Hilton Worldwide has today announced the signing of three hotel agreements in strategic regional locations in Russia; new hotels will open in Yaroslavl and Kazan, as well as Hilton Worldwide's second hotel in Moscow.
These new signings will significantly expand the group's presence in Russia, with 11 hotels now open or under development, since entering the market in 2008.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "Today's announcement is an exciting milestone for Hilton Worldwide in Russia. We entered the market only two years ago and have seen remarkable expansion of our brands since then. We continue to see owners and investors eager to work with us, for both new build and conversion projects, attracted by our multi-brand offering and brand strength which resonate with domestic and international guests."
Hilton Worldwide is currently represented by Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, and operates three hotels; Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya; Hilton Garden Inn Perm; and the recently opened Doubletree by Hilton, Novosibirsk, which began welcoming guests in September 2010.
Doubletree by Hilton, Moscow Leningradsky-Riverside - offering 270 guestrooms, the hotel will be located in the north-west of Moscow on the Leningradskoe Shosse between the city centre and the airport. The hotel is expected to open in the beginning of 2012. A yacht club and marina is located next to the hotel site and it will be possible to travel by water to reach downtown Moscow, as well as the Black and Baltic seas. The hotel will feature a full-service restaurant and bar, and dedicated fitness centre complete with indoor swimming pool. A total of 1,200-square metres of meeting space and ballroom is complemented by a state-of-the-art business centre and wireless internet access throughout the hotel. Doubletree by Hilton, Moscow Leningradsky-Riverside will be operated under a franchise agreement with Autoconcept Co LLC.
Hilton Garden Inn Yaroslavl - offering 179 guestrooms, the hotel will be located close to major transport links, just a few minutes from Moscovsky train station and the main city highway, which connects Yaroslavl to Moscow (250 kilometres). Yaroslavl is a major tourist destination in Russia; the old town was named by UNESCO as a world heritage site and is renowned for its 17th century churches and outstanding urban planning which dates back to 1763. Expected to open in spring 2012, the new build Hilton Garden Inn Yaroslavl will offer a restaurant, lobby bar as well as extensive meeting space of 576 square metres, including 10 meeting rooms and a ballroom. Hilton Garden Inn Yaroslavl will be operated under a franchise agreement with RESO Hotel Investments LLC.
Hilton Garden Inn Kazan - offering 171 guestrooms, the property will be located in the downtown area of Kazan city, close to the airport and Volga river port and in an area which is home to local business and commerce. Historic Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, recognised as a sovereign state by the Russian Federation, with a population of more than 1 million inhabitants. The city sees mainly corporate visitors, with a mix of leisure from predominantly domestic sources. Expected to open in spring 2014, the new build Hilton Garden Inn Kazan will offer an all-day restaurant, lobby bar, business centre, fitness facility and four meeting rooms. Hilton Garden Inn Kazan will be operated under a franchise agreement with Vostochnaya Zvezda LLC part of the London & Regional Properties Ltd group.
Russia is an important strategic development market for Hilton Worldwide. Most recently, the company announced the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Omsk, which is expected to open in 2014. Additional hotels under development include: Doubletree by Hilton, Perm, expected to open in 2012; Doubletree by Hilton, Sochi-Adler, Hilton Garden Inn Samara and Hilton Garden Inn Ulyanovsk, all expected to open in 2012.
