Hilton Worldwide has signed a franchise agreement to bring Hampton by Hilton to the UK’s fourth largest airport.

The agreement has been signed with strategic developers Urban&Civic, who secured planning permission to build a new £45 million 357-bed hotel next to the terminal of London Stansted Airport.

The move follows a deal to acquire a two acre site from MAG Property, the property and development division of Manchester Airports Group – the owners of Stansted.

The hotel forms part of MAG’s £260 million investment plan to attract more passengers, airlines and long-haul services to Stansted, the fastest growing airport in the UK.

Work is due to start on the stylish new hotel by the end of the year and Hampton by Hilton Stansted Airport is set to open with direct terminal access in summer 2017.

It will be the largest Hampton by Hilton in Europe with 357 guestrooms.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Hilton Worldwide said: “The introduction of Hampton by Hilton to London Stansted Airport is consistent with our strategy of developing focused service properties sufficiently close to the airport that guests can access the terminal without a shuttle bus.

“This strategy has proven successful for our hotels in a number of locations, including properties at airports in Gatwick, Exeter and Liverpool, and is integral to our developments in Bristol airport and here in Stansted.

“With more scheduled European destinations than any other UK airport, Stansted is an ideal location at which to develop our economy brand.”

Situated 45 kilometres from central London, Stansted Airport is easily accessible to the UK’s capital, with direct trains to London Liverpool Street.

Passenger numbers passing through Stansted Airport increased to more than 22 million this year, making it the UK’s fastest growing major airport.