DoubleTree by Hilton snaps up two more London hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton Hyde Park and DoubleTree by Hilton Ealing will join seven other DoubleTree hotels across the capital. The two former Ramada properties were acquired under franchise agreements with Westmont Hospitality.

"London is a world class destination and DoubleTree by Hilton is becoming a major part of its tourism offering,” said Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton Worldwide’s senior vice president for development in Europe and Africa.

“These two new properties complement the strength of our long established Hilton Hotels & Resorts presence, whereby this year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the landmark London Hilton on Park Lane.

“Building on the international exposure of 2012, we are thrilled to be enhancing our presence in London with these two latest additions and now have 38 hotels open and under development right across the city and its airports.”

• Doubletree by Hilton Hyde Park​ is situated on Bayswater Road opposite Kensington Gardens. The 228-bedroom hotel features 12 new guest rooms on the first floor and a new 24-hour fitness centre.

A new standalone restaurant will also be launched, in September, with an emphasis on ‘farm-to-fork’ dishes and seating available on an outside terrace overlooking Hyde Park.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Ealing​ is a few minutes’ walk from London Ealing train stations and comprises 189 bedrooms with in-room work areas and six separate meeting spaces.

The bar and lounge area features seating with built in power outlets and the restaurant - W5 Grill & Bar - specialises in dishes using locally-sourced ingredients.

Expansion plans​

Christopher Rawstron, vice president of operations and asset management for hotel management company Westmont Hospitality, said: “London has experienced a steady growth in the hotel market over the last few years and the initiation of an investment programme at both properties will ensure that these hotels will stay ahead of the competition.

“The revitalisation programme has been designed to give guests a warm welcome and stylish accommodation, marking a new era for the hotels.” 

After announcing three further DoubleTree by Hilton properties in Edinburgh, Bristol and Nottingham earlier this year, Fitzgibbon revealed plans to operate 25 DoubleTree-branded properties across the country by the end of the year.

“Since launching DoubleTree by Hilton in the UK, the brand has built overwhelming momentum, particularly as a conversion proposition for existing properties," he said. “"Beginning the year with the signing of these hotels is testament to our aspirations to continue in the same vein throughout 2013.”

Metropole refurbishment​

Meanwhile, Hilton Worldwide also recently announced that another of its properties in the capital – Hilton London Metropole – is to undergo a £6m transformation of its Lobby area.

The hotel will be the first UK site to incorporate the Hilton Hotels & Resorts lobby design narrative, which ‘provides smartly designed and functionally relevant lobby spaces, for guests and locals to work, socialise and enjoy’.

The completed first phase of the refurbishment has seen the installation of a new lobby bar - EDG Bar & Lounge - and Whisky Lounge, whilst the construction of new double-height glass entrances will mark the overall completion of the project in August 2013.