The pink carpet was rolled out, the pink spotlights danced through the crisp night air of downtown Orlando, and everything seemed in place for the opening of Paris Hilton’s first nightclub. Notably missing: One pink-loving hotel heiress.

Hilton arrived six hours behind schedule — after many guests had left. At least she had an heiress-appropriate excuse handy.

“I was in the Swiss Alps skiing and I got caught at the airport with all the holiday travel so I’ve been trying to travel for the past 24 hours,” a smiling Hilton said after stepping out of a stretch SUV in front of the club shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.

After her friends, shouting “WOOOO,” ran out of the nightclub to hug and kiss her in greeting, she apologized for her tardiness. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”