Hampton by Hilton is a prominent name in the hospitality industry with a rich history. It reflects its evolution from a modest economy brand to a leader in the midscale hotel segment. The journey of this brand began in the early 1980s and has been marked by strategic growth, innovation, and a commitment to guest satisfaction.
The logo of Hampton by Hilton has undergone a few changes since the brand’s inception in 1984. The changes reflect the brand’s journey from a budget hotel chain to a recognised name in the mid-market hotel sector. The article delves into the logo changes over the years.
The Genesis of the Hampton by Hilton Logo (1984) (Prototype)
The first logo for Hampton Inn was introduced when the brand was launched in 1984. This initial design featured the name “Hampton Inn” in a straightforward classic serif typeface and showcased block letters. Also, the first letters of the brand name (H and I) were capitalised. And above the word “Hampton,” a decorative cartouche added an elegant touch and a refined appearance to the logo. The name was enclosed within a black rectangle with sharp corners.
(1984 – 2015)
From its original introduction until 2015, the Hampton Inn logo underwent subtle refinements but maintained its core elements. In the 1984 official logo designed by John Burns for S&O Consultants, the brand name in white against a deep blue background evolved into a cursive style inspired by calligraphy. This enhanced its elegance with varying stroke widths.
The overall shape of the logo became more defined and resembled a flattened hexagon with truncated ends and having white and red borders. On top of the brand name were placed two rhombuses accompanied by two semicircles forming the cartouche with an eastern sophistication.
(1995)
In 1995, the logo for “Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton” was unveiled, which was not part of the main chain of hotels. It featured the brand name in three rows with “Hampton” and “Inn & Suites” in calligraphic style occupying the top two rows. The brand name was placed inside a flattened hexagon with a darker and calmer shade of blue with a red border.
(2007 – 2024)
In 2007, significant changes were made as the brand transitioned from “Hampton Inn” to “Hampton by Hilton.” So, the word “Inn” was dropped from the logo to make it “Hampton by Hilton.” A more modern sans-serif font replaced the cursive type, which improved readability and aligned with contemporary branding trends. The word “Hampton” in the top row appeared in italics and in lowercase save the first one.
The lower ends of the glyphs in “H” and “n” were rounded and elongated. On the other hand, the second part of the brand name, “by Hilton,” in the second row was rendered in a print font. Here, “by” was written in lowercase, while “Hilton” was in uppercase. The shades of blue and red were slightly altered to offer a fresher look while retaining brand recognition. Importantly, the decorative cartouche at the top of the logo was removed.
(2024 – Present)
In 2024, the refined logo was designed by Rob Clarke, which featured the brand name “Hampton by Hilton” in two rows. It was enclosed within the blue hexagon with a red border. In the second row, “by Hilton” was shifted to the right to make the logo look more clean, modern, and sophisticated.
The Elements of the Hampton by Hilton Logo
Font
Two distinct font styles were selected for the text logo: the thin Canaro font was used for the bottom word, while the semi-bold italic Frutiger font formed the basis of the calligraphic inscription at the top. Additionally, the first line is written in a font that is similar to Sabre du Rhinoceros, Playball, Milkstore 01, and Krinkes Decor.
Colour
The logo incorporates two primary colours: red and blue. The specific shades of these colours vary depending on the year of the logo’s introduction. For example, the earlier version featured blue and red. In subsequent designs, these colours were slightly lightened. White serves as a neutral colour in the overall palette.
Finally
The evolution of the Hampton by Hilton logo illustrates the brand’s adaptability and growth within the competitive hotel industry. Each logo iteration has played a crucial role in shaping its identity as a global hospitality powerhouse. As Hampton by Hilton looks to innovate and expand, its logo is likely to evolve as well. It is expected to meet the expectations of modern travellers while staying true to its core values of comfort and quality service.