MANCHESTER & LEEDS, UK - (17 January 2012) – DoubleTree by Hilton today announced two former Mint Hotels have officially joined the upscale, full-service hotel brand and are now welcoming guests as the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester-Piccadilly and the DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre. The hotels are two of eight Mint Hotels across the UK and the Netherlands joining the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels as DoubleTree by Hilton or Hilton Garden Inn properties.
 
Simon Vincent, area president - Europe, Hilton Worldwide, said, “The dynamic growth of DoubleTree by Hilton, with more than 25 hotels currently operating in the UK and Europe and more than 20 projects currently under development across the region, demonstrates the appeal of this upscale and full-service brand to guests and investors alike. These city centre properties in Manchester and Leeds are outstanding additions to our Hilton Worldwide European portfolio of more than 225 hotels.”
 
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton is delighted to further strengthen our fast-growing UK collection with two exceptional hotel additions. These two well-known,  city centre locations in Manchester and Leeds will continue to offer guests many of the design and service attributes already enjoyed by current hotel guests, along with the added rewards of our Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme and the signature, sweet worldwide welcome of our legendary DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookie welcome.”
 
The 285-room DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester-Piccadilly occupies a landmark site in the Piccadilly Place development, and reflects the warm and welcoming feel of this lively city. With an award-winning City Café, the stylish Piccadilly Lounge and elegant Blue Bar, the hotel offers guests a welcoming stay right at the heart of Manchester.
 
Overlooking the revitalised Leeds waterfront, the 333-room DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre is part of the architecturally renowned Granary Wharf area. Nestled between the working Leeds Liverpool canal and Leeds Railway Station, the hotel is ideally placed in the centre of Leeds, close to many cultural hotspots such as Opera North, Northern Ballet, Leeds Grand Theatre and the Victoria Quarter.
 
The DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester-Piccadilly and DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre share modern architectural designs that are characterised by their transparency and versatility. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows are featured in each guest room, meeting room and all bars and restaurant spaces within the hotel, providing plenty of daylight and impressive city skyline views.
 
Guestrooms and suites at each hotel are spacious and designed for comfort, featuring a variety of essential and innovative in-room amenities including an Apple iMac computer which functions both as a TV and computer, generous work desks and a gourmet in-room coffee and tea service. Complimentary high-speed internet access is available throughout the hotel as well as in each guest room.
 
For meetings, conferences and events, DoubleTree by Hilton locations at Manchester-Piccadilly and Leeds City Centre present some of the most extensive, innovative space in each city. Meeting rooms throughout the hotels have been thoughtfully designed for productivity, technology and spatial orientation, with natural daylight from floor-to-ceiling windows, soundproofed walls, complimentary wireless, high-speed internet access and an iMac for use in each room. Flexible and neutrally designed meeting rooms are ideal for small meetings as individual rooms, or when combined can comfortably accommodate large events of more than 200 guests in Manchester and more than 300 guests in Leeds.
 
DoubleTree by Hilton hotels at Manchester-Piccadilly and Leeds City Centre both feature a City Café - a informal, yet sophisticated restaurant where guests enjoy modern cuisine with an emphasis on seasonality. The Granary Lounge and Blue Bar at the Leeds City Centre and Manchester-Piccadilly locations, respectively, present relaxed, contemporary lounge spaces with a Whisky Bar and a wide range of cocktails, beers and wines as well as light lunches and sharing platters.

Skylounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre is the city’s premier rooftop venue for both cocktails and fine dining, with picturesque Leeds and Yorkshire views 13 storeys above the city centre. Skylounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester-Piccadilly may be reserved for private receptions with outstanding city skyline views for up to 60 guests.
 
DoubleTree by Hilton now welcomes travellers to a rewarding hotel experience with a fast-growing network of 15 hotels throughout the UK in Lincoln, Aberdeen, Dunblane, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Chester, Sheffield, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Bristol and London (four hotels).
 
Adjacent to Leeds City Station and 30 minutes from Leeds Bradford International Airport, the DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre is situated at 2 Wharf Approach, Granary Wharf, Leeds, LS1 4BR. For more information about the hotel or to make reservations, please visit the hotel’s dedicated webpage at www.leedscitycentre.doubletree.com or contact the hotel directly on +44 (0) 113 241 1000.
 
Just three minutes from Manchester Piccadilly Station and 20 minutes from Manchester International Airport, DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester-Piccadilly is located at 1 Auburn Street, 1 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3DG. For more information about the hotel or to make reservations, please visit the hotel’s dedicated webpage at www.manchesterpiccadilly.doubletree.com or contact the hotel directly on +44 (0) 161 242 1000.

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels
With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 280 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve.  Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 65,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveller feel human again.
 
To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com.  Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels. For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at www.doubletreebyhiltonglobalmediacenter.com.
 
About Hilton Worldwide
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 offered business and leisure travellers 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 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 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®.

Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.