage-and-hour disputes in 2025. These matters generally involved individual properties, franchisees or operating entities, so they should not automatically be treated as adjudicated findings against Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

    Source

  3. 2024

    Mandatory hotel-fee and junk-fee scrutiny

    Hilton faced regulatory and private litigation scrutiny over the disclosure and presentation of mandatory resort, destination and other hotel fees. A Federal Trade Commission rulemaking record identified a 2024 settlement between Hilton Hotels and the State of Nebraska, while a separate consumer action alleged that Hilton's fee practices were deceptive. The matters formed part of a broader industry dispute over whether mandatory charges should be included in the first advertised room price.

    Source

  4. 2021

    Jury awards $44 million in verdict against Hilton

    Ruling

    A jury determined that Hilton's negligence played a sizeable role in Kathleen Dawson's 2017 assault and awarded her $44 million. The jury assigned 90% of the responsibility to Hilton.

    A jury determined that Hilton’s negligence played a sizeable role in Kathleen Dawson’s 2017 assault and awarded her $44 million. The jury assigned 90% of the responsibility to Hilton.

    Source excerpt

    • Dawson was awarded $44 million for medical expenses, lost earnings, and mental anguish after the assault, and the jury assigned 90% of the responsibility to Hilton.
    Source

  5. 2019

    Massey files discrimination lawsuit naming Hilton

    Lawsuit filed

    Jermaine Massey sued the hotel chain for $10 million, claiming he was removed from a Portland DoubleTree while making a phone call; Hilton was named in the lawsuit. The claims are allegations, not a court determination.

    Company response

    • Apology — WMK Management LLC

      Since the incident last year, we have conveyed our deepest apologies to Mr. Massey to address his experience.

    • Personnel action — WMK Management LLC

      Both the security guard and the hotel manager were fired.

    • Remediation — Hilton

      As a demonstration of our inclusive culture, our corporate employees and Hilton-managed hotels have completed diversity and unconscious bias training.

    Source excerpt

    • Both the security guard and the hotel manager were fired.
    • Massey was a guest at a Portland DoubleTree on Dec. 22, 2018 when a security guard allegedly approached him while he was sitting in the lobby, taking a call regarding a “family emergency,” he said in the video, which was obtained by OregonLive.com.
    • Since the incident last year, we have conveyed our deepest apologies to Mr. Massey to address his experience.
    Source