Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that it has entered into a management agreement with ZAO Pansionat Solnechy Lutch to open its third upscale Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Russia.

Occupying a prime location overlooking the Black Sea and Mzimta River, the Doubletree by Hilton, Sochi Adler plans to have a total of 200 rooms including 15 detached villas. Located in one of Russia’s most strategically important and rapidly developing investment centres, Doubletree by Hilton, Sochi Adler is expected to open by the end of 2011. With two other Doubletree by Hilton franchise development agreements already signed in Novosibirsk (opening Q3 2009) and Perm (opening Q1 2010), today’s signing represents the ongoing growth of the brand and marks the Hilton Hotels Corporation’s first management agreement in Russia.

Welcoming the announcement, Mike Collini, Vice President Development, Northern Europe and Russia, Hilton Hotels Corporation commented: “As a year-round resort destination Sochi is already one of the most popular holiday destinations for the domestic travel market in Russia. Thanks to the 2014 Winter Olympics it is now very much on the map for international travellers and is emerging as a key travel hot spot. The city is fast becoming one of the most important cities outside of Moscow and St Petersburg and with a lack of quality internationally branded hotels we feel that Doubletree by Hilton Sochi Adler is set to become one of the city’s flagship properties”

Often referred to as the Russian Riviera, Sochi has a rich heritage as the nation’s major Black Sea port city, resort destination and a prominent cultural centre. With a population of more than 400,000, the city is strategically located as a gateway to both the European and Asian continents. The region is currently undergoing a significant amount of infrastructure development and investment as it prepares for the Winter Olympic Games in 2014.

“Doubletree by Hilton continues its quest as one of today’s most dynamic upscale hotel brands in the travel industry by creating a worldwide network of hotels and resorts that provides stylish accommodation and personalised guest experience. It is exciting to introduce our brand in a quickly emerging city that is vibrant and filled with incredible business potential. With the support of the dedicated Doubletree and Hilton teams and strong local alliances, we look forward to evaluating additional new build and conversion opportunities to develop the Doubletree brand further in Russia,” said Rob Palleschi, Global Head, Doubletree Brand.

As one of the upscale hotel brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, Doubletree by Hilton will introduce business travellers and tourists in Sochi and throughout Russia to the brand’s longstanding tradition of distinctively designed hotels that reflect the destination and surrounding area. Other Doubletree by Hilton characteristic qualities include the warm worldwide welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie to every guest at check-in, the rewards of the prestigious Hilton HHonors? loyalty programme and a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate.

Located next to the city’s soon-to-be developed Mandarin shopping and entertainment complex, Doubletree by Hilton, Sochi Adler will only a short drive from Sochi’s international airport, making it ideal for business and leisure travellers alike. Other facilities planned include an all-day restaurant and lobby bar, state-of-the-art spa and fitness club with indoor and outdoor pools with dedicated pool bar and caf?. For business travellers the hotel will offer a total of eight meeting rooms, including ballroom and conference centre.

Today’s announcement underlines Hilton Hotels Corporation’s ongoing plans to develop rapidly across Russia, not only focusing on Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also actively looking at opportunities in key regional cities. Doubletree by Hilton, Sochi Adler will become the company’s fifth hotel in Russia, joining Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, Hilton Garden Inn Perm, Doubletree by Hilton, Novosibirsk (scheduled 2009) and Doubletree by Hilton, Perm (scheduled 2010).
——-