From Manhattan to Munich: Aloft Hotels Opens 100th Hotel Worldwide – Momentum Continues for Fast Growing Aloft Brand, with Eight Additional Hotels Set to Open by End of 2015

Stamford, Connecticut – 29 September 2015 – Aloft Hotels, the innovative hotel brand for today’s hyper-connected global traveler, today announced the 100th hotel milestone worldwide, with the opening of Aloft College Station in Texas. Currently operating in 16 countries across the globe, Aloft has experienced incredible growth since it emerged onto the scene in 2008. With the recent openings of Aloft Manhattan Downtown – Financial District in New York City, Aloft Santa Clara (CA), Aloft Stuttgart and Aloft Munich in Germany, Aloft continues to expand in key global markets, with eight more hotels set to open by year’s end.

Aloft Hotel

“Aloft has been one of the fastest growing hotel brands , successfully opening 18 hotels in three countries within the first six months of launch, and now boasts Starwood’s second largest development pipeline,” said Brian McGuinness, Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “Aloft continues to be set apart from the competition, filling a white space we identified long ago in the marketplace: the need for an innovative and design-forward option for travelers on the road for either business or pleasure. When we think about development, we look for places where today’s – and tomorrow’s – travelers not only want to be, but need to be.”

Aloft hotels now operate in nearly every corner of the world, with properties in North America, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, UK, Turkey, UAE, India, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, and more. Development is booming. Aloft signed as many hotel deals in the first half of 2015 as in all of 2014, and is in its fifth consecutive year of market share gain. The brand will expand its portfolio in Greater China to 10 hotels by year’s end and will continue to penetrate new markets globally, with additional 2015 openings planned for Aloft Raleigh, Aloft Louisville Downtown, Aloft Taipei Zhongshan, Aloft Greenville Downtown, Aloft Raleigh – Durham Airport Brier Creek, Aloft El Segundo – Los Angeles Airport, and Aloft Dongguan Dynamic Town.

Launched in 2008 as Starwood’s tech-forward incubator brand, Aloft is designed with a futuristic lens. Built on an agile platform, the Aloft brand’s innovation team works to develop and pilot new technologies to enhance the guest experience and cater to the lifestyle and needs of today’s emerging traveler. In addition to milestone technological breakthroughs including the world’s first robotic butler, Botlr, as well as the introduction of Smart Check-In, which has now evolved into SPG Keyless— the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smart phone as a key— Aloft will soon pilot other innovations such as Virtual Reality, 3-D Food Printing and Smart Wake-Up, dreamt up from the brand’s Concept Rooms at its global Headquarters in Stamford, CT. Dynamic lifestyle programming is also in the brand’s DNA, as Aloft offers a buzzing social scene for the early adopter including its renowned global music series, Live At Aloft Hotels, offering guests and locals free access to the hottest emerging artists at every Aloft Hotel around the world.

India relies on mid-classed hotels – 159 new hotel in the pipeline

New Delhi, India – 24 June 2015 – As a traditional travel destination India has to re-focus on new qualities. After partially significant declines of overnight stays by foreign guests – global reporting about series of rapes especially of women from western countries has damaged the tourism enormous – recently the number of tourist arrivals has increased by six percent. Therefore more and more modern top hotels are in the pipeline now. In total currently 159 new first class and luxury hotels with about 29.068 rooms are under construction or in development. This data has been revealed by TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider of global b2b hotel data.

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar – Guestroom

Domestic tourism in India has increased strongly by 10 percent during the past three years. Especially branded mid-scale hotels – decent quality for affordable rates – are in demand for the growing middle class. The Indian government plans to encourage the business with international tourists and therefore relaxes the visa regulations with further countries.

Also investors already kept an eye on efficient working budget hotel chains and hotel booking portals such as fabhotels.com (former Casa2Inns), Oyo Rooms and stayzilla.com. Hotel companies like InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) are more and more focussing India, which is rich in monuments and dreamscapes: recently the tenth Holiday Inn Hotel was opened, a 127 room property in Chandigarh.

The US Company Marriott is establishing its top brand JW Marriott. In Mumbai the second luxury hotel with 585 rooms recently opened close to the international airport. Main features of the hotel are the spacious meeting facilities as well as the luxury spa area.

