With millions of travelers hitting the roads and taking to the skies in the midst of the travel season for vacations and short getaways, Hampton Hotels, the international brand of nearly 1,800 mid-priced hotels, has partnered with friendship expert Dr. Irene S. Levine, to provide helpful tips for traveling with friends.

In a recent Hampton–commissioned Harris Interactive Poll, the hotelier found that 43% of adults travel with a friend at least once a year and that at least 74% prefer to take a road trip when traveling with friends. The survey also found that the most discussed aspect of a trip is deciding where to go (34%), followed by what to do on the trip (27%) and finally agreeing on the budget (14%).

“People travel for a number of reasons and 92% of adults agree that traveling with friends ultimately brings you closer together,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of global brand marketing for Hampton Hotels. “Many of our guests travel with friends, all of whom bring varying perspectives, budgets and desires to the trip. By partnering with ‘the friendship doctor,’ we’re able to provide valuable travel advice from preparation to budgeting and beyond.”

“Traveling together provides an excellent opportunity to learn about and grow closer with friends,” said Dr. Levine, a clinical psychologist and award-winning freelance journalist and author. Dr. Levine and Hampton Hotels have provided the following tips to help friends reach and enjoy their destination during their travels:

• Don’t Snooze When You Choose
  Select your travel companions wisely and make sure they’re people whose company you enjoy and with whom you feel comfortable and relaxed. Any vacation with friends offers the potential to bring you closer and to create shared memories that can last a lifetime.

• First Class or Coach?
  Talk costs upfront; some friends are more frugal than others. You may all covet lavish vacations but you’re also realistically constrained by budgets. Let’s be honest, it’s a bit uncomfortable to talk about money. Being clear about any budget limitations will make the trip less stressful each time you have to reach for your wallet.

• Pick a City, Any City
  Where you travel depends on the friends, their tastes, their pocketbooks and the season. Decide if you want to expose yourself to new cultures with different foods and customs or just sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation.
• Fail to Plan? Plan to Fail
  Make sure you and your friend(s) are on the same wavelength about your destination and at least agree on a rough itinerary before you leave home. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and finding out on the first morning that you have vastly different expectations.
• Personality Detours
  Allow for flexibility when it comes to travel. No two people behave or think exactly the same way. It’s okay to have different habits, lifestyles and ideas about travel as long as friends are flexible, respectful, and willing to compromise when you are together.

To encourage friends to connect this summer, Hampton is currently hosting an online “Chain of Friends” sweepstakes. To be automatically entered in this sweepstakes, simply book a stay on Hampton.com before September 4, 2010 and enter ‘COF’ or ‘FRIEND’ in the promotion code section of the reservations page.* Your stay must be completed between now and September 5, 2010. For another way to enter the sweepstakes, click on a “Chain of Friends” online banner ad via Hampton.com or complete the online registration form at http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/promotions/hx_entry_form/index.jhtml?promo=friends.

*Terms and Conditions

No Purchase Necessary. Open to residents of the 50 US, DC, Canada (excluding Quebec), UK and Mexico. Begins 12am CT on 6/1/10 and ends 11:59pm CT on 9/4/10. Void in the Province of Quebec and where prohibited. Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes or Prize Draw sponsored by Hilton Worldwide. Official Rules available at http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/promotions/hx_friends_terms_promo/index.jhtml

About Hampton Hotels

The Hampton brand, including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn by Hilton, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton, is an award-winning leader in the mid-priced hotel segment. With nearly 1,800 properties globally, Hampton Hotels is part of Hilton Worldwide, the leading global hospitality company. All Hampton Hotels offer warm surroundings and a friendly service culture that share a common “personality” supported by the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. High-quality accommodations, in-room conveniences and the latest technology, combined with numerous locations and consistent offerings, have made Hampton a leader in its segment and one of the fastest growing hotel brands.

For more information about Hampton Hotels, please visit www.hampton.com/pressandmedia, www.facebook.com/Hampton or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HamptonFYI.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 599,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.