Hilton Worldwide Continues Growth in Colombia with Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Santa Marta
Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with Grupo Fawcett to operate a new build Hilton Garden Inn hotel in the Caribbean port city of Santa Marta, Colombia. Scheduled to open in 2016, this new Hilton Garden Inn hotel in one of Colombia's leading tourist destinations serves as an example of the company's continued expansion efforts in Colombia. "We're thrilled to enter Colombia with our first Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Santa Marta," said Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn."Hilton Garden Inn hotels offer cost-conscious travelers convenience and excellent customer service. Our goal is to become the mid-scale lodging option of choice among both business and leisure travelers in the communities where we operate."Forming part of the award- winning, mid-priced brandthat delivers high quality and value, Hilton Garden Inn Santa Marta will be strategically located in Bellavista, an area near downtown and the historic city, just a few blocks from the sprawling marina and some of the area's best dining. The hotel will be 20 minutes from Simon Bolivar International Airport."Colombia continues to provide expansion opportunities, with Hilton Garden Inn Santa Marta representing our seventh development in the country," said Danny Hughes, senior vice president, Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, Hilton Worldwide. "The country's expanding economy and dedicated efforts to attract both domestic and international travelers have had a positive impact on tourism growth. We are excited to introduce our brands to new areas of this remarkable destination and happy to be doing so with Grupo Fawcett." Welcoming guests to Colombia's oldest surviving city, the 15-story Hilton Garden Inn Santa Marta will offer 132 guest rooms, all featuring comfortable beds with fresh, white, cozy duvets and crisp linens to help guests sleep deep. Rooms will also be outfitted with an ergonomic desk chair and oversized work desk, high-definition flat- screen television, easy-to-set alarm clock with MP3 connectivity, and a "hospitality center" that features a mini refrigerator and coffee maker. Dining options will include a full service restaurant and lobby lounge offering freshly prepared full, cooked-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel will also feature the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® shop with a selection of delicious readymade meals, beverages and snacks. Recreational facilities will boast a rooftop outdoor swimming pool and a complimentary fitness center featuring premium cardio and strength training equipment. Travelers to Hilton Garden Inn Santa Marta will also have access to comfortable and efficient meeting space, and signature Hilton Garden Inn brand attributes such as complimentary Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center."We are proud to welcome tourists, companies and corporate guests to enjoy the beauty of Santa Marta, its services and work facilities in our new Hilton Garden Inn hotel. We will certainly make a difference within the existing market and offer the best accommodation option in the heart of the city," said Juan Manuel Fawcett, Grupo Fawcett.Accessible via direct flights from Bogota and Medellin, Colombia, Santa Marta is the oldest city in the country. Known as a sister city of Miami Beach, Florida, this Caribbean haven welcomes visitors with everything from beaches and mountain ranges to national forests and cultural heritage. The hotel will participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 4,000 hotels worldwide.Hilton Worldwide currently has a portfolio of 59 hotels and resorts open and welcoming travelers in Latin America, including five hotels in Colombia. The company is actively pursuing additional Latin American growth opportunities and currently has a development pipeline that includes a number of projects in Colombia.For more information about this hotel and upcoming openings of the award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand, please visit hiltongardeninn.com or news.hgi.com.