In autumn Starwood Hotels & Resorts will open a high-end hotel by its St. Regis brand in Mumbai. For this will the exciting Palladium Hotel undergo an extensive refurbishment and extension to become a top hotel with 386 luxury rooms and suites, five restaurants, a club lounge, the bars, pool, fitness area and meeting spaces on 38 floors. With 37 new properties in the pipeline Starwood Hotels is expanding its portfolio in India (currently 43 hotels). Among others the W Retreat & Spa Goa, The Westin Kolkata, Sheraton Hyderabad, Le Meridien Nagpur and the Aloft New Delhi Aerocity are under construction.

Hainan: The tourism of China’s island paradise is booming – 48 luxury resorts in the pipeline

Beijing, China – 28 May 2015 – Paradise on earth: the sun-kissed holiday island Hainan in the south of China is about to be converted into an international tourism destination. Since more than five years the tourism is booming – a public index is recording growth rates of almost 18 percent every year. According to TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider for global b2b hotel data, currently 48 new luxury resorts with more than 20,700 rooms are under construction or in development on Hainan.

The largest hotel project on the island is the spectacular Sanya Beauty Crown Hotel with „seven hotel stars“. The hotel will feature 6,000 rooms and serviced apartments in nine building sections, which will look like trees. The hotel project costs more than a billion US-Dollars and will open its doors in spring 2016. The extraordinary tree shape, the “nine beautiful trees”, should represent the tropical nature of the island, which is also called “Hawaii of China”.

Selected Top hotel projects on Hainan in China (Source: www.tophotelprojects.com)
Hard Rock Hotel Haikou – Hainan – 250 rooms – August 2015
Moringa Hotel Sanya Beauty Crown – Hainan – 6000 rooms & Serviced Apartments – planned opening: spring 2016
St. Regis Qingshui Bay Resort – Hainan – 400 rooms – spring 2016
Swissotel Sanya – Hainan – 300 rooms – spring 2016
Submarine Hotel – Hainan – 175 rooms – early 2016
Jumeirah Haikou Hotel – Hainan – 140 rooms – early 2018

The Chinese have already replaced the Germans as top travelling nation and promote especially in the Middle Kingdom the domestic tourism. Currently China offers more than 2.7 million rooms and 11,700 hotels. The tendency is rising. Recently the tourism archived a revue of 40 billion US-Dollars. Until 2022 it is expected that the market volume will increase up to 100 billion US-Dollars and will therefore surpass the USA.

Starwood Hotels Expands Presence in Canada with the Signing of Two New Westin Hotels in Alberta

The Westin Calgary Airport and The Westin Edmonton Gateway Are Slated to Open in 2017

Toronto, Canada – 13 May 2015 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced the signings of two new build properties: The Westin Calgary Airport, owned by PAL Hospitality Ltd., and The Westin Edmonton Gateway, owned by Neelam Investments Ltd. With these new signings, Starwood will further strengthen its footprint across Canada, while significantly bolstering its upper-upscale presence in Alberta.

“We are very excited to continue growing our reach in Canada with this strategic expansion of the Westin brand in key Alberta markets,” said Alison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “We highly value our relationships with owners and franchisees, and continue to see strong interest from partners looking to leverage Starwood’s powerful brands, network, global booking platforms and loyal customer base.”

With 250 guestrooms, The Westin Calgary Airport will be located directly on Calgary International Airport property. The five-story hotel will feature a Westin Club Lounge, 30,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurant and lounge. The Westin Edmonton Gateway will offer 225 guestrooms, as well as a Westin Club Lounge, full restaurant, contemporary bar and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel will be located near The Anthony Henday Expressway, which encircles Edmonton, providing convenient access throughout the city and to downtown.

Both hotels will embrace the Westin brand positioning of For a better you™ by offering programs designed to inspire balance and enhance well-being, leaving guests feeling better than when they arrived. The properties will be fully equipped with the brand’s signature amenities, such as the world-renowned Westin Heavenly Bed, the Heavenly® Bath experience, and an ergonomic work area for optimal productivity.

“These hotels are a great example of how Starwood is working proactively to increase our portfolio throughout Canada with the right partners, the right properties and in the right places,” said Scott T. Duff, Sr. Director Development – Canada & Alaska. “Our solid portfolio of 67 hotels in the country across seven of our brands positions us well for continued growth across the country across all segments.”

Starwood Hotels is also pleased to welcome The Gupta Group / Easton’s Group of Hotels, to the Starwood family. The Gupta Group recently acquired The Westin Bristol Place Toronto Airport Hotel, assuming the franchise licensing agreement for the hotel. The hotel is located adjacent to Toronto Pearson International Airport and just 25 minutes from downtown Toronto. With the purchase of the property, Easton’s Group, led by owner Steve Gupta will invest $9 Million in renovations to the hotel over the next year.

The momentum continues for Starwood Hotels in Canada, with opportunity for growth across all its brands, including the newly introduced Tribute Portfolio™. A robust pipeline of future openings is spurred by growth of Starwood’s Specialty Select brands. Boasting the largest portfolio among all of Starwood brands in Canada, Four Points by Sheraton will soon welcome new properties including Four Points by Sheraton Moncton, Four Points by Sheraton Surrey, Four Points by Sheraton Regina, Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton West, Four Points by Sheraton Sherwood Park, Four Points by Sheraton Grande Prairie, Four Points by Sheraton Lloydminster, Four Points by Sheraton Estevan and Four Points by Sheraton Saint John. After the recent opening of Element Vancouver Metrotown, momentum for Starwood’s trailblazing eco-wise Element brand continues in Canada with plans to open Element Calgary Airport and Element Edmonton West in the coming years.

Japan needs new top hotel for Olympia Summer Games 2020 – Ten new upscale hotel construction projects with 1,700 rooms

Tokyo, Japan – 22 April 2015 – More and more tourists are visiting Japan, which is in the sense of the government, who plans to become the island country as holiday destination more into the international focus. Especially in Tokyo several new hotel projects are in the pipeline in the next years as the Olympic Summer Games in 2020 promotes the willingness for investments. At these hotel projects economic standards will play a bigger role than before. According to TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider for global b2b hotel data, currently ten new top hotels with 1,780 rooms are in the pipeline.

Four Seasons hotel project with 186 rooms in Kyoto, Japan – Opening scheduled in fall 2016

Within the next 15 years the number of international tourists is about to tripled. Until 2020 this number could reach 20 million; until 2030 the government is targeting 30 million visitors. In 2013 the “ten million border” was crossed for the first time, but in the same year in the international comparison Japan reached only place 27 and within Asia just the eighth place (behind for example South Korea).

The goals are considered to be very ambitious. But with the Summer Olympics and the Paralympics in 2020 the tourism industry in Tokyo will get a powerful boost. Already in 2014 the Japan National Tourism Organization announced another record year with 13,41 million tourists. This was another increase by more than 29% compared to the previous year. With 83,3 percent most of the visitors are Chinese. Reasons for the growing attract of the country are primarily the great Yen course as well as the Visa easement for the South East Asian countries. Furthermore, in the period between July 2013 and July 2014 the entry formalities for eleven countries were simplified.

Already in 2013 it was noticeable that the hotel capacity in Tokyo soon will reach its limit, if further investments should stay out. In 2013 the capital reached in the “business hotels” category an occupancy rate of 82.7 percent and in the “city hotels” category even 85 percent. Although new hotel capacities were added in recent years, business travellers no longer have a free choice where to stay. The most popular places are often booked out. Therefore these hotels can afford to dispense with usual discounts. Thus, increases in sales by ten to twenty percent can be achieved, for example at the Hotel Okura.

The expected tourism crowds arouse the interest of hotel operators and contractors but also by numerous suppliers, who are hoping for business in the equipment segment. The statistics of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), which is responsible for hotel projects, showing that Tokyo currently has about 100,000 hotel rooms.

Both high-class five-star hotels and budget hotels (with costs up to 10,000 yen per night) are on the list of proposed projects. In summer 2014 the hotel chain Hyatt opened the luxurious Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. The 106-room Dormy Inn in the Ueno Okachimachi district, which will be completed later this year by the Kyoritsu Maintenance Company, will be in the more affordable category. Also affordable are four hotels by Sotetsu Holdings with a total of 641 rooms, which are planned by the name “Sotetsu Fresa Inn” for fall 2016.

Also Turkey bets on tourism – government promotes hotel construction – 53 new top hotels with 9,400 rooms in the pipeline

Istanbul, Turkey – 1 April 2015 – Six percent more tourists: Also in Turkey the importance of tourism is growing, which promotes the construction of new hotels and resorts. According to TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider of global b2b hotel data, 53 new top hotels with a total of 9,400 rooms are in the pipeline. The investments are supported by the government through the allocation of public land for private hotel projects.

