Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Ramtron Australia to open the first DoubleTree by Hilton property in the country.

Scheduled to open in mid-2014, the 164-room DoubleTree by Hilton, Karratha will be strategically located in the centre of the Karratha commercial area, nine miles from Karratha airport and 12 miles from the port at Dampier.

Karratha is a major mining hub in the Pilbara region, the largest mining region in Australia.

Karratha adjoins the port of Dampier and is located just over 900 miles north of Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

“Hilton Worldwide has had a strong presence in Australia for over 40 years with the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, and we have been committed to expanding our brand portfolio in the region for some time.

“The DoubleTree by Hilton, Karratha will be our sixteenth property in Australasia and the first DoubleTree by Hilton in the region, joining the Parmelia Hilton Perth as the second Hilton Worldwide property in Western Australia,” said Robert Scullin, vice president, development, Australasia, Hilton Worldwide.

“The hotel is strategically located to support the ever growing demand from the resources sector and we are confident the DoubleTree by Hilton, Karratha, with the support of the developers Ramtron Australia, will be the leading full-service hotel in the market.”
 
Guests at DoubleTree by Hilton, Karratha will be greeted with the characteristic qualities currently found at the brand’s more than 300 DoubleTree by Hilton locations in 24 countries around the world.

The eight-storey property will feature 144 guest rooms, 20 apartments and will have an all-day dining restaurant and bar.

The hotel will also offer a fitness centre, an outdoor pool, three function rooms and car parking facilities.

Ramtron Australia is a consortium led by local Western Australian developer Rothchester Hotel & Resorts.

The consortium also includes well known Karratha identity Kim Loxton, Tang Weng Fei of Singapore-based Ramtron Oil International, and Perth-based company AYR International.

Ron Tondut, managing director of Rothchester Hotel & Resorts, added: “I have had a long standing relationship with Hilton Worldwide and I am very excited about bringing the world-renowned DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Pilbara.

“The introduction of a brand such as this represents a significant hotel development in one of Australia’s most important resources regions and is a testament to the tremendous growth which is taking place in this area.”

Hilton Worldwide currently manages and franchises 15 properties in Australasia including the Parmelia Hilton Perth in Western Australia.