ZAGREB, Croatia – Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with B.P Pluto d.o.o. for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Zagreb, Croatia. The newly built DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will form part of a mixed-use development of offices and retail space located in a prominent position within Zagreb’s central business district. Expected to open in spring 2012, the company’s first hotel in the Croatian capital will be a short walking distance to the historic old town, which is made up of the medieval Cornji grad and Donji grad – the cultural, religious and commercial areas of Zagreb.

This latest hotel signing in South Eastern Europe will introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to travelers in Croatia and will join the Hilton Marjan Split, which is currently under development. Hilton Worldwide has been represented in Croatia since 2005 with the upscale and historic Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, a landmark property located on the Dalmatian coast, with views over the Adriatic and Dubrovnik old town.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Our outstanding portfolio of brands, which includes DoubleTree by Hilton, is gaining real momentum in South Eastern Europe with further projects under development in Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. Operating as part of the Hilton Worldwide system brings significant benefits to owners and developers and as markets continue to recover we expect to sign multiple new deals in the near future.”

DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb 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 guest loyalty programme; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “We are delighted that we have signed our first hotel development deal in Croatia for the DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb. Our brand continues to create an outstanding network of hotels across Europe, with more than 40 hotels and resorts now operating or in development across the region. Just as important, DoubleTree by Hilton continues to be recognized by European consumers and hotel developers alike as an outstanding, upscale collection of hotels and resorts that is growing quickly throughout the region and around the world.”

Featuring 152 guest rooms, restaurant and a bar, the comfortable and stylish accommodations at the DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will be complemented by a restaurant, lounge, business centre, spa and wellness centre, Precor fitness, swimming pool and sauna. More than 800 square metres of conference space also will be available for guests to host a variety of business meetings, executive board sessions and social events.

Zagreb is located in the northwest of Croatia and is a major regional transport hub, with road and rail connections to Central Europe and the Adriatic Coast, as well as international flight connections. Zagreb has a wealth of commerce and industry in the region, focused especially on manufacturing, chemical industries, textile, and food processing. DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will be located approximately 10 kilometres from Zagreb Airport (ZAG).

DoubleTree by Hilton has experienced remarkable growth since its European introduction in the spring of 2008 with 23 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels now open in 10 countries across Europe. During the past few years, DoubleTree by Hilton has expanded its portfolio in Eastern Europe and has most recently opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Bucharest-Unirii Square, Romania; DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava, Slovakia; DoubleTree by Hilton Varna – Golden Sands, Bulgaria; and DoubleTree by Hilton Kosice, Slovakia. Two additional DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are currently under development in Warsaw and Lodz, Poland.

For more information on DoubleTree by Hilton’s fast-growing network of hotels currently open in more than 250 locations and 21 countries worldwide, please visit the brand website at .

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 program, 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 . Social media users may connect with us at , and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels. For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at .

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travellers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and timeshare properties, with 615,000 rooms in 85 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors. For more information about the company, visit or connect with Hilton Worldwide at .