New luxury hotel landmark: In spring 2016 the Fairmont Istanbul will open its doors

The Directorate-General of investments and businesses in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced a list of 44 plots at 22 locations in the mid of 2014. At these locations, new different tourism facilities (hotels, motels and holiday villages) are planned with a total capacity of 11,316 beds. The list also includes suggestions for recreational complexes, which could be used for day trips. One focus of the planned investments is hotels with attached spas that also offer treatments. In Yalova on the Marmara Sea, south of Istanbul, a spa hotel with 750 guest beds is arising. The investment will amount 77 million Turkish lira. In Bursa, about 200 kilometers southeast of Istanbul, the construction of two golf courses and spa hotels is provided, each with 420 beds. The total investment is estimated at more than 500 million euros.

Regardless of the state support, the interest in hotel projects remains high. Mid-2014 the head of the conglomerate Altinbas Holding, Vakkas Altinbas, announced that his company wants to invest at least 100 million US dollars in a luxury hotel in northern Cyprus. The property will be close to Girne (Kyrenia). A final site selection has not yet been taken. Also the CVK Holding intends to invest in luxury hotels. By 2023, the group plans to open nine hotels. Primarily two new hotels will arise in Istanbul/Tophane and in the Aegean vacation destination of Bodrum.

The construction company Kavanlar Insaat built the Hampton by Hilton hotel in Kocaeli. It will open its doors in May 2015. The hotel will feature more than 207 rooms, four conference rooms and a fitness center. The hotel is part of a large building complex with a shopping center “Symbol Kocaeli” as well as the hospital “Medical Park”. The cost of the entire complex, on an area of 188,420 square meters, amount to 250 Million US dollars.

Germany stays hot spot for hotel investors and operators

394 new hotels with more than 56,700 rooms in pipeline

Berlin, Germany – 30 March 2015 – Hotels of the future are being planned in Berlin: At the International Hotel Investment Forum and the world’s largest travel fair ITB Berlin several hotel companies announced their latest plans. It is notable that Germany, as the strongest economy in Europe, will still be in the hotel investors’ focus. With 394 projects and in total about 56,700 rooms, the number of newly constructed hotels is as high as never before. This was announced by TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider of global b2b hotel data.

Motel One will open a budget design hotel late 2016 with 582 rooms and panorama lounge in the top floor in Berlin – vis-à-vis by Waldorf Astoria

After a tourism record year with 424 million overnight stays (+3%) and more and more foreign guests, Germany is considered to be particularly interesting with its stable economic growth rates. Especially in the capital Berlin 29 new hotels are currently in the pipeline with a total of 5,300 rooms, which increases the price war.

After a tourism record year with 424 million overnight stays (+3%) and more and more foreign guests, Germany is considered to be particularly interesting with its stable economic growth rates. Especially in the capital Berlin currently 29 new hotels are in the pipeline with a total of 5,300 rooms, which increases the price war.

New on the Berlin hotel market is the Titanic Deluxe hotel in a prime location in mid Berlin with 208 rooms, most excellent furnished and generously dimensioned “hammam”. Close to the central Alexanderplatz a Hampton by Hilton hotel will arise with 344 rooms, the largest one by this hotel brand so far. The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is bank on the budget segment in the capital and announced the opening of Holiday Inn Express hotels near the Alexanderplatz in 2017. End of 2016, Motel One will open a hotel tower with 582 rooms and panoramic lounge on its top floor in Berlin’s City West – straight opposite to the new top hotels Waldorf Astoria and 25hours Bikini.

Hotel new buildings in the largest cities in Germany
Berlin – 29 projects with about 5,300 rooms
Hamburg – 28 / 4.944
Munich – 26 / 4.397
Frankfurt/Main – 20 / 3.848
Stuttgart – 10 / 1.599
Leipzig – 9 / 1.448
Dusseldorf – 7 / 1.080
Essen – 6 / 884
Nuremberg – 6 / 1.056
Dresden – 5 / 664
Bremen – 4 / 703
Cologne – 3 / 517
Duisburg – 3 / 425
Munster – 3 / 440
Bonn – 2 / 536
Hannover – 2 / 391
Dortmund – 1 / 150
Bielefeld – 1 / 120
(Source: tophotelprojects.com / February 2015)

Dubai plans to double its hotel capacity until the World Expo 2020

Currently 87 new top hotels with 27,000 rooms are in the pipeline

Dubai, UAE – 29 March 2015 – 428 hotels with 64,800 rooms already exist in Dubai – now the hotel capacity should be doubled until to the World Expo 2020. Currently there are 87 new top hotels with more than 27,000 rooms in the pipeline, as TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider of global b2b hotel data, announced. Also an expansion in the hotel apartments segment (currently 208 facilities with 23,800 units) is pending. At the World Expo (20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021) 25 million visitors are expected, of which 70 percent will come from abroad.

