Briefly in the news

The Costa Mesa Hilton is one of four hotels that will be owned and

operated by a new partnership between Hilton Hotels Corp. and CNL

Hospitality Corp., officials announced Wednesday.

The new partnership had been in the making for six months and had

nothing to do with the drop in tourism and travel business, said Costa

Mesa Hilton General Manager Joe Bann.

Bann said he is pleased with the new ownership agreement, saying CNL

has made a commitment to invest in renovations at the hotel. In addition,

the new partner will free up some money and allow the Costa Mesa Hilton

to enter into a long-term management contract, Bann said.

The Costa Mesa Hilton was targeted for the partnership -- along with

Hilton Miami Airport, Embassy Suites in Portland and the Hilton Suites in

Auburn Hills, Mich. -- because it had produced an attractive amount of

revenue, Bann said.

General operations at the Hilton will not be affected, he said.