Hilton Hotels announced Tuesday that it is terminating its relationship with an independently owned hotel in the Minneapolis area following a video that appeared to confirm the property was still refusing to accommodate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The decision comes shortly after independent journalist Nick Sorter released a video on Tuesday morning showing him attempting to book a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota. In the secretly recorded footage, a front desk staff member confirmed that the hotel continued to bar DHS and ICE personnel.
The statements captured in the video directly contradict a Monday apology from the hotel’s management company, Everpeak Hospitality, which had claimed the issue was resolved and that the property did not discriminate against any guests.
“The independent hotel owner had assured us that they had fixed this problem and published a message confirming this,” Hilton said in a statement to Fox News. “A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values. As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems. Hilton is — and has always been — a welcoming place for all. We are also engaging with all of our franchisees to reinforce the standards we hold them to across our system to help ensure this does not happen again.”
Everpeak Hospitality released a statement on Monday emphasizing its commitment to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws, and its professional responsibilities as a hospitality provider.
The controversy has drawn attention across social media and among shareholders. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, a Hilton shareholder, praised the company’s swift response, saying the move demonstrated Hilton’s dedication to upholding its corporate values and brand integrity.
