REPORT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM—The eight former Mint hotels that Blackstone purchased and will rebrand within the Hilton family are “superb additions to Hilton Worldwide’s growing European estate,” said a Hilton executive who oversees hotel development in the region.
After Blackstone Group’s decision to brand the hotels as DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton now has 220 hotels across six brands in 31 European countries.
“DoubleTree by Hilton … has seen remarkable growth since its European introduction in the spring of 2008 with 25 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels now open in 10 countries across Europe,” Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior VP of development in Europe and Africa for Hilton, wrote in an email. “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.”
Blackstone, which owns Hilton, agreed to pay approximately £600 million (US$947 million) for the Mint Hotels brand in mid-September from City Inn Limited, the owner and operator of the eight-hotel chain.
All hotel re-branding projects are underway and expected to be complete in early 2012. The breakdown will be as follows:
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• DoubleTree by Hilton, Tower of London
• DoubleTree by Hilton, London Westminster
• DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station
• DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly
• DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre
• Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre
• Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Brindley Place
• Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre
“In each location they complement already existing Hilton Worldwide properties offering our guests more choice and flexibility,” Fitzgibbon said. “Hilton Garden Inn and DoubleTree by Hilton brands have tremendous traction across Europe and are being well received by our owners, developers and guests.”
The addition of three Hilton Garden Inn properties bring the brand’s total to 18 across Europe, including two in the United Kingdom.
Aspects such as location and facilities were considerations as to which brand each hotel in the newly acquired portfolio would get, Fitzgibbon said.
The hotels in London will be preparing for the 2012 Olympics and Fitzgibbon said Hilton is looking forward to welcoming guests.
“During the period itself, the large majority of rooms in Central London have been allocated to (the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) as part of our commitment to the winning bid,” he said. “The games period will be exceptionally busy and our 4,000 team members in the London area are also undergoing further training to ensure guests enjoy the very best of our famous hospitality.”
Fitzgibbon said some investment is planned for the new Hilton hotels in order to implement brand standards.