Hilton announced the signing of a franchise agreement to open Hilton Worldwide's first Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded property on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Hilton Istanbul KozyataÄŸi Conference Center & Spa joins a fast growing portfolio of 40 hotels across Turkey that are either currently trading or under development.

Having opened its first Turkish hotel in 1955, Hilton Worldwide has long established itself as a leader in the Turkish hospitality industry and this latest signing marks yet another milestone for the company as it grows its portfolio across the country. The upper upscale Hilton Istanbul KozyataÄŸi Conference Center & Spa will be located in the rapidly emerging Asian side of Istanbul, featuring 317 bedrooms and more than 2,000 square metres of events space.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "We have a long heritage in Istanbul coupled with rapid growth over recent years in what is a thriving global destination. I am delighted to be introducing Hilton Hotels & Resorts to the Asian side of Istanbul. The new hotel will complement the spectacular DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Moda which began welcoming guests in 2011."

The hotel will comprise of two iconic 16 storey towers which sit on top of a three storey podium. The upper floors of the hotel will provide incredible views of the Marmara Sea and Princess Islands with the rooftops playing host to a speciality restaurant and stylish destination bar. The hotel will also feature a further two dining options and a large Health Club & Spa, plus a direct link to the award winning Optimum Shopping Centre via a pedestrian footbridge.

Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said, "Visitors to the Asian side of the city will soon be able to experience legendary Hilton Hotels & Resorts service - which has been a visionary hospitality provider in Istanbul for many years. We are delighted to extend our presence in Istanbul with this upscale and design led hotel which I have no doubt will be extremely popular with guests."

The city of Istanbul is an increasingly popular venue for conferences, ranked as the world's ninth busiest by the International Congress and Convention Association last year. The trend is widely predicted to spread to the city's emerging Asian side, fast becoming a major hub for business and commerce. Consequently, Hilton Istanbul KozyataÄŸi Conference Center & Spa has been designed to satisfy this increasing corporate & events demand - with plans for world class conferencing facilities. The hotel will feature two ballrooms of more than 500 square metres, 15 specialist meeting rooms, a 24 hour business centre and ample storage space.

Hakan ÇaÄŸlar, Chairman of the Board, EmaytaÅŸ Turizm Gayrimenkul Yönetim Hizmetleri Sanayi ve Tic A.Åž, said, "To work with Hilton Worldwide on this significant project is a great honour and I am delighted to be opening the first Hilton branded hotel on the Asian side of Istanbul. We look forward to capitalizing on the increasing levels of visitor interest to the Asian side as well as the globally recognized Hilton name."

Hilton Istanbul KozyataÄŸi Conference Center & Spa will be reached directly from the major E5 motorway which links Istanbul with capital city Ankara. The site lies almost equidistant to both of Istanbul's major airports, Istanbul Ataturk International and Istanbul Sabiha Goken with the terminals 23km and 21km from the property respectively and both connected by the motorway. Further transport links will be provided by the new KozyataÄŸi metro station which is within walking distance of the hotel, and forms part of the new Uskudar-Kartal line.