Without taking the exhibition into account, Dubai is expecting an increase of visitors up to 20 million per year until 2020. The Expo will increase the influx and provide additional investment. Since the groundbreaking ceremony at the Burj Al Arab Hotel, the desert emirate has become a big player on the international tourism market and lots of further attractions will be added: the tallest tower in the world, the Dubai Mall featuring an aquarium over three floors, an indoor ski slope in the desert, the annual shopping festival, numerous fairs such as the Expo – and the list will be continued.

In the first half of 2014 the hotels and hotel apartments housed over 5.8 million visitors. In 2013 11 million visitors were counted. The political crises in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region have favored Dubai as an alternative tourist destination in recent years. Currently, less guests arriving from the oil-exporting countries and Russia, therefore the second half of 2014 might have been worse.

Top 10 of the largest hotel constructions in Dubai
Oyster Resort – 1,748 rooms – project is delayed
Bespoke Hote l – 1,400 – opening: spring 2018
Paramount Hotels – 1,250 – early 2018
The Royal Atlantis – 1,050 – spring 2017
The Address Residence Sky View – 712 – early 2016
Tryp by Wyndham – 672 – early 2017
Sky Central Hotel – 672 – autumn 2016
Wyndham Marina – 497 – early 2016
Rotana Al Barsah – 528 – early 2018
Lapita Hotel – 503 – late summer 2016

Hosting the Expo 2020 in Dubai has brightened considerably the investment climate. According to official estimates Dubai’s government will implement projects worth eight to nine billion US dollars. The final master plan for the 4.38 square kilometers of exhibition grounds will be completed this year and presented the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for approval.

In 2015, among others, the tender for the 1.3 billion-US-dollar extension of the Metro Red Line until the Expo is expected. The tender for the infrastructure of the exhibition grounds (estimated at 500 million us dollars) should also take place in 2015. Further major projects are planned in the surroundings of the Expo site (Expo Village, Vertex Five Towers, Legacy Park, etc.).

The Expo site and the adjacent new airport (Dubai World Central / DWC) will be part of an urban development zone with residential areas, amusement parks, hotels, shopping centers and service providers (logistics, etc.) and industrial plants. A wave of project announcements is expected. For example, the state-controlled property developer Emaar Properties has unveiled a project, which provides, among others, the construction of a residential community with affiliated golf club, several hotels, a “high-end” shopping mall, leisure facilities and a business center for the promotion of young entrepreneurs.

The Netherlands are pleased about more and more hotel guests

30 new top hotels with more than 6,500 rooms in the pipeline

Amsterdam, Netherlands – 28 March 2015 – The Dutch economy is struggling – but the tourism registers an upwind trend for years. For four years the Netherlands recorded increasing numbers of visitors, with 12.8 million visitors also in 2014 the number of visitors was surpassed by 10 percent compared to the previous year. With an expected growth of four percent at the number of tourists also 2015 will line up itself. In the long term the number of foreign guests could rise to 15.8 million by 2025. The boom is fulfilling the hotel investors’ expectations. According to TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider of global b2b hotel data, currently 30 new top hotels with more than 6,500 rooms are in the pipeline.

Jaz in the city – premiere of the new hotel concept by the Steigenberger Hotel Groups in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam the German hotel chain Steigenberger tries an experiment: Next to the “Ziggo Dome”, a busy event hall, the first property by the new generation “Y” hotel brand “Jaz in the city” will arise. The 285-room property is scheduled to open in September this year. A second “Jaz in the city” hotel with the new trendy concept is currently in the pipeline in Stuttgart/Germany – the brand should inspire artist and targets mainly young people, urban frequent travelers.

