With the European market being synonymous with growth opportunities, DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the expansion of its hotel portfolio in this region with no less than 37 new properties within the next 5 years.

The DoubleTree by Hilton brand will enter six destinations across Europe in 2022, marking a major expansion of the hotel group's European portfolio in the space of one year. DoubleTree is Hilton's fastest growing brand in Europe, with 37 hotels expected to open in the region over the next five years. The brand currently operates 120 properties across Europe.

Since its arrival in Europe in 2008, DoubleTree by Hilton has led the way in upscale growth in Europe. The brand is now present in 19 countries and plans to expand into seven more in the coming years. A brand that is highly relevant to owner demand for conversion properties, DoubleTree by Hilton's considerable global reputation and loyal customer base make the brand an attractive opportunity for development.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, development of Hilton

Two of these properties have already opened their doors in December 2021. The DoubleTree by Hilton Sittard in the Netherlands and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hannover Schweizerhof in Germany. The former is housed in a historic building and includes 90 rooms, a restaurant offering French cuisine on a continuous service basis, a fitness area, meeting rooms and a bar in the building's former chapel. It is the group's first hotel in the province of Limburg. A franchise agreement with Black Label Hospitality is the basis for this project.

The hotel in Hannover includes 200 rooms, a gourmet bistro, a bar, a spa area and a large meeting space. The hotel will help the city to host more than 60 international and national exhibitions per year as the region is one of the largest exhibition cities in the world. The property opened under a franchise agreement with Schweizerhof Hotel GmbH & Co KG.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Lyon Eurexpo opened in January 2022. The 141-room hotel is located in the Saint-Priest Technology Park, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. A fitness area and 4 modular meeting rooms are available to guests. Operated under a franchise agreement with SARL Société de l'Hôtel du Lac, the hotel will be managed by Solanet Gestion Hôtelière.

In Italy, the DoubleTree by Hilton Milan Malpensa Solbiate Olona will open in April 2022. The 246-room hotel will open through a franchise agreement with GDF Group, a long-time partner of Hilton in Italy. The hotel's convention centre, which will include seven meeting rooms, will also provide work space for surrounding businesses.

Eastern Europe will welcome two new properties, the DoubleTree by Hilton Budapest Buda Hills Hotel and Residences in Hungary and the DoubleTree by Hilton Brasov City Centre in Romania. The former is expected to be operational in 2023 and is uniquely located in one of Central Europe's major financial and cultural centres, which is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guests will be able to enjoy a spa area, swimming pool and meeting rooms. The hotel will open under a franchise agreement with Rupphegyi Kft, a Hungarian property development and management company.

The second hotel will open in 2024 in the heart of downtown Brasov, a very famous and popular medieval city. Facilities will include a sky bar, casino, meeting rooms and a fitness and wellness centre. The property will be operated under a management agreement between Hilton and Crown Venus Residence Estate SRL.

Hilton is also adding two new properties to its portfolio in Greece, the Pantelikon Athens Curio Collection by Hilton and the Hampton by Hilton Piraeus Mikrolimano. The two new properties will be located in the country's capital, Athens, and are scheduled to open in in fall and sping 2024.

Over the past 12 months, we have expanded our portfolio in Greece's major resorts with four new hotels. This latest deal will allow us to build on our long-standing heritage in Athens, introducing two exciting brands to the market. Curio Collection by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton are two of our fastest growing brands in Europe, accounting for nearly half of all hotels in the pipeline. 

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, development of Hilton 

The Pantelikon Athens Hotel is to undergo an €18 million refurbishment to become the Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel has 117 rooms including 13 suites, a fully equipped gym, four spa areas and an indoor and outdoor pool.

Following a €5.5 million refurbishment, the Hampton by Hilton Piraeus Mikrolimano will offer the high standard of accommodation that is typical of the brand's hotels. The property includes 83 rooms, 4 meeting rooms with a total area of 120 square metres and an outdoor swimming pool.

Alle these properties will join the Hilton Honors loyalty program, allowing members who book directly with Hilton to earn points towards stays and hotel experiences, as well as instant benefits such as touchless check-in.

Also in Greece, the iconic Hilton Athens closed on 31 January 2022, marking the end of an era for the group. This iconic hotel was opened in 1963 and has hosted many celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Pierre Cardin, Anthony Quinn and Madonna. The property will reopen in 2024 under the Conrad Residences and Waldorf Astoria Residences brand.

Renamed Conrad Athens, in honour of founder Conrad Hilton, the hotel will include 280 rooms and suites and 50 luxury residences. The multi-million euro project aims to create jobs, increase property values in the region and enhance the Greek capital's tourism offering.