Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with B.P Pluto d.o.o. for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Zagreb, Croatia. The newly built DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will form part of a mixed-use development of offices and retail space located in a prominent position within Zagreb’s central business district. Expected to open in spring 2012, the company’s first hotel in the Croatian capital will be a short walking distance to the historic old town, which is made up of the medieval Cornji grad and Donji grad - the cultural, religious and commercial areas of Zagreb.

This latest hotel signing in South Eastern Europe will introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to travelers in Croatia and will join the Hilton Marjan Split, which is currently under development. Hilton Worldwide has been represented in Croatia since 2005 with the upscale and historic Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, a landmark property located on the Dalmatian coast, with views over the Adriatic and Dubrovnik old town.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Our outstanding portfolio of brands, which includes DoubleTree by Hilton, is gaining real momentum in South Eastern Europe with further projects under development in Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. Operating as part of the Hilton Worldwide system brings significant benefits to owners and developers and as markets continue to recover we expect to sign multiple new deals in the near future.”

DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at the brand’s more than 250 DoubleTree by Hilton locations around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “We are delighted that we have signed our first hotel development deal in Croatia for the DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb.  Our brand continues to create an outstanding network of hotels across Europe, with more than 40 hotels and resorts now operating or in development across the region.  Just as important, DoubleTree by Hilton continues to be recognized by European consumers and hotel developers alike as an outstanding, upscale collection of hotels and resorts that is growing quickly throughout the region and around the world.”

Featuring 152 guest rooms, restaurant and a bar, the comfortable and stylish accommodations at the DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will be complemented by a restaurant, lounge, business centre, spa and wellness centre, Precor fitness, swimming pool and sauna.  More than 800 square metres of conference space also will be available for guests to host a variety of business meetings, executive board sessions and social events.

Zagreb is located in the northwest of Croatia and is a major regional transport hub, with road and rail connections to Central Europe and the Adriatic Coast, as well as international flight connections.  Zagreb has a wealth of commerce and industry in the region, focused especially on manufacturing, chemical industries, textile, and food processing. DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb will be located approximately 10 kilometres from Zagreb Airport (ZAG).

DoubleTree by Hilton has experienced remarkable growth since its European introduction in the spring of 2008 with 23 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels now open in 10 countries across Europe. During the past few years, DoubleTree by Hilton has expanded its portfolio in Eastern Europe and has most recently opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Bucharest-Unirii Square, Romania; DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava, Slovakia; DoubleTree by Hilton Varna - Golden Sands, Bulgaria; and DoubleTree by Hilton Kosice, Slovakia.  Two additional DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are currently under development in Warsaw and Lodz, Poland.

Also in Croatia today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Zagreb.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Zagreb.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.