Hilton Hotels Corporation has
signed a letter of understanding for a major development alliance with Somerston Hotels UK Limited
- with the intention to introduce an additional 25 new hotels comprising of
3000 rooms across the UK in the next five years.This represents the second major UK hotel franchise announcement with a
leading property partner in the last month for Hilton, as the company’s
international development strategy gains significant momentum.

The agreement is expected to result in the addition of at least 25 Hampton
by Hilton properties - Hilton’s ‘new kind of economy hotel’ brand that
focuses on consistency and comfort for business and leisure travellers
alike.

Phil Cordell, Senior Vice President of Brand Management for Hampton by
Hilton said: “We look forward to debuting Hampton by Hilton in the UK and
establishing a ‘new kind of economy hotel’ with our key brand attributes
such as complimentary high-speed Internet access, complimentary hot
breakfast and our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, which have made Hampton by
Hilton the preferred economy hotel choice for business and leisure
travellers throughout the United States.”

Somerston, a privately owned company, is looking to expand its existing
interests in the economy hotel sector. It currently owns and operates 34 UK
hotels across three international brands and totals in excess of 4,000
rooms.

Chairman of Somerston Hotels, Christopher Budden, said: “There are still
tremendous growth opportunities within the economy hotel sector and we are
excited by the prospect of further developing our portfolio with Hilton.
With our UK franchise expertise and the new Hampton by Hilton brand, we are
confident that we can make a huge success of this alliance.”

Ian Carter, Chief Executive of Hilton?s International Operations said: “The
deal with Somerston and the introduction of the Hampton by Hilton brand
into the UK represents a significant first move into the economy sector.

In the last two weeks we have announced significant alliances with Shiva
and now with Somerston, and these alliances are indicative of our ambition
for growth and market leadership across a number of market segments.

Specifically, we have a target of doubling our UK estate from 75 to 150
hotels in ten years and with the interest and support of leading property
developers and franchise operators we are well on the way to achieving
this.”
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