Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced that it has been named the No. 1 Best Workplace in Great Place to Work’s first ranking of the Best Workplaces in Hotels & Resorts. Based on feedback from Hilton team members across the U.S., the recognition reflects a people-first culture designed to help team members build meaningful careers, and, in turn, deliver the reliable and friendly care and connection that define the Hilton guest experience.
As technology changes how work gets done and how people travel, Hilton remains focused on what technology cannot replace: the human connection that is at the heart of hospitality. By investing in the skills, relationships and experiences that help team members thrive, Hilton strengthens both its workplace culture and the genuine human connection guests experience across its hotels. According to Great Place to Work:
- 95% of Hilton team members say it is a great place to work.
- 97% say they are made to feel welcome.
- 96% say they feel a sense of pride in the company’s accomplishments.
“As technology continues to reshape how we work and travel, this recognition shows that Hilton’s greatest strength remains the people who create the human connections at the heart of hospitality,” said Laura Fuentes, chief human resources officer and head, Hilton Supply Management. “Our industry gives people the opportunity to grow their skills and build meaningful careers, while creating memorable experiences rooted in genuine human connection.”
Because of the expansive opportunities the hospitality industry provides, people from all backgrounds and strengths have the ability to build skills, advance their roles and pursue meaningful careers. According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the hotel industry offers more than 200 distinct career pathways, and three out of four hotel employees moved into a management role within five years of starting their first hotel job.
“Hotels and hospitality are an incredibly human industry,” said Kim Peters, EVP, Global Brand Insights and Growth, Great Place To Work. “Our work has always spotlighted companies that deliver exceptional experiences for employees from the frontline to the back office. Our new list is an exciting opportunity to expand our mission and build on our deep expertise in the hospitality industry.”
Hilton enables that opportunity through leadership development, mentoring, coaching and continued learning, from rotational programs that build hotel and corporate experience, to education benefits that help eligible team members earn new skills and credentials. As reported in 2025, 63% of Hilton’s recent hotel and corporate leadership roles were filled by internal candidates. Since 2022, Hilton has also created more than 3.1 million learning and career-growth opportunities for team members and community members worldwide. Programs include:
- Management Development Program: The Management Development Program is an early-career program for hotel-based roles that combines practical experience with focused development in leadership and hotel operations. By learning alongside peers and experienced leaders, participants build the skills, relationships and confidence needed to step into a first-time managerial role.
- BetterUp Coaching: Hilton’s coaching programs with BetterUp give people leaders personalized support to strengthen communication, strategic thinking, time management and team relationships, helping managers lead with greater confidence and intention, creating stronger connections with their teams.
- LAUNCH: LAUNCH is a 24-month early-career rotational program that gives participants hands-on experience across hotel operations and key business areas at Hilton’s global headquarters. The program helps emerging talent build practical skills, learn from leaders and peers across the business, and develop relationships that establish a strong foundation for a career at Hilton.
- Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset: Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset provide selected team members with paid time off and financial support to pursue a personal passion, give back or recharge. These experiences reinforce a culture of care by supporting team members and helping them return with renewed energy, perspective and connections to the people and causes that matter to them.
- Global Language Learning Program: Hilton’s Global Language Learning Program offers team members flexible, no-cost access to self-paced courses, live group classes and conversation practice in multiple languages. Building language skills helps team members grow their confidence, connect more meaningfully with colleagues and guests, and strengthen the cross-cultural relationships that are critical to hospitality.
Together, these programs support team members at different stages of their careers while strengthening the human skills, confidence and relationships that sustain Hilton’s people serving people culture while helping to create more meaningful guest experiences.
The No. 1 Hotels & Resorts ranking builds on more than a decade of workplace recognition for Hilton, including two No. 1 recognitions on the World’s Best Workplaces list. This year, Hilton has been recognized as the No. 1 Best Workplace in a record 21 countries, in addition to being named the No. 1 Best Company to Work For in Europe and the No. 1 Best Workplace in Latin America and Asia. Together, these recognitions demonstrate the global reach of a workplace culture where team members can learn, grow and build meaningful careers.
