DoubleTree by Hilton Set to Arrive in North East England

Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a franchise licence agreement with Cairn Hotel Group for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at its recently acquired site at Newcastle International Airport in North East England. Due to open in autumn this year, the hotel will sit immediately adjacent to the airport and joins a growing global brand which recently saw DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Moda become the brand's 250th hotel worldwide.

DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport will offer 179 guest rooms, 11 conference rooms, a business centre, fitness centre plus extensive food and beverage options. With more than five million passengers travelling through the airport each year, the site benefits from easy access to the A1 (M) motorway and a direct metro service to the city centre.

Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said: "DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global hotel brand that currently welcomes the world's travellers with more than 35 locations at international gateway airports. With more than 250 hotels and resorts around the world, including eight hotels across the UK, we are delighted to continue expanding our UK presence into North East England by creating a rewarding experience with our warm and welcoming style of hospitality at the soon-to-be DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport."

DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at the brand's more than 250 DoubleTree by Hilton locations around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand's legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors a guest loyalty programme; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president development, Hilton Worldwide, said, "Hilton Worldwide continues to pioneer the airport hotel concept and with this deal we will soon have properties at nine international and regional airports across the U.K. & Ireland. We have been keen to develop our presence in North East England, following the continued success of Hilton Newcastle Gateshead and look forward to welcoming our first guests at DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport."

CHG director Aran Handa said: "As a family business based in Newcastle we have watched this very well located hotel coming out of the ground for the last few years. We are now absolutely delighted to acquire it, and look forward to finishing it off and finally getting it open to the public."

Dave Laws, chief executive at Newcastle International, said: "This announcement is outstanding news for Newcastle Airport and the wider region. The prestige of DoubleTree by Hilton operating onsite will be hugely popular with our customers. The company's reputation for exceptional service fits perfectly with our focus on putting the customer at the heart of everything we do."

DoubleTree by Hilton is a proud member of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels, with a fast-growing network that spans more than 250 hotel and resort locations around the world. The upscale, full-service hotel brand has seen remarkable growth since its European introduction in the spring of 2008 with 23 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels now open in nine countries across Europe and eight across the U.K. Hilton Worldwide continues to grow its presence in Europe, with more than 200 hotels currently operating and more than 90 hotels currently in the development pipeline.

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels
With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 250 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors® guest loyalty programme, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 60,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveller feel human again.

To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travellers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels.