LONDON & MCLEAN, Va. -November 7, 2011 - Hilton Worldwide is delighted to confirm that it has reached agreement to re-brand and operate the eight Mint Hotel properties* that have been acquired by its owning company, Blackstone (NYSE: BX) as part of the upscale, full-service DoubleTree by Hilton and mid-scale Hilton Garden Inn brands.
This significant multi-brand deal will also bring the total number of hotels managed by Hilton Worldwide to more than 100 properties in the UK and more than 220 hotels and resorts - comprising more than 50,000 rooms - across Europe.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development - Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said,"Hilton Garden Inn and DoubleTree by Hilton brands have tremendous traction across Europe and further demonstrate the momentum we have behind our great global brands. These eight fantastic additions to our company's portfolio will promptly join our DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn brands with a fast-track transition programme that aims to see all hotels fully integrated into our Hilton Worldwide systems in the coming weeks."
Guests at newly rebranded DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Amsterdam, Tower of London, London Westminster, Leeds and Manchester will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at more than 265 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts open around the world. The upscale, full-service hotel brand has seen remarkable growth since its European introduction in the spring of 2008 with 25 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels now open in ten countries across Europe. The fast-growing global momentum of more than 70 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts anticipated to open across five continents in the next few years also represents the most robust hotel development pipeline in the brand's history.
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, "From London to Beijing and Amsterdam to Chicago, the DoubleTree by Hilton brand continues to create an extraordinary collection of hotels in some of the most sought-after city centre locations around the world. These five city centre properties in the UK and the Netherlands already have outstanding service and product attributes to represent the DoubleTree by Hilton brand. We look forward to creating rewarding experiences for the world's travellers in each of these fine locations."
New Hilton Garden Inn locations in Glasgow, Bristol and Birmingham will provide travellers with signature amenities that can be found at a network of more than 520 hotels around the world. The midscale hotel brand has seen significant expansion globally throughout the last two years, with the most recent opening the Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul-Golden Horn as the brand's fourth hotel in Turkey. The brand currently has more than 150 projects in various stages of the development pipeline and is set to make its debut in China in the first quarter of 2012.
These three properties in key cities join another 15 across Europe, including two in the UK, the Hilton Garden Inn Luton North and Hilton Garden Inn Aberdeen City Centre.
Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn, said, "Hilton Garden Inn has seen great success in Europe, and as our brand continues to expand internationally we look forward to introducing more travellers to what sets the brand apart from our competitors. Further demonstrating this, the brand has also recently been awarded top honors in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM*. Reinforcing that Hilton Garden Inn is the perfect hotel for mid-market business and leisure travellers, all at an affordable rate."
Hilton Worldwide's other global brands include the famous Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, and the focused-service Hampton by Hilton. Other hotel additions in the near future will include Hampton by Hilton London Croydon, DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle Airport, DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln, Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport and the Waldorf Astoria Berlin.
Official hotel names are as follows:
- Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station
- Doubletree by Hilton London - Tower of London
- Doubletree by Hilton London - Westminster
- Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly
- Doubletree by Hilton Leeds City Centre
- Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre
- Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre
- Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Brindleyplace
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and timeshare properties, with 615,000 rooms in 85 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com or connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.hiltonworldwide.com/media.
About DoubleTree
With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 240 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today’s business and leisure travellers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand’s legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors® guest reward programme, each DoubleTree by Hilton guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. To find out information about any DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, travellers may visit our website at www.DoubleTree.com or contact their preferred travel professional.
About Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is an award-winning, mid-priced brand which continuously strives to offer today’s frequently travelling busy people with everything they might need during their trip, including complimentary cable and WiFi internet access in all guest rooms, PrintSpot(tm) mobile printing, complimentary round-the-clock business center services, innovative and stress relieving Garden Sleep SystemTM and ergonomic Mirra® chairs designed by Herman Miller. Such that, whether you are on a business trip or a personal trip, Hilton Garden Inn provides you a deep sleep away from home, comfortable working environment, delicious food and comfort and services to help you stay fresh. For further information on Hilton Garden Inn’s North American or European hotels or to plan your next escape, please visit www.HGI.com.