Hilton Garden Inn has announced that it will be opening two new locations in Matera and Bari, Italy. Both hotels are scheduled to open in late 2007. The two new properties will join the Hilton Garden Inn(R) Florence Novoli and the Hilton Garden Inn(R) Rome Airport which opened last year—reflecting the brand’s ongoing expansion across Europe.

“We look forward to expanding the Hilton Garden Inn brand in Matera and Bari and offering a new lodging choice for both business and leisure travellers seeking quality accommodations in Italy,” said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president - brand management, Hilton Garden Inn. “As we expand in new global markets, we want travellers abroad to see that the products and services our hotels offer, including WiFi, workout facilities and 24-hour business centres are all provided complimentary at no additional cost to guests and in fact are core Hilton Garden Inn brand attributes that help guests stay productive yet relaxed while on the road.”

Welcoming the announcement, Wolfgang Neumann, president of Hilton Hotels - Europe, said: “We see the Hilton Garden Inn product as the perfect fit for these locations. Travellers to Italy can choose from 14 properties (including those opening in coming months) within the Hilton Family of Brands across the country, located in key destinations such as Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Palermo, Sorrento and now Bari and Matera.”

He added: “We believe that the current demand for affordable accommodations in Italy by the corporate and leisure markets alike has created an extremely positive environment particularly within the mid-scale sector. This new development reaffirms our commitment to providing our world-class portfolio of quality hotels in key locations across Italy and throughout Europe.”

The Hilton Garden Inn Bari and Hilton Garden Inn Matera are both managed by Nicolaus Hotels, a well-established division within the Degennaro Group of Bari which owns both hotels.

The 150-room Hilton Garden Inn Matera will be a newly built hotel and will offer guests an indoor and outdoor pool, spa and fitness area, as well as a restaurant, bar and meeting facilities. The Hilton Garden Inn Bari, formerly known as Scandic by Hilton Bari, is centrally situated a few minutes from the airport and close to the city’s financial and commercial district. The hotel offers 88 rooms, in addition to a restaurant, an outdoor pool and fitness room. It also features a bar, restaurant and meeting facilities.

Daniele Degennaro, president of the Degennaro Group, said: “The Hilton Garden Inn brand brings instant international recognition and a strong brand image that can only strengthen our operation. We are delighted and honoured to be partnering with Hilton, one of the most prestigious names in the hospitality industry in introducing this exciting brand into the south of Italy, and are confident that the launch of our two new mid-market Hilton Garden Inn properties in these locations are sure to be a success.”

Last week, Hilton opened the charming and historically important Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. The waterfront landmark and former 19th century flourmill turned premier hotel boasts 380 rooms, Venice’s first rooftop pool, the city’s largest spa, and two new restaurants from former Hotel Cipriani alumnus, Chef Franco Luise.
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