Hotel construction projects in the Netherlands (selection)
Novotel Schiphol Airport Hoofddorp – 314 rooms – Opening: June 2015
Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Schiphol – 433 – August 2015
Courtyard by Marriott Amsterdam Atlas Park – 176 – September 2015
Element Amsterdam – 160 – November 2015
Hyatt Regency Amsterdam – 211 – May 2016
InterCityHotel Rotterdam – 180 – early 2017
Source: tophotelprojects.com

Guests mainly from Europe
With 80 percent travelers, Europe is the most represented. The lion’s share of 3.9 million visitors (28%) came from Germany, followed by the UK (13%) and Belgium (13%). North Holland is by far the most popular destination for foreign tourists. About half of them stayed in Amsterdam. In 2013 North and South Holland received about 87 percent of all international visitors and 84 percent of all overnight stays. The international guests spend about 15 billion euros in 2014. Tourists from abroad are more generous than domestic travelers. With 21 percent the expenses by foreign tourists in 2013 grew more dynamic than the expenses by Dutch travelers with 6 percent. With a quarter of the total expenditure, the accommodation was the most expensive part.

The hotel offer in the cities is becoming more important. From 2008 to 2014 the number of overnight stays by foreign guests in a hotel is increased by a quarter. The portfolio of hotel rooms in the same period grew by 19 percent to 117,000 rooms. The offer increased especially in the Randstad region (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht) also North Brabant.

The new hotel rooms in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam confirm the trend of the city tourism. The growing interest in the cities stimulates the entry of new providers. Meanwhile International hotel chains recognize the potential of the Dutch market. Recent examples include NHow, Marriott Courtyard and Hampton by Hilton. The competition is increasing accordingly. Holidays in the Netherlands in bungalow parks and on campsites is especially popular for Germans and Belgians (90% of all foreign overnight stays are conducted by this category)

Hilton Worldwide Expands Hilton Garden Inn in the Middle East with Three New Signings

Mid-Market brand additions for Dubai, Al Ahsa and Al Khobar

Dubai, UAE – 27 March 2015 – Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of three new Hilton Garden Inn hotels for Dubai and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) adding to the mid-market brand’s growing portfolio of more than ten hotels either trading or under development in the Middle East.

Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of three new Hilton Garden Inn hotels for Dubai and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) adding to the mid-market brand’s growing portfolio of more than ten hotels either trading or under development in the Middle East.

“Hilton Garden Inn is an exciting proposition for investors in the Middle East as Hilton Worldwide continues to grow its presence in the value segment across the region,” said Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa for Hilton Worldwide. “With significant focus on the development of mid-market accommodation in Dubai and clear opportunity in locations across Saudi and the wider GCC, we are delighted to be adding to this momentum with the signing of agreements to open three new properties.”

Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Jadaf is expected to open in early 2017, following the signing of a management agreement with AIG Investments. Strategically located for ease of access to Downtown Dubai, as well as Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Jadaf is emerging as a major growth area of the Emirate. Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Jadaf will feature 336 guest rooms; two F&B outlets; flexible meeting space; as well as business and fitness centers.

Hilton Garden Inn Al Ahsa is expected to open in 2016 as part of a management agreement with Al Jazeera Group. Featuring 166 guest rooms, the hotel is located within the downtown area of the city, with easy connections to Riyadh and Damman. Hilton Garden Inn Al Ahsa will feature two F&B outlets; four meeting rooms; as well as business and fitness centers.

The 154-guest room Hilton Garden Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Causeway is expected to begin welcoming guests in 2016, located as part of the mixed-use Shobily Development, near to central Al Khobar via the King Fahd road. The hotel has been agreed with Al Jazeera Group, as part of a management with Hilton Worldwide, and will feature two F&B outlets; four meeting rooms with pre-function space; as well as business and fitness centres.

Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn, said, “With more than 600 hotels globally, we are delighted to be announcing further projects for Dubai and KSA. With the brand’s Dubai opening debut as well the second property to open in KSA set for this year, we look forward to offering travelers an upscale, yet affordable experience in this part of the world.”

Hilton Garden Inn offers guests amenities such as signature bedding, 24-hour business center, complimentary Wi-Fi and the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry which provides a range of snacks, sweet treats and beverages. Upcoming openings in Dubai include Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Mina; Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat; and Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall of the Emirates. This year the brand also expects to open its second hotel in KSA, Hilton Garden Inn Tabuk, which joins Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.

Hilton Worldwide features more than 59 hotels under development in the Middle East (including Egypt) across its Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn brands.