July 10, 2024 03:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Piña Colada State of Mind: 96% of Americans Feel Relaxed with the Tropical Drink First Made Famous at Hilton in Hand, Yet Only 35% Typically Order the Drink Outside of Vacation

Survey from Hilton Hotels & Resorts reveals Piña Coladas invoke a vacation mindset, with more than a third of respondents counting it as their daily fruit intake while on holiday

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 88% of Americans who have tried one may have discovered the secret to creating an endless vacation feeling – the Piña Colada. According to a new survey* from Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the flagship of Hilton’s 24 brands, 87% of respondents picture lounging by water with a tropical drink in hand when asked to describe a relaxing vacation. It’s clear Piña Coladas embody a state of mind synonymous with relaxation and hospitality, with 60% of Americans agreeing the tropical drink puts them into a vacation state of mind.

“As a brand known for its exceptional hospitality and iconic firsts like the Piña Colada, we’re always looking to innovate to meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers”

The beloved Piña Colada came to be in 1954 at Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero. After three months of perfecting the recipe, Marrero captured the now famous blend of pineapple and coconut and named the drink “Piña Colada.” The original Piña Colada recipe continues to be enjoyed by guests at Caribe Hilton, with more than 53,000 Piña Coladas served at the hotel each year.

“As a brand known for its exceptional hospitality and iconic firsts like the Piña Colada, we’re always looking to innovate to meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers,” said Leonard Gooz, brand leader, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are the ideal place for guests to fully immerse themselves in their stay, whether vacationing in a bustling city or unwinding at one of our destination resorts, channeling the endless vacation mindset, wherever they are in the world.”

The survey proves that the Piña Colada is more than a drink, it’s a mindset. Among the results of the consumer survey:

Rise and shine (and sip): No reason to wait for happy hour as 65% would drink a tropical drink at any time of day.
Tropical drink likely: Fun fact, respondents who are parents were extremely likely (93%) to picture a relaxing vacation complete once they had a tropical drink in hand.
Tastes of travel: 82% of respondents say they are reminded of a specific vacation when they enjoy a particular drink.
“If you like Piña Coladas”: It turns out 82% of respondents prefer the escape of a Piña Colada, while only 18% enjoy “getting caught in the rain.” (Sorry, Rupert!)

Hilton Hotels & Resorts gives guests ample options to enjoy the Piña Colada mindset anytime, with over 600 hotels and resorts across six continents, including:

Hilton Rose Hall an All-Inclusive Resort in Jamaica, where the Piña Colada is made with local rum and is available at the swim-up bar at the on-property waterpark, Sugar Mill Falls.
At select Hilton Hotels & Resorts across the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific regions and Europe this summer, including London Hilton on Park Lane guests can savor the original alongside award-winning takes on the cocktail, with a dedicated Piña Colada menu featuring a zero-waste and alcohol-free version among others.
Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa offers a traditional Piña Colada in a unique location, the first cocktail lab in the Maldives. Aura Pool Bar & Cocktail Lab serves up a classic version of the cocktail mixed by expert bartenders to be sipped while looking out at the sunset over endless miles of ocean.
Rest awaits at Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, where guests enter a Piña Colada state of mind with a spirited or free-spirited option while lounging poolside or watching the kids play in a dedicated Family Zone.

"At Hilton, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of cocktail innovations and trends, crafting extraordinary experiences for guests,” said Adam Crocini, senior vice president and global head, Food and Beverage Brands, Hilton. “Our storied history with the Piña Colada is one of many examples of Hilton ‘firsts’ as it relates to food and beverage and reinforces our position as an industry leader. We continue to lead the charge in cocktail innovation with the iconic drink, modernizing the original recipe with local ingredients, regional flavors and contemporary twists all around the world."

To learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts, discover recipes and tips to get in the Piña Colada state of mind and for more on the survey, visit stories.hilton.com.

*The Hilton Hotels & Resorts Piña Colada Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. drinkers age 21+, excluding those who never drink alcohol, between June 13th and June 14th, 2024, using an email invitation and an online survey.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 7,600 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 190 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests' evolving needs. With more than 600 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world’s most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Experience a positive stay at Hilton Hotels & Resorts by booking at hiltonhotels.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/hhr, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.