Hilton International announced it will open its first Hilton Worldwide Resort in France - in the historic spa town of Evian. The unique five-star Hilton Evian Resort & Spa, scheduled for completion early 2006, will form part of the expanding Hilton Worldwide Resorts portfolio and enhance Hilton International’s growing presence in France, where it currently operates eight hotels.

Hilton Evian Resort & Spa, owned by Maltese firm, Tumas Group, will be developed and managed by Hilton International. The resort will play an active role in contributing to the city of Evian’s reputation and Hilton is currently working with, and will continue to work with, the local authorities and businesses to actively promote the destination of Evian.

The luxurious, 40million Euro, Hilton Evian Resort & Spa project is already underway in the century-old spa location of Evian with its unique natural setting in the heart of Haute-Svoie. The 173-room resort will command a prime position facing Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) and neighbouring the renowned Evian spas. Stylish rooms and suites will overlook the lake and the resort will offer two gastronomic restaurants, meeting facilities, reception areas and a comprehensive fitness centre with direct, private access to the Evian spa facilities.

At the heart of the resort, and in keeping with the natural beauty and harmony of the surrounding environment, will be the fitness centre and a design themed on water, nature and wellness. Directly linked by a private walkway to the Evian spa and springs, the fitness centre will offer complementary products and will be privately managed - the operation of which will be entrusted to a prestigious, specialized brand, and will follow in the footsteps of the Carita and Decleor brands at the newly opened Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris.

Guests at Hilton Evian Resort & Spa will benefit from the beauty and energy of the surrounding environment and private walkways will provide access to the Lake’s shore and to the boat stage for those wishing to take the ferry from Evian to Lausanne or enjoy a pleasure cruise.

The Tumas Group also owns:

The 5-star Deluxe Hilton Malta at Portomaso

The 5-star Deluxe L-Imgarr Hotel at Mgarr, Gozo

The 4-star New Dolmen Hotel at Qawra

The 4-star Topaz Hotel, at Bugibba

The 4-star Halland Hotel at L-Ibragg

The Oracle Casino - Qawra

Hilton Worldwide Resorts? is an upscale, global resort network with a collection of 47 resorts, located in exotic places, making up the world’s largest global choice. Currently, 34 resorts are operated by Hilton International, 11 by Hilton Hotels Corporation and two by Conrad. The network spans 21 countries and seven regions including the Americas, Arabian Gulf, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Egypt, Europe and the Indian Ocean. New resort openings are planned in Thailand, the Philippines, Seychelles, Fiji, France, America, Italy, Brazil and Australia.
New resort openings planned for this year include:

Conrad Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand, late 2004, 108 rooms

Hilton Cebu Resort & Towers, Philippines, late 2004, 250 roomsÊ

Hilton Imperial Hotel Dubrovnik, Croatia, late 2004, 156 roomsÊ

Hilton Barbados, Caribbean, late 2004, 353 rooms

New resort openings for 2005:

Hilton Amazon Eco-Lodge, Brazil, 196 rooms

Hilton Denaru, Fiji, 309 rooms

Hilton Venice, Italy, 380 rooms

Hilton Evian Resort & Spa, France, 174 rooms

Hilton Seychelles, 65 rooms

New resort openings for 2006:

Hilton North Miami Beach Resort, Florida, USA, 190 rooms

Hilton Santa Fe North Resort, New Mexico, USA

Hilton Margaret River Vineyard Resort & Spa, Australia, 156 rooms

Hilton Krabi Resort & Spa, Thailand, 200 rooms
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