Hilton Marks 50th Anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace with Groundbreaking New Video Series 'Room 702'
In its nearly 100-year history, Hilton hotels have served guests and communities across the world and acted as the setting for some of the most iconic cultural moments of the past century. One such moment, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace, took place in Room 702 of the Hilton Amsterdam beginning March 25, 1969 – exactly 50 years ago next week.
The Bed-In was covered by global media as Lennon and Ono turned their honeymoon into a weeklong promotion of peace. In celebration of the anniversary and the role Hilton has played in fostering understanding around the world, the company has created a new limited video series called “Room 702.”
The series leads viewers on a journey inspired by Room 702, as personified through Serby Castro and Ismaeil Dawod, two Hilton Team Members who bring that spirit to life today.
The stories of Serby and Ismaeil reflect the vision of Conrad Hilton, who created the first global hotel company with a vision to “fill the Earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.”
Here are the first two stories of the series:
Serby Castro
Serby Castro is a suite attendant at an Embassy Suites by Hilton in Orlando. Born in the Dominican Republic, Serby has become a champion of Hilton’s partnership with Clean the World. Through this program, suite attendants help collect used soap so that it can be recycled and sent to communities where access to basic hygiene can be a life saver. We surprise Serby with the chance to experience, for the first time, the amazing impact her work is having in her home country.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SERBY CASTRO'S STORY
Ismaeil Dawod
Ismaeil Dawod arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, as a refugee. Determined to build a new life for himself, Ismaeil worked hard to learn German and earn a role in the Hilton apprenticeship program. There he met friend and mentor Marc Snijders, who has seen Ismaeil become a rising star. Now Marc is ready to surprise Ismaeil with an opportunity that may just change his life again.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ISMAEL DAWOD'S STORY
Photographer Govert De Roos' Story
Despite being only 15 years old at the time, photographer Govert De Roos, profiled in depth here, describes how he was able to find a way into Room 702 to capture some of the iconic images that are still renowned today. To commemorate the anniversary, De Roos and Hilton Amsterdam General Manager Roberto Payer discuss how Room 702’s message of peace and understanding continues